Haskins’ death still hangs over the Steelers as practices begin

PITTSBURGH – The Pittsburgh Steelers hit the fields for their first official offseason practice Tuesday with the team still trying to cope with the loss of quarterback Dwayne Haskins.

Haskins was killed after being struck by a dump truck on a Florida highway in the early morning of April 9. The 24year-old, who was expected to compete for a spot on the depth chart, was in the Fort Lauderdale, Florida, area training and preparing for these offseason workouts. Haskins spent the 2020 season as a Steelers backup. Despite his short time with the franchise, teammates felt his absence.

“Dwayne – it’s just unfortunate,” defensive lineman Cameron Heyward said. “It’s really different. I never thought we’d be in this situation. I think more about his family than just us. Football, you move on, but family is even tougher. He was part of this community.

He was only here not even that long, but ... we’ll miss him.”

Quarterback Mason Rudolph, who spent a good deal of time with Haskins while they battled for reps behind longtime starter Ben Roethlisberger, agreed.

“I’m still kind of adjusting to him not ever going to be in the quarterback room again,” Rudolph said.

Fellow quarterback Mitch Trubisky had only met Haskins a short time before the Ohio State product and 2019 first-round draft pick’s death. They struck up a quick friendship, and it was Trubisky who invited Haskins to train with teammates in Florida.

“It’s heartbreaking,” Trubisky said. “I think about him every day. I only knew him for a short time, but he definitely left an impact on my life the short time that I knew him. I think about him every day, when I wake up, step on the field, all those things. He’s in our hearts, and all we can do is honor him every day in how we live our lives.”