The life of an NFL third string quarterback is by definition, nondescript. About the only player on the roster who remains more anonymous is the long snapper. Wanna prove it? Ask a lifelong Steelers season ticket holder who never missed a game at Three Rivers Stadium during the ’80s and ’90s: “Who wore Number 11 from 1989 through 1992?”
- You’ll almost certainly draw a blank, although the answer is “Rick Strom.”
No one remembers Rick Strom today and, I’d bet, few could have named him at the height of his clipboard holding days. That makes Joshua Dobbs, the Steelers incumbent third string quarterback unique.
- Fans know his name – that’s a bit unusual, but not every team has a rocket scientist as its third string quarterback.
The question is, will Joshua Dobbs the Rocket Scientist turned quarterback who is reaching unrestricted free agency return to Pittsburgh?
Joshua Dobbs throws a pass. Photo Credit: Chaz Palla, Tribune-Review
Capsule Profile of Joshua Dobbs’ Career with the Steelers
The Steelers surprised some when they drafted Joshua Dobbs in the 4th round of the 2017 NFL Draft. The move was a surprise because Landry Jones had developed in to a competent backup, while former NFL starter Zach Mettenberger had done a year of apprenticeship as the 3rd string QB.
Dobbs was inactive his rookie year, but by all accounts, he did everything a third stringer could do to prepare. Things didn’t look good for Joshua Dobbs when the Steelers commenced camp at St. Vincents in the summer of 2018, as Pittsburgh has just drafted Mason Rudolph.
The Steelers had only kept 4 quarterbacks twice in their history – how could Joshua Dobbs hope to survive?
- Joshua Dobb didn’t just survive the summer at St. Vincents, he thrived.
Dobbs forced Landry Jones from the team and established himself as the number 1 backup behind Ben Roethlisberger. In that capacity he saw action twice. First in the road win against the Ravens where Dobbs came in for one play, audibled out of a run, and fired a laser like strike to JuJu Smith-Schuster and converted a 3rd down.
- The second time came in the Black Hole at Oakland, where Dobbs started the second half and looked tentative.
Joshua Dobbs’ development plateaued in the summer of 2019, and the Steelers dealt him to the Jacksonville Jaguars following week 1 of 2019. It was a decision they would regret, as they quickly claimed him off of waivers less than a year later. Dobbs remained in street clothes throughout 2020, until the season finale at Cleveland, where the Steelers deployed a special package of plays for Dobbs.
With Dobbs delivered a dynamism to the offense completing 4 of 5 shovel passes and rushing twice for 20 yards, prompting questions about whether he’d get a helmet in the playoffs. He did not.
The Case for the Steelers Resigning Joshua Dobbs 2021
The fact that fans know his name says a lot. True, Joshua Dobbs hasn’t been battle tested much, but he’s proven far more than most NFL third stringers. He’s good to have in the locker room, is a student of the game and delivers immediate athleticism to the depth chart.
- Best yet, they’ll be no bidding war for Joshua Dobbs services.
The Steelers can bring him back at the veteran minimum to complete with Dwyane Haskins and they should. After all, this is the Golden Age of Steelers Third String Quarterbacks as QB Number 3 has been pressed into non-mop up action multiple times in the Roethlisberger era.
The Case Against the Steelers Resigning Joshua Dobbs in 2021
Ben Roethlisberger is about to begin his “Life’s Work.” Mason Rudolph is the heir apparent, and the Steelers have taken a flyer on Dwayne Haskins. Dobbs’ upside is dwarfed by Dwayne Haskins’.
- The idea of the Steelers keeping 4 quarterback for a 3rd time simply isn’t feasible.
With that in mind, Joshua Dobbs deserves a chance to sign somewhere where he has a shot at being a backup quarterback and the Steelers should use his roster spot and precious salary cap space on someone else.
Curtain’s Call on the Steelers and Joshua Dobbs in 2021
The Steelers decision to sign Dwayne Haskins would appear to doom Joshua Dobbs’ chances of returning to Pittsburgh. But appearances can be deceiving. The Steelers aren’t doing anything else on Haskins other than taking a flyer on a talented player with a troubled past.
- They’ve done this enough times to know there’s usually a reason why a former first round pick is unemployed in February after just two years in the league.
With that said, the Steelers have very limited salary cap space to work with and the smart money says they’ll invest those dollars outside their quarterback depth chart. Look for Joshua Dobbs the rocket scientist to land somewhere outside of Pittsburgh in free agency.
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