Drew Allar’s viral reaction says it all as Steelers QB admits he’s been forced to ditch hometown team

Apr 25, 2026 - 12:30

Drew Allar is a Pittsburgh Steeler.

The former Penn State quarterback was selected by the Steelers in the third round with the 76th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.

Browns fan Drew Allar was drafted by the Steelers

In four seasons suiting up for the Nittany Lions in the Big Ten, Allar made 45 appearances and completed 63.2 percent of his passes for 7,402 yards and 61 touchdowns to just 13 interceptions.

But the 22-year-old didn’t appear to be keen on having to wear Steelers-branded gear on draft night.

Watching the draft unfold with his family from home, he had the cap in hand, but looked a little bit disappointed at the fact he was staying in Pennsylvania.

Fans were quick to notice, with one user posting on X (formerly Twitter: “He did NOT want to put that hat on ”

View Tweet: https://twitter.com/AllarDrew?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

“Looks thrilled. #DawgPound,” a second user wrote.

“Feel for you big dawg. You always Brown and Orange by blood. This jus bidness,” a third added.

It may have something to do with the fact that Allar is a Medina, Ohio,native who grew up supporting the Steelers’ AFC North division rivals, Cleveland Browns.

“I was a Browns fan growing up, but I guess that’s kinda gone out the window right now. But I’m very excited to be a Steeler, honestly,” Allar said after being drafted.

“I have a lot of family that grew up in the Pittsburgh area that are huge Steelers fans and Pittsburgh fans in general. Some of my best friends are from that area, too.

“So honestly, at my time at Penn State, I got a lot more familiar with the whole state of PA, but especially Pittsburgh. I know how serious the culture is around sports in Pittsburgh and how much pride the fans take in all the pro teams.

Allar didn't look too happy to have been drafted by the Steelers — Allar didn’t look too happy to have been drafted by the Steelers

Allar will now compete with Will Howard and Mason Rudolph for the QB1 role, unless Rodgers returns

“I’m really excited to play for a fan base and an organization that has such high tradition and standards. I’m really looking forward to becoming a Pittsburgh Steeler.”

Allar is currently set to compete with Will Howard and veteran signal caller Mason Rudolph for the starting QB1 role, but the storied franchise are still awaiting the decision of whether future Hall of Famer Aaron Rodgers will return to the team.

Steelers fans left with bitter taste in mouths

The 2026 draft may be one to forget for fans of the Black and Yellow.

While many were left ecstatic by Allar’s selection, with NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero revealing that one NFC QB coach had likened the young signal caller to 18-year veteran Joe Flacco, Steelers fans were still left reeling over what happened in Round 1.

With the No. 21 overall pick, Pittsburgh had eyed USC wide receiver Makai Lemon.

Coming on the clock, the Steelers were on the phone to Lemon to notify him that they were taking him… until they weren’t.

Makai Lemon of Southern California poses for a photo after being selected 20th overall by the Philadelphia Eagles — Makai Lemon was snatched from the Steelers at the very last moment

In a stroke of genius from Philadelphia Eagles general manager Howie Roseman, the Birds were able to complete a last-minute trade up with divisional rivals Dallas Cowboys to nab the 20th overall pick, which they used to take Lemon.

With the draft being held just meters away from Acrisure Stadium, after the Steelers made their pick at No. 21, having to pivot to offensive tackle Max Iheanachor, flurries of Pittsburgh fans headed to the exits and home.

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