Drew Allar, a debated pick from the 2026 NFL Draft, joins the Pittsburgh Steelers as a quarterback. He possesses strong NFL attributes but has faced criticism for his performance at Penn State.
Drew Allar was one of the most debated picks of the 2026 NFL Draft.
The talk about the former Penn State quarterback going to the Pittsburgh Steelers focuses on production vs. potential.
The guy with the exquisite NFL size, arm strength and mobility ... who struggled to make clutch plays and win big games for the Nittany Lions.
The Steelers certainly reached high into the third round to add another piece to one of the most uncertain quarterback rooms in the league. Allar was one of eight Penn State football players drafted, following first-rounder Vega Ioane, with even more signing as free agents.
What can Steelers fans expect of Allar? Check out thoughts from across the NFL below:
Drew Allar
AllarĀ was an uber-talented quarterback who produced impressive statistics but never fully developed at Penn State as many expected.
That meant he didn't build on his strong start in 2023 and turn into the big-game-winning, first-round NFL Draft pick many pegged him for a year ago.
Drew Allar is noted for his NFL size, arm strength, and mobility, making him a promising addition to the Steelers.
Allar's selection sparked debate due to concerns over his ability to make clutch plays and win significant games during his time at Penn State.
Allar adds depth to one of the most uncertain quarterback rooms in the league, following the Steelers' high selection of him in the third round.
Eight players from Penn State were drafted in the 2026 NFL Draft, including first-rounder Vega Ioane.
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Allar struggled through an inconsistent start to his senior season with the Nittany Lions before breaking his ankle amid the team's stunning spiral. He then embarked on a six-month journey to rehab his body and football image before the draft.
He started 35 games over three seasons and began his college career as an FBS record-breaker: He did not throw an interception in his first 311 Penn State passes. He earned honorable mention All-Big Ten honors his first two seasons and ended his career as PSU's all-time leader in completion percentage (63.2)
He is the only FBS quarterback since 1956 with 900-plus career pass attempts, 50-plus touchdown passes and 12 or less interceptions.
One of his best statistical games was his first as a Penn State starter, against West Virginia in 2023: He was 21-of-29 passing for 325 yards and three touchdowns.
Allar begins his Steelers' career in an unsettled quarterback room. He's one of three backups fighting for positioning as the team awaits word on whether future hall-of-famer Aaron Rodgers will play the 2026 season. Can Allar overtake veteran Mason Rudolph or second-year Will Howard?
Here are takes on Allar from across the NFL:
USA Today, Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz: "(Allar) resembles an ideal at quarterback but doesn't come close to actually embodying one.
"The former five-star recruit has long tantalized with his build and capacity for threatening defenses vertically in the passing game. But a final season in which many expected Allar to make a long-awaited leap in his development laid bare all his shortcomings. Before suffering a season-ending ankle injury, he was repeatedly undone by sloppy footwork, erratic ball placement and a hesitant approach that consistently leaves him out of rhythm.
With their focus on physical traits, the Steelers might be adopting an "I can fix him" mentality here. Allar, however, can't be trusted to step in for Aaron Rodgers anytime soon, regardless of whether the four-time NFL MVP re-signs with the team. And while it's understandable that the Steelers would want to bring along a passer behind Rodgers, they very well might be looking to do so with another passer in the near future."
ESPN, Brooke Pryor: "Picking Allar signals the Steelers' belief in (head coach Mike) McCarthy's ability to develop quarterbacks because Allar is far from a finished product. But at 6-foot-5 and 235 pounds with big hands and long arms, Allar has the measurables valued by the veteran coach. The quarterback guru, though, will have his work cut out for him as he'll have to work to develop both Allar and 2025 sixth-round pick Will Howard."
The Athletic, Nick Baumgardner: "Drew Allar is absolutely intriguing ... with terrific arm talent and above-average mobility. He has every tool in the shed. (But) he was never consistent with his feet or in big moments during his run at Penn State though and could be a boom-or-bust prospect. I think Allar has a higher ceiling than Will Howard, for whatever thatās worth."
Frank Bodani covers Penn State football for the York Daily Record and USA Today Network. Contact him at fbodani@ydr.com and follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @YDRPennState.
This article originally appeared on York Daily Record: What to expect from Pittsburgh Steelersā NFL Draft pick Drew Allar