Speculation has now turned into reality, and it’s confirmed that former Vol quarterback Josh Dobbs will start for the Pittsburgh Steelers on Friday.
There was talk earlier this week that Dobbs could land the start for the Steelers’ preseason opener against the New York Giants, and Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin confirmed that on Wednesday during his press conference with the media.
“One man’s misfortune is another man’s opportunity,” Tomlin said about Dobbs making the start. “Landry (Jones) has been dealing with injury, so this gives Josh the opportunity to start the game. I know he’s excited about it. I know I’m excited about watching him play the quarterback position in that group and lead us in that way.”
Pittsburgh’s main backup quarterback, Landry Jones, who’s entering his fifth season in the NFL, has been dealing with an abdomen injury, and starting quarterback Ben Roethlisberger isn’t expected to play until the Steeler’s third preseason game. That leaves fourth-round pick and former Vol Josh Dobbs as the man ready to fill in at the position.
The only other quarterback listed on Pittsburgh’s roster is fellow rookie Bart Houston out of Wisconsin.
Dobbs was selected with the 135th overall pick in the fourth round by the Pittsburgh Steelers of this last year’s NFL draft. He became the first Vol quarterback since Peyton Manning to be drafted higher than the fifth round, and he will get a chance to try and begin to unseat Landry Jones as the Steelers’ main backup on Friday.
If Dobbs can put together a strong showing in his first preseason start and carry that through for the rest of the preseason, he will have a chance to be Pittsburgh’s No. 2 quarterback behind Roethlisberger.
