Report: Dwayne Haskins expected to make Steelers' 53-man roster
Quarterback Dwayne Haskins has reportedly found a new home.
According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, Haskins is expected to make the Pittsburgh Steelers' 53-man roster.
#Steelers QB Dwayne Haskins, the former WFT first-rounder, is expected to make the initial roster in Pittsburgh, sources say. A cool story, as Haskins worked his way back and has earned it.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 31, 2021
Haskins will presumably be the No. 3 quarterback, playing behind Ben Roethlisberger and primary backup Mason Rudolph, who signed a contract extension over the offseason.
The final roster cuts, which will take everyone's rosters down to 53, are due by 4 p.m. ET on Tuesday.
Haskins looking to rebuild, bounce back
Haskins, a former 2019 first-round draft pick, had a regrettable stint with the Washington Football Team — he played in just 16 games over two years — but the 2020 season was especially bad. He started six games for Washington, but his relationship with the team, especially head coach Ron Rivera, was fairly shaky.
He underperformed on the field, which led to Rivera benching him, but he also gave the team a headache at the end of the season when he was stripped of his captaincy after violating the NFL's health and safety protocols. He went to a party, which first appeared to be at a strip club but he later said was for his girlfriend's birthday. Pictures surfaced of him with numerous other maskless people, violating both the rule against gathering with more than 10 people and the NFL's mask mandate.
Haskins apologized to the team and Rivera fined him reportedly $40,000. Washington waived him just over a week later.
This stint with the Steelers could be beneficial for him. He won't be starting, but he'll have the chance to learn behind Roethlisberger without the everyday pressure and spotlight he endured in Washington.