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Ben Roethlisberger’s status with the Steelers is currently in limbo, as Pittsburgh general manager Kevin Colbert attempts to determine whether or not he can put together a team good enough to justify paying to keep Roethlisberger under center for an 18th season.
If he determines it can’t be done, Colbert and the wage-strapped Steelers will likely decide to go in another direction at the quarterback. This would open the door for Mason Rudolph to enter the tee. Behind him would be Dwayne Haskins, a former first-round pick who signed a one-year contract with the Steelers last month.
“We have Mason Rudolph, and Mason did a really good job in this game he played and started against Cleveland in the [regular-season] final, “Colbert told Steelers.com’s Missi Matthews earlier this week.” He came a little short giving us a win, but gave us a chance, and that was really important to him. It was important for us to see this. ”
Colbert also tackled Haskins, a 6-4, 230-pound quarterback who drew comparisons with Roethlisberger during his time at Ohio State.
“We’re excited to see what Dwayne can do with us,” Colbert said. “It didn’t work out for him in Washington. We got good grades on Dwayne coming from Ohio. He was picked much higher than we could make that decision. … He’s a talented young quarterback that we can’t wait to see what he can do once he gets here and works with us. ”
15th overall pick in the 2019 draft, Haskins was released by Washington after a poor performance in the team’s Week 16 loss to the Panthers. Haskins’ high-profile violation of the NFL’s COVID-19 protocols also contributed to his release. After being released, Haskins described what he called the “worst week of his life” during an interview with Darren Haynes of WUSA9.
“I have to be responsible for the decisions you make in life, and be able to move forward and make the best decisions,” Haskins said. “I have no doubts in my mind that I can overcome this, grow and be a better person, a better athlete, a better quarterback and a better leader because of it. It’s something that I pray and work to show. I hope that another change of scenery will help. “
In two seasons in Washington, Haskins went just 3-10 as a starter. He completed 60.1% of his passes with 12 touchdowns and 14 interceptions. In 2020, the former first-round pick won just one of his six starts while throwing more interceptions (seven) than touchdowns (five). And while Haskins and his replacement colleague Kyle Allen got a combined score of 2-8 as Washington starting quarterback, veteran Alex Smith – the 2020 Returning Player of the Year – went 5-1 under. center while leading the football team to a title in the NFC East Division. .
While some of Haskins’ struggles were his doing, the fact that he had to play for three different coaches and two different coordinators likely contributed to his lack of success. Haskins also had to play behind an offensive line that allowed Washington 50 sacks in each of the past two seasons.
Haskins had some brilliant times during his time in Washington. In his sixth career start, Haskins threw for 261 yards and two touchdowns (while completing nearly 68% of his passes) in Washington’s 37-27 loss to Philadelphia. In Week 4 of the 2020 season, Haskins threw for 314 yards while completing over 71% of his throws in Washington’s 31-17 loss to the Ravens.
While the Steelers will likely add to their quarterback spot during the offseason, it’s pretty clear that Haskins and Rudolph will enter training camp as the Steelers’ top two quarterbacks if Roethlisberger is no longer in the game. equation.
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