Steelers Have to Make Big Decision on Drew Allar This Season

Story by

Jordan Sigler

Thu, May 14, 2026 at 2:04 PM UTC ·

2 min read

Credit the Pittsburgh Steelers for being proactive in the quarterback market in the 2026 NFL Draft by taking a one-time promising Penn State prospect, Drew Allar, in the third round.

The Steelers tried and failed with Kenny Pickett in 2023. There was only so much Pittsburgh could do with the No. 20 pick. Competing for the playoffs every season doesn't always benefit teams needing to draft quarterbacks in the first round.

Will Howard and Allar are two young quarterbacks that can compete for a spot on the depth chart this fall regardless of whether Aaron Rodgers comes back to play for the 2026 campaign.If Rodgers returns for what would be expected as his final season in the league, the Steelers will have a huge decision to make on Allar.

They'd have to decide how to get him on the field in the regular season to evaluate him, knowing quarterbacks in the 2027 draft are expected to be much better than the 2026 class.

Brooke Pryor of ESPN doesn't think Allar will play in the regular season if Rodgers plays, though he could get ample time in the preseason. If Rodgers doesn't play for Pittsburgh, the Steelers could play this season.

"Much of Allar's situation is contingent on Aaron Rodgers' impending decision," Pryor wrote. "If Rodgers returns as expected, Allar likely won't see the field except for the preseason and injury fill-in spots during the 2026 campaign.

"But it would benefit the Steelers to get Allar game experience to see what they have entering a 2027 draft, which should be stronger at quarterback. Allar will join 2025 sixth-round pick Will Howard as developmental players vying to be Rodgers' backup -- if the 42-year-old quarterback returns. If he doesn't? Then all bets are off."

Early in the offseason, the Steelers are trying to undo all of the damage done to Allar during his time at Penn State. He has a lot to digest when it comes to fundamentals and footwork, on top of dealing with a new scheme and terminology.

Simply put, Allar's not going to be a Week 1 starter. But Pittsburgh should evaluate him before the end of the season to decide if he has a future as QB1 or if they need to push their chips in for the 2027 draft.