Drew Allar isn't expected to start for the Pittsburgh Steelers this fall, but the rookie quarterback put on a show in his preseason debut.
Allar, the 76th overall pick from this year's draft, completed 10 of 13 pass attempts for 153 yards with two touchdowns. The former Penn State star also had a rushing touchdown on two carries.
"It's a huge confidence boost, but I think I came into the game confident just because of the preparation and everything that has gone on in the last two weeks down in Latrobe," Allar said, via ESPN. "Coach McCarthy and the whole offensive staff put together a really concise game plan ... just calling stuff that they know I'm comfortable with and just allowing us to go out and play fast. I feel like they did a great job of putting me in a position to go out and be successful."
While Steelers fans are certainly glad that Allar showed potential on Thursday night, Penn State fans are left wondering what could've been.
Barry Reeger-Imagn Images.
Even though Allar had a nice career at Penn State (7,402 passing yards and 61 touchdowns), fans in Happy Valley felt like James Franklin held him back.
"Drew Allar out here making James Franklin look really bad. Hey, I’ll admit I’ve never been sold on Allar. But hopefully all he really needed was to get away from Franklin’s [expletive] offense," one fan wrote on X.
"I know it's the preseason, but Drew Allar is showing just how bad of a coach James Franklin was at Penn State," a second fan said.
"Just look at the differences in Drew Allar’s body language & mechanics," another person commented. "You go from James Franklin - LOL - to Mike McCarthy People drag McCarthy… but he really is a QB Whisperer."
Year 1 expectations for Drew Allar.
Despite putting up great numbers on Thursday night, Allar isn't expected to be the starter or primary backup for the Steelers.
Aaron Rodgers is set to be the Week 1 starter, with former Ohio State star Will Howard listed as the No. 2 option on the depth chart.
The Steelers will most likely let Allar develop behind the scenes before giving him a shot at the starting gig in 2027. That being said, don't have high expectations for him this fall.
