Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy expressed strong confidence in rookie quarterback Drew Allar on Friday, telling listeners of “The Pat McAfee Show” that the team viewed the Penn State product as a first-round talent when selecting him in the third round of the 2026 NFL Draft.
“When we drafted Drew we felt like we were getting a first round pick … All of that is holding true,” McCarthy said.
The comments, shared widely on social media including in a post by Underdog NFL, came one day after Allar’s impressive preseason debut. The 22-year-old entered late in the third quarter of Thursday’s 28-9 victory over the Green Bay Packers at Acrisure Stadium and immediately made an impact.
Allar completed 10 of 13 passes for 153 yards and two touchdowns while adding a three-yard rushing score. He led three consecutive touchdown drives and finished with a passer rating of 154.8, showing poise, arm strength and decision-making against Packers reserves.
McCarthy’s endorsement underscored the Steelers’ internal evaluation of Allar throughout the draft process. Despite slipping to the 76th overall selection, Pittsburgh’s personnel department maintained a high grade on the 6-foot-5, 228-pound passer based on his junior-year production and physical tools.
Allar’s senior season at Penn State was cut short by a broken left ankle suffered in October 2025 against Northwestern. He appeared in only six games that year, completing 64.8 percent of his passes for 1,100 yards, eight touchdowns and three interceptions.
Over four college seasons, Allar started 35 of 45 games and threw for 7,402 yards with 61 touchdowns and just 13 interceptions. His career completion percentage stood at 63.2, and he added 732 rushing yards and 12 scores on the ground.
Scouts long praised Allar’s prototypical size, elite arm talent and quiet presence in the pocket. Questions about consistency, footwork and processing under pressure, combined with the injury, contributed to his draft-day slide past the first two rounds.
The Steelers selected Allar after already adding depth at the position. Aaron Rodgers remains the clear starter for 2026 in what is expected to be his final season. Veterans Mason Rudolph and second-year player Will Howard also compete for backup roles.
Allar entered the preseason opener as the third quarterback used Thursday after Rudolph and Howard. His efficient performance and ability to finish drives raised his stock in the competition for roster spots and future opportunities.
McCarthy, known for developing quarterbacks including Brett Favre and Aaron Rodgers during previous stops, has emphasized fundamentals with Allar since the draft. The coaching staff has worked on refining the rookie’s footwork and base in the pocket.
Allar himself described the debut as a confidence boost after nearly 10 months away from game action. He noted the physical contact on his first rushing touchdown helped clear any lingering concerns from the ankle injury.
The Steelers’ quarterback room now features four players McCarthy has publicly said the team “loves.” With Rodgers under contract for one more year, Allar has time to develop without immediate pressure to start.
Observers noted that Allar ranked among the top three quarterbacks in some pre-draft evaluations, behind only first-round selections Fernando Mendoza and Ty Simpson. Pittsburgh’s willingness to wait until the third round reflected both the depth of the class and Allar’s medical timeline.
McCarthy’s remarks on the McAfee show reinforced the organization’s belief that the value remains intact. Early returns from training camp and the first preseason contest suggest Allar is progressing as hoped.
Further evaluation will continue in upcoming preseason games, where additional snaps could clarify the depth chart hierarchy behind Rodgers. For now, the coach’s public praise has spotlighted Allar as a potential long-term building block for the franchise.
The former five-star recruit out of Medina, Ohio, arrives with a strong foundation of college experience and the physical traits McCarthy prefers in his signal-callers.
How quickly those traits translate to consistent NFL production will define the next chapter of Allar’s career in Pittsburgh.
