DECEMBER 29: Tomlin confirmed Friday it will be Rudolph starting against the Seahawks. Pickett is close to full strength, per NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport, but the Steelers will stick with Rudolph — their third-stringer for most of the past two seasons — after his performance against the Bengals. A sixth-year veteran, Rudolph has now been slotted in all three positions on Pittsburgh’s QB depth chart this season.
DECEMBER 26, 11:33am: When speaking to the media on Tuesday, head coach Mike Tomlin said the team will adopt a similar setup to the one used at practice last week. As a result, Pickett will see some reps as his recovery continues, but for now Rudolph remains atop the depth chart. The latter is in line to hold first-team duties in consecutive games after seeing a combined two starts from 2020-22.
8:58am: The Steelers put an end to a three-game losing streak this weekend with Mason Rudolph under center. The team’s third-stringer may have played his way into another start, but Kenny Pickett could be an option in time for their next contest.
The latter is expected to return to the lineup for Week 17, per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network (video link). Pickett has been sidelined for three full games after undergoing surgery on a high ankle sprain. Pittsburgh elected not to place him on injured reserve, a move which would have guaranteed a four-week absence. That left the door open to a quicker return, but reports pointed to a month-long absence being expected.
Getting Pickett back would be a welcomed development for the Steelers, although the team’s offense has been a sore spot for much of the season with and without him in the lineup. Rudolph posted a passer rating of 124 in Week 16’s win over the Bengals, a game which had major implications for Pittsburgh’s playoff chances. It would come as a surprise, however, if Pickett did not get the nod in the event he received clearance to return to the lineup.
The top quarterback selected in the 2022 class, Pickett has not progressed in his second season as many hoped he would. The 25-year-old has been at the heart of a passing attack which struggled to find a rhythm during the early portions of the season. That led to the firing of offensive coordinator Matt Canada, but the chances of the current setup with Mike Sullivan serving as play-caller remaining in place beyond this season are slim.
That is in part due to the underwhelming play of backup quarterback Mitch Trubisky, who originally filled in for Pickett after his injury. The former No. 2 pick was replaced in favor of Rudolph, however, and he faces an uncertain future with the team despite being under contract through 2025. Pickett, too, is the subject of questions regarding his long-term viability given his lack of development in his brief NFL tenure.
Strong play at the QB spot from Pickett or Rudolph would help the Steelers’ playoff push. The 8-7 outfit is still in contention for a wild-card spot with games against the Seahawks and Ravens remaining on the schedule. With plenty still on the line, Pickett’s status throughout the week will be worth monitoring.
Rudolph’s game last week was the first time all season that the Steelers got more than 250 yards and 2 TD’s from their QB in a game. The first time. All season.
He has earned the next start.
Agreed. To me, the best option is to let him start to these last two games to determine if this past Saturday was reflective of who he is as a QB. Then use training camp to let them battle it out
But I get the opposite viewpoint too. Some suggest playing Pickett in these two “important” games to see what he can do
I suspect that knowing Tomlin’s stubbornness to demonstrate the 1st round pick of Pickett was justified, that’s what he’ll do
And I suspect that once again, Pickett will provide very little
You can tell pretty easily what the advantages are with Rudolph-he has the arm that neither Trubisky nor Pickett do. He can throw precisely, too-that 86 yard TD to Pickens was mostly Pickens, of course, but it was only possible because Rudolph put that ball in the PERFECT spot. It may have been the most beautiful slant throw I’ve seen all season from any team. The deep balls were things of beauty, as well. He also has the size to see more clearly down the field, and can stand in the pocket better and be decisive on his throws because of that.
The major downside is that he doesn’t go through his progressions as well as he does his first read. However, he made two crucial plays that i remember in particular in his last start that involved his initial read being covered, and him having to check down to another player. One was to Warren, and resulted in a pretty good gain that helped keep a drive going, and another avoided some pressure. Both throws were fairly decisive, after Rudolph saw the post snap coverage. That was encouraging to see from a player whose major knock was an inability to quickly move off a covered receiver. If Rudolph can continue to take what the defense gives him, his arm talent could offer the Steelers a dimension in the passing game that hasn’t been available in the Canada offenses lately.
No room for error. Have to play the guy that gives the best chance to win. Start Rudolf with a short leash. Ride the hot hand.
Pickett will thrive he just needs to stay healthy and have a good OC and QB coach
And a new head coach.
Not a single game Pickett has played has given any indication he will ‘thrive’
I wonder if tangerine went to Pitt? “Thrive”…..good god.
Thanks for the 11:30 update. Maybe Tomlin has come to realize what most of us have. Pickett had his chance. He wouldn’t be any better if you put him behind 5 all pros up front.
23 starts were enough
Pickett might get better. Right now it looks like Mason Rudolph is the more mature NFL quarterback. Rudolph showed flashes in the past, but it was not a good environment for a young QB with a hostile Ben Rothlisberg who was losing his gifts.
Rudolph starts this week and if he looks anything like this past week and the Steelers win, he has to start week 18. If the Steelers lose or are out of playoff contention, might as well still play Rudolph and save Pickett for next year. If you start Pickett and the Steelers still have a chance to make the playoffs, he’s got to have a short leash—if there’s any chance of reviving the team first mentality that has been missing this year.
That’s the thing. I can imagine the receiving corps has its preference, and it isn’t Pickett.
It’s not that I’m suddenly mesmerized by Mason Rudolph. He may come back down to earth this weekend. But he’s the only guy who’s given the offense a glimpse of optimism this year.
Rudolph isn’t playing afraid. Pickett is worrying about turning it over and whether he’s doing enough to be the guy. Trubisky was afraid to make mistakes since he knew this was his last chance as a backup. Rudolph knows this could be his last time as a starter so he’s just letting it rip
Pickett finally being benched
Will 10-7 record get the Steelers into the playoffs?
If Ravens wrap up #1 seed by beating Fins on Sunday, expect starters to be rested for finale against Pitt.
There should be no shame for Pickett or the organization if they decide to start Rudolf the rest of the way, especially if he plays well. It’s entirely possible that a low pressure chance to watch and learn is exactly what he needs to get up to speed.
If the Steelers discover they have a viable starter in Rudolf, is that really bad thing? There is plenty of opportunity to make this situation into a positive for both players and the team as a whole.
I’d wonder about the idea of making the switch to a guy like Rudolph next year with this in mind. The admission that the front office made a mistake with their first round pick rarely ends in a happily ever after ending. Trubisky is a good example. Lance in SF, and perhaps Fields in Chicago will be another example. That is, the narrative usually entails some thought that maybe the kid is better suited somewhere else.
You’re right, it’s a win-win for the Steelers but the usual saving face and idea of a bonus baby sitting on the bench is usually the reality you find
I’m getting way ahead of this, of course. Rudolph is again, an easy guy to root for and I’d hope what we saw last Saturday is reflective of what he can do. But like @bucsfan has said here, the kid is letting it rip without any fears. Guess we’ll see
Pit drafted a career BU in the 1st round. Pickett isn’t a starter. They need to admit to that fact. I have no problem w/ them swinging for a QB, but sticking w/ him will be the problem. Teams hate to admit 1st round busts.
That’s Ok Kenny. Use your college degree and find a new job. Football isn’t for you