Former Washington Football Team bust Dwayne Haskins has been making the most of his second chance with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Ironically, just as his former team was opening its preseason without him, Haskins was trending on Twitter for his play against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Haskins flashed the potential that made him a first-round pick in 2019. His start wasn’t great, missing Isaiah McKoy along the sideline. But from there he revved it up.
Haskins completed 16-of-22 passes for 161 yards a touchdown pass to Anthony Johnson. A third-down and 11 play, Haskins scrambled out of danger as the pocket opened up to his right. While on the run he delivered a 22-yard dart to a wide opened Johnson for the score.
The Steelers trailed 13-0 before Haskins led Pittsburgh to four scoring drives in route to a 24-16 win.
Haskins overcame a quiet outing last week against the Dallas Cowboys in the Hall of Fame Game. However, it’s been evidently clear Haskins’ has a higher ceiling than his competition for backup QB, Mason Rudolph.
Rudolph completed 8-of-9 passes for 77 yards. He was also sacked once. While Rudolph hasn’t been bad in essence, there is an apparent difference between he and Haskins. Haskins has more ability to make a play, as opposed to Rudolph taking what the defense gives him.
Meanwhile, Haskins is looking to overcome a disastrous start to his career in Washington that ended with him being released before the 2020 season was over. Off the field issues and a lack of dedication to his craft has been the biggest roadblocks of Haskins’ development.
Still under Mike Tomlin in Pittsburgh, Haskins may be getting his first opportunity to play for a head coach who may truly believe in him. Something he didn’t get in Washington under Jay Gruden in 2019 and Ron Rivera in 2020.
With Week 2 down, Haskins now gets another week to impress his new team in hopes of sticking on this season and possibly beyond behind Ben Roethlisberger.
