Roethlisberger questions Steelers' developmental approach for rookie quarterback Drew Allar
Ben Roethlisberger expressed concern over the Pittsburgh Steelers' offseason training regimen for Drew Allar, citing nervousness about the focus on fundamental skills during minicamp.
Former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has publicly questioned the team's offseason development strategy for rookie signal-caller Drew Allar, stating that the current training methods make him "nervous." Speaking on the Channel Seven podcast, Roethlisberger observed Allar working on fundamental skills, specifically three-step drops, during rookie minicamp and suggested the coaching staff was re-teaching basics rather than refining existing techniques.
The Steelers' coaching staff, led by first-year head coach Mike McCarthy and quarterbacks coach Tom Arth, has focused on footwork and technical adjustments for Allar and fellow rookie Will Howard. Reports indicate the staff is attempting to widen Allar’s base and keep him off his toes in the pocket to improve his processing time against the pass rush. Roethlisberger noted a distinct difference between refining skills and teaching fundamentals, comparing the latter to coaching young children.
Roethlisberger acknowledged McCarthy’s past success with Aaron Rodgers in Green Bay but remained sceptical about the current application. "I'm not trying to knock this quarterback school that McCarthy does," Roethlisberger said. "But I just, to me, when I'm watching him do three-step drops, that makes me incredibly nervous. You're refining things. There's a difference in refining things and like, teaching."
Allar, a former Penn State star who threw for 3,327 yards and 24 touchdowns in 2024, fell to the third round of the draft following a season-ending injury in October. The Steelers’ depth chart currently lists Aaron Rodgers and Will Howard ahead of Allar, with Mason Rudolph also on the roster. Roethlisberger referenced Peyton Manning’s technical proficiency as a benchmark for fundamental quarterback play, noting that Arth was previously Manning’s backup with the Indianapolis Colts.
Quarterbacks coach Tom Arth described the dynamic between Allar and Howard as positive and competitive, noting that both players get along well and are "ultra competitors." Arth, who went through McCarthy’s quarterback school as a practice squad player for the Packers in 2006, stated that McCarthy is taking his time with the rookies, working primarily on footwork and other intricacies. "It's really positive to have two young guys together," Arth said. "Two guys that are going to be very competitive with one another."
