The Pittsburgh Steelers found themselves in the midst of a quarterback controversy following Mason Rudolph's stellar performance against the Cincinnati Bengals, resulting in a resounding 34-11 victory in Week 16. Rudolph's standout display, featuring 290 passing yards and two touchdowns, added a layer of complexity to the team's quarterback situation, particularly with the impending return of starting quarterback Kenny Pickett from injury.
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Steelers' Kenny Pickett leaves the game due to injury against the Arizona Cardinals.
As Pickett's recovery timeline coincided with the team's Week 17 game against the Seattle Seahawks, speculation mounted regarding whether Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin would stick with the hot hand of Rudolph, or revert to Pickett as the starter.
Steelers Starting Mason Rudolph, For Now
During his press conference with members of the media on Tuesday, Tomlin left a lot of room for ambiguity as he addressed the quarterback situation leading up to the crucial Seahawks matchup.
"Really we are in the same position with Kenny as we were last week. We’ll give him a few reps and kind of see where that leads us. Just as I said a week ago in this setting, Mason Rudolph was scheduled to be the quarterback for the week, and we’ll see where Kenny is."
Tomlin's remarks imply that the Steelers' approach remains consistent with the previous week. If Pickett is cleared to play, he is likely to regain his starting role. However, Tomlin also expressed a degree of uncertainty regarding Pickett's readiness, suggesting that Rudolph is currently slated to start, barring any significant developments in Pickett's mobility during the week.
Tomlin reiterated the team's approach, emphasizing the importance of evaluating Pickett's mobility and condition as the week progresses.
"We have the same mentality as we start this week, and obviously we have a great deal of comfort because of what we have seen in-stadium from Mason Rudolph, and that helps us. But we still really are in the same posture. He’s got the ball to start the week, and we’ll see where Kenny is from a mobility perspective and then kind of go from there and day by day based on the things we see in that perspective."
Tomlin's words reflect the delicate balance he must strike in managing the quarterback situation. While Rudolph's impressive performance provides a compelling case for him to retain the starting role, the uncertainty surrounding Pickett's health complicates the decision-making process. Tomlin appears to be carefully monitoring Pickett's progress during practice and throughout the week.
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Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin during a regular season football game.
The Steelers' quarterback decision for Week 17 appears pretty much identical to Week 16, with Tomlin navigating the fine line between going with Rudolph or reinstating Pickett as the starter. Tomlin's cautious approach, focused on monitoring Pickett's health and mobility, allows for flexibility in the decision-making process. If Pickett is deemed unfit to start, Tomlin has the option to name Rudolph as the starter without controversy.
As the week unfolds, all eyes will be on Pickett's recovery progress and performance during practice, ultimately shaping the Steelers' quarterback situation for the pivotal matchup against the Seahawks. Tomlin's definitive statement provides insight into the team's current stance, but the final decision remains contingent on Pickett's readiness and the ongoing evaluation of both quarterbacks.
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Steelers' Isaac Seumalo (73) and Mason Rudolph (2) during a 2023 contest against the Bengals in Week 16.
With the slight postseason aspirations hanging in the balance, the Steelers face a high-stakes showdown against the Seahawks. The imperative is crystal clear: they must secure a victory to keep their playoff hopes alive. Whether it's Rudolph or Pickett taking snaps under center, the burden falls squarely on the shoulders of the entire offense to maintain their recent momentum.
In the quest for victory, one key objective stands out – maximizing the potential of George Pickens and the rest of the wide receivers. Regardless of the starting quarterback, the offense must prioritize getting Pickens more targets and opportunities to showcase his exceptional playmaking abilities. One thing Steeler Nation knows is just how special Pickens is once he has the football in his hands.
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