The Pittsburgh Steelers drafted quarterback Drew Allar from the Penn State Nittany Lions in the third-round of the 2026 NFL Draft. There were a lot of people who were not impressed with him in college, including former Steelers legend quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. A lot of people feel like Allar’s coaching was stalled in college because of James Franklin.
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Feb 28, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Penn State quarterback Drew Allar (QB02) speaks with Pittsburgh Steelers quarterbacks coach Tim Berbenich during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Because Allar was taught a lot of the wrong things in college, he is getting the proper NFL coaching from Mike McCarthy to fix these issues. Underdog NFL reported on Twitter, “Steelers essentially “uninstalling” everything Drew Allar learned about playing QB and “re-uploading” their own fundamentals and mechanics, per@bepryor.” This is something else. Allar, Mason Rudolph, and Will Howard are the current quarterbacks on the Steelers roster. It is unknown if Aaron Rodgers is going to join this football team or not.
Pittsburgh Steelers Fans Bash James Franklin For Drew Allar Having To Relearn Everything With Mike McCarthy
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Feb 28, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Penn State quarterback Drew Allar (QB02) during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
There are a lot of Steelers fans who are bashing Franklin for the way he developed Allar throughout his collegiate career. This is what Pittsburgh fans had to say about this stunning development on Twitter:
James Franklin is the worst coach in the country. We are so glad he’s gone. pic.twitter.com/ADdCpGLHAF
— Terry Smith Glazer (@tonygoatjas) May 13, 2026
Bro basically said everything James Franklin taught you… we don’t need that!!! https://t.co/zx14HQcj2e
— NBA Slime (@TerryFranconia) May 13, 2026
This says a lot about how trash Penn State has been at developing QB’s.
Drew Allar was their most talented QB since Kerry Collins and they couldn’t develop him under James Franklin. https://t.co/lP6a7SVhkT
— Chase Senior (@Chase_Senior) May 13, 2026
James Franklin should not have got another coaching job right away. He is one of the worst offensive minds in the country. pic.twitter.com/tZRiSeWMAm
— Terry Smith Glazer (@tonygoatjas) May 13, 2026
Lmaoo James Franklin really is a terrorist https://t.co/ZqQ8p98dcM
— FishBurgh (@FishKnowsBall) May 13, 2026
The criticism for Franklin is no doubt warranted. It will be interesting to see how he will do at his next stop with the Virginia Tech Hokies in the ACC Conference. The way he coached quarterbacks like Allar is probably one of the reasons why the Nittany Lions were never able to win a national title during his tenure despite the recruiting he did with that program.
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