Why Drew Allar Could Be the Biggest Steal of the 2026 NFL Draft

The 2026 NFL Draft has officially concluded, and the annual cycle of roster reconstruction is now in full swing. All 32 franchises are integrating their rookie talent into their systems, hoping to build the chemistry and depth needed to chase victories in the 2026 season. Every team and fan base walks away from the draft believing it “won the board.” Some even claim they found the biggest steal—the one player who fell far below his projected value and will now prove the entire league wrong.

But in a draft class loaded with explosive wide receivers and athletic defenders, one team may have actually found that steal. The catch? It will only happen if its newly hired head coach delivers on expectations. That team is the Pittsburgh Steelers, and that player is former Penn State quarterback Drew Allar.

When the Pittsburgh Steelers hired Mike McCarthy, the move drew polarized reactions. Some fans embraced the return of a homegrown coach with a Super Bowl ring, while others opposed it, citing his recent struggles in Dallas. Yet, buried beneath the debate over McCarthy’s hiring is a draft-day move that could define his tenure: the selection of a quarterback who many analysts dismissed as a “project” but who possesses the raw tools of a franchise signal-caller.

Here is the expert breakdown of why Drew Allar is the 2026 NFL Draft’s biggest potential steal.

The Fall of a Five-Star Prospect: Why Allar Slid

To understand why Allar is a steal, you must first understand why he fell. Coming out of Medina, Ohio, Allar was the No. 1 quarterback in the 2022 recruiting class. He had the arm, the size (6-foot-5, 238 pounds), and the pedigree. At Penn State, he started for two seasons, posting a 22-5 record. He threw for over 5,700 yards and 46 touchdowns against 15 interceptions. Those are not bad numbers.

So why did he slide to the third round of the 2026 NFL Draft?

• Perception of “Game Manager” label: NFL scouts questioned his ability to make off-schedule plays. In a league that worships Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen, Allar’s conservative style was viewed as a liability.
• Inconsistent deep ball accuracy: While his arm strength is elite, his touch on vertical routes was erratic in big games, especially against Ohio State and Michigan.
• Pocket presence concerns: Allar struggled with internal pressure. He would sometimes hold the ball too long, leading to sacks rather than throwing the ball away.
• System fit questions: Penn State’s offense under Mike Yurcich and later Andy Kotelnicki was not a pro-style attack. Evaluators worried he would need a redshirt year to learn NFL concepts.

But here is the truth: the NFL overcorrected. In a draft class where quarterbacks like Shedeur Sanders and Jaxson Dart went early, teams prioritized mobility and improvisation over fundamentals. Allar’s slide was a market inefficiency, and the Steelers capitalized.

Why Mike McCarthy Is the Perfect Coach for Allar

The most critical factor in Allar becoming a steal is the man standing on the sideline. Mike McCarthy has a reputation as a quarterback whisperer, and for good reason. He developed Aaron Rodgers from a raw, hyper-talented backup into a four-time MVP. He helped Dak Prescott reach his ceiling in Dallas, even after a devastating ankle injury. McCarthy’s system is built on timing, route progression, and pre-snap reads—exactly what Allar needs.

Here is why the McCarthy-Allar marriage works:

• Structure over chaos: Allar thrives in a structured offense. McCarthy’s West Coast principles emphasize quick, decisive throws. This will mask Allar’s tendency to hold the ball and reduce the pressure on his deep ball accuracy.
• Play-action mastery: McCarthy loves play-action bootlegs. Allar’s size and arm strength allow him to throw on the move with velocity. This is a natural fit for the Steelers’ run-heavy identity with Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren.
• Mentorship matters: McCarthy has a history of fixing mechanical flaws. Allar’s footwork in the pocket is inconsistent. McCarthy’s drill-heavy approach will smooth out those stutter-steps that caused Allar to miss open receivers.
• Patience with development: The Steelers are not asking Allar to start Week 1. With veteran Russell Wilson still on the roster (and possibly Justin Fields as a bridge), McCarthy can redshirt Allar for half a season or more. That is a luxury most top quarterbacks don’t get.

The polarized reaction to McCarthy’s hiring now looks shortsighted. The Steelers didn’t just hire a coach; they hired a quarterback developer. And they gave him a clay block that is far more refined than the raw material he had in Green Bay with Rodgers.

Expert Analysis: The Tape Doesn’t Lie

I have watched every snap of Drew Allar’s college career. The national narrative that he is a “check-down Charlie” is lazy. Against Iowa in 2023, Allar threw three touchdown passes of 20+ air yards, showing he can drive the ball into tight windows. Against USC in 2024, he completed a 45-yard bomb over the safety’s head while under duress. The arm is there.

What changed in 2024? Penn State’s offense became more conservative to protect a struggling offensive line. Allar’s yards per attempt dropped, but his completion percentage rose to 67.3%. He learned to take what the defense gave him. That is a trait that translates to the NFL, not a weakness.

Bold prediction: By Week 10 of the 2026 season, Drew Allar will have taken over as the Steelers’ starting quarterback. He will finish the season with a 4:1 touchdown-to-interception ratio and a passer rating over 95. The teams that passed on him in the first two rounds—the Giants, Raiders, and Titans—will be kicking themselves.

Consider the context: The 2026 NFL Draft was deep at quarterback, but the top three picks (Cam Ward, Shedeur Sanders, and Jaxson Dart) all went to teams with questionable offensive infrastructure. Allar went to a franchise with a Super Bowl-winning coach, a strong running game, and a defense that keeps games close. That is the ideal environment for a young quarterback to thrive.

The Steeler Way: A History of Late-Round QB Success

Let’s not forget the Pittsburgh Steelers’ history. They drafted Ben Roethlisberger at No. 11 overall, but they also found gems like Terry Bradshaw (No. 1 overall, yes, but in an era with no free agency). More recently, they developed Kenny Pickett into a starter, and while that didn’t work out, the organizational philosophy remains: build around the quarterback with a strong supporting cast.

Allar is not Pickett. Pickett had small hands and a limited arm. Allar has elite size, a howitzer arm, and the mental makeup of a CEO. He called his own protections at the line of scrimmage at Penn State—a skill most college quarterbacks don’t develop until the NFL. That pre-snap intelligence is why McCarthy fell in love with him during the pre-draft process.

Moreover, the Steelers’ wide receiver room is suddenly dangerous. George Pickens is a legitimate WR1 who can win contested catches. Roman Wilson, a 2024 draft pick, is a precise route runner. And the addition of a speedster in the later rounds gives Allar a vertical threat. This is not the Steelers of 2023, where the passing game relied on broken plays. This is a modern offense designed to let a quarterback succeed.

Prediction: A Pro Bowl Future

I am not saying Drew Allar will be the next Ben Roethlisberger. That is unfair pressure. But I am saying he will be a top-12 quarterback within three years. The 2026 NFL Draft will be remembered for its early-round gambles, but the steal of the class will be the big-armed kid from Pennsylvania who fell into the lap of a coach who knows exactly how to use him.

Teams that passed on Allar will point to his conservative stats. They will claim he lacks “it.” But “it” is often just a product of environment. In Pittsburgh, with Mike McCarthy calling the shots, Allar has the infrastructure to become a consistent, winning quarterback. And in a league where quarterback play is the ultimate currency, that makes him the biggest steal of the 2026 NFL Draft.

Conclusion: Don’t Sleep on the Steal

The 2026 NFL Draft is over, and the hype machine has already moved on to undrafted free agents and training camp battles. But if you are a Steelers fan—or a general NFL fan who loves a good underdog story—keep your eyes on Drew Allar. The national media may have forgotten him, but Mike McCarthy hasn’t. And neither will the rest of the league when he starts lighting up scoreboards in the second half of the season.

Final take: Drew Allar is the steal of the 2026 NFL Draft. Mark it down. The only question is how quickly he proves it.

Source: Based on news from Yahoo Sports.