The Pittsburgh Steelers selected quarterback Drew Allar in the third round of the NFL Draft on Friday, a move that adds uncertainty to the team's quarterback situation amid a lingering decision from veteran Aaron Rodgers.
The 6-foot-5, 22-year-old Allar, who played at nearby Penn State, was taken with the 76th overall pick — earlier than many projections. The selection drew the loudest cheers from the record 260,000 fans attending the draft in Pittsburgh, the city hosting the event for the first time since 1948.
Allar was the top-ranked quarterback recruit in 2022 and spent four seasons with the Nittany Lions, though he missed the end of last season with a broken ankle. He joins a Steelers quarterback room that includes veteran backup Mason Rudolph and last year's sixth-round pick, Will Howard.
The drafting comes as four-time NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers has yet to confirm whether he will return for a second season with Pittsburgh after leading the team to the playoffs last year. Steelers owner Art Rooney II had said he expected a decision before the draft, but no timeline has been set. General Manager Omar Khan noted ahead of the draft that "all options are on the table."
In other draft action, the Arizona Cardinals selected quarterback Carson Beck with the 65th pick, making him the third quarterback taken. Two childhood friends from Atlanta — offensive tackle Kayden McDonald (36th pick, traded to Houston) and cornerback Avieon Terrell (48th pick, Atlanta Falcons) — were drafted minutes apart in the second round. McDonald, the last player in the green room, told reporters, "I knew I was supposed to be here. I came from nothing so this is crazy to me."
The draft concludes Saturday with rounds four through seven.