Don’t count Josh Dobbs out of Steelers backup quarterback race yet
By Tommy Jaggi
Steelers Josh Dobbs outperformed Mason Rudolph and Dwayne Haskins in the Hall of Fame Game. Here’s why he shouldn’t be counted out of the QB race.
Ever since the Steelers signed Dwyane Haskins back in January, most assumed the three quarterbacks to make Pittsburgh’s roster this year were already a lock. Ben Roethlisberger elected to take a pay cut in an effort to return to the team this year, while Mason Rudolph flashed against the Browns to close out the 2020 season.
With Haskins joining the squad, Mike Tomlin gets a player he admitted to having a first-round grade on coming out of Ohio State in 2018. From a production standpoint, Haskins has been quite pitiful over his first two seasons – completing just 60.1 percent of his passes for 6.3 yards per attempt and a dismal 74.4 passer rating.
Despite struggles from both Haskins and Mason Rudolph over the past two seasons, it appeared that these would be the two backups who would round out the roster behind Roethlisberger. But don’t be so quick to rule out Joshua Dobbs.
Now in his fifth NFL season, Dobbs has found his way back to the Steelers and is fighting tooth and nail to stick around. After a solid performance in his first preseason game of 2021, he may be given a chance to do that. Mike Tomlin spoke highly of him following the game:
According to Brian Batko of Post-Gazette Sports, Tomlin had the following to say in regards to Josh Dobbs:
"“This guy’s not gonna back down from the competition. You guys keep asking me about Rudolph and Haskins, but he’s not going anywhere.”"
Can Josh Dobbs climb the Steelers QB depth chart?
I can’t speculate as to the motive behind saying this. Perhaps it was just to give Mason Rudolph and Dwayne Haskins the wake-up call they need to push them a little harder, or perhaps he really means it. Personally, I hope Tomlin really means what he said.
After suffering through more than three quarters of watching drives stall with Rudolph and Haskins under center, Josh Dobbs gave this offense a spark it desperately needed (albeit during a preseason game). Though his opportunities were limited, Dobbs made some nice decisions with the football and capped off his first drive with a touchdown. The throw was quite impressive as he stared down the face of the defense and delivered a beautiful throw on an out route while taking a big shot.
With time winding down in the game and the Steelers looking to chew up time on the clock, Dobbs was given just six pass attempts, but he made the most of them – churning out an impressive 122.9 passer rating.
Though the game situation was different, there’s no question that Dobbs outperformed both Haskins and Rudolph in this competition. Remarkably, he hasn’t been given hardly any opportunity to prove himself. Through his first four seasons, Dobbs has just 17 career pass attempts in the regular season. In comparison, Rudolph and Haskins have combined for 770 attempts over the past two seasons.
Despite some very impressive preseason performances in past years, Dobbs is the only quarterback on the roster who hasn’t been given a real chance to prove himself in the regular season.
With three more preseason games, I would hope that Josh Dobbs earns more time in the coming weeks. Haskins and Rudolph don’t have as much upside as some fans think. This should be a fair three-way race with each quarterback given the same opportunity. If that happens, don’t count out Dobbs just yet.