Dwayne Haskins has been the best quarterback on the Steelers this preseason. And now it's time for Mike Tomlin to treat him like it.
Haskins needs some playing time with the first team.
The biggest storyline to come out of Pittsburgh's 24-16 win over the Eagles was the eye-popping contrast between Haskins and Mason Rudolph. Once again, Rudolph received the start, and once again, the Steelers' offense wasn't in sync when he was under center. They punted the ball away during their first three possessions.
It was a completely different story with Haskins. The 2019 first-round pick led five scoring drives in five series over the second and third quarters — rallying Pittsburgh from 13-0 and 16-7 deficits. He completed 16-of-22 passes for 161 yards and one touchdown, and the throw was a thing of beauty. Blessed with a free play, Haskins rolled out to his right, and found Anthony Johnson for the easy completion.
With Ben Roethlisberger starting next week against the Lions, Haskins' lone opportunity to play with the starters would be in the preseason finale against Carolina. The Steelers would be crazy to not put Haskins in that spot.
It's the only way we'll find out whether his performance in August could carry over to when games actually matter.
"As a competitor, you want to get in with the guys who make the plays," Haskins told reporters afterwards.
He also said this is the most fun he's enjoyed since coming into the NFL.
Through two weeks of preseason football, it isn't hyperbolic to say Haskins might be the steal of the offseason. Back in January, the Steelers took a flier on him for $800,000 when his value was at its nadir. Just a few weeks prior, Washington released Haskins before a must-win game, due to an egregious violation of Covid protocols.
Haskins came into Pittsburgh as a humbled player, earning immediate praise from Tomlin and other members of the coaching staff. Now Haskins is showing those kind words weren't empty.
The biggest long-term question facing the Steelers going forward is who will be Roethlisberger's heir apparent. Maybe Haskins is the person. The offense clicks when he's in the game.
In other words, Haskins is performing like a "jazz player" — just as quarterbacks coach Mike Sullivan told him.
Now we need to see Haskins conduct his show with the 1's.
