A concerning report about Steelers’ third-string quarterback Dwayne Haskins surfaced on Monday morning.
With Ben Roethlisberger out of the lineup on Sunday, backup Mason Rudolph got the start. He couldn’t even lead the Steelers to a win over the still winless Detroit Lions, finishing in a 16-16 tie.
Rudolph’s performance called into question Mike Tomlin‘s decision to stick with the backup instead of giving third-stringer Dwayne Haskins a shot. We may now know why.
According to Aditi Kinkhabwala of the NFL Network, Haskins wasn’t focused ahead of the Steelers-Lions game. He was on his phone a ton and threw “lousy” pregame passes.
“Mason Rudolph has had 4 years to show who he is. Dwayne Haskins, ostensibly one play from his 1st game action yesterday, spent warm-ups throwing lousy passes & checking his phone,” Kinkhabwala reports. “Ben Roethlisberger may not be who he once was, but there’s a reason he’s your QB, #Steelers fans.”
Mason Rudolph has had 4 years to show who he is. Dwayne Haskins, ostensibly one play from his 1st game action yesterday, spent warm-ups throwing lousy passes & checking his phone. Ben Roethlisberger may not be who he once was, but there’s a reason he’s your QB, #Steelers fans. https://t.co/MyQYaMTqeb
— Aditi Kinkhabwala (@AKinkhabwala) November 15, 2021
Well, we now know why Mike Tomlin prefers Mason Rudolph over Dwayne Haskins.
It’s a shame Haskins didn’t take pregame warm-ups more seriously on Sunday afternoon. He might have actually gotten some playing time considering how poorly Rudolph played.
NFL fans are pretty disappointed in Haskins.
If that’s true I’m very disappointed in Haskins https://t.co/MXLvsDbKoI
— Bruce Becker (@BruceBe68707869) November 15, 2021
I thought Haskins would of stepped up his game when he went to Pittsburgh. But he’s showing that Rivera was right when he released DH last December. https://t.co/a0MC0TMRIw
— Mr. Pauly (@BigManPauly) November 15, 2021
Others think Kinkhabwala’s report is being a bit overblown.
Most players check their phones during pregame to either change songs or check good-luck texts.
This is Ignorant. Every player has their phone during warm ups. You have 0 clue what he is doing on his phone. Could be changing songs or reading a prayer for all you know. Reporting has to have more value then this! Don’t be a reporter reporting TRASH! Because you miss a player https://t.co/PGoWAKm3Wr
— Dion Bailey (@dbailey_18) November 15, 2021
Wow, what an unprovoked shot at Haskins here. Professional. Truly. Ever think he was listening to music and changing the song like…every other player Aditi? https://t.co/1hV000rv76
— Josh Carney (@ByJoshCarney) November 15, 2021
Why are you framing Dwayne in such a negative light? Players be on their phones during warmups for music and other reasons…it’s not uncommon. https://t.co/S9Y4PZrKaR
— Chris Williamson (@CWilliamson44) November 15, 2021
Regardless of how you may perceive the latest Dwayne Haskins news, character concerns are nothing new.
Haskins has always had the talent to be a starting quarterback in the NFL. But his commitment to the game has to be called into question.
Tomlin’s decision to stick with Rudolph over Haskins tells us everything we need to know about the third-stringer at this point.
The post NFL World Reacts To Monday’s Dwayne Haskins News appeared first on The Spun.
Leave a Reply