This Pittsburgh Steelers legend has offered an unexpected take on quarterback Drew Allar.
The Pittsburgh Steelers may have their quarterback of the future in Drew Allar, but not everyone is enamored with the Penn State product.
That includes legendary Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, who simply is not impressed by Allar heading into his rookie campaign.
"This is one that I’m not sure yet if I love it or hate it," Roethlisberger said on his own podcast. "I don’t watch a lot of Penn State games. When I did watch, he never jumped off the page to me. Is he big? Can he move? Can he throw? Yes. But there was never a time where I was like, 'Woah.'"
Roethlisberger is far from alone in that regard, which is the reason why Allar — who played in just six games this past year due to a season-ending ankle injury — slipped to the third round to begin with.
But then, Roethlisberger pitched a rather unexpected take regarding Allar and Steelers second-year quarterback Will Howard.
"Will Howard jumped off the tape to me way more than Drew did," he said.
You probably won't find many people who would agree with that take, especially considering Howard was a sixth-round draft choice of Pittsburgh in 2025.
Ben Roethlisberger. Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports.Now, to be fair, Howard did lead Ohio State to a national championship last year, and he did beat Allar in Happy Valley during the 2024 regular season.
But in terms of raw talent, most would likely say that Allar has the edge.
Allar stands 6-foot-5, weighs 230 pounds and possesses tremendous arm strength as well as impressive athleticism, which is why some likened him to Buffalo Bills star Josh Allen throughout his time at Penn State.
That comparison may seem awfully ambitious, but it's also worth noting that Allen did not exactly post great numbers at Wyoming.
Allar will absolutely have a chance to become the Steelers' starting quarterback, and that could happen as soon as 2026 if Aaron Rodgers decides to retire.
The 22-year-old entered the 2025 college football season viewed as a potential No. 1 overall pick, but he had a very disappointing year, finishing with 1,100 yards, eight touchdowns and three interceptions before going down with the injury.
In 2023 and 2024, Allar combined for 49 passing touchdowns and just 10 picks, so he was largely viewed as a top prospect at the time.
That being said, the Medina, Oh. native tended to struggle against top-tier competition, so the jury is very much out on him.
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