The Pittsburgh Steelers have drafted Penn State quarterback Drew Allar, adding intrigue to their QB room as Aaron Rodgers' future remains uncertain. Allar is not expected to start immediately but brings potential for the team's future.
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What Drew Allar draft pick means for Steelers QB room as Aaron Rodgers question remains originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Pittsburgh Steelers' quarterback room just got even more interesting.
With Aaron Rodgers' official decision on the 2026 season looming, new head coach Mike McCarthy and company grabbed a Day 2 quarterback at the NFL Draft. The hosts selected an in-state star, Penn State quarterback Drew Allar.
Allar isn't going to be an immediate starter in Pittsburgh. But he does have plenty of exciting physical tools that could some day lead to him seeing the field for the Steelers ā making him an intriguing addition for the franchise as it navigates the Rodgers situation.
Here's how the Allar pick will impact the Steelers' quarterback room.
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Put simply, the Allar pick doesnāt change much for Rodgers. He still faces his decision: either end his NFL career after a one-year run in Pittsburgh, or run it back in 2026 with some added offensive talent and a new head coach, hoping for a better result. If he chooses the latter, Rodgers will be the Steelersā starter ā there is no question about that.
Drew Allar's selection adds depth and potential to the Steelers' quarterback room as they navigate the uncertainty surrounding Aaron Rodgers.
No, Drew Allar is not expected to be an immediate starter for the Steelers.
Aaron Rodgers' looming decision on the 2026 season creates uncertainty, influencing the Steelers' quarterback strategy and the role of Drew Allar.
Drew Allar possesses exciting physical tools that could make him a valuable asset for the Steelers in the future.
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The Steelers taking a swing on a young quarterback with untapped upside shouldnāt be indicative of what they believe about Rodgers, who, in all likelihood, will not play more than one more NFL season. Should Rodgers return, which has been expected, the only difference for him is that heāll now have a talented arm behind him whom he can help mentor for a year.
If Rodgers surprisingly chooses to retire, Allar could suddenly be thrust into a starting role at some point during his rookie season, which may not be beneficial for his development. He dropped from a projected first-rounder in 2025 to a Day 2 pick this year due to inconsistency and decision-making issues at Penn State, likely needing some further coaching before hitting the gridiron as a starter.
Should Rodgers come back to Pittsburgh, though, Allar will have an all-time great to learn from in the Steelersā 2026 quarterback room.
Thatās certainly the question thatās been on the mind of every Steelers representative since the offseason began; Rodgers has remained mum on his future, leaving open the possibility that he may not return in 2026.
However, the expectation remains that Pittsburgh comes to a one-year agreement with Rodgers to play in 2026. The Steelers have been operating this offseason like a team that will have Rodgers back, including landing his former head coach in McCarthy.
Rodgers is 42 years old. He will turn 43 during the 2026 NFL season on Dec. 2.
| Rank | Player |
| 1. | Mason Rudolph |
| 2. | Will Howard |
| 3. | Drew Allar |
The Steelers' quarterback room may be the most difficult to figure out in the NFL right now.
Not only does the Rodgers decision loom over all else, with him being the projected starter despite not signing a contract yet, but Pittsburgh also has three more passers rostered already. Mason Rudolph is the other veteran available; if Rodgers retires, he would likely start in 2026, with plenty of past experience suiting up for the Steelers.
However, the Steelers are also "open to dealing" Rudolph, per Ian Rapoport.
Whether Allar or former Ohio State quarterback and 2025 sixth-round pick Will Howard will be higher on the depth chart remains to be seen. On talent alone, Allar may have the upper hand, but Howard has a more proven track record in college and a year of experience as a backup in Pittsburgh already.
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