Steelers starting from scratch with QB Drew Allar

TL;DR

The Pittsburgh Steelers are revamping rookie quarterback Drew Allar's footwork and fundamentals under head coach Mike McCarthy. This foundational work aims to enhance Allar's performance and adaptability on the field.

Key points

Steelers are focusing on Drew Allar's footwork and fundamentals
Head coach Mike McCarthy is leading the training overhaul
Allar's high school run-and-shoot experience presents challenges

Mentioned in this story

Mike McCarthy

Pittsburgh SteelersDrew Allar

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - FEBRUARY 28: Drew Allar #QB02 of Penn State participates in a drill during the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 28, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images) | Getty Images The Pittsburgh Steelers could have gold in the form of rookie quarterback Drew Allar, but they know they have to do some digging to uncover that treasure. This is why, according to Brooke Pryor of ESPN, head coach Mike McCarthy and the entire offensive staff are starting from scratch with Allar and his footwork. “Allar moved through that [footwork] drill and many others Saturday morning at half speed as the coaching staff essentially uninstalled his old hardware and began rebuilding his fundamentals from the ground up,” Pryor writes. McCarthy himself noted that improving Allar’s footwork will help him play faster and get out of troubling situations. “It gives you the ability to play faster,” McCarthy said via Pryor. “[It] gives you the ability to transition in and out of the challenges that occur throughout quarterback play. We’re teaching him different than the way he’s played before. He hasn’t spent a lot of time under center. He’s a run-and-shoot guy in high school. He’s played from nine yards deep. So there’s just a lot of newness to him, but it’s just like anything. When you see the response from Friday’s practice, talk about it Saturday morning and then for him to go out there and do it today, that’s encouraging.” As has been note on multiple occasions, and will certainly continue to be pointed out, Allar has the physical tools NFL teams want in a quarterback. It will come down to the job McCarthy and his staff do to rebuild his mechanics that will decide what his true ceiling is at the NFL level. ***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

What changes are the Steelers making to Drew Allar's training?

The Steelers are focusing on rebuilding Drew Allar's footwork and fundamentals from scratch to improve his performance.

How does Drew Allar's high school experience affect his NFL training?

Allar's background as a run-and-shoot quarterback in high school means he has limited experience under center, which the Steelers are addressing in his training.

What did Mike McCarthy say about improving Drew Allar's footwork?

Mike McCarthy emphasized that enhancing Allar's footwork will allow him to play faster and better handle challenges during games.