Allar Accounts for 3 TDs, Howard Leads Scoring Drive in Steelers 28-9 Win

Rookie Drew Allar completed 10 of 13 passes for 153 yards and three total touchdowns in the Steelers' 28-9 preseason victory against the Packers.

The Pittsburgh Steelers secured a 28-9 preseason victory over the Green Bay Packers at Acrisure Stadium, fueled by a three-touchdown performance from rookie quarterback Drew Allar. Entering the game in the third quarter just after 9 p.m. local time, the third-round pick out of Penn State completed 10 of 13 pass attempts for 153 yards and two passing touchdowns. Allar also recorded a 3-yard rushing score on a read-option keeper, marking his first physical contact in a game since suffering a broken ankle in mid-October during his final collegiate season.

Second-year signal-caller Will Howard contributed to the win by completing 7 of 9 passes for 86 yards across three offensive series. Howard, who missed the previous preseason due to a fractured pinkie finger, orchestrated a successful two-minute drill before halftime. This drive featured a 17-yard completion to Ben Skowronek on fourth-and-1, followed by three consecutive gains of 16, 15, and 23 yards to veteran tight end Robert Tonyan. The possession concluded with a 1-yard touchdown run by Lew Nichols.

Allar’s Explosive Debut and Statistical Impact

Allar’s first NFL action began with a 74-yard catch-and-run completion to fellow rookie Kaden Wetjen on a third-down play. This explosive gain set up Allar’s 3-yard rushing touchdown two plays later. The rookie quarterback led scoring drives on three of his four total series, with the final possession ending in a victory formation. Allar credited the offensive staff for a concise game plan that allowed him to play fast and noted that practicing against the Steelers' defense helped his mental preparation.

Veteran Mason Rudolph started the contest, playing two series and connecting with Germie Bernard. Despite being sidelined alongside injured wide receivers Michael Pittman Jr. and DK Metcalf, quarterback Aaron Rodgers remained active on the sideline. Rodgers mentored the younger quarterbacks, advising Howard to focus on Tonyan and Allar to look for Wetjen. He also provided feedback on defensive signals and pressure packages throughout the evening.

Howard’s Command and Two-Minute Efficiency

Coach Mike McCarthy praised the poise of both young quarterbacks, specifically highlighting Howard’s ability to overcome long down-and-distance situations. Although Howard’s opening drive resulted in a punt following a third-down sack, he rebounded during the late second-quarter scoring march. Howard noted that the repetitions of the two-minute drill since the first day of training camp in Latrobe paid off during the game.

On his third and final series, Howard secured a first down with an 8-yard pass to Tonyan. However, the drive stalled after an under-pressure throw on third down fell incomplete. Howard finished his night having led the offense into the end zone once, while Allar took over to finish the game’s final four series.

Coaching Evaluations and Roster Context

McCarthy expressed satisfaction with how the quarterbacks commanded the huddle and took the play calls. The Steelers' coaching staff utilized specific plays to ensure Allar felt comfortable during his debut. Allar mentioned that he was so focused on enunciating the play calls that he did not initially hear the crowd's "Drewwww" chants.

The victory saw the Steelers' offense remain productive despite the absence of veteran starters. The mentorship from Rodgers extended to helping the quarterbacks prepare for potential headset failures by having backup plays ready. Following the conclusion of the game, the Steelers look toward their remaining preseason schedule as they continue to evaluate the depth behind their veteran signal-callers.