Steelers draft Drew Aller, Bernard
- Pittsburgh used its first three picks in the 2026 National Football League draft on Arizona State tackle Max Iheanachor, Alabama receiver Germie Bernard and Penn State quarterback Drew Allar. - The key numbers were 21, 47 and 76: Pittsburgh took Iheanachor in Round 1, traded up for Bernard in Round 2, then grabbed Allar. - Allar joins Will Howard and Mason Rudolph as Aaron Rodgers uncertainty lingers into May. (nfl.com)
The Pittsburgh Steelers spent the top of the 2026 draft rebuilding their offense around three names: Max Iheanachor, Germie Bernard and Drew Allar. (steelers.com 1) (steelers.com 2) (steelers.com 3) Pittsburgh opened at No. 21 with Arizona State offensive tackle Max Iheanachor, a 6-foot-6, 321-pound blocker who became a full-time right tackle in 2024. (steelers.com 1) (steelers.com 2) (espn.com) On Friday, the Steelers traded with the Indianapolis Colts to move from No. 53 to No. 47 for Alabama wide receiver Germie Bernard, sending picks 53, 135 and 237 and getting back 47 and 249. (steelers.com) Later that night, Pittsburgh took Penn State quarterback Drew Allar at No. 76 overall in the third round. Allar started 35 games at Penn State and finished with 7,402 passing yards and 61 touchdown passes. (steelers.com) Those three picks map the Steelers’ biggest offensive questions after the 2025 season: tackle depth, wide receiver help and a quarterback plan that still is not settled. ESPN reported Iheanachor could push for early snaps, in part because Broderick Jones is recovering from neck surgery. (espn.com) Allar is the most complicated piece because Pittsburgh drafted him while Aaron Rodgers’ status remained unresolved. NFL.com reported on April 25 that Rodgers-watch could continue into May, with Allar joining a room that already includes second-year quarterback Will Howard and veteran Mason Rudolph. (nfl.com) Steelers quarterbacks coach Tom Arth said Allar has "a very high ceiling" and called Pittsburgh a "great spot" for his development under coach Mike McCarthy. Arth also said Allar is 6-foot-5, 235 pounds and throws "as well as any quarterback in this draft class." (steelers.com) (nfl.com) The receiver pick was more immediate. Offensive coordinator Brian Angelichio said Bernard’s "energy, his character, his makeup" stood out on his pre-draft visit, and the Steelers paid extra picks to make sure they got him. (steelers.com) The draft order also undercuts the initial chatter that Pittsburgh centered this class on a splash quarterback move. The Steelers used Round 1 on the line, Round 2 on a pass catcher and waited until Round 3 to take Allar. (steelers.com 1) (steelers.com 2) (steelers.com 3) For now, the Steelers’ clearest statement is in the sequence of the picks: protect first, add a target second, then draft a quarterback to develop behind whatever happens next in the room. (espn.com) (nfl.com)
