PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Steelers third-string quarterback Dwayne Haskins said on Wednesday he was told by Kevin Colbert he will get an opportunity to be the starter next season.
“They are giving me a chance to compete,” Haskins said via Zoom. “I have a chance to start. That’s all I can ask for.”
Haskins didn’t play one snap this season and only dressed for one game. He did play two years previously with the Washington Football Team.· Started 13 games, winning 3
· 60% completions for 2,804 yards
· 12 touchdowns to 14 interceptions
· Quarterback rating of 74.4
· Rookie season, 4 interceptions in first 2 career games, then 7 TD and 3 INT in 7 starts. In his last 2 games of his rookie year against Philadelphia and the Giants combined 31 of 43 with 4 touchdowns and no interceptions
· His second year, had 3 multiple interception games in 6 starts
· Sacked 49 times in 16 career games
· Rushed 40 times for 147 yards in his career with a touchdown
“I feel like I learned a lot not playing this year,” Haskins said. “Coach T wanted to give me an opportunity to sit back and learn. I never had an opportunity to do that in college and being drafted early and playing early.”
“I never really had a chance to learn the NFL game and the way it should be done. The way the Steelers want it done. It gave me an opportunity to learn the Steelers way. How they wanted their quarterbacks to operate, how Ben operated.”
Mobility
Tomlin reiterated on Tuesday how important mobility is for him at the quarterback position. How big it is in today’s NFL. Haskins believes he has mobility and shows that in practice as the scout team quarterback emulating Patrick Mahomes, Aaron Rodgers and others.
“I think the keys to finding quarterback mobility is a person who can extend plays, not necessarily a Lamar Jackson-type or a guy that can take off for 60 yards,” Haskins said. “A guy that can get a first down, move around in the pocket, make a guy miss. Kind of like how young Ben was, they preach how he was a Josh Allen-type early on in his career.”
Canada
Haskins says he showed in the preseason he can do things that offensive coordinator Matt Canada likes. Playing in all four exhibition games, he was 37-58 for 379 yards with two touchdowns and one interception.
He said they ran different plays to highlight Ben Roethlisberger, but there is more to Canada’s offense that suits his game.
“Be able to move around in the pocket, call different things and RPOs,” Haskins said. “I feel like that is what he wants the quarterback to do, he will adjust his plan. He will be different with a younger guy back there.”
Competition
Outside thoughts could be Haskins was given everything because he started as a rookie in the NFL. Haskins competed since his first year in college, beating out the now Bengals star quarterback and Heisman winner who had to transfer to LSU to get playing time because Haskins was that good. He threw for 4,831 yards with 50 touchdowns in his only full season as a starter in college.
“I feel like coming from Ohio State, having a guy like Joe Burrow, having to compete against him brought the best out of me,” Haskins said. “I’m looking forward to see what I can do here.”
Haskins also said he learned lessons from each one of the veteran quarterbacks he’s spent time with, Roethlisberger, Alex Smith, Case Keenum and Colt McCoy.
“I definitely feel I can be a starter in this league,” Haskins said. “I got drafted for that reason. I think I have the talent to. I think I can throw with the best of them. Really I just haven’t put it all together yet. That’s something I have to do in this offseason.”
Words to Tomlin
As of the time of the interview, Haskins had yet to have his exit interview with Mike Tomlin. Here is what he said he will say to the Steelers head coach about his desire to be next year’s starter.
“I wanted to be a quarterback my entire life,” Haskins said. “Being a quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers is a dream. I remember watching Ben Roethlisberger as a young kid in 2004 and watching him play. I always had great respect for the black and gold.”
“I want to be able to show him. I want this bad, I’m focused. I want to be a leader, want to be a guy that people can rely on, on and off the field. More than just a guy that can throw the ball.”
With all he’s been through on and off the field, Haskins believes this ‘redshirt year’ came at the perfect time.
“I got better this year even though I didn’t get the chance to necessarily play,” Haskins said.
He will get the opportunity to start proving that soon.