A month out from the 2026 NFL draft, and it’s still uncertain who will play quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Some analysts are convinced Aaron Rodgers will come back for one more season, while others believe he might have played his last NFL down.
Given how flippant Rodgers has been with his decision-making over the last few years, and his insistence that he won’t be bullied into deciding his future on anyone’s timeline but his makes predicting what the four-time MVP will do quite a tough ask.
But even if Rodgers comes back in 2026, it’s clear he doesn’t plan on being Pittsburgh’s long-term answer at QB, which is why Bleacher Report’s Brent Sobleski believes the team will draft Rodgers’ heir apparent in next month’s draft.
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Sobleski predicts the Steelers will stay in-state and gamble on Penn State quarterback Drew Allar — a once projected first-round pick who’s coming off a brutal season-ending injury and whose NFL potential many scouts are divided on.
“The Steelers must address quarterback beyond (Rodgers) and what’s already on the roster,” Sobleski wrote. “Their first-round selection (21st overall) will most likely be reserved for an instant-impact rookie, either on the defensive side of the ball or offensive line. But Pittsburgh can’t keep intentionally leaving itself in limbo at the game’s most important position.
“Some type of investment is needed to start developing a plan beyond the immediate. Penn State’s Drew Allar is a fascinating option, specifically for Pittsburgh. The 6’5″, 228-pounder fits what the Steelers usually prefer. He also provides significant upside with starter potential, particularly for a team that isn’t ready to sink a first-round pick into the position.
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“The Penn State product entered this past season with first-round hype, though. He could be targeted somewhere on the draft’s second day and be a realistic long-term option two or three years down the road. … The Steelers can then go into 2027 with someone to compete with Will Howard and possibly garner a starter without having to endure a down season.”
Many scouts agree that the 22-year-old Allar may be the most physically gifted passer in the 2026 class. However, he’s struggled at times with his decision-making and trusting his instincts to make plays. Some also believe he could be a bust in the NFL because he may not be able to live up to his enormous potential.
In four seasons at Penn State, Allar threw for 7,402 yards, 61 touchdowns, and just 13 interceptions with a 63.2 completion percentage. He’s shown enough flashes in college that some team will gamble on his upside — and given the Steelers’ current quarterback situation, they just might be the team to do it.