Rookie quarterback Drew Allar took the field for the Pittsburgh Steelers for the first time at the team’s rookie minicamp. It’s safe to say the signal-caller left an impression.
He also has plenty still to work on before becoming an NFL starter.
That’s the general narrative Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy delivered to the media Saturday. While Allar appears to have the tools to become a star, he’s a project that’s going to take time to develop.
“He’s physically gift. He’s a gifted thrower of the football, but he’s no different than any other young quarterback that I’ve had the opportunity to work with,” said McCarthy. “I mean, everybody teaches footwork a little differently. Everybody has a system of offense and how you tie your quarterback, particularly in the pass game, to that.
“There’s a lot of work there. We’re able to just adjust some fundamentals that we think will help him.”
Saturday was Allar’s second practice session at the team’s rookie minicamp. The camp will conclude on Sunday, May 10.
“We were able to do that yesterday, evaluate that, and tried some things today that he responded to very favorably.
“So, he made a very good first impression.”
Mike McCarthy Aiming to Unlock Good Footwork in QB Drew Allar
The Penn State quarterback’s mechanics were a major topic entering the 2026 NFL Draft. It was also a significant reason why Allar was a third-round pick instead of either a first- or second-round selection.
So unsurprisingly, McCarthy had multiple things to say about Allar’s mechanics, particularly his footwork, on Saturday.
“Yeah, I think [footwork] makes a difference,” said McCarthy to answer question on development priorities with Allar. “It gives you the ability to play faster, gives you the ability to transition in and out of the challenges that occur throughout quarterback play.
“We’re teaching him different than the way he’s played before.”
McCarthy added that Allar is spending more time under center this weekend than he’s ben accustomed to in the past. On top of new teammates and a higher level of play, that brought another newness for the quarterback at rookie minicamp.
Obviously, it’s a process. Allar is not a finished product. There’s a chance he won’t be ready to play at all as a rookie.
But according to McCarthy, he’s off to a notable good start.
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