With quarterback Aaron Rodgers set to return for the 2026 season, the Pittsburgh Steelers’ short-term plan under center is solidified. However, with Rodgers nearing the end of his career, the Steelers are using the offseason to evaluate the arms behind the 22-year veteran.
With three signal calls getting snaps during Pittsburgh’s first preseason game, former Penn State quarterback Drew Allar dazzled in his NFL debut, leaving fans across the NFL world speechless at his impressive outing against the Green Bay Packers.
NFL Fans in Awe of Pittsburgh Steelers QB Drew Allar’s NFL Preseason Debut
While expectations were high for Allar at Penn State for the 2025 season, a broken left ankle would end his season in October, forcing him to miss a good amount of the year. Given the injury, Allar slid a bit in the 2026 NFL Draft, with the Steelers selecting the quarterback in the third round with the 76th overall pick.
With the ankle injury behind him, he faces off against veteran Mason Rudolph and former Ohio State quarterback Will Howard, a 2025 sixth-round pick by the Steelers for backup duty behind Rodgers.
Through one week, he has the edge, making the most of his snaps, completing 10 of 13 passes for 153 yards and two touchdowns. He also scored another touchdown on the ground at the goal line.
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While Rudolph was nearly perfect, and Howard was able to lead a drive that ended in a Lew Nichols rushing touchdown, Allar was the only quarterback to score points for the Steelers in their first preseason game, showing promise through the air and even on the ground.
Fans and analysts across the NFL world couldn’t believe their eyes as Allar wowed with his on-field performance.
Andrew Fillipponi of “93.7 The Fan” in Pittsburgh was thoroughly impressed with the outing, posting on X, “I take it all back. Drew Allar is going to be the greatest quarterback in Steelers history.”
I take it all back. Drew Allar is going to be the greatest quarterback in Steelers history.
— Andrew Fillipponi (@ThePoniExpress) August 14, 2026
Former Heisman Trophy winner and NFL quarterback Robert Griffin III gave Allar all the praise following his debut, explaining, “Drew Allar has never looked better. Calm in the pocket. Working through progressions. Reading with his feet. 10/13 for 153 yards, two passing TDs, one rushing TD, Good for you Drew. My Gawd.”
Drew Allar has never looked better.
Calm in the pocket.
Working through progressions.
Reading with his feet.10/13 for 153 yards 2 passing TDs, 1 rush TD
Good for you Drew 🤯
MY GAWD
📹-(@NFL) pic.twitter.com/2sBQLDGlDD
— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) August 14, 2026
The outing was so good that it had some Steelers fans comparing the rookie to NFL MVPs, with one user posting, “Some unbiased takes from preseason Week 1: Drew Allar is Josh Allen. Germie [Bernard] is AB. [Kaden] Wetjen is Tyreek [Hill].”
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While some were surprised, others saw the outing coming, given Allar’s career trajectory before the injury in his senior season. Pittsburgh sports writer Kody Duncan reminded local fans, “If you are a Steelers fan.. Start buying into the Drew Allar hype now. There was a reason this kid was projected to be a top-5 pick before last season happened.”
If you are a Steelers fan..
Start buying into the Drew Allar hype now.
There was a reason this kid was projected to be a top 5 pick before last season happened.
— Kody Duncan (@KodyDuncanPGH) August 14, 2026
Some even think the rookie looked better than he did at Penn State. NFL insider and writer John Frascella commented on how Allar looked on the field during his NFL preseason debut, posting, “Just look at the differences in Drew Allar’s body language & mechanics. You go from James Franklin – LOL – to Mike McCarthy. People drag McCarthy…but he really is a QB Whisperer.”
Just look at the differences in Drew Allar’s body language & mechanics
You go from James Franklin – LOL – to Mike McCarthy
People drag McCarthy… but he really is a QB Whisperer. https://t.co/DA3Pw9AZdQ
— John Frascella (Football) (@NFLFrascella) August 14, 2026
While it’s just one game, Allar got a nice start to the preseason over his competition of Rudolph and Howard.
With four quarterbacks on the roster and Rodgers’ status as the starter currently set in stone, one of Allar, Howard, or Rudolph is bound to get cut or get traded as the roster takes shape. Allar will have plenty of opportunities to show he deserves one of those roster spots with two more preseason matchups left to play.
