Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy spoke out strongly about rookie quarterback Drew Allar.
The Pittsburgh Steelers have a situation brewing at the quarterback position. With Aaron Rodgers set to start in what he has openly stated will be his final NFL season, the situation behind him has become a storyline worth watching.
Right now, Mike McCarthy and the Steelers have three quarterbacks vying for two jobs.
Mason Rudolph is the veteran of the group. Will Howard is entering his second NFL season. Drew Allar is a rookie with high potential for the future.
No one knows exactly how the quarterback situation will unfold. However, there are many who expect Pittsburgh to stick with Howard and Allar behind Rodgers. That would leave Rudolph as the odd man out via trade or release.
During the team's preseason opener, all three backup quarterback options played against the Green Bay Packers.
Rudolph completed 10 of his 11 passes for 93 yards, while Howard threw for 86 yards and completed seven of his nine attempts. Allar had the most impressive night with 153 yards, two touchdowns, and no interceptions, while completing 10 of his 13 passes.
Following the game, McCarthy spoke out with strong words about Allar in particular. He made it clear that the Steelers felt they got a first-round talent in their third-round pick.
"When we drafted Drew we felt like we were getting a first round pick," McCarthy said. "All of that is holding true."
Allar seems to be the front-runner to be Pittsburgh's long-term quarterback after Rodgers rides off into retirement. Over the last couple of years at Penn State, he has been considered a potential first-round talent. An injury cut his 2025 season short with the Nittany Lions.
Throughout his four-year career at Penn State, Allar completed 63.2 percent of his passes for 7,402 yards, 61 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions. He also ran for 736 yards and 12 more scores.
Next up for the Steelers will be a second preseason matchup against the New York Jets on August 21. That game will also be important for the three quarterbacks to make their cases for Pittsburgh to keep them around on the final 53-man roster.
For now, it's clear that McCarthy and the team are liking what they are seeing in Allar. The rookie quarterback has made an impact early on to begin his NFL career. He's looking close to being a lock for making the roster and being an option for the future.
