Drew Allar has emerged as the surprise leader among rookie quarterbacks in passer rating after the first week of NFL pre-season.
The Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback posted a 154.8 rating against the Green Bay Packers, putting him ahead of several of the more highly touted names from the 2026 rookie class.
Allar completed 10 of 13 passes for 153 yards and two touchdowns in Pittsburgh’s 28-9 victory.
He also added a rushing touchdown and was the only Steelers quarterback to throw a touchdown or avoid being sacked.
Drew Allar leads rookie quarterbacks after impressive Steelers debut
The result has given Allar an early boost in his battle with Will Howard for a prominent role in Pittsburgh’s quarterback room.
His 154.8 passer rating was comfortably the best among rookie quarterbacks through one game, although it does not guarantee him a place on the final roster.
Carson Beck sits second with a 125.4 rating, while Ty Simpson is third at 125.0. Beck completed 15 of 19 passes for 188 yards and a touchdown in his Hall of Fame Game appearance, while Simpson went 21 of 25 for 190 yards and two touchdowns for the Los Angeles Rams.
Fernando Mendoza, the No. 1 overall pick, ranks fourth at 100.3 after completing 10 of 16 passes for 97 yards and a touchdown for the Las Vegas Raiders. Haynes King follows at 95.2, with Cade Klubnik at 94.9.
Jalon Daniels recorded an 88.5 rating, while Garrett Nussmeier rounds out the list at 80.6.
Nussmeier completed 13 of 19 attempts for 98 yards in his first pre-season outing.
There is still plenty of pre-season football to play, so the rankings can change quickly.
For Allar, though, the early numbers are a welcome sign as he looks to strengthen his position in Pittsburgh’s quarterback competition and potentially become part of the Steelers’ plans beyond Aaron Rodgers.
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