Kurt Warner knows a thing or two about outplaying expectations. Warner went undrafted yet won two league MVP awards. This offseason, Warner sees potential in new Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Drew Allar taking the league by surprise too.
Warner discussed Allar’s high upside during the NFL Draft process in early April.
“When you watch him, you may say, ‘He is the most gifted thrower in this entire class, even ahead of Mendoza and Simpson, who I know a lot of people have ranked higher,” said Warner. “But he is a natural, gifted thrower.”
The former quarterback provided his analysis on Allar before the 2026 NFL Draft. But based on the pre-draft predictions of where the Penn State quarterback could go, Warner projected Allar to provide value to his NFL team because of his upside.
“The talent jumps off the screen when you watch this guy throw. It is effortless for him to push the ball down the field. One of the questions always with a big-armed quarterback is — can they control that big arm and become consistently accurate as a thrower?
“If so, this guy could become the steal of the draft and could become the best quarterback in this class.”
The Physical Tools Drew Allar Brings to Steelers
Warner’s take on Allar isn’t all that unsimilar to what other analysts have said about the former Penn State signal-caller.
Allar stands at 6-foot-5 and 228 pounds. With that frame, he has incredible physical talent, especially with his arm strength.
The concerns he has entering the NFL are on the mental side of playing quarterback.
“Allar looks the part with prototypical size and an effortless arm that can make any NFL throw,” wrote NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein. “However, inconsistent touch and ball placement are a major hindrance.
“In big moments and big games, he hasn’t proven he can rise to the occasion or sustain efficiency…
“Mechanical fixes are possible, but confidence, poise and recognition must be the foundation of any rebound.”
Warner argued Allar’s talent gives him the opportunity to be a star. Thus, he would be a steal having gone at No. 76 overall in the 2026 NFL Draft.
But Warner also called that possibility a “big if.” The Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback said Allar has to improve his accuracy, ball placement, decision-making and pre-snap blitz recognition.
Will Allar Get Opportunity to Start in 2026 NFL Season?
In many ways, Allar is a developmental project. Although he has more upside, the Steelers already had one of those with Will Howard on the roster.
With Allar and Howard, the question is whether either signal-caller will get a chance at real game repetitions in 2026.
As it stands on May 3, that’s a possibility. Mason Rudolph is the only other quarterback on the team’s roster. But the Steelers still appear interested in bringing back Aaron Rodgers.
If Rodgers returns, Allar will have an opportunity to learn from a 4-time MVP. But the Steelers might be better suited in the long run to have Allar play right away.
“Next year, they’re gonna more than likely be in the quarterback market in the draft,” said NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah. “I’d like to know what I have in Allar before we have to make that decision.”
The Steelers will only know that if Allar plays significant snaps in 2026.
If Rodgers returns, the team will likely also have part with either Rudolph or Howard. That is, unless the Steelers elect the unusual tactic of keeping four quarterbacks on the roster after the preseason.
Former NFL MVP Hypes Steelers’ Drew Allar as Potential Top Steal of NFL Draft