PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Steelers will have their third starting quarterback of the preseason. When to speaking the media on Wednesday, Head Coach Mike Tomlin revealed that Dwayne Haskins will officially get the start against the Carolina Panthers on Friday.
“Dwayne Haskins will start,” Tomlin said. “We’re excited to get to see him with more opportunities.”
The third-year quarterback from Ohio State officially gets his chance in a ‘varsity’ opportunity as Tomlin put it. With no Ben Roethlisberger or Mason Rudolph, it is a chance for Haskins to get in against the first-team competition. The Panthers are expected to play most of their starters. It is that fact that Tomlin is looking to test as Haskins gets that start. Tomlin notes that their group at all three levels will test Haskins.
“They have a varsity group,” Tomlin said. “They’re talented at all levels. [Brian] Burns is a talented man up front. [Derrick] Brown was a talented man up front. They’ve got quality linebacker play. They have a first-rounder at cornerback. They’ve got a top-notch young safety. Like any professional group, their first wave of terror is just that.”
With Haskins getting the most opportunity and no Rudolph or Roethlisberger, it will also be a tangible opportunity for Josh Dobbs. Dobbs seems to be in line for a hefty amount of snaps, and potentially audition for another team after the final wave of cuts.