Former NFL QB compares Drew Allar to Steelers legend

Recently, Pittsburgh Steelers legend Ben Roethlisberger indicated that he isn't convinced that Pittsburgh rookie quarterback and third-round draft pick Drew Allar is any better than unproven 2025 rookie Will Howard.

Thus, it's somewhat interesting that former quarterback and current NFL analyst Brady Quinn compared Allar to Roethlisberger during Tuesday's edition of the "2 Pros and a Cup of Joe" program.

How Drew Allar is similar to Ben Roethlisberger

"When I first was watching Drew Allar, he kind of reminded me a little bit of Big Ben," Quinn explained, per Troy Montgomery of Steelers Depot. "Similar in size. Big Ben, I think, was a better athlete and moves better. But both very strong arms." 

Pro Football Reference lists Roethlisberger as being 6-foot-5 and 240 pounds at the end of his career. To compare, Allar checked in at 6-foot-5 and 228 pounds at this year's scouting combine. 

The Steelers selected Roethlisberger during the first round of the 2004 NFL Draft, and he ultimately made 13 regular-season starts as a rookie en route to becoming a two-time Super Bowl champion and a likely future Hall of Famer. Meanwhile, Allar shouldn't see the field for a meaningful game before 2027 at the earliest unless disaster strikes the Steelers over the next handful of months. 

Despite the emergence of curious rumors linking Aaron Rodgers with the Arizona Cardinals, it continues to seem as if it's a matter of when and not if he will re-sign with the Steelers. Pittsburgh also has Howard and longtime backup Mason Rudolph on the roster.

Is Mike McCarthy the key for Drew Allar to reach his ceiling?

The perception exists that Steelers head coach and advertised offensive guru Mike McCarthy believes he can turn Allar into a long-term franchise quarterback. 

"I'm not trying to say Drew Allar is going to become Big Ben," Quinn added. "But in the right system with Mike McCarthy, who has done really well coaching young quarterbacks and developing young quarterbacks, I could see him progressing and becoming the quarterback that I think [he can be]."

How Allar performs during the preseason could determine whether or not he enters September as the team's primary backup. If such a scenario plays out, Allar could be a play away from finding himself atop Pittsburgh's depth chart.