Steelers WR Diontae Johnson Takes A Subtle Jab At The Team's Quarterback Play Before Mason Rudolph's Brilliant Week 16

The Pittsburgh Steelers' quarterback play has been all over the map this season. Kenny Pickett, in his first season as the full-time starter, impressed greatly with a near-spotless preseason, but his play had been plagued by issues before his ankle injury knocked him out. Mitch Trubisky was tabbed as the first guy to try and fill in, but a lack of points and a habit of turning the ball over led to Mike Tomlin yanking him in favor of Mason Rudolph with the season on the line. The veteran backup delivered the best game Steeler Nation has seen from a signal-caller since Ben Roethlisberger, throwing for 290 yards and two touchdowns in a 34-11 rout of the Cincinnati Bengals. 

Receiver Diontae Johnson has the most experience of anyone on the team with Rudolph playing quarterback. The year after the organization selected Rudolph in the third round, they added Johnson in the same round. Rudolph was thrust into the starting role for eight games in 2019, Johnson's rookie year. He spoke with the media on Wednesday and took a subtle jab at the two quarterbacks who played in 2023 before Rudolph. 

"He showed poise in the pocket and that's real big to be able to keep your eyes downfield with the d-line in your face," Johnson explained. "Just little stuff like that. Showing that he's going to stay in the pocket a little longer and not try to get out so quick, and find his guys."

Pickett took some criticism early in the season for bailing on clean pockets too quickly. The 25-year-old often tried to make a play happen with his feet when he didn't see anything open downfield and it got him into trouble. On multiple occasions, he walked himself into the hands of an opposing rusher, leading to sacks that weren't the fault of the offensive line. One of the most glaring instances of this was against the Houston Texans when he rolled out left and right into the arms of Jonathan Greenard for a loss of nine. Pickett was also injured on the play.

Trubisky, who ultimately was benched for giving the ball to the defense too often, didn't have the same "happy feet" problem as Pickett. He did however have a problem in picking a target and then trying to force it to them. This was evident on an errant throw to George Pickens during his last start against the Indianapolis Colts that was intercepted by safety Julian Blackmon. 

Steelers' Pickett Could Learn Something From Rudolph

Pickett told the media on Wednesday, during his first availability since his ankle surgery, that he didn't learn anything from watching Rudolph from the sideline on Saturday against the Bengals. Perhaps he should've been paying closer attention because Rudolph, who hadn't started a game since 2021, threw for more yards (290) against Cincinnati than Pickett has in all but one of his 25 appearances in NFL contests. 

Pickett and Rudolph are very different quarterbacks, so it's not comparing apples to apples. But he could afford to learn from the poise that Rudolph showed in the pocket. This is not to say that he should never use his legs to make a play when he can't find anything downfield, but Rudolph was able to stand in and deliver, which is something Pickett hasn't done consistently enough yet. Rudolph only scrambled twice in the Bengals game, including a key seven-yard scamper that moved the chains in the red zone and led to a Najee Harris touchdown. 

Whether Trubisky is back in Pittsburgh or not next year (he has a potential out in his contract after this season), he should take notes on how Rudolph went through his progressions, stayed in the pocket, and found his guys. Not to say it was always perfect (he missed Johnson badly on a play that should've gone for another touchdown), but he looked a lot more comfortable than Trubisky did for most of the season. 

The Steelers desperately need the quarterback play to be what it was like against the Bengals moving forward into their last two games of the 2023 regular season. Whether it is Rudolph the rest of the way or Pickett makes his way back, they can all learn from the performance that the 28-year-old had against their divisional rival.   

What did you think of Johnson's comments? Do you agree Pickett and Trubisky can learn from the play of Rudolph against the Bengals? Comment below!  

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