The Pittsburgh Steelers‘ season has been one with ups and downs. Despite all of that, they have secured yet another winning season. With one game to go, there are playoffs on the line.
However, the Steelers have officially made a change. Mason Rudolph will continue as the Steelers’ starting quarterback, even with Kenny Pickett returning from injury. Why?
Why Is Mason Rudolph the Pittsburgh Steelers’ Starting Quarterback?
The Steelers came into 2023 with Pickett as their starting quarterback. Since then, he has played in 12 games, passing for 2,070 yards, six touchdowns, and four interceptions. He also adds 54 yards and one touchdown on the ground.
However, Pickett has suffered multiple injuries this season. His first injury was a bone bruise in Week 4, which did not hold him out of any games. Then, in Week 8, he suffered a rib injury in the first half and was held out for the remainder of the game.
He suffered his worst injury in Week 13, though — a high ankle sprain for which he subsequently underwent surgery, missing multiple weeks. He was initially replaced by Mitch Trubisky and most recently Mason Rudolph.
Trubisky had action in five games, starting two games. In those games, he passed for 632 yards, four touchdowns, and five interceptions. He also added 52 yards and two touchdowns on the ground. With Trubisky as the starter, the Steelers went 0-2.
Rudolph, on the other hand, has had action in three games, starting two. In those games, he’s passed for 567 yards, two touchdowns, and no interceptions. The Steelers are 2-0 when he starts.
According to Mark Madden, a Pittsburgh sports talk show host, Pickett refused to back up Rudolph in the Steelers’ Week 17 victory over the Seattle Seahawks. Pickett was fully inactive for the game rather than being active and the go-to backup or the emergency third QB.
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Despite that report, though, Pickett says it was not his decision. “There was no talk of me being a backup quarterback this week in terms of being a two,” Pickett said. “If I was healthy enough to play — if the trainers and coaches felt I looked good enough to play — I was going to start and play.”
However, Pickett is healthy in Week 18 and will still not start. The reasoning, according to head coach Mike Tomlin, is they want to ride the hot hand of the quarterback that has them on a two-game win streak.
Pickett is in just his second season after being drafted in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft. He has since passed for 4,474 yards, 13 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions in 25 games. He has also rushed for 291 yards and four touchdowns. His career record as a starting quarterback is 14-10.
Rudolph, however, has been around much longer. Drafted in the third round of the 2018 NFL Draft, Rudolph has had action in 20 games. In those games, he’s passed for 2,933 yards, 18 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions. He’s started just 12 games, going 7-4-1.
The Steelers will face the Baltimore Ravens in Week 18. They need to win to have the best chance of getting into the playoffs. Fortunately, the Ravens are likely to bench a majority of their starters, giving the Steelers a stronger chance.
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