Steelers Make Bold Move, Select Drew Allar as Aaron Rodgers' Future Hangs in Balance
The Pittsburgh Steelers took a significant step in the NFL Draft by selecting quarterback Drew Allar on day two, amidst ongoing uncertainty surrounding Aaron Rodgers' future with the team. The four-time MVP has yet to confirm whether he will return for a second season after aiding the Steelers in reaching last year’s playoffs. While the Steelers have not set a deadline for Rodgers, owner Art Rooney II expressed his anticipation for a decision before the draft commenced. General manager Omar Khan stated that "all options are on the table" heading into the event hosted by Pittsburgh. Allar, a towering 6ft 5in quarterback, was picked as the 76th overall selection, slightly ahead of expectations. His choice drew the loudest cheer of the day, especially after the Steelers had previously claimed wide receiver Germie Bernard in the second round. Notably, the draft saw a remarkable attendance of 260,000 fans on Friday. At just 22 years old, Allar was the top-ranked QB recruit in 2022 and spent four years at Penn State, although he missed the end of last season due to a broken ankle. He will join a quarterback lineup that includes veteran Mason Rudolph and last year’s sixth-round pick, Will Howard. In related news, Carson Beck was selected earlier than anticipated by the Arizona Cardinals as the third quarterback off the board with the 65th pick. Additionally, childhood friends Kayden McDonald and Avieon Terrell were drafted within 12 picks of each other, with McDonald making an emotional walk to the stage after being picked by the Houston Texans. The draft continues on Saturday, concluding with rounds four to seven.
Source: BBC Sport - 2026-04-25