Tag: AFC North

TL;DR

• Drew Allar’s preseason debut for the Pittsburgh Steelers produced three touchdown drives in three second‑half possessions, but the more meaningful win was cleaner footwork under head coach Mike McCarthy and quicker, calmer decisions under duress. [1] (nfl.com)
• In a quarterback room topped by a 42‑year‑old Aaron Rodgers who has said 2026 is his last ride, Allar’s jump from “rebuild the mechanics” to “run the offense” reframes Pittsburgh’s succession plan from 2028 insurance to 2027 contention. [6] (nfl.com)
• Because the opponent and context matter, I treat Allar’s three TD drives as a diagnostic, not a coronation: proof the floor is rising fast enough that he can be a useful NFL backup immediately and a viable 2027 starter if the arc holds. [2][4] (nfl.com)

What the source said

Steelers Depot reported that third‑round rookie Drew Allar, whose feet and consistency dogged him at Penn State and early camp, strung together three second‑half touchdown drives in his preseason debut vs. Green Bay. Beat writer Mark Kaboly told 93.7 The Fan that Allar flashed accuracy, pocket movement, and decision‑making that weren’t present “three months ago” or even “a week ago.” The piece credits Pittsburgh’s “tear it down to the studs” approach under head coach Mike McCarthy for the mechanical cleanup, especially footwork, which had driven ball‑placement issues. Film work by Josh Carney echoed that the improved base led to more consistent throws, even if the night wasn’t perfect. [1]

Why it matters

The real stakeholders are (1) the 2026 Steelers front office that must balance Rodgers’ now‑or‑never window with 2027–2029 roster value, and (2) the AFC North’s defensive coordinators evaluating whether Pittsburgh’s developmental depth can actually win games if Rodgers misses time. If Allar is already a functional backup in August, Omar Khan can roster‑build more aggressively at premium positions (corner, pass‑rush) instead of hunting veteran QB insurance at the trade deadline. [6][7] (nfl.com)

Fans are stakeholders too, but less for hype than for signal. On August 13, 2026, Pittsburgh beat Green Bay 28–9 at Acrisure Stadium; the score will fade, the tape won’t. The Steelers need a post‑Rodgers identity that coheres with McCarthy’s structure‑and‑rhythm offense; Allar’s debut suggested he can execute a pared‑down version of that identity without the latent chaos that marred his Penn State film. [2][5] (nfl.com)

Original analysis

Drew Allar’s preseason debut: signal vs. noise

The consensus read: “It’s only preseason; Allar picked on third‑stringers.” True and lazy. The question for a developmental QB isn’t who he beat, but how: base, sequencing, timing, and answers versus simple post‑snap movement. You can’t fake those, even against vanilla Cover‑3.

What changed Thursday was less the stat line and more the operating system. The Steelers drafted Allar 76th overall as a traits bet—arm talent without repeatable feet—and immediately put him in a demolition‑and‑rebuild under McCarthy’s staff. Seeing three consecutive end‑zone trips led by that same player, within a pro progression structure, is strong evidence that the new biomechanics are sticking under live bullets. That carries predictive weight across opponent tiers. [3][4] (steelers.com)

• A contrarian read
  Consensus: “No takeaways until he faces starters.” My case: mechanics are opponent‑agnostic. If your base width is consistent and your stride lands on‑line, your ball arrives on time, regardless of CB3 vs. CB1. The opponent calibrates the ceiling; the base establishes the floor. Allar’s floor rose Thursday because the link between feet and ball stayed intact under NFL timing. That matters more than who wore the green dot. [1]

• A 2×2 that actually predicts outcomes
  Axes: Mechanics (clean ↔ messy) vs. Processing (fast ↔ slow).

  • Clean/Fast: Rodgers (2026), the model for McCarthy’s offense. [6] (nfl.com)
  • Clean/Developing: Allar (post‑rebuild). This is where Thursday’s tape placed him—cleaner base and a first‑read rhythm that looked coached, not improvised. [1]
  • Messy/Fast: Young arms who create but spray—where Allar lived too often at Penn State. [1]
  • Messy/Slow: Camp‑arm purgatory.

  Movement across quadrants is rare mid‑camp; Allar appeared to jump one box right (messy→clean) and a half box up (slow→developing). If he locks that in through August 2026, he becomes a playable QB2 by November 2026, independent of opponent quality.

• Back‑of‑envelope calculation
  Suppose footwork cleanup trims an illustrative 5 percentage points from Allar’s off‑target rate when he becomes a starter in 2027 (e.g., 15% → 10%). Over 350 attempts, that’s ~17–18 fewer uncatchable balls. If even a third convert into first downs at ~0.6 WPA on fourth‑quarter scoring drives over a season, you bank ~3–4 win‑swinging plays—exactly the margin that turns a 9–8 wild card into an 11–6 division shot in the AFC North. That’s the scale of value footwork fixes can produce in McCarthy’s structure.

• Named‑stakeholder breakdown
  • Mike McCarthy: Proof of concept that his staff can accelerate QB development without live‑game chaos. That strengthens his case to keep a “four QBs we love” room intact through Week 1. [7] (nfl.com)
  • Aaron Rodgers: A clearer runway to manage reps and preserve arm health if the staff trusts Allar with second‑half preseason and emergency regular‑season snaps during his final campaign. [6] (nfl.com)
  • Omar Khan (GM): Optionality. If Allar is real QB2 by October 2026, Khan can spend mid‑round capital on OL depth or CB rather than a veteran backup rental.
  • Mason Rudolph: The steady bridge. If he holds QB2 early, Allar’s rise still pressures the staff to tilt QB3 packages or two‑minute drills toward the rookie by preseason Week 3. [7]
  • Will Howard: The developmental clock speeds up. If Allar’s baseline is higher than expected, Howard’s August must produce a counter‑thesis—pocket command or red‑zone sequencing—or he risks becoming the odd man out in weekly actives. [7]

Bottom line: The debut did not crown a starter; it validated a process. In an organization that just changed head coaches and doubled down on a veteran starter for one last run, that’s the “win behind the win.” [2][4][6] (nfl.com)

What others are missing

The real lens is scheme carryover. McCarthy’s pass game still majors in timing—quick perimeter access throws and high‑percentage ISO routes married to under‑center play‑action. That world demands two things from a young QB: controlled lower‑half and willingness to be on‑schedule. Media recaps of Allar’s touchdowns fixate on outcomes, not the machinery: consistent base width on quick game, a hitch that doesn’t drift the launch point, and resets that keep shoulders square on extended plays. Those traits travel week to week; they don’t depend on whether the corner is Green Bay’s CB2 or CB6. If they persist vs. the Jets and at the Bills this month, Pittsburgh can treat Allar as a live NFL option sooner than planned. [8] (steelers.com)

What to watch next

1. By August 21, 2026, Allar gets the first full third quarter vs. the Jets and produces at least one scoring drive built on a 6‑plus‑play sequence, not a single shot play. [8] (steelers.com)
2. By August 27, 2026, at Buffalo, Pittsburgh tests Allar with at least three under‑center snaps and two designed movement throws (boot/play‑action), a litmus for scheme carryover. [8] (steelers.com)
3. By Week 6 of the regular season (October 2026), the Steelers keep four quarterbacks on the 53 at least twice, signaling organizational commitment to in‑house succession over a veteran rental. [7] (nfl.com)

My take

I’m buying the signal. Three touchdown drives don’t change a quarterback’s destiny; three mechanically clean touchdown drives do. In one August night, Drew Allar moved from “traits bet that needs a redshirt” to “functional backup with a 2027 starter’s path,” and that’s a massive strategic shift for Pittsburgh. With Rodgers publicly on the clock and McCarthy rebuilding the room in his own image, the Steelers don’t need Allar to be a revelation; they need him to be repeatable. If this is the new baseline, he should be QB2 by Halloween 2026 and the unquestioned heir by spring 2027. [6] (nfl.com)

Sources

1. ‘Stuff You Didn’t See From Him’: Beat Writer Evaluates Drew Allar’s Debut — Steelers Depot (https://steelersdepot.com/2026/08/drew-allar-showed-stuff-you-didnt-see-from-him-consistently-a-week-ago-in-debut-beat-writer-says/) — The starting point: Kaboly’s on‑air assessment and Steelers Depot’s framing of Allar’s mechanical progress.

2. Packers at Steelers, 2026 Preseason Week 1 — NFL.com Game Center (https://www.nfl.com/games/packers-at-steelers-2026-pre-1) — Confirms the Aug. 13 game at Acrisure Stadium and the 28–9 final.

3. Steelers select Allar in third round — Pittsburgh Steelers (https://www.steelers.com/news/steelers-select-allar-in-third-round) — Official confirmation that Pittsburgh drafted Drew Allar No. 76 overall in 2026.

4. Steelers to hire Mike McCarthy as next head coach — NFL.com (https://www.nfl.com/news/steelers-plan-to-hire-mike-mccarthy-as-next-head-coach) — Establishes McCarthy’s arrival in January 2026 and the organizational context.

5. Packers finalize preseason schedule (Week 1 at Steelers, Aug. 13) — Packers.com (https://www.packers.com/news/packers-finalize-preseason-schedule-2026) — Verifies opponent, date, and venue from the Green Bay side.

6. Steelers’ Aaron Rodgers says 2026 will be final season — NFL.com (https://www.nfl.com/news/steelers-aaron-rodgers-says-zero-debate-2026-will-be-final-season-in-nfl) — Documents Rodgers’ stated timeline, the backdrop for Pittsburgh’s succession plan.

7. Mike McCarthy: “Steelers have four QBs that we love” — NFL.com (https://www.nfl.com/news/mike-mccarthy-steelers-have-four-qbs-that-we-love) — Confirms the room composition (Rodgers, Rudolph, Howard, Allar) and the developmental intent.

8. Steelers 2026 Schedule (preseason vs. Jets, at Bills) — Pittsburgh Steelers (https://www.steelers.com/schedule/?campaign=pit-tg-iw-edi-2071459) — Establishes the rest of the August test cases that contextualize Allar’s next reps.

The end of an era and the next play: who should the Steelers hire after Mike Tomlin?

The Rooney family just flipped the script on a franchise that has been startlingly stable for decades. Mike Tomlin’s decision to step down after 19 seasons — announced January 13, 2026 — suddenly makes the Pittsburgh Steelers one of the NFL’s rare open head-coaching jobs. If you love Steelers football, this feels like both a hinge moment and a déjà vu: rare, risky and full of possibility.

Why this matters: the Steelers haven’t hired a new head coach since 2007, and they’ve had only three head coaching transitions in nearly six decades. The choice now will say a lot about whether Pittsburgh wants continuity, a reset, or a blend of the two.

What follows is a readable guide to the candidate types being discussed, the priorities the front office should weigh, the hazards involved, and my take on the smartest direction for the franchise.

Quick snapshot of the situation

• Mike Tomlin stepped down on January 13, 2026 after 19 seasons and a Super Bowl title; the Steelers begin their first coaching search since 2007. (reuters.com)
• Because Tomlin resigned while still under contract, Pittsburgh retains his rights and could receive compensation if he returns to coaching before his contract ends. (reuters.com)
• Early chatter around candidates centers on three broad types: young NFL assistants, seasoned coordinators and familiar AFC North names who know the division’s DNA. (steelersdepot.com)

Why this hires matters more than a typical offseason move

• Stability is part of Pittsburgh’s brand. The Rooney family runs an organization that historically values continuity, identity and culture. Replacing a 19-year steward is not a cosmetic swap — it’s a cultural inflection point.
• Roster reality will shape the pick. The Steelers have defensive stars, cap considerations, and quarterback uncertainty. Whoever gets the job must balance short-term competitiveness and the longer rebuild or retooling that might be necessary.
• Optics and fit matter in Pittsburgh. Ownership wants a coach who matches the city’s gritty identity and can navigate a passionate fanbase and demanding regional media.

The categories of candidates you’ll hear about

• Young assistants and rising coordinators

  • Why they appeal: energy, modern schemes, player relatability and long runway. Pittsburgh fans remember the impact of Cowher and Tomlin — both hires aimed at injecting youth and edge. Names like promising defensive coordinators or scheming NFL assistants fit this mold. (steelersdepot.com)
  • Upside: potential franchise-altering leadership, new ideas, ability to connect with younger players.
  • Risk: inexperience managing staff, game-day choices and heavy media scrutiny.

• Established coordinators and former head coaches

  • Why they appeal: experience running game plans, staff management and in-season problem solving.
  • Upside: less of a learning curve and greater predictability in Year One.
  • Risk: potential lack of long-term ceiling or resistance to adapt to Pittsburgh’s specific roster needs.

• AFC North or regional familiar faces

  • Why they appeal: knowledge of divisional rivals, familiarity with the terroir of the league’s toughest division and what it takes to win here.
  • Upside: hit-the-ground-running advantage and credibility in the rivalry-heavy environment.
  • Risk: baggage from previous rivalries, and sometimes lineage doesn’t translate to organizational chemistry.

What the Steelers should prioritize when they interview candidates

• Vision for the quarterback position
  • The Steelers’ quarterback future is crucial. The coach must present a realistic plan for either developing a young QB or maximizing an experienced one — and be honest about timelines.
• Defensive identity plus adaptability
  • Pittsburgh’s identity has been defense-first for decades. New leadership should preserve a hard-nosed approach while being flexible schematically to modern offenses.
• Culture and player development
  • The Rooney family and front office like culture-fit hires. Priority should be placed on a coach who develops talent and communicates well with veterans and rookies alike.
• Staff-building ability
  • Hiring the right assistants will be as important as the head coach. Look for candidates who can attract quality coordinators and retain key position coaches.
• Ownership relationship and patience
  • This franchise historically allows its coach time to build. The ideal hire respects that timeline while promising progress and accountability.

Potential pitfalls the Steelers must avoid

• Chasing a headline name over fit
  • It’s easy to get swept up in media favorites and betting odds. Fit matters more than flash.
• Overvaluing short-term results
  • A hire made to “win now” without a sustainable plan could backfire, leaving the team in limbo for seasons.
• Ignoring staff/room continuity
  • Wholesale staff turnover can destabilize roster development. Preserve useful institutional knowledge where possible.

Timeline and process realities

• Expect a concentrated interview cycle. With Tomlin leaving mid-January, the Steelers and rival teams will move quickly during the coaching carousel, conducting multiple interviews and weighing college and NFL candidates alike. (reuters.com)
• Because Tomlin is under contract, teams considering him would need to negotiate with Pittsburgh; for the Steelers, that preserves leverage and continuity options if Tomlin changes his mind.

Who’s being talked about (illustrative, not exhaustive)

• Young defensive coordinators and assistants linked to modern, aggressive defenses.
• Established coordinators with strong track records in run-defense and pass-rush scheming.
• College coaches with ties to the region or a track record of developing pro-style systems.
• Local and AFC North-connected names who know the division’s temper and rivalries. (steelersdepot.com)

My take

Pittsburgh should favor a coach who blends the best parts of Tomlin’s tenure — cultural steadiness, competitive toughness and player-first leadership — while bringing fresh schematic ideas. That means:

• Prioritize candidates who can show both a clear plan for the quarterback situation and a defensively sound, flexible philosophy.
• Lean toward a leader who has a record of developing coaches and players rather than someone who demands a roster makeover out of the gate.
• Be unafraid to take a calculated risk on a younger coordinator if he shows concrete leadership experience, or choose a seasoned coordinator who embraces a multi-year building plan.

This is a rare kind of decision for a rare franchise. The right hire won’t just be about Xs and Os — it will define how the Steelers present themselves to a new era of NFL play and scrutiny.

Final thoughts

Change is uncomfortable, especially in a place where coaches become almost institutional. But transitions are also opportunities to sharpen identity and correct course. Whoever the Rooneys and Omar Khan pick will inherit a proud roster, a tough division and a fanbase that expects grit. The smartest hire will be the one that balances Pittsburgh’s legacy with a credible roadmap for the next five years.

Sources

• Art Rooney II, Steelers begin first coaching search since 2007 — Reuters.
  https://www.reuters.com/sports/art-rooney-ii-steelers-begin-first-coaching-search-since-2007–flm-2026-01-14/ (reuters.com)

• Mike Tomlin not planning to coach in 2026, even amid interest from other teams — CBS Sports.
  https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/mike-tomlin-coaching-in-2026-rumors-interest-steelers/ (cbssports.com)

• Steelers head coach candidates who make sense — Steelers Depot.
  https://steelersdepot.com/2026/01/kozora-steelers-head-coach-candidates-who-make-sense/ (steelersdepot.com)