Steelers Overhaul Rookie QB Drew Allar's Mechanics for NFL Success
First-year Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike McCarthy is completely reworking rookie quarterback Drew Allar, a talented yet raw third-round pick from Penn State. Once seen as a potential Day 1 selection, Allar returned for one more season in the Big Ten, throwing for 3,327 yards and 24 touchdowns in 2024, leading the Nittany Lions to the College Football Playoff semifinals. However, after regressing as a passer and suffering a season-ending injury last October, he slipped to the third round. The Steelers are focusing on giving Allar the best chance to succeed by changing his delivery and stance as a passer. According to ESPN, McCarthy and quarterback coach Tom Arth are "uninstalling everything he has learned" and replacing it with their own methods. They aim to widen Allar's base and keep him off his toes in the pocket, allowing him more time to process plays against the pass rush. Currently, the Steelers lack a starting quarterback but have Allar, second-year Ohio State product Will Howard, and veteran Mason Rudolph on the roster. There's speculation that Aaron Rodgers may re-sign and reunite with McCarthy. Allar, a three-year starter at Penn State and one of the top recruits in the program's history, finished with 7,402 yards, 61 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions. Standing at 6-foot-5 and weighing 235 pounds, he possesses the physical tools of a modern NFL quarterback. However, concerns about his consistency linger, as his completion percentage fluctuated significantly during his college career. While he showed enough arm strength to challenge defenses at all levels, his ball placement and timing were often unpredictable. Evaluators noted that his performance was somewhat protected by Penn State's heavy reliance on the rushing attack, which limited his exposure to chaotic pocket situations. His processing speed faced scrutiny, particularly in high-stakes games where he made critical mistakes. Overall, Allar remains a developmental project rather than an immediate solution for the Steelers' quarterback dilemma. However, under McCarthy's guidance in QB school this offseason, there is potential for significant growth.
Source: CBS Sports - 2026-05-13