Recently retired NFL offensive tackle Donald Penn, who played with Dwayne Haskins in Washington believes he could be the next starting quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers when Ben Roethlisberger retires.
Speaking on the “Upon Further Review” podcast with Zach Brook, Penn says if Haskins focuses on what he needs to do, he has what it takes to be the next starting QB in Pittsburgh.
“Stay focused, stay focused, get in a small group of people that really care about him and only about him and stick with him and stick with him and stay focused . . . the talent’s there,” said Penn.
Penn adds if he gives everything he has, it will only bring success.
“If he learns that playbook inside and out and puts 110 percent into it, he can do it.”
Since Haskins signed a Reserve/Future deal with the Steelers back in January, the narrative from his former teammates and coaches has been that if he focuses, he will be a starting quarterback in the NFL for a long time.
Back in March, his former coach Ron Rivera said on the Colin Cowherd podcast, “He's got an NFL arm, a legit arm. And there's a part of him that, that he wants to, he wants to, but something keeps getting in the way. I'm not sure what it was. And that was the hard part, because he puts in the time... and then he doesn't. And you wonder, 'where is he? What's he doing?' And then you see him over here and you go, 'okay.' And then you don't see him. So I think the thing he needs to do is just prioritize. I mean the kid, as I said: he's talented. And if he ever does get it, he's gonna make an impact."
Haskins was released from the Washington Football Team after nothing living up to expectations on the field and off.
Haskins was cut by Washington before the end of the season after being benched by the team in Week 16.
Haskins also was reportedly seen at a strip club without wearing a mask. He was fined $40,000 by Washington and stripped of his captain title before being benched and released.
In 22 games at Ohio State, Haskins threw for 5,408 yards and 54 touchdowns.
Roethlisberger commented on Haskins earlier this week during OTAs.
“I was just telling (QB) Coach (Mike) Sullivan the other day his release and throwing motion mechanics are some of the prettiest I’ve ever seen,” Roethlisberger said. “I told him I wish I had that. Just everything he does.”