Steelers should be interested in recently benched QB Dwayne Haskins

The Steelers at least need to be monitoring the situation in Washington after the team recently benched former first-round QB, Dwayne Haskins.

With Washington recently demoting former first-round pick, Dwayne Haskins, to third-string QB, his time as a starter there seems to be over. While rumors will fly about the Steelers investing in him mid-season via trade, there may be some actual backing to these claims.

Though the idea of the Steelers direly needing a QB seems overblown, there isn’t a question that Ben Roethlisberger is entering his final years as a starting quarterback in this league. Haskins certainly hasn’t been perfect, but he might be a good addition to the Steelers QB room.

A lot of people will look at Haskins and instantly drop the Josh Rosen comparison. While both have struggled early in their career, Haskins at least showed some improvement in his second season. His passer rating and completion percentage both increased this year through his first few games, and overall, he looked more poised in the pocket. Rosen tanked in his second season with the Dolphins, looking like he had already given up. Though Haskins is a threat to do the same, the Steelers could be a savior for him.

Haskins certainly hasn’t been the stud that many thought he would be out of Ohio State, but the fact he did improve slightly in year two along with his natural traits should keep him relevant going into next year. While Washington may have already given up on him, his career should be far from over. He has a big arm with some accuracy, and while his mobility isn’t great, he could be a solid pocket QB in the right system.

Why Steelers should have some level of interest

In steps the Steelers, who are a contending team with a veteran QB and no real answers behind him. While Mason Rudolph could be a serviceable backup, he has some serious question marks as a franchise QB, and if the Steelers can cheaply find an upgrade over him, they should do it. Haskins could be just that, a young QB with good traits that would sit behind Roethlisberger until he retires.

The biggest plus for Haskins besides his arm is his contract. After this season, he will still have three more controllable years on his rookie deal. He could sit behind Roethlisberger in case of injury, learn from one of the best, and likely have a year or two on his contract after Roethlisberger retires to show the Steelers what he’s got. Even better, being a mid-first round pick and his signing bonus belonging to Washington, Haskins will have a small-cap hit for the duration of his deal.

As well, landing with the Steelers would mean a stable offense and an improved offensive line for the young quarterback. He has lacked both of those with Washington, and given that the Steelers wouldn’t need to push him as a starter, he would have time to learn the offense and develop. Trading for him isn’t a move that wins more games next year, but it sets up a succession plan for when Roethlisberger ultimately retires.

What will it take to get Haskins? That may be the ultimate question. If they are seeking a day two pick like the Cardinals were for Rosen, the Steelers should happily pass. Given that he has been demoted for Kyle Allen though, his market could be less active than Rosen’s was. Perhaps the Steelers could package a player like Vance McDonald and a fourth-round pick in exchange for Haskins and a sixth. Washington gets a solid TE for their future QB and the Steelers land a developmental QB to sit for the next few years.

In the end, this could all come down to asking price, but if Washington is willing to trade Haskins for a player or a late-round pick, the Steelers should jump at the opportunity. A consistent offense and a talented line could turn his young career around. While the Steelers shouldn’t trade the house for him, it is a situation that at least deserves monitoring. If he could be had for a reasonable price, the Steelers should be players for Haskins.