Dwayne Haskins lived to be only 24 years old. He spent three of them in the NFL. It wasn’t love at first sight. But the quarterback seemed reformed of late. And ready for a second try.

Munich – Dwayne Haskins spent the last hours of his much too short life in the circle of his most important teammates. With their support his second attempt in the NFL should succeed.

Chase Claypool, Pat Freiermuth, Cody White or Najee Harris, who were supposed to carry his balls – thrown or passed – as far as possible towards the opponent’s end zone.

But also Mason Rudolph and Mitch Trubisky, who, like the former Heisman Trophy finalist, were hoping to fill the void left by Ben Roethlisberger at starting quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers. And to push each other to excellence along the way.

Trubisky invites Haskins and Co. to Florida

The newly signed Trubisky had invited to South Florida, continuing a “Big Ben” tradition. Even though the franchise legend had always asked his offensive colleagues to his estate near Atlanta. Where boat trips were also on the cards, as a glance at social media revealed.

This time, pictures and videos are circulating showing the group around Trubisky and Haskins working on the lawn under a bright blue sky. They are probably meant to demonstrate: Here they are stepping on the gas early to get the Steelers back on the road to success.

Hard time in Washington

For Haskins, it was also very personal. He came into the NFL after a 50-touchdown season for the Ohio State Buckeyes with enormous advance praise. The Washington franchise, in search of a leader for their offense for years, grabbed Haskins at the 15th position in the 2019 draft.

Haskins was even given the honour of wearing Joe Theismann’s already retired number seven on his jersey. But instead of emulating the franchise legend directly, Haskins had a rather difficult time in Washington with personal violations of Corona rules or a missed snap for taking a selfie with a fan in the stadium.

New opportunity with Steelers after dismissal

So the record of 12 touchdowns with 14 interceptions in 16 appearances was just one of the reasons the club parted ways with the young signal caller after just two years. The promising new star in the sky threatened to fade in no time.

However, the move was best for both sides, explained head coach Ron Rivera the dismissal at the time. And he must have been pleased when his former protégé joined the Steelers shortly afterwards.

Haskins only number three in Pittsburgh

Even though it must have been clear to Haskins that he would have to get in line in the “Steel City” first. He first had to prove that he had really earned the chance.

“Big Ben” was untouchable anyway, despite a few wobbles, but even behind him Rudolph was given preference, so Haskins was ultimately called up to the matchday squad only once. Nevertheless, he was given a new contract this year.

“Can definitely be a starter “

Which is why he must have been all the more eager for the new season. Fuelled by the belief that now would be his time. Despite Trubisky’s two-year, $14.2 million contract, the race to succeed Roethlisberger was reportedly wide open.

“I can definitely be the starter, that’s what I was drafted for after all,” Haskins told “ESPN” in January, adding, “I have the talent to play with the best, but honestly haven’t been able to show it yet. I’ve got to get my act together this offseason. “

Haskins’ participation in workout also a finger pointing

Which is probably to be understood as Haskins wanting to work on his attitude. Because too often he relied on his undoubted talent. But in the NFL, that’s just not enough.

Participating in Trubisky’s voluntary workout was perhaps a sign that Haskins has realised what is involved in being a professional. It is not known how the self-organised sessions went from his point of view.

From hyped rookie to grown youngster?

It should have been the prelude to his second attempt. Under different auspices: No longer a hyped rookie, but a grown youngster with three years of NFL experience who has drawn the right conclusions from his mistakes.

What his chances with the Steelers would really have been and what a reformed Haskins would have been capable of will now never be clarified. For the most terrible of all possible reasons.

League robbed of quarterback for special moments

The NFL family and the Steelers in particular mourn the loss of a professional who was only on his way to truly bringing that job title to life. The entire league has been robbed of a player who can provide special and spectacular moments with ball in hand.

According to initial reports, Haskins was walking on the I-595 motorway in Fort Lauderdale when he was struck by a dump truck. Apparently, the accident happened near the airport.

So the exact background is still unclear. The circumstances of his death are therefore a mystery. As, unfortunately, does his unfinished NFL career.