Drew Allar impresses in Steelers preseason debut vs. Packers

Pittsburgh grabbed Drew Allar out of Penn State with the No. 76 overall pick in this year's draft, and Thursday night against Green Bay was the first real look at what the front office saw. He came in fourth on the depth chart behind Aaron Rodgers, Mason Rudolph and Will Howard, so this was less about winning a job tonight and more about not looking lost. He did a lot more than that.

It didn't start clean. Allar's first career pass attempt very nearly turned into a nightmare, with Green Bay defenders closing in fast before Pittsburgh's defense bailed him out and dragged the receiver down short.

Barstool Gambling

@stoolgambling

Drew Allar’a first career pass attempt almost went to the crib

That was the last hiccup. Allar settled in and finished 10-of-13 for 153 yards, 2 touchdowns and 0 interceptions, adding a rushing score of his own — three drives, 21 points, no mistakes. For a guy who missed most of his final Penn State season with an ankle injury before landing on a crowded QB room behind a returning Aaron Rodgers, that's about as strong a coming-out party as a QB4 could ask for.

Barstool's football accounts noticed immediately. Jersey Jerry was gushing in real time as the drives kept moving.

Jersey Jerry

@Jerrythekid21

Drew Allar is special. Love this guy !!!

By the time the game wrapped, Jerry wasn't hedging anymore.

Jersey Jerry

@Jerrythekid21

I’ve seen everything I needed to see from Allar. He’s the future.

None of this settles the QB3 battle — Howard also had a clean night, going 7-of-9 for 86 yards on his own preseason debut, and Mason Rudolph is still the incumbent No. 2 behind Rodgers. But if Pittsburgh really does carry four quarterbacks into the season like reports suggest, Allar just made a loud case for why that roster spot is worth the luxury. The next preseason snaps will tell you whether this was a flash or the start of something.