Right now, the Pittsburgh Steelers, with Mike McCarthy as their new head coach, are waiting to hear what quarterback Aaron Rodgers wants to do. There has been some talk that Rodgers was going to retire after the 2025 NFL season, but Rodgers has indicated he’d make a decision at some point.
While the Steelers wait, they might be taking a look at a top-tier college football quarterback to draft in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Pittsburgh Steelers Reportedly Had a Meeting With Top NCAA Quarterback
According to PennLive.com’s Nick Farabaugh, the Steelers have spent time chatting with Penn State Nittany Lions quarterback Drew Allar. Allar is in Indianapolis for the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine, and the Steelers reportedly have talked with him.
“The Pittsburgh Steelers had a formal meeting with Penn State quarterback Drew Allar at the NFL Combine, a source told PennLive,” Farabaugh reported.
Outside of Rodgers, Mason Rudolph and Will Howard are the backup quarterbacks. It’s not clear if the Steelers would feel comfortable with either Rudolph or Howard taking over the No. 1 quarterback position if Rodgers decides to retire or play elsewhere.
Allar finished his time at Penn State with 61 touchdown passes and 12 rushing touchdowns for 73 career scores. He also amassed 7,402 career passing yards and 732 career rushing yards. He threw 13 interceptions during his time with the Nittany Lions.
His best season for touchdown passes was in 2023, when he had 25 scoring throws. Yardage-wise, Allar’s best season was in 2024, when he racked up 3,327 passing yards.
The 2025 season wasn’t a good one for Allar. He suffered a season-ending ankle injury in October. That dropped him from a potential overall No. 1 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft to being among players with question marks. Additionally, Allar didn’t get off to a great start for the Nittany Lions.
His 2025 overall statistics were less than impressive, which might have turned NFL scouts away from viewing him in high regard. Allar was 103-for-159 passing for 1,100 yards, 8 touchdowns, and 3 interceptions. He had a 64.8% completion rate. He also had 36 carries for 172 yards and one rushing touchdown.
Allar has a chance at the NFL Scouting Combine to show scouts he’s healthy and able to compete for a quarterback job in the league. He might not be ready to step into a starting role at this point in his career.
If the Steelers keep looking at him, though, they might find their future No. 1 quarterback working out for scouts at the Combine right now.
