- Joined
- Apr 7, 2014
- Messages
- 2,542
- Reaction score
- 4,985
- Points
- 93
Before the 2021 season officially begins, there are a couple of questions and possibilities that are apparent when it comes to who is going to lead the Pittsburgh Steelers as the franchise heads into their 89th season.
The Steelers return veterans Mason Rudolph, and Joshua Dobbs, and signed former first round pick Dwayne Haskins. Haskins of course wore out his welcome in Washington after a season and a half. So the question remains, who will the QB be?
Many are under the belief that Ben Roethlisberger will be the starter for the entire season and there is absolutely some truth to that statement. The question still remains: Is there an argument to be made that the Steelers could be in a better position to succeed if they turn their starting quarterback position over to another player on the roster?
To start off, let’s examine the argument for Roethlisberger. Roethlisberger of course led the Steelers to a 12 win season before it ended in a loss at home to Cleveland in the Wild Card round of the playoffs. Some critics said it was time to hang them up following the disappointing loss. Well 3,800 passing yards, 33 touchdowns and 10 interceptions later, after coming off of an elbow surgery, the quarterback made a statement that he may not be done yet.
To put these numbers into proper context, the Steelers ranked last in the NFL in rushing in 2020, which forced the veteran quarterback to throw over 600 passes. Roethlisberger will be 39-years-old when the Steelers open the season, and even less mobile and athletic than he has been in years past. At this point, there might be some offensive linemen on the roster who could beat Big Ben’s current 40-yard-dash time. But the team has reinvested in the running game, and that should help take the pressure off Roethlisberger. He also has plenty of weapons to get the ball to when he does pass.
Besides Roethlisberger, the big quarterback acquisition for the Steelers this off-season was Haskins. After signing a one-year, $850,000 contract, Haskins immediately became the second quarterback listed on the depth chart in many people’s minds.
So is he going to start?
There’s a very small chance Haskins gets to start in the first game on the road against the Buffalo Bills as long as Roethlisberger is still in uniform. With the NFL having three preseason games, Haskins may have the opportunity to put together some performances that may garner some interest from fans and the front office. It is a possibility that the 24-year-old could start if the organization wants to make him the successor to Roethlisberger although, I am under the impression that that is not going to happen.
Haskins was highly regarded coming out of Ohio State, and made his way into the starting lineup as a rookie in Washington. Haskins failed to throw for over 1,500 passing yards in both years with the team after playing a total of 16 games between both 2019 and 2020. The Steelers risked very little by signing Haskins. They can basically move on from him at any point this off-season and owe him absolutely nothing. If Haskins is ready to mature and dedicate himself to the NFL, the talent is there. Time will tell.
As for the other two quarterbacks currently on the roster, Dobbs and Rudolph, I think that I might have an equal chance to become the starter this year. Rudolph was able to post a 5-3 record in 2018 after Roethlisberger was lost for the season while throwing for 1,700 yards and 13 touchdowns. Rudolph eventually lost the starting spot to Devlin “Duck” Hodges down the stretch before replacing a benched Hodges in Week 16. Rudolph was hurt after he entered the game and lost for the season. Rudolph started a Week 17 loss to Cleveland in 2020 after the Steelers had clinched a playoff spot.
Dobbs returned to the Steelers last season after he was released by the Jaguars, whom the Steelers traded him to in 2019. He likely will he competing with Haskins for the third quarterback spot during the preseason.
Without injury, I’d assume Roethlisberger will remain the starter the entire 2021 season. Let’s hope that this time, he can lead the Steelers to their first playoff win since 2017. Who do you think is the best QB on the roster? Comment below!
#SteelerNation
Support SteelerNation by clicking here to read the story..
The Steelers return veterans Mason Rudolph, and Joshua Dobbs, and signed former first round pick Dwayne Haskins. Haskins of course wore out his welcome in Washington after a season and a half. So the question remains, who will the QB be?
Many are under the belief that Ben Roethlisberger will be the starter for the entire season and there is absolutely some truth to that statement. The question still remains: Is there an argument to be made that the Steelers could be in a better position to succeed if they turn their starting quarterback position over to another player on the roster?
To start off, let’s examine the argument for Roethlisberger. Roethlisberger of course led the Steelers to a 12 win season before it ended in a loss at home to Cleveland in the Wild Card round of the playoffs. Some critics said it was time to hang them up following the disappointing loss. Well 3,800 passing yards, 33 touchdowns and 10 interceptions later, after coming off of an elbow surgery, the quarterback made a statement that he may not be done yet.
To put these numbers into proper context, the Steelers ranked last in the NFL in rushing in 2020, which forced the veteran quarterback to throw over 600 passes. Roethlisberger will be 39-years-old when the Steelers open the season, and even less mobile and athletic than he has been in years past. At this point, there might be some offensive linemen on the roster who could beat Big Ben’s current 40-yard-dash time. But the team has reinvested in the running game, and that should help take the pressure off Roethlisberger. He also has plenty of weapons to get the ball to when he does pass.
Besides Roethlisberger, the big quarterback acquisition for the Steelers this off-season was Haskins. After signing a one-year, $850,000 contract, Haskins immediately became the second quarterback listed on the depth chart in many people’s minds.
So is he going to start?
There’s a very small chance Haskins gets to start in the first game on the road against the Buffalo Bills as long as Roethlisberger is still in uniform. With the NFL having three preseason games, Haskins may have the opportunity to put together some performances that may garner some interest from fans and the front office. It is a possibility that the 24-year-old could start if the organization wants to make him the successor to Roethlisberger although, I am under the impression that that is not going to happen.
Haskins was highly regarded coming out of Ohio State, and made his way into the starting lineup as a rookie in Washington. Haskins failed to throw for over 1,500 passing yards in both years with the team after playing a total of 16 games between both 2019 and 2020. The Steelers risked very little by signing Haskins. They can basically move on from him at any point this off-season and owe him absolutely nothing. If Haskins is ready to mature and dedicate himself to the NFL, the talent is there. Time will tell.
As for the other two quarterbacks currently on the roster, Dobbs and Rudolph, I think that I might have an equal chance to become the starter this year. Rudolph was able to post a 5-3 record in 2018 after Roethlisberger was lost for the season while throwing for 1,700 yards and 13 touchdowns. Rudolph eventually lost the starting spot to Devlin “Duck” Hodges down the stretch before replacing a benched Hodges in Week 16. Rudolph was hurt after he entered the game and lost for the season. Rudolph started a Week 17 loss to Cleveland in 2020 after the Steelers had clinched a playoff spot.
Dobbs returned to the Steelers last season after he was released by the Jaguars, whom the Steelers traded him to in 2019. He likely will he competing with Haskins for the third quarterback spot during the preseason.
Without injury, I’d assume Roethlisberger will remain the starter the entire 2021 season. Let’s hope that this time, he can lead the Steelers to their first playoff win since 2017. Who do you think is the best QB on the roster? Comment below!
#SteelerNation
Support SteelerNation by clicking here to read the story..