For Josh Dobbs, making the Pittsburgh Steelers’ 53-man roster won’t be determined by his play, but by the play of Landry Jones.
If second-year quarterback, Josh Dobbs, has any hope of making the Steelers roster this season, he needs to continue to play well. So far, he’s sitting way in the back behind Mason Rudolph and Landry Jones. Maybe, so far back that he can’t catch up.
Dobb’s career took a serious halt when Pittsburgh used their first third-round pick on Mason Rudolph. The whole, “Dobbs is the future” perspective took a backseat, and his expectations became nothing more than a second-string quarterback.
Right now, it’s less than that. Out of all four quarterbacks in Pittsburgh, Dobbs is sitting last in expectations and on the depth chart. If any are going to miss the 53-man roster, it’ll be the second-year QB.
Landry Jones played perfect in his preseason debut. Going 4-4 for 83 yards and a touchdown, the veteran proved he’s still as reliable as they come for a backup. His knowledge of the offense and comfortability in the pocket make him the clear choice to stay in Pittsburgh.
This leaves Dobbs’ strongest chance to find a roster spot in Jones. If the former Tennessee star is going to stay with the team who drafted him, it won’t be because of his performance, but the struggles of Jones’.
Through one game, no one has secured anything. Dobbs and Rudolph will be the only two quarterbacks to play in the second preseason game against Green Bay. Allowing Dobbs to prove himself during the first half against the Packers.
A strong performance will allow him to gain ground of Jones, but it won’t secure him anything. The rest will be placed on Jones’ play throughout the remainder of the preseason. A few slip ups and the six-year vet will remove himself as the favorite to stay in Pittsburgh.
None of this make it easy on Dobbs, but he still has potential in this league. He’s fighting an unwindable battle, against a man the Steelers have trusted for years. Meaning if Dobbs is going to overstep Jones, it won’t be his doing.
The future of this second-year gun slinger is in the hands of the veteran. Leaving three weeks for Landry Jones to prove that he’s not the guy Pittsburgh wants.