A prominent Pittsburgh Steelers reporter indicated Monday that the franchise already views its third-round rookie quarterback, Drew Allar, as the likely starter for the 2027 season.
Adam Crowley, a host on 93.7 The Fan, shared the assessment in an X post that quickly circulated among Steelers fans. The post quoted Mark Kaboly stating: “Mark Kaboly: ‘(The #Steelers) are probably thinking that Drew Allar is their starting quarterback next year.’”
The comment comes days after Allar’s impressive preseason debut and underscores the team’s long-term planning at the position. Allar, selected 76th overall in the 2026 NFL Draft out of Penn State, has drawn increasing attention for his rapid development under first-year head coach Mike McCarthy.
Aaron Rodgers remains the clear starter for the current campaign. The 42-year-old future Hall of Famer signed a one-year contract in May worth up to $25 million and has described the season as the definitive end of his playing career. That arrangement creates a bridge year during which the Steelers can develop younger options without immediate pressure.
Allar completed 10 of 13 passes for 153 yards and two touchdowns while adding a rushing score in the Steelers’ 28-9 preseason victory over the Green Bay Packers. His performance produced a 154.8 passer rating and helped him rank first among rookie quarterbacks evaluated for the opening week of exhibitions.
College production offers further context. Over four seasons at Penn State, Allar threw for 7,402 yards, 61 touchdowns and 13 interceptions while completing 63.2 percent of his attempts. A late-season ankle injury in 2025 contributed to his fall from projected first-round status, yet the Steelers reportedly maintained a significantly higher internal grade on the 6-foot-5, 228-pound passer.
Kaboly’s remarks align with earlier observations from training camp, where the former Nittany Lion has shown improved footwork, decision-making and arm talent. McCarthy has emphasized fundamentals and mechanics from the outset of Allar’s professional career, aiming to refine the traits that made him one of the most highly recruited quarterbacks in his high school class.
The Steelers’ quarterback room also includes veteran Mason Rudolph and second-year player Will Howard, a 2025 sixth-round selection. All three backups performed efficiently in the preseason opener, complicating roster decisions but reinforcing depth behind Rodgers.
Crowley’s post, which had been viewed more than 112,000 times by Monday afternoon, prompted mixed reactions among followers. Some expressed optimism about Allar’s trajectory, while others questioned the reliability of early projections based on limited sample sizes and exhibition play against reserve defenses.
Team officials have not publicly confirmed any succession plan. McCarthy has praised Allar’s daily progress without committing to a specific timeline for a larger role. Rodgers has focused on the present, emphasizing preparation for the regular season rather than long-term organizational discussions.
Allar has embraced the understudy opportunity. He previously noted the value of learning from Rodgers, who shares familiarity with McCarthy’s West Coast-style system from their earlier tenure in Green Bay. That mentorship could prove critical as the rookie continues refining his craft through the remainder of the preseason and into the regular season.
Historically, the Steelers have sought stability at quarterback after the long tenure of Ben Roethlisberger. Recent attempts to identify a successor have produced mixed results, making Allar’s early reviews particularly noteworthy for a franchise that values continuity.
Whether the internal outlook described by Kaboly holds through the 2026 season will depend on sustained improvement, health and overall team performance. For now, the assessment shared via Crowley’s post has amplified discussion about the next phase of the Steelers’ offense.
Additional preseason games will provide further evaluation opportunities before final roster cuts and the start of the regular season in September.
