Josh Dobbs Making Most of Frustratingly Limited Opportunities

PITTSBURGH – While Dwayne Haskins and Mason Rudolph have dominated the discussion surrounding the Steelers’ backup quarterback job, five-year veteran Josh Dobbs has been the forgotten option.

No stranger too being overlooked, Dobbs realizes that all he can do is take advantage of the opportunities that do come his way.

“The goal is to control what you can with the opportunities given, and I’ve done that,” Dobbs said. “I’ve executed. I play well at a high level in practice. I did it again in the game. I plan on doing it going forward as well. I know there’s people that will make decisions, and at the end of the day I just control what I can control. I play my game, play it at the highest level and go about my business that way.”

That being said, Dobbs did admit that he has felt frustration regarding his spot on the depth chart and the sparse chances to prove himself that come along with it.

“It’s frustrating honestly, not getting those reps,” he said. “At the end of the day that’s what you do it for. You do it for the opportunity to go out on the field and compete. And when you’re not always not given the opportunities to fully show your capabilities, you’re not really put in an ideal situation.

“So, you can’t always control those opportunities. You just have the maximize the ones that are in front of you and just wait for the time when you are getting a lot of the reps and put in those positions to succeed and play at the highest level.”

Dobbs was the last quarterback to see snaps in Thursday’s Hall of Fame game, but he was also the only one to toss a touchdown, a five-yard strike on an out route to wide receiver Tyler Simmons. He finished his night having completed four of six passes for 37 yards and the score.

Dobbs was pleased with the performance he pieced together once he was called upon for his own chance under center.

“I thought it was a productive performance,” Dobbs said. “It’s been a while since I’ve been out there. So anytime you’re able to step back on the field and go out and execute, especially the first drive go and put up points, it’s a productive time. We were able to gel really well quickly as an offense during my time in there. We moved the ball, converted on several third downs, have a scoring drive as well. So it’s great to get out there and compete and show what I can do.”

Dobbs’ odds of making the team are not great, but it’s not like he hasn’t been here before. He was not expected to earn a spot on the 53-man roster in 2018 either, but he did, beating out veteran Landry Jones and a then rookie Rudolph for the No. 2 job.

Facing a similar circumstance in 2021, expect Dobbs to continue maximizing his sparse opportunities and controlling what he can control.