In his weekly press conference on Tuesday, Pittsburgh Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin stated that Mason Rudolph was in line to start in Week 17. The veteran stepped in for the team's Week 16 matchup, and he performed admirably. It wasn't yet deemed official though, as 2022 first-rounder Kenny Pickett continues to recover from an ankle injury. Pickett started the team's first 12 games, so it seemed he would get the job back when he was healthy.
%202023%20Camp%20Final%20with%20Logos/2L9A6657-544x306.jpg "Steelers Kenny Pickett")
Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (X: @JSKO_PHOTO)
Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett (#8) prepares to take a snap during 2023 training camp at St. Vincent College in Latrobe, PA.
Well, that may not exactly be the case. When speaking to the media throughout the week, it was obvious that Pickett was frustrated with the whole situation. It seems like he is healthy enough to start, but at this point, the coaching staff wants to ride with the hot hand. On Friday, courtesy of 93.7 The Fan, Tomlin confirmed that the Steelers have officially named Rudolph the starter this weekend against the Seattle Seahawks.
Mike Tomlin confirms Mason Rudolph will start at QB Sunday #Steelers
— 93.7 The Fan (@937theFan) December 29, 2023
Earlier in the week, Pickett deemed himself ready to go this weekend. He was leaving it up to the coaching staff on whether or not to go back to him in Week 17, yet they have instead chosen Rudolph. In his first start of the season in Week 16, Rudolph was able to push the ball down the field quite well. It led to a great connection with wideout George Pickens, who had a career-high 195 receiving yards on the day to go along with two touchdowns.
Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (Twitter / X: @JSKO_PHOTO)
Steelers wide receiver George Pickens gets ready for a regular season game against the New York Jets in 2022.
The coaching staff has talked about getting Pickens going in past weeks, and Rudolph helped do just that. The Steelers will need more of the same against the Seahawks. This time around, Rudolph and the offense will have to do it in a loud road environment in Seattle. The Seahawks pass defense is a tad better than the one Rudolph faced last week in the Cincinnati Bengals.
How Should The Steelers Attack Seahawks Defense In Week 17?
Still, the NFC West squad ranks in the middle of the pack in most of the major passing categories on defense. They are really vulnerable in the ground game, so that could bode well for Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren. The Seahawks have allowed the seventh-most rushing yards in 2023, and things haven't gotten much better for them recently. They have allowed 135 rushing yards to opposing offenses in each of their last five games.
Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (Twitter / X: @JSKO_PHOTO)
Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph (#2) makes a throw during 2022 training camp at St. Vincent College in Latrobe, PA.
Not only will that help Harris and Warren, but it should help open things up for Rudolph. With him at quarterback, the offense was more aggressive in the team's victory over the Bengals. It will be interesting to see if the Steelers make Pickett available as a backup, or if he will be ruled inactive still with his injury. Nonetheless, the Steelers feel comfortable with Rudolph at quarterback (for now).
Do you think the Steelers are making the right decision in starting Rudolph over Pickett? If Rudolph performs well again in Week 17, will he be the starter again in the regular season finale? Do you think he can pick up where he left off this weekend against the Seahawks? Share your thoughts in the comment section below!
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