Penn State coach defends Drew Allar after Steelers select QB during 2026 NFL Draft

Todd McShay of The Ringer is among the analysts who believe that former Penn State star Drew Allar won't become a long-term franchise quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers after Pittsburgh selected Allar in the third round of the 2026 NFL Draft.

During a Monday appearance on Pittsburgh sports radio station 93.7 The Fan, Penn State associate head coach Terry Smith suggested that Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy could help Allar prove critics wrong as a pro. 

Penn State didn't do enough to help Drew Allar succeed in college?

"Unfairly to Drew, our system wasn't built for him," Smith said, per Ross McCorkle of Steelers Depot. "Some of the decisions were taken out of his control. He's a guy that can make every throw. He's super smart. He's a fast learner. He picks things up really quickly. I think with the right coaching, right direction, obviously in the best scenario, you want a guy like Aaron Rodgers to come back and really teach a guy like this how to be a pro."

Before Allar suffered a fractured ankle in the fall of 2025, his lackluster performances in big games left many wondering if he simply didn't possess the type of mentality needed to lead an NFL offense as a full-time QB1. That said, it now seems as if he will be able to spend his debut pro season learning about life in the NFL as a backup while Rodgers starts games for Pittsburgh through at least Week 18 of the 2026 campaign. 

Longtime backup Mason Rudolph and 2025 rookie Will Howard could also start for Pittsburgh this fall if McCarthy wants to stash Allar on the roster as a developmental project until next year. 

Will Drew Allar be better in the NFL than he was in college?

"We asked Drew to run the ball a little more," Smith added. "He's a pro-style quarterback. He's not built for running, but he can run when necessary. And so when you have designated called runs, that's not him...But he can extend the play and move out the pocket when necessary. I just think when you align him in the pocket, and you give him some downfield reads, I think he can read the progression from one to three and can scan the field. I think he's gonna be a better pro than he was a college player."

Ideally, McCarthy and Co. won't need Allar to take a meaningful snap as a pro before September 2027 at the earliest. Having extra time to further develop as a backup for Rodgers could ultimately help Allar prove both Smith and the Steelers right.