Steelers sign former #1 pick QB to 1-year deal

[Chucktownsteeler]

UPDATED: Steelers Sign QB Dwayne Haskins To One-Year Deal

The Steelers have officially inked Dwayne Haskins to a one-year contract, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

Steelers and QB Dwayne Haskins now have officially reached agreement on a one-year contract, per @AdamSchefter #Steelers
— Steelers Depot  (@Steelersdepot) January 21, 2021

Haskins is far from the first first-round QB to be brought in by Kevin Colbert.

First-round QBs that have landed in Pittsburgh under Kevin Colbert
Ben Roethlisberger
Tommy Maddox
Michael Vick
Byron Leftwich
Paxton Lynch
Dwayne Haskins#Steelers
— Steelers Depot  (@Steelersdepot) January 21, 2021

Our original report is below.

---

The Pittsburgh Steelers currently only have two quarterbacks under contract for the 2021 season and they might could have a third one in the coming days and one that was a former first-round selection at that.

According Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network on Thursday, former Washington Football Team quarterback Dwayne Haskins has a visit scheduled with the Steelers today. The free agent also recently visited the Carolina Panthers, per the report.

Former Washington Football Team QB Dwayne Haskins has a visit with the #Steelers today, sources say. Some potential QB depth and upside. The free agent and ex-first round pick also recently visited the #Panthers.

Washington released Haskins, the 2019 first-round pick out of Ohio State, on Dec. 28, less than 24 hours after he committed three turnovers in a loss to the Panthers and he was found in violation of pandemic protocols after being caught partying with several people without a mask. Haskins was fined $40,000 by Washington and lost his captaincy as a result of that incident.

Haskins struggled mightily with Washington during the 2020 season, completing just 61% of his passes with five touchdowns and seven interceptions. In his 16 career NFL starts, Haskins has just 12 touchdown passes and 14 interceptions. After he was waived by Washington, Haskins easily cleared waivers.

Washington clearly over-drafted Haskins, who made all of 14 starts during his college career at Ohio State. With Washington, Haskins had 2,804 passing yards and a 3-10 record as a starter. In a word, he was awful.

“Sometimes you have to hit rock bottom before you can dig your way back out of it,” Washington head coach Ron Rivera said on Dec. 28 after the team released Haskins. “I hope he learns from these experiences. Hopefully, they’ll make him stronger and they’ll help him and, hopefully, when he gets his next opportunity, he’ll make the best of it.”

Should the Steelers ultimately sign Haskins to a contract, one would think it would be for the minimum and no guaranteed money.

Currently, Ben Roethlisberger and Mason Rudolph are the only two quarterbacks under contract with the Steelers for the 2021 season.

UPDATES:

Sources: The Steelers are planning to sign ex-first-round QB Dwayne Haskins today. Haskins is meeting with the coaches now, and if all goes well, a deal will be hammered out.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) January 21, 2021

If Steelers meeting with Dwayne Haskins goes well – and there is every reason to believe it will with Mike Tomlin high on him during the draft process – look for PIT to sign him to a futures contract today
— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) January 21, 2021

[sandfan]

Haskins has I think one year at Ohio State, a failed resume in Washington and supposedly has a poor work ethic. I guess Rooney thinks Tomlin is a great motivator. He will have to earn his way with this dude. I doubt this ends well but the Steelers do what they do.

[Chucktownsteeler]

I guess he signed a reserve/ futures contract. Not much of a risk.

The Steelers have signed four players to Reserve/Future contracts, including defensive back Stephen Denmark, quarterback Dwayne Haskins, tight end Charles Jones and tight end Dax Raymond.

[Rollers]

he is number 3 on the depth chart. No big deal. He'll be gone by the end of training camp. Had one year at OSU and then nothing. He better have kept that first round money he got from washington

[sandfan]

I appreciate he comes cheap with minimal risk. However, Tomlin seems to lack the ability to handle problem children. Think about AB and Bell. I fear JUJU is going down that same path. Taking away a ping pong table was not the answer and never will be. But it seems to be a tool Tomlin embraced.

I've not read about any incidents since AB and Bell joined their new teams in the playoffs. I guess they are being handled by coaches with an improved understanding of how to motivate while keeping their players committed to the team.

Regardless of the possible bargain basement price I'm not sure Tomlin should ever add a disruptive force to his team. If the man is not up to treating a cancer it's best to avoid it all together.

[Chucktownsteeler]

JuJu is an unrestricted FA and likely gone. However the rook Chase Claypool is already picking up the shenanigans.

I did read where BA told AB before he was signed that it is team first any any antics he would be gone.

Not sure about Bell but I think Reid runs a tight ship.

[Rollers]

JuJu is an unrestricted FA and likely gone. However the rook Chase Claypool is already picking up the shenanigans.

I did read where BA told AB before he was signed that it is team first any any antics he would be gone.

Not sure about Bell but I think Reid runs a tight ship.

Both of those guys are better than Tomlin.  Tomlin has no clue how to control his players or how to motivate them.  I'm sick to death of him

[mcmillenandwife]

As a huge Buckeyes fan, I have a warm place in my heart for Haskins. He was a great college QB and I truly, TRULY hope this works out for everyone involved.

But I don't get this move.  

He never should've been a first round pick. Washington obviously has a draft war room filled with idiots, because as much as I loved him at Ohio State, I've never believed he was NFL-caliber, even as a backup. 

That said, I'm pulling for him and I really hope he proves me wrong. That's some crow I'd gladly eat. 

As for his supposed "off the field" stuff, it's complete bullshit. It's a bunch totalitarian mask-Nazis over at ESPN making a pariah out of a 22-year-old for not wearing a mask at a party filled with other 22-year-olds. That's f'd up.

I don't know how he'll be as a player, but I'm confident of this: Dwayne Haskins is NOT an off-the-field problem. He was a model citizen and a great player with an inspiring story at Ohio State. He deserves a chance and I'm glad he's gonna get it.

[Rollers]

As a huge Buckeyes fan, I have a warm place in my heart for Haskins. He was a great college QB and I truly, TRULY hope this works out for everyone involved.

But I don't get this move.  

He never should've been a first round pick. Washington obviously has a draft war room filled with idiots, because as much as I loved him at Ohio State, I've never believed he was NFL-caliber, even as a backup. 

That said, I'm pulling for him and I really hope he proves me wrong. That's some crow I'd gladly eat. 

As for his supposed "off the field" stuff, it's complete bullshit. It's a bunch totalitarian mask-Nazis over at ESPN making a pariah out of a 22-year-old for not wearing a mask at a party filled with other 22-year-olds. That's f'd up.

I don't know how he'll be as a player, but I'm confident of this: Dwayne Haskins is NOT an off-the-field problem. He was a model citizen and a great player with an inspiring story at Ohio State. He deserves a chance and I'm glad he's gonna get it.

Tim I don't know how much of a chance he's really going to get.  The off field crap didn't bother me.  It just seems like OSU QBs for whatever reason struggle in the NFL.  Maybe had he stayed at OSU for another year it might have turned out better for him, I don't know.  I don't think he makes the team though.  Anyway it's a no lose situation.  Not sure what futures contracts pay but it can't be much.

[mcmillenandwife]

Tim I don't know how much of a chance he's really going to get.  The off field crap didn't bother me.  It just seems like OSU QBs for whatever reason struggle in the NFL.  Maybe had he stayed at OSU for another year it might have turned out better for him, I don't know.  I don't think he makes the team though.  Anyway it's a no lose situation.  Not sure what futures contracts pay but it can't be much.

I don't disagree, Rollers. Honestly, the only reason I'm not completely panning this move is that I loved him as a Buckeye. I'd love to see it work out, but I don't think it will.

And you're right, the price seems to be right, so why not? I think he'll at least be equal to Duck, so in that regard, I suppose it's a good move.

[Chucktownsteeler]

If what I am reading is correct and the next OC is Matt Canada (which now it appears it might not be) the Steelers want to incorporate a RPO offense. The NFL is a plagiaristic league and this type of stuff always tickles me. These gadget offense (much like the "wildcat" a few years back) last a short period of time. Defenses in the NFL are fast, tough, and smart. By the time Tomlin & Co. get the RPO offense installed it will be out of vogue in the NFL.

Neither Ben or Mason is a RPO style QB. I call it the "non-passing" passer. The better defense can stop the run and force the QB to beat them with their arm, which in most cases they can't. It works great in college and to a degree in the NFL but good defenses will scheme and stop it.

[Cali-Steeler]

.

. I wouldn't be surprised if the Steeler's signed him looking to trade up in the upcoming draft. Especially only signing for one year?

[RaynorShyne]

First off THANK YOU FOR FIXING THE LOGINS

Second:  Haskins:  I'd *love* to say I'm excited about the move:  I'm not.  and it DOESNT have to do with Haskins.  I believe the kid has talent, but he needs two things:

• Discipline
  
• Coaching
  

The two things the Steelers have yet to regularly display under Tomlin:

• Discipline
  
• Coaching
  

[Chucktownsteeler]

Reading a blog from a WTF reporter the kid has talent, is a hard worker, but struggles understanding NFL defenses and the plays. Not sure if that can be fixed but I am pulling for him.

[mcmillenandwife]

First off THANK YOU FOR FIXING THE LOGINS

Second:  Haskins:  I'd *love* to say I'm excited about the move:  I'm not.  and it DOESNT have to do with Haskins.  I believe the kid has talent, but he needs two things:

• Discipline
  
• Coaching
  

The two things the Steelers have yet to regularly display under Tomlin:

• Discipline
  
• Coaching
  

Ouch. 

Hard to argue your point, unfortunately.

[dbsfgyd1]

First off THANK YOU FOR FIXING THE LOGINS

Second:  Haskins:  I'd *love* to say I'm excited about the move:  I'm not.  and it DOESNT have to do with Haskins.  I believe the kid has talent, but he needs two things:

• Discipline
  
• Coaching
  

The two things the Steelers have yet to regularly display under Tomlin:

• Discipline
  
• Coaching
  

Great post!