After three straight losses, the Steelers have turned to quarterback Mason Rudolph. While coach Mike Tomlin did not officially declare Rudolph the starter for Saturday’s critical division game against the Cincinnati Bengals, he did state that Rudolph “is the guy with the ball.”
“It’s our intention as we sit here today to give Mason Rudolph an opportunity to start,” Tomlin said at his weekly press conference. He’s a seasoned backup with a long history with our team. We are really comfortable with him.” Tomlin also said that quarterback Kenny Pickett, who is recovering from “TightRope” surgery, could play on Saturday, depending on his response to recent rehab efforts.
This decision contrasts with Tomlin’s position just a week ago, when he denied the possibility of Rudolph competing owing to insufficient “in-helmet prep” in the particular environment. Tomlin’s outlook shifted when Mitch Trubisky struggled in the recent 30-13 loss to the Indianapolis Colts. Trubisky, who was benched for Rudolph, threw two interceptions, prompting Tomlin to admit the team’s trajectory needed to be changed.
The Steelers’ playoff hopes have dwindled with three consecutive losses, during which they averaged only 13.7 points per game. Since parting ways with offensive coordinator Matt Canada, their offensive struggles have persisted. In two games with Trubisky starting, the offense has averaged 240 yards, a decline from their season average of 287.1.
“We don’t like what we’re looking at and the consistency of it,” Tomlin said of the decision. We don’t score enough points, particularly in December football. If you don’t perform those things, the engineering of triumph won’t be fluid.” Rudolph, a regular figure in the Steelers’ program, is regarded as a tough competitor with confidence, attributes that make him an appealing choice for the upcoming game.
Rudolph, who last appeared in a game in 2022, made his most recent start in Week 10 of the 2021 season, replacing Ben Roethlisberger. He earned valuable experience in 2019 by starting eight games and completed 62.2% of his throws for 1,765 yards, 13 touchdowns, and nine interceptions. Despite just appearing in three games since the Steelers signed Trubisky in 2022, Tomlin voiced confidence in Rudolph’s ability to handle adversity.
