PITTSBURGH — Dwayne Haskins, a first-round draft pick in 2019, has agreed to a one-year contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers after meeting with the team Thursday, a source told ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
The quarterback was released by the Washington Football Team less than a month ago, a day after he was benched in a loss to the Carolina Panthers. He had been photographed without a mask at his girlfriend’s birthday party following a loss to Seattle Seahawks. He was fined $40,000 for his second breach of the COVID-19 protocols and lost his captaincy.
He still started against the Panthers but played poorly and was benched. Haskins was then demoted in favor of a player, Taylor Heinicke, who signed to Washington’s practice squad less than a month earlier. Haskins was then abruptly released.
“I told him that I believe it benefits both parties that we go our separate ways,” Washington coach Ron Rivera said in a statement at the time. “We want to thank Dwayne for his contributions these last two seasons and wish him well moving forward.”
In a tweet, Haskins wrote: “I take full responsibility for not meeting the standards of a NFL QB & will become a better man & player because of this experience.”
Haskins, drafted 15th overall by Washington in 2019 and often criticized for his lack of work ethic, had a tumultuous tenure with his first NFL team.
The former Ohio State product played in 15 games over two seasons with Washington, compiling a Total QBR of 29.4 — well below the league average of 63.5 during that time. He threw 12 touchdown passes to 14 interceptions.
Haskins, 23, is represented by Brian Levy, who is also Mike Tomlin’s agent.
With his signing, the Steelers signal they’re focusing on a future without quarterback Ben Roethlisberger — either this year or soon after. The likely future Hall of Famer has one year left on his contract, but he hasn’t yet determined his future with the team. After the wild-card loss, Roethlisberger said he would pray about the decision and consult his family. He added if he decides to come back, he hopes the Steelers also want him to return.
With third-string quarterback Josh Dobbs hitting free agency in March, the Steelers are set to have Roethlisberger, Mason Rudolph and Haskins on the roster for 2021, though Roethlisberger comes with a $41.2 million cap charge.