Mike McCarthy offers significant praise for Drew Allar after mini-camp

TL;DR

Mike McCarthy praised rookie quarterback Drew Allar after a successful mini-camp, noting his ability to handle pressure during drills. Allar is competing for the starting quarterback position against Will Howard and Mason Rudolph.

Key points

Drew Allar is a third-round draft pick for the Steelers.
Mike McCarthy wanted to test Allar under pressure during mini-camp.
Allar is competing with Will Howard and Mason Rudolph for the starting job.
Mason Rudolph may be traded this offseason.
Aaron Rodgers' return to the franchise is still uncertain.

Pittsburgh SteelersDrew AllarWill HowardMason Rudolph

The Steelers got their rookie mini-camp underway this weekend, and while many franchises had multiple quarterbacks present at their sessions, Pittsburgh had just one – third-round draft pick Drew Allar.

And according to Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy, the mini-camp was strategically planned that way. He and his staff wanted to put Allar under a little bit of pressure and see if his rookie quarterback has what it takes to make it in the NFL. And afterward, he told the press that he was quite impressed by what he saw.

“We pushed him," said McCarthy. "To go 35 snaps in a team drill, that's pushing it, but he handled it...If your quarterback can't handle it, then you don't get to go to the speed and the tempo and the pre-snap that we were able to go. I thought Drew did a hell of a job.”

Allar enters a quarterback room where he will battle Will Howard and Mason Rudolph for the starting job, though Rudolph is reportedly a player the franchise is willing to trade this offseason. The unknown in the equation is Aaron Rodgers, who still hasn't issued a definitive decision on whether he will return to the franchise for a second consecutive season. He has reportedly been in discussions, but no news has come.

This article originally appeared on Touchdown Wire: Mike McCarthy offers significant praise for Drew Allar after mini-camp

Q&A

What did Mike McCarthy say about Drew Allar's performance?

Mike McCarthy expressed that he was impressed with Drew Allar's ability to handle pressure during the mini-camp, stating he did a 'hell of a job' during the drills.

Who are Drew Allar's competitors for the starting quarterback position?

Drew Allar is competing for the starting quarterback position against Will Howard and Mason Rudolph, who may be traded this offseason.

What is the status of Aaron Rodgers regarding the Steelers?

Aaron Rodgers has not made a definitive decision about returning for a second season, and discussions are ongoing without any news yet.