Why Steelers quarterback Josh Dobbs is playing better than you think

Steelers fans seems to be giving up on Josh Dobbs. Here’s why the third year quarterback is doing better than many fans realize.

It’s a popular time to be a part of the Mason Rudolph fan club. The second year quarterback from Oklahoma State has had an impressive preseason so far. But there is another Steelers quarterback who shouldn’t be thrown under the bus.

Despite what statistics may indicate, Josh Dobbs isn’t having a terrible preseason. In fact, he has made a number of spectacular plays, but there are many chips that haven’t fallen his way.

Last week, Dobbs threw a back-shoulder dime to rookie wide receiver, Diontae Johnson. However, Dobbs had his touchdown pass called back from a bogus offensive pass interference call.

In week one against the Buccaneers, Dobbs was just inches away from another touchdown pass – this time to James Washington. Dobbs dropped the ball in a bucket, but Washington’s toe was on the sideline as he caught it.

This week, Dobbs had a 24-yard pass called back from yet another offensive pass interference call. These three big plays alone would have been enough to skyrocket his quarterback rating in the preseason.

Many fans were shaming Dobbs for his performance this past week against the Titans. However, despite completing just 4 of 9 passes for 79 yards and an interception, he graded out quite well, according to Pro Football Focus:

Dobbs was the best rated offense player on the Steelers this past week. After watching the game for a second time, you can see why this is the case.

Josh Dobbs really only had one bad pass against the Titans (a pass that was well over the head of his tight end). However, one incompletion came as he was hit, and another bounced off both of Zach Gentry’s hands for an interception in the redzone.

When watching the play again in slow motion, Dobbs put the ball just out of the reach of the defensive back. It was a little high but very catchable. However, as most everything else has gone for Dobbs this preseason, it resulted in his misfortune.

If Gentry would have caught that ball, Dobbs would be looking a stat line of 5 of 9 passing for nearly 100 yards (and he potentially could have scored a touchdown, as it would have been first and goal inside the 10).

Dobbs still has to be more careful with the football. But to say his preseason has been poor isn’t exactly fair. The Steelers backup quarterback has been dealt a bad hand this preseason, and never even got to play with the starting unit. He will get the start against the Panthers for the final game. Hopefully his luck is about to change.