Penn State coach says offense was poor fit for Drew Allar

TL;DR

Penn State associate head coach Terry Smith stated that the offensive system was not a good fit for quarterback Drew Allar, impacting his performance. Allar, drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers, faces competition from Will Howard as they vie for the starting quarterback role.

Key points

Terry Smith claims the offense was not suited for Drew Allar
Allar faced criticism for his footwork and decision-making
He is competing with Will Howard for the Steelers' starting quarterback role

Mentioned in this story

Drew AllarTerry SmithWill HowardAaron Rodgers

Pittsburgh Steelers

PASADENA, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 04: Drew Allar #15 of the Penn State Nittany Lions reacts against the UCLA Bruins during the third quarter at Rose Bowl Stadium on October 04, 2025 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images) | Getty Images The Pittsburgh Steelers’ addition of quarterback Drew Allar was one of the stories of the 2026 NFL Draft, as the Steelers have set up a quarterback battle between the Penn State product and second-year quarterback Will Howard. Regardless of if Aaron Rodgers returns or not, Allar and Howard will both have a chance to prove that they can be the future of the Steelers. There have been many detractors toward Allar and the Steelers’ decision to draft him, many harping back on his messy footwork and decision-making when the play breaks down. Additionally, he had spotty performances against lesser teams like Villanova in 2025. Those who push back on the struggles point to the Andy Kotelnicki offense being a terrible fit for Allar – and one of Allar’s Penn State coaches agrees. Joining 93.7 The Fan, Penn State associate head coach Terry Smith says the offense was a bad fit for Allar. “I’ve been known as the truth teller here at Penn State,” Smith said. “And I think unfairly to Drew, our system wasn’t built for him. It wasn’t made for him. Some of the decisions were taken out of his control.” Smith became the team’s interim head coach after James Franklin was fired following a loss to Northwestern – the same game in which Allar suffered a season-ending ankle injury. Despite the perceived bad fit, Allar still helped the Nittany Lions make it to the semi-finals of the College Football Playoff in the 2024 season, helping Penn State defeat SMU and Boise State before falling to Notre Dame. ***Let us know what you think in the comments***. ***Be sure to bookmark Behind the Steel Curtain for all the latest news, breakdowns, and more!***

Q&A

Why did Penn State coach Terry Smith say the offense was a poor fit for Drew Allar?

Terry Smith indicated that the offensive system was not designed for Allar's strengths, which limited his decision-making and performance.

What challenges did Drew Allar face during his time at Penn State?

Allar struggled with footwork and decision-making, particularly in games against weaker opponents, which raised concerns about his readiness for the NFL.

What is the current quarterback situation for the Pittsburgh Steelers involving Drew Allar?

Drew Allar is in a quarterback battle with second-year player Will Howard as the Steelers evaluate their future at the position.