The Pittsburgh Steelers finished up their Week 17 team practices on Friday and a healthy Kenny Pickett is looking to get back on the field. As eager as he is, Head Coach Mike Tomlin isn't. It has been confirmed that the team will stick with Mason Rudolph as their starting quarterback for their matchup with the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday.
Peter Diana / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph (2) celebrates a touchdown giving a fist bump to receiver Diontae Johnson (18) during a preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs in 2019.
The news was broken by Gerry Dulac with a post on the X platform.
Kenny Pickett is healthy to play, but Mason Rudolph will start as expected in Seattle.
— Gerry Dulac (@gerrydulac) December 29, 2023
This news finally reveals one thing that all of Steeler Nation was waiting for; Pickett is finally healthy. But why exactly isn't he starting if he's fully healthy? It's clear Tomlin believes Rudolph has what it takes to carry the team to another victory and knows it's a win-win situation starting Rudolph. Rudolph plays well, Steelers win. Rudolph starts shaky, replace him with Pickett. Overall, it's obvious Tomlin wants to ride with the hot hand going into the Steelers' pivotal matchup.
Sources tell SteelerNation.com that Pickett will be inactive for the game on Sunday despite him being healthy.
As well as currently having the hot hand, Rudolph has experience being the starting quarterback for the Steelers. Prior to the team's Week 16 win against the Cincinnati Bengals, Rudolph started in 10 games, with an overall record of 5-4-1.
Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers' Isaac Seumalo (73) and Mason Rudolph (2) during a 2023 contest against the Bengals.
Can The Steelers Rely On Rudolph To Send Them To The Playoffs?
The initial news of Tomlin confirming Rudolph getting the start at quarterback for Week 17 came from a post made by 93.7 the Fan on the X platform.
Mike Tomlin confirms Mason Rudolph will start at QB Sunday #Steelers
— 93.7 The Fan (@937theFan) December 29, 2023
At first, it was looking as if Pickett maybe wasn't 100% ready to play. That was until of course Dulac's post which came around six hours of Tomlin confirming Rudolph being the starter. So, now we know that Tomlin is putting his trust fully into Rudolph's arm leading the Steelers past Seattle. This truly comes as no surprise after Rudolph's outstanding performance against the Bengals. In Rudolph's first start since 2021, he threw for 290 yards and only threw a total of 10 incomplete passes.
Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph never really got his chance early on to prove what he could do.
The offense looked as if it was shocked back to life by Rudolph. Everyone was making plays, including Rudolph's top target, George Pickens. Rudolph connected with the second-year receiver four times for 195 yards and two touchdowns. He seemingly looked as if he wasn't nervous to stretch the field, and looked in charge of the pocket.
There is another AFC North team who is currently relying on a veteran quarterback to lead them, the Cleveland Browns. Since Joe Flacco has been starting for the Browns, they have gone 4-1 and have just clinched a playoff berth. As for the Steelers, they can only hope that Rudolph can replicate Flacco's success.
What do you think about Rudolph getting the keys to the Steelers offense at quarterback? Leave your thoughts in the comments!
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