Penn State QB Drew Allar Discusses "Tough" Interview with Steelers

Allar reveals Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy grilled him on his Cleveland roots during pre-draft meeting.

Mar. 3, 2026 at 6:31am

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Penn State quarterback Drew Allar, who is eligible for the 2026 NFL Draft, spoke about his interview with the Pittsburgh Steelers at the NFL Scouting Combine. Allar said Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy posed the toughest questions, particularly around Allar's background growing up in Cleveland. Despite the challenging nature of the interview, Allar said it was his favorite type of conversation because he loves talking football.

Why it matters

The Steelers are in the market for a quarterback in the upcoming draft, and Allar is considered one of the top prospects at the position. His pre-draft interview with the team provides insight into how the Steelers are evaluating potential QB selections, with a focus on understanding a player's background and football IQ.

The details

During his media availability on Friday, Allar told CBS Sports reporter Aditi Kinkhabwala that the Steelers interview was the toughest he has faced so far. Allar said the challenge wasn't in drawing plays on the board, but rather in explaining certain pre-snap aspects of the game to McCarthy. However, Allar also noted that this type of in-depth football discussion is his favorite, as he is eager to learn as much as he can.

  • Allar spoke to the media on Friday afternoon, February 27, 2026.
  • The Steelers' interview with Allar took place earlier this week at the NFL Scouting Combine.

The players

Drew Allar

A quarterback prospect from Penn State who is eligible for the 2026 NFL Draft.

Mike McCarthy

The head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers, who is from the Pittsburgh area and grilled Allar on his Cleveland roots during the pre-draft interview.

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What they’re saying

“He just asked if I grew up in Cleveland, if I grew up a Browns and Buckeyes fan.”

— Drew Allar, Quarterback prospect

“Those are the conversations I love. I love talking ball. I'm learning as much football as I can.”

— Drew Allar, Quarterback prospect

What’s next

Allar will throw for NFL teams at the Scouting Combine on Saturday, February 28, 2026, which could help improve his draft stock after a disappointing senior season at Penn State.

The takeaway

The Steelers' thorough pre-draft interview process, including a focus on a prospect's background and football knowledge, underscores the team's commitment to finding the right quarterback to lead the franchise in the coming years. Allar's positive attitude towards the challenging discussion suggests he is well-prepared for the rigors of the NFL evaluation.