Mike McCarthy is using a Will Howard template to address Drew Allar’s footwork and under-center transition as the Steelers work through QB plans.
A key Steelers offseason detail is emerging around Drew Allar, with head coach Mike McCarthy leaning on a specific developmental approach to address the biggest gaps in his game.
According to ESPN. the plan involves McCarthy using a Will Howard template as a model for how to fix what were described as “fatal flaws” in Allar’s mechanics and consistency.. Brooke Pryor wrote that while Allar brings strong measurable traits and a background playing premium college football. his mechanics still need work to make him a more reliable option.
For McCarthy, footwork is the first priority.. Pryor reported that Allar’s top focus mirrors what McCarthy emphasized with Howard early in the offseason training cycle: how he moves before and during key quarterback moments.. In this context. footwork is presented as the necessary starting point for Allar to adjust to a Steelers system where he will be asked to play more under center than at other stages of his career.
McCarthy’s explanation tied the coaching emphasis directly to tempo and decision-making.. He said having Allar take snaps under center gives him the ability to play faster. and also helps him transition in and out of the challenges that arise throughout quarterback play.. The challenge for Allar. McCarthy noted. is that he has not spent much time working under center previously. and that his prior football background leaned heavily toward a run-and-shoot style.
The coach also referenced the different angles of Allar’s experience. including that he played from 9 yards deep before and that the changes now bring plenty of “newness.” Still. McCarthy framed the process as incremental.. He pointed to what he viewed as encouraging response during practice. describing how progress seen in one session should carry into the next and how the development will be measured through continued work.
The Steelers selected Allar in the third round of this year’s draft. and the organization’s broader quarterback search remains a central storyline.. The report also characterizes Pittsburgh as still operating “in dance mode” with Aaron Rodgers. suggesting a working relationship that comes with both short-term comfort and long-term uncertainty.
Rodgers is described as more of a veteran stopgap solution given his age. while the Steelers continue their pursuit of what they hope will become their franchise quarterback.. In that larger picture, Allar’s transition becomes more than a technical drill plan.. It’s part of an attempt to determine whether the young quarterback can grow into the role the franchise is still searching for.
Allar’s own comments reflect that the work has focused on fundamentals rather than immediate outcomes.. He said he was concentrating on footwork generally and. at least early on. wasn’t obsessing over results as much as he was managing the process.. In team settings like 7-on-7. he added that he wants to complete every ball. emphasizing how the quarterback development is being tied to on-field execution.
Meanwhile. the Steelers’ decision to emphasize under-center work under McCarthy’s direction highlights a practical shift in how Allar is being asked to run the offense.. Learning under center is not just a change of stance; it affects timing. rhythm. and how quickly a quarterback can adjust to what defenses present.. With McCarthy pointing to faster play and smoother transitions. the offseason plan is designed to make those adjustments feel natural rather than forced.
For Pittsburgh. the stakes are straightforward: if Allar can absorb the footwork-first approach and show consistent improvement. the Steelers can move from hope and evaluation into a clearer internal timeline.. And as Rodgers remains the experienced presence while the franchise works through its quarterback questions. the development of Allar becomes one of the few controllable paths the team has to shape its future.
Steelers Drew Allar Mike McCarthy footwork coaching Aaron Rodgers Will Howard template NFL quarterback development