The Pittsburgh Steelers grabbed Drew Allar with the 76th overall pick in the NFL draft, but not everyone is convinced the Penn State product is ready to shine at the next level. In fact, one anonymous Big Ten coach is taking a direct shot at the Nittany Lions' program, suggesting the quarterback's struggles weren't entirely his fault.
Allar arrived at Happy Valley as a five-star recruit, boasting a cannon arm and a 6-foot-5, 230-pound frame that had scouts drooling. But his four seasons under center were largely underwhelming. After a promising sophomore campaign, his play dipped significantly when the offense opened up, leaving many to question whether the talent ever matched the hype.
However, a recent piece by ESPN's Adam Rittenberg featured anonymous coach commentary that shifts the blame. One Big Ten coach told Rittenberg, “Hopefully [Pittsburgh] will be a coaching staff that can maximize what he’s good at. I’m not really sure that was the case [at Penn State].” That's a pointed critique of James Franklin and his staff's ability to develop elite quarterback talent, a narrative that has dogged the program for years.
The ESPN report also noted that most Big Ten coaches were “lukewarm” on Allar's pro prospects, but they acknowledged he wasn't helped by the multiple offensive systems he had to navigate in college. The environment, they argued, didn't set the blue-chip signal-caller up for success.
Meanwhile, the Arizona Cardinals selected Miami's Carson Beck just ahead of Allar, and while coaches were more positive about Beck's game, they stopped short of a glowing endorsement. A Power 4 defensive coordinator told ESPN, “I think what you see is what you get. I think he’ll be solid. I don’t think he’ll be special. Whether it’s poise or accuracy at key moments, he just seems to have too many misses. But he’s a good, solid player.”
The 2026 quarterback class was widely considered weak compared to next year's crop, but both Allar and Beck have the raw tools to succeed with the right coaching. For Allar, the question is whether the Steelers can unlock what Penn State couldn't.
This isn't the first time anonymous voices have taken aim at a program's development. In another corner of the sports world, Emmanuel Acho Takes Center Stage at the Controversial Enhanced Games, sparking debate about athlete preparation and ethics.
As Allar prepares for his rookie season, the spotlight will be on Pittsburgh's coaching staff to see if they can turn potential into production. For now, the anonymous critique adds another layer of intrigue to a draft pick that already raised eyebrows.
