Pat Freiermuth isn’t mad about having another Penn State teammate. He’s even happier now that he’s gotten to watch Drew Allar find spring success with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Though Allar has a long way to go, Freiermuth offered positive initial remarks.
“Drew, it’s been cool to kind of work with a Penn State guy,” Freiermuth told Steelers.com’s Missi Matthews and Mike Prisuta via the team’s YouTube channel. “It’s just been cool to see him here. First couple days as a pro is really tough on a rookie. New team, new building. And it’s been tough, but he’s been really progressing really well.”
Pittsburgh drafted Allar as a project who needed remapped mechanics. That has caused concern from some.
But Mike McCarthy’s history of developing quarterbacks revolves around these types of tweaks, starting with footwork and throwing motion changed, when needed. Aaron Rodgers went from carrying the football at his earhole to a normal and comfortable carriage.
Allar was the lone quarterback at rookie minicamp and had to endure every single rep. It was a difficult task on top of all the normal obstacles that rookies face, but the quicker Allar’s game develops, the better for him and the team.
Spring practices are closed from the public and offer little media insight. But Freiermuth offered one moment where Allar shined.
“He led the team down on a two-minute drive the other day,” Freiermuth said. “It’s just been great to see him get more comfortable in the locker room and the offense.”
Tuesday, McCarthy told reporters he had Rodgers sit out the team’s two-minute drill to allow Mason Rudolph and the team’s two young arms, Will Howard and Allar, chances to run the show.
Details about how Allar led the team downfield – if it came through a flurry of pinpoint passes or one long gain – are unknown. But a successful drive is the goal, and it sounds like Allar checked that box.
Allar has plenty more to prove. Defenses can begin hitting back when the pads come on in training camp, though Allar’s jersey will stay clean until stepping inside a stadium this preseason.
Even facing vanilla defenses, Allar will need to show that he can make plays in live environments when the coaching staff isn’t feet away. Right now, Freiermuth likes what he sees.