Jamie Germano/Rochester Democrat and Chronicle / USA TODAY NETWORK

Steelers Third-String QB Kyle Allen is Prepared for Anything

Originally posted on Steelers Now | By Chris Ward | Last updated Jun 2, 2024 11:32 AM ET

As the Pittsburgh Steelers’ No. 3 quarterback, Kyle Allen is often forgotten. Rightfully so, all the talk is centered around Russell Wilson and Justin Fields.

But you never know what could happen during the course of an NFL season. Allen very well could see the field. The Steelers started three different quarterbacks in 2023 with Kenny Pickett, Mitch Trubisky and Mason Rudolph.

“A lot of people that are not in the league say, ‘Oh, backup quarterback is the best job in the NFL — you don’t have to do anything, blah, blah, blah,’” Allen told Chris Adamski of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. “But I have started games (at one point during each of four different seasons). I have played in games all six years of my career.

“I am not saying it’s going to happen this year — but it’s been inevitable, so I am always ready.”

Allen, 28, signed as an undrafted free agent with the Carolina Panthers out of Houston in 2018. Allen played two seasons in Carolina, including one as a regular starter in 2019. That season, he stared 12 games, throwing for 3,322 yards, 17 touchdowns, 16 interceptions and an 80.8 passer rating.

Allen was sacked 46 times in 2019 and led the NFL in sack yardage lost. Carolina had a terrible offensive line that season. Overall, the team wasn’t very good, as they finished with a 5-11 record.

Allen was traded to the Washington Football Team for a fifth-round draft pick in 2020 and spent two seasons as a backup in D.C., playing in four games in 2020 and none in 2021.

His last game action came with Houston in 2022. He completed 46 of 78 passes (59%) for 416 yards (5.3 yards per attempt), two touchdowns, four interceptions and a 60.6 passer rating in two games with the Texans.

Allen served as Josh Allen’s backup in Buffalo last season. He looks forward to learning from Wilson and Fields in Pittsburgh.

“It’s cool — my rookie year when I was in the room with Cam Newton, that was like, ‘Whoa,’ ” Allen said. “Because I was 22 at the time, and I grew up wearing Cam Newton’s cleats. I’ve played with Alex Smith, played with Ryan Fitzpatrick, Josh. I’ve played with a lot of really good quarterbacks. And Russ and Justin are up there with all of them.

This article first appeared on Steelers Now and was syndicated with permission.

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