Uncertainty still lingers within the Pittsburgh Steelers’ quarterback depth chart days before the 2026 NFL Draft starts. As of writing, only Will Howard and Mason Rudolph are on the roster, though there are rumors of Aaron Rodgers returning for another season.
However, as predicted in a recent mock draft, the Steelers could add another QB on Day 2. He could compete for the starting role, granted that Rodgers remains a free agent.
Steelers Projected to Select Drew Allar in Round 3
Pro Football & Sports Network’s Jacob Infante believes that former Penn State quarterback Drew Allar could land in Pittsburgh. The Steelers could use the 99th overall selection (35th in the third round), one of four compensatory picks awarded to the AFC North franchise.
“Injury shortened his 2025 season, so Drew Allar didn’t get the chance to prove himself as a more polished passer. His accuracy can be inconsistent, but he has prototypical size and arm strength for the quarterback position. Someone will take a chance on him as a developmental backup,” Infante wrote on his recent seven-round mock draft.
Furthermore, Allar’s PFSN scouting report reads, “Drew Allar is perhaps the most quintessential ‘prototypical QB’ in the 2026 NFL Draft. A former five-star recruit, he has the frame at 6’5″, 235 pounds. He has the rocket arm, and he has the nimble mobility and arm elasticity to work off-platform.”
In six games last season, Allar tallied 103 completions for 1,100 yards and eight touchdowns. That’s a small part of his 633 completions for 7,402 passing yards and 61 touchdowns in four seasons with the Nittany Lions. Adding his 12 rushing touchdowns gives him 73 for his entire college football career. His “enticing blend of raw talent and offensive command” makes him an intriguing prospect.
The 99th pick, where Infante slotted Allar, is within his 96th ranking on PFSN’s Industry Consensus Board. However, it’s way in front of his 130.3 average draft position based on the PFSN Mock Draft data and 161.8 in the PFSN NFL Mock Draft Simulator.
Will Drew Allar be the Steelers’ Long-Term Solution at Quarterback?
The Steelers continue to find answers at quarterback since Ben Roethlisberger retired after the 2021 NFL season. Since then, they’ve had six different starters, including four in the last two years (Rodgers, Rudolph, Justin Fields, and Russell Wilson). Before them, Kenny Pickett and Mitchell Trubisky took turns taking the snaps behind center.
While Rodgers provided stability for the Steelers in 2025 and could come back this year, he will turn 43 in December. Though the four-time NFL Most Valuable Player can still play decently, he’s on borrowed time due to his age.
Therefore, Mike McCarthy and the Steelers must find their starting QB for at least the next decade. Drew Allar could be that guy, especially if his production during his sophomore (2,631 passing yards, 25 touchdowns) and junior (3,327 yards, 24 TDs) translates to the NFL.
