The Pittsburgh Steelers seemed to be a year early in regards to playing the compensatory pick game. The team is set to have 12 selections in the 2026 NFL Draft, but it appears that it would have been much better to have that kind of capital in 2027, when the quarterback class is expected to be incredibly impressive. Regardless, the organization should be set at the position for one more year as long as Aaron Rodgers decides to return to play, rather than hanging up his cleats. A lot of questions will be answered whether the team decides for or against drafting a signal-caller.
Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers prepares to make a throw while he practices at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex during the 2025 mandatory minicamp on Tuesday June 10, 2025.
The Steelers have shown a little bit of interest in mid-round quarterback prospects, as Taylen Green, Cole Payton and Carson Beck have all been in for Top 30 visits. Now, on the final day for those, which is Wednesday, Pittsburgh is reportedly hosting one more, who could end up having the highest upside of them all. Penn State's Drew Allar will meet with the decision-makers, according to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network.
"Former Penn State QB Drew Allar is visiting the Steelers today, per source," Pelissero wrote on X. "As Pittsburgh awaits a decision from Aaron Rodgers, it has now hosted most of the draft’s top QB prospects on visits, which conclude today."
New Head Coach Mike McCarthy would probably love to have some young signal-callers to work with as Rodgers plays one final year. Will Howard also will be carefully watched throughout 2026, but it surely seems as if the team is contemplating adding another passer to the room. This could end up being the end of Mason Rudolph in Pittsburgh.
I’m not saying it’s the right thing to do or not, but sure seems like the Steelers will end up drafting a quarterback. Mason Rudolph getting traded in the summer is becoming increasingly more likely.
— Parker Abate (@SNParker_) April 15, 2026
Allar consistently performed poorly in big games while at Penn State, but that doesn't take away from the fact that he has all of the traits that can't be taught. He has size, an arm, and the legs to succeed at the professional level. While he could max out as a top-end backup, a successful offensive coach like McCarthy might be perfect for his future.
Matthew O'Haren / USA TODAY Sports
Former Penn State quarterback Drew Allar prepares to throw a football as he warms up prior to the team competing in a collegiate football event.
Pittsburgh waited until the last possible day to bring Allar in, which signals that the plan all along was to not tip any other franchises off about interest in Allar. While drafting him isn't a foregone conclusion, the Steelers are certainly excited about the quarterback's upside. There's also always the possibility of Rodgers signing a contract before the NFL Draft and the organization not taking someone who plays the position at all.
Rudolph currently has the most to be worried about. A new coaching staff is running the locker room, so if McCarthy and co. are not all that high on the veteran, he could very easily easily be shipped off via trade before the regular season. This would leave the Steelers with a 42-year-old veteran in Rodgers, and two very young, projectable backups.
Steelers Are Proving That Howard Isn't Necessarily The Future
All of the quarterbacks that have gone on a Top 30 visit with Pittsburgh are projected to go somewhere in the third or fourth rounds, with an off chance that one is selected in round two. Howard, a sixth-round selection in 2026, might not have the full edge once a possible starting battle comes to the surface in 2027. McCarthy isn't going to stray away from picking a signal-caller if one of these four that visited truly impressed.
Gene J. Puskar / Associated Press
Steelers Head Coach Mike McCarthy looks out toward the media during his opening press conference on Tuesday, January 27, 2026 which was held at Acrisure Stadium.
The Steelers are doing their homework, and that suggests that the constant hyping up of Howard might not actually be due to overwhelming excitement, but rather, a little smokescreen to distract from what the team is actually planning to do. One thing is for sure and that's the fact that it is starting to get very interesting for Pittsburgh with the draft set to take place in the Steel City.
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