Pittsburgh Steelers fans are buzzing about rookie quarterback Drew Allar, but one legendary figure in the Steel City isn't exactly jumping on the bandwagon. Former Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, a two-time Super Bowl champion and future Hall of Famer, recently shared his candid thoughts on the third-round pick from the 2026 NFL Draft—and his assessment was far from glowing.

When the Steelers selected Allar out of Penn State, opinions were split. Ask ten analysts about the young QB's potential, and you'll likely hear ten different takes. Some see raw talent; others question his ability to shine at the next level. Roethlisberger, however, didn't mince words during his Footbahlin with Ben podcast.

"He never jumped off the page to me," Roethlisberger said. "Is he big? Can he move? Can he throw? Yeah, but there was never a time when I was like, whoa."

It's a tough critique from a quarterback who made a career out of elevating everyone around him. Roethlisberger's success came from his ability to turn average plays into game-changing moments, often pulling victory from the jaws of defeat. Allar, by contrast, seems to fit a different mold. He checks all the boxes physically—size, mobility, arm strength—but lacks that defining "wow" factor that sets elite QBs apart.

Instead of being a player who lifts his teammates, Allar appears to be someone who needs a strong supporting cast to succeed. For a Steelers team built on grit and resilience, that's a concern. As the 2026 season approaches, all eyes will be on this rookie to see if he can prove his doubters wrong—or if Roethlisberger's blunt assessment hits the mark.