Drew Allar accounts for three touchdowns in Steelers' preseason debut

PITTSBURGH — Mike McCarthy loves playing the role of teacher during what he calls "Quarterback School," shorthand for his highly detailed process of teaching young signal callers the finer points of their position. The first-year Pittsburgh Steelers coach's latest pupils are proving to be quick studies. Rookie Drew Allar threw for a pair of touchdowns and ran for another and Will Howard directed a long scoring drive of his own as the Steelers breezed past the Green Bay Packers 28-9 on Thursday night. Allar, a third-round pick from Penn State and Medina Township native, was 10-for-13 for 154 yards, including a 5-yard touchdown pass to Kaden Wetjen and a 4-yard flip to Riley Nowkowski. The 22-year-old Allar, who entered to chants of "Drewwww," also sprinted into the end zone for a 3-yard score as the Steelers made McCarthy's debut leading his hometown team a successful one. "I thought they were very poised," McCarthy said. "I said I like the way (the quarterbacks) played, especially the young guys." Howard, a sixth-round pick last year who hadn't played since leading Ohio State to the 2025 College Football Playoff championship, was 7-for-9 for 86 yards and looked comfortable directing the two-minute offense that ended with a 1-yard touchdown dive by Lew Nichols. The Steelers outgained Green Bay 385-160 and collected yardage in huge chunks at times on plays that had receivers running wide open against a vanilla defense more focused on fundamentals than elaborate schemes for a game that didn't count. "I think it really shows how QB-friendly this system can be," Howard said. "When we execute the way that we want like all of us, I feel like, did tonight, we can be a really, really fun offense." Pittsburgh star Aaron Rodgers, who said this week he doesn't think he needs to play during his 22nd and final training camp, caught up with Love and other Green Bay players and staff and then watched from the sideline with a headset on as his last NFL team faced his first. The 42-year-old's spot atop the depth chart is secure. What happens behind him is anyone's guess, as Howard, Allar and veteran Mason Rudolph compete for the right to still have a job when rosters are trimmed to 53 on Aug. 30. Rudolph started and completed 10-of-11 passes for 93 yards and put together a long drive that ended with Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth tackled at the Green Bay 1 on fourth down.