Steelers Packers Drew Allar
Steelers Packers Drew Allar
The Pittsburgh Steelers have been desperately searching for their next franchise quarterback since Ben Roethlisberger’s retirement. They’ve taken swings, but nothing has panned out yet. However, rookie Drew Allar sparked considerable excitement with his performance in the Steelers’ first preseason game of the year. He played for most of the second half, completing 10 of his 13 pass attempts for 153 yards. He added two touchdown passes and rushed for a score as well. Former NFL offensive lineman Geoff Schwartz isn’t ready to crown Allar yet, though.
“He should play well if he’s gonna be any sort of NFL player,” Schwartz said recently on FOX Sports Radio. “If he doesn’t, then he’s not really cut out for this. It’s a good start for Drew Allar, but if you think he’s good, that is a game he should play well in…
“I’m skeptical because I think that he left a lot to desire in college… He should’ve had more success at Penn State, whether you like the coaching or not.”
Schwartz’s hesitation to praise Allar isn’t wrong. Yes, it’s good to see the rookie quarterback play well in his first NFL action. However, it’s the preseason. It’s not as unimportant as Aaron Rodgers said it is, but it’s still very different compared to the regular season.
It’s also fair to say that Allar should’ve been better in college. He had a lot of hype early on, but his stock dropped over time. It might not be fair to blame all of Penn State’s issues on him, though. The coaching staff didn’t do him many favors. That can limit a young quarterback in many ways. Seeing Allar perform well in his first preseason game was a step in the right direction.
Still, Schwartz took a rather large leap when talking about Allar’s future.
“Drew Allar is unlikely to get a chance to be good in the NFL because he’s not gonna get an opportunity to play… If he’s the third-string guy, when is he ever gonna play? Because next year, the Steelers are gonna draft a quarterback. He might never get a chance in this league.”
It’s way too soon to say that Allar will never get a chance to be an NFL starter. He just played in his first preseason game. Is he going to play this season? That’s unlikely, with this being Rodgers’ final season. However, he could compete for playing time next year.
The Steelers could draft a quarterback high in the 2027 draft, but it’s too early to say that’s going to happen for sure. Next year’s class could end up disappointing, much like this year’s did.
The Steelers also spent a third-round pick on Allar. They aren’t going to give up on him quickly. There’s a lot to like about him, including his unique physical tools. Allar has many gifts that can’t be taught. Mike McCarthy is a quarterback guru, so perhaps he can unlock Allar’s potential.
It’s important not to overreact to what Allar did against the Green Bay Packers. One preseason game doesn’t mean a lot. However, his previous shortcomings also shouldn’t be held against him if he shows signs of growth. As a rookie, Allar deserves some patience. His chapter in NFL history hasn’t been written yet.