CANTON, OHIO – AUGUST 5: Joshua Dobbs #5 of the Pittsburgh Steelers runs the ball in the second half during the 2021 NFL preseason Hall of Fame Game against the Dallas Cowboys at Tom Benson Hall Of Fame Stadium on August 5, 2021 in Canton, Ohio. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
Mike Tomlin’s team will face Detroit in their third preseason game in 2021. And a few jobs could be on the line when it comes to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
A 2-0 start in the preseason is hardly anything to get excited about. Then again, winning any kind of game has to be a better feeling for Mike Tomlin’s Pittsburgh Steelers given last year’s disastrous finish. The Black and Gold opened the season by winning its first 11 games, then held on for dear life to win the AFC North with a 12-4 record.
The Steelers were then humbled at home by the rival Cleveland Browns in the playoffs, 48-37. Now there have been numerous roster changes and a determination to get back to the kind of balanced attack that could pave the way for postseason success.
The following three performers bear watching as the team takes on the Detroit Lions in its third game of the summer.
3. QB Josh Dobbs
The quarterback discussion in the Steel City lately has been less about veteran Ben Roethlisberger (who is expected to start vs. the Lions) getting ready for his 18th season and more about who will be his backup. Mason Rudolph and Dwayne Haskins appear to be in a two-man competition to decide that spot.
So where does that leave Josh Dobbs? He was drafted by the club in the fourth round in 2017, traded to the Jaguars in 2019 and eventually wound up back with the Steelers a year ago. Does he still factor into a reserve role with the organization? Will he see extended time vs. Detroit?