Steelers rookies make the most of the spotlight in Drew Allar’s preseason debut

Pittsburgh’s quarterback room got an attention-grabbing first impression in the team’s preseason debut, with rookie Drew Allar showing the kind of all-around production coaches often look for when trimming the rotation. According to Yahoo Sports, Allar recorded two passing touchdowns and also ran for another score, turning his night into a three-touchdown total that stood out even in an exhibition setting where timing and reps matter more than perfection.

For the Steelers, the display fed into a broader, practical question: if the organization’s established plan is for Aaron Rodgers to finish his NFL career in Pittsburgh as the primary starter this season, what does that make the depth chart after that? Yahoo’s report frames the moment in those terms, suggesting Allar could become a ready-made second option, not merely a developmental placeholder, depending on how camp and preseason evaluations continue to shake out.

The preseason is not the regular season, but it still functions as a high-velocity tryout for roles. Allar’s output, as described by Yahoo, came in the form of both passing and running production. That combination is significant because it touches two different coaching priorities at once. Passing touchdowns provide an immediate measure of the quarterback’s ability to read coverages, deliver the ball accurately, and finish plays with timing. A rushing touchdown, meanwhile, indicates comfort operating inside the designed run game and the ability to create scoring opportunities when the pocket collapses or progressions break down.

Pittsburgh’s rookie impact was not limited to Allar. Yahoo Sports also pointed to a “solid outing” from Kaden Wetjen, another player contributing in the same roster window. In preseason evaluation, that matters because it suggests the younger group was able to create chemistry rather than operating as isolated highlights. When more than one newcomer is producing in the same game, it can hint at depth that is more functional than ceremonial.

Still, the context has to be respected. Preseason performances can be noisy: defenses rotate, game plans are simplified, and there is often a different mix of starters and reserves than what fans see in week-to-week play. Allar’s three total touchdowns, including two through the air and one on the ground, are notable, but they are also best viewed as an early data point in a longer process rather than a final verdict on the depth chart.

What to watch next is how Pittsburgh uses Allar’s reps as the exhibition slate progresses. If the Steelers continue to place him in more complex offensive looks, his decision-making and timing will carry more weight than touchdown totals. It will also be important to see whether his production aligns with consistent efficiency, including third-down conversion opportunities and ball-security outcomes, not just scoring plays. For Wetjen and other rookies involved in the same evaluation track, the follow-up question is whether they can build on this type of impact against stronger and more consistent defensive personnel as the preseason advances.