EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – DECEMBER 22: Mason Rudolph #2 of the Pittsburgh Steelers attempts a pass against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on December 22, 2019 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Steven Ryan/Getty Images)
Mason Rudolph fumbled on the first possession of the Steelers preseason, and fans wanted to see more of Dwayne Haskins.
Haskins is battling with Rudolph for the No. 2 spot. Rudolph has had a stranglehold on the backup position behind Ben Roethlisberger for a few seasons, but the team no longer sees him as the standalone heir-apparent behind the future Hall-of-Famer. Instead, the former Ohio State Buckeye and Washington first-round pick Haskins will have every opportunity to usurp him.
On the team’s first offensive possession of the game, Rudolph fumbled on a handoff exchange on a third down. The ball was recovered by Dallas Cowboys rookie defense end Micah Parsons.
Pittsburgh Steelers: Should Dwayne Haskins replace Mason Rudolph?
It’s the first possession of the first preseason game. It’s far too early to give up on Rudolph as a backup based on one play, especially considering the fumble wasn’t even totally his fault. The exchange was bad, which is also on the ball-carrier and offensive line.
Steelers fans wanted to see less of Rudolph and more of Haskins almost immediately.
The Steelers aren’t going to listen to their fanbase. They entered this game with an obvious plan to see both Rudolph and Haskins get plenty of reps.
Surely fans will see Haskins soon enough.