The Rise of Dwayne Haskins

As a football fan, I have been following the career of Dwayne Haskins closely ever since he entered the NFL in 2019. Haskins, born and raised in New Jersey, is a talented quarterback who has shown immense potential in his time on the field. In this article, I will take a closer look at Haskins' journey so far, from his college career to his current stint with the Pittsburgh Steelers. I will also examine his strengths and weaknesses as a quarterback, his off-field incidents, and his future prospects in the NFL.

Who is Dwayne Haskins?

Dwayne Haskins Jr. was born on May 3, 1997, in Highland Park, New Jersey. He attended Bullis School in Potomac, Maryland, where he excelled as a football player. In his senior year, he threw for 3,500 yards and 45 touchdowns, earning him a four-star rating from recruiting services.

Haskins went on to play college football at Ohio State University. He redshirted his freshman year but played sparingly in 2017 as the backup to J.T. Barrett. In 2018, he took over as the starting quarterback and had a breakout season, throwing for 4,831 yards and 50 touchdowns. He finished third in the Heisman Trophy voting and was named the Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year.

Haskins' college career and draft to the NFL

Haskins' impressive college career led him to declare for the 2019 NFL Draft. He was widely regarded as one of the top quarterbacks in the draft class, along with Kyler Murray and Drew Lock. The Washington Football Team selected him with the 15th overall pick.

Haskins' rookie year with Washington was not without its struggles. He started seven games, completing 119 of 203 passes for 1,365 yards, seven touchdowns, and seven interceptions. He also lost three fumbles and was sacked 29 times. Despite these numbers, Haskins showed flashes of potential and was named the starter for the 2020 season.

Haskins' early career with the Washington Football Team

Haskins' 2020 season got off to a rocky start. In the first four games, he completed just 61.0% of his passes for 939 yards, four touchdowns, and three interceptions. He was benched in favor of Kyle Allen in Week 5 but regained the starting job in Week 9. However, his struggles continued, and he was benched again in Week 13 after completing just 55.2% of his passes for 1,439 yards, five touchdowns, and seven interceptions.

Off the field, Haskins' behavior was also a cause for concern. In October 2020, he was photographed without a mask at a strip club, violating the NFL's COVID-19 protocols. He was stripped of his captaincy and fined $40,000 by the team. In December 2020, he was fined again for violating COVID-19 protocols, this time for attending a party with more than 10 people.

Haskins' move to the Pittsburgh Steelers

In December 2020, the Washington Football Team released Haskins, just two years after drafting him. He was quickly signed by the Pittsburgh Steelers to a reserve/future contract. In January 2021, Haskins signed a one-year deal with the Steelers.

Haskins' move to the Steelers was seen as a fresh start for the young quarterback. He joined a team with a strong tradition of quarterback development, led by head coach Mike Tomlin and offensive coordinator Matt Canada. He also had the opportunity to learn from veteran quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, who has been with the team since 2004.

Haskins' potential as a starting quarterback

Haskins' potential as a starting quarterback is undeniable. He has a strong arm and is accurate on short and intermediate passes. He is also mobile and can extend plays with his legs. However, he has struggled with decision-making and accuracy on deep passes. He also needs to work on his footwork and mechanics in the pocket.

In his short time with the Steelers, Haskins has shown improvement in these areas. He had a strong showing in the team's preseason opener, completing 16 of 22 passes for 161 yards and one touchdown. He also showed poise and leadership on the field, something that was lacking in his time with Washington.

Haskins' strengths and weaknesses on the field

Haskins' strengths on the field are his arm strength, accuracy on short and intermediate passes, and mobility. He has the ability to make quick decisions and get rid of the ball quickly. He is also adept at reading defenses and finding open receivers.

Haskins' weaknesses on the field are his decision-making and accuracy on deep passes. He has a tendency to force throws into tight coverage and has thrown interceptions as a result. He also needs to work on his footwork and mechanics in the pocket, as he can be inaccurate when throwing off-balance or under pressure.

Haskins' off-field incidents and their impact on his career

Haskins' off-field incidents have been a cause for concern throughout his career. His violation of the NFL's COVID-19 protocols in 2020 led to fines and a loss of trust from his team. His behavior off the field has also been called into question, with reports of him being unprepared for meetings and not taking his role as a leader seriously.

These incidents have had an impact on Haskins' career, both in Washington and beyond. They have led to a loss of trust from his coaches and teammates and have raised questions about his maturity and commitment to the game. However, Haskins has also shown a willingness to learn from his mistakes and improve his behavior.

Haskins' future with the Steelers and in the NFL

Haskins' future with the Steelers and in the NFL is uncertain. He is currently competing for the backup quarterback job behind Roethlisberger, with Mason Rudolph as his main competition. If he does not win the backup job, he could be released or placed on the practice squad.

However, if Haskins continues to show improvement on and off the field, he could have a bright future in the NFL. He is still young and has the potential to develop into a starting quarterback. He could also benefit from a change of scenery and a fresh start with a new team.

Comparisons to other successful quarterbacks

Haskins has drawn comparisons to other successful quarterbacks in the NFL, including Cam Newton and Ben Roethlisberger. Like Newton, Haskins has a strong arm and is mobile, but needs to work on his accuracy and decision-making. Like Roethlisberger, Haskins has the potential to be a successful pocket passer but needs to refine his mechanics and footwork.

Conclusion

Dwayne Haskins' career so far has been a rollercoaster ride, with ups and downs on and off the field. However, his potential as a starting quarterback is undeniable, and his move to the Pittsburgh Steelers could be the fresh start he needs to reach that potential. If he continues to improve his decision-making and accuracy on deep passes, he could become a valuable asset to the Steelers and a successful quarterback in the NFL.