PITTSBURGH – Dwayne Haskins, a first round draft pick in 2019, has agreed to a one-year contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers after meeting with the team Thursday, a source told ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
The quarterback was released by the Washington Football Team less than a month ago, a day after he was defeated by the Carolina Panthers. He was photographed without a mask at his girlfriend’s birthday party after a loss to the Seattle Seahawks. He was fined $ 40,000 for his second violation of COVID-19 protocols and lost his captain.
He still started against the Panthers, but played poorly and sat on the bench. Haskins was subsequently relegated in favor of a player, Taylor Heinicke, who signed with Washington’s exhibition squad less than a month earlier. Haskins was abruptly released the day after the loss to Carolina.
“I told him I think it benefits both parties that we go our separate ways,” Washington coach Ron Rivera said in a statement at the time. “We would like to thank Dwayne for his contributions over the past two seasons and wish him a lot of progress.”
In a tweet, Haskins wrote, “I take full responsibility for failing to meet the standards of an NFL QB and will be a better man and player through this experience.”
Haskins, drafted 15th in 2019 by Washington and often criticized for his lack of work ethic, had a tumultuous tenure on his first NFL team.
His roster was led by owner Dan Snyder, contrary to the wishes of the franchise’s football side. The coaches were told by the Ohio State coaches that it would take time to mature as a professional and the organization planned to let him down for his entire rookie season.
But injuries to other quarterbacks and a poor record led Haskins to start seven games as a rookie. After a disastrous early show, Haskins finished with two good games to close his season. In those games, he posted a combined total of 74.8 QBR. But his total QBR for the season was 28, and this season it was 31.
Last off-season, Rivera said Haskins had franchise quarterback talent, but needed to become more of a leader. Rivera was pleased with what he saw in Haskins’ off-season. Haskins received all first-team replays in training camp and was named starter in late August, although Rivera said he would have opened it up to a league had there been preseason games.
Haskins started the first four games, throwing four touchdown passes to three interceptions, but with a total QBR of 29.8. Multiple sources said they felt he was celebrating his first 300-yard game in the locker room after losing 14 points to Baltimore.
Rivera put him on the couch the following week; he was inactive for the next four games until starter Kyle Allen broke his ankle. Haskins relieved an injured Alex Smith for the second half of a December 13 victory over San Francisco. Haskins started the next two games, but didn’t play well. In his last start, losing 20-13 to Carolina, he posted a total QBR of 4.1.
Haskins, 23, is represented by Brian Levy, who is also Mike Tomlin’s agent.
With his signing, the Steelers indicate they are aiming for a future without quarterback Ben Roethlisberger – this year or shortly after. The likely future Hall of Famer still has a year left on his contract, but he hasn’t determined his future with the team yet. After losing the wild card, Roethlisberger said he would pray for the decision and consult his family. He added that if he decides to return, he hopes the Steelers want him to return too.
With third-string quarterback Josh Dobbs hitting free agency in March, the Steelers will have Roethlisberger, Mason Rudolph and Haskins on the roster for 2021, although Roethlisberger comes with a cap of $ 41.2 million.
This report uses information from ESPN’s John Keim.