Steelers' Drew Allar draft pick draws mixed reactions from former players

April 28, 2026

The Pittsburgh Steelers selected quarterback Drew Allar in the third round of the 2026 NFL Draft, prompting varied responses from former players and analysts. Ben Roethlisberger voiced reservations about the pick while favoring sixth-rounder Will Howard. Opinions range from skepticism to optimism about Allar's potential amid uncertainty over Aaron Rodgers' future.

Ben Roethlisberger, appearing on his Footbahlin podcast after the draft, expressed uncertainty about the Steelers' choice of Penn State quarterback Drew Allar. 'This is one that I’m not sure yet if I love it or hate it,' Roethlisberger said. 'When I did watch, he never jumped off the page to me.' He contrasted Allar with Will Howard, whom he hosted on his podcast nearly a year ago and believes 'jumped off the tape' more impressively, predicting the competition will push Howard.

Ano ang sinasabi ng mga tao

Discussions on X reveal mixed sentiments toward the Steelers' third-round pick of Drew Allar: skepticism from Ben Roethlisberger who prefers Will Howard's tape, criticism labeling it a reach due to accuracy issues, optimism highlighting elite arm talent and high ceiling, and neutral calls for a training camp competition between Allar and Howard amid Rodgers uncertainty.

Pittsburgh's NFL Draft expert @LedyardNFLDraft says the Steelers worst draft pick was Drew Allar. He struggled with being accurate. And basic stuff.

"It was an arrogant, I can pick anyone and make him good pick by Mike McCarthy."

I agree. Do you? pic.twitter.com/xtHtZHugIt

— Andrew Fillipponi (@ThePoniExpress) Abril 28, 2026

Here is the official Drew Allar low-lite compilation, can’t believe the Steelers really wasted a premium draft pick on such a sorry lousy college QB when they have other pressing needs, it’s always the what if, outside the lines things with Drew Allar, he proved nothing inside… pic.twitter.com/DwN2wK4rxE

— Dustin Bleiweis (@Dueycbb) Abril 28, 2026

Here are my thoughts on Drew Allar:

Elite 6’5” arm talent with one of the strongest, smoothest throwing arms in the class. Good processor in a pro-style system, low turnovers, solid athlete for his size.

However, he has exhibited inconsistent mechanics & footwork, streaky… pic.twitter.com/yPyXwYOveo

— Blue & White Grit USMC Style (AKA Tom) (@TriPSU91) Abril 28, 2026

Independent of today’s news, my preference would be for the Steelers to just let Will Howard & Drew Allar battle it out in camp to see who starts. The odds are that both would eventually play anyways.

Pittsburgh’s got the necessary offensive eco-system in place to properly…

— Derrick (@Steelers_DB) Abril 28, 2026

You can count Ben Roethlisberger on Team Howard, at least for now.

"Will Howard jumped off the tape to me way more than Drew [Allar] did."#Steelers

Read more @Steelersdepot https://t.co/XDerw78Tyu

— Ross McCorkle (@Ross_McCorkle) Abril 28, 2026

Mga Pinagmulan

• https://steelersdepot.com/2026/04/he-never-jumped-off-the-page-ben-roethlisberger-reacts-to-steelers-drafting-drew-allar/
• https://steelersdepot.com/2026/04/even-with-will-howard-and-drew-allar-willie-colon-predicts-steeers-draft-a-quarterback-in-2027/
• https://steelersdepot.com/2026/04/watching-him-play-football-is-gross-palmer-shares-offensive-coordinators-ugly-assessment-of-drew-allar/
• https://steelersdepot.com/2026/04/potential-to-take-over-analyst-predicts-drew-allar-will-start-games-for-steelers-in-2026/
• https://steelersdepot.com/2026/04/give-these-young-guys-a-look-brett-keisel-wants-steelers-to-start-fresh-at-qb/