The Pittsburgh Steelers have a quarterback conundrum on their hands as the team prepares for an all-important showdown with the Seattle Seahawks. The seemingly forgotten third quarterback, Mason Rudolph, balled out in Week 16 as the replacement for Mitch Trubisky against the Cincinnati Bengals to keep Pittsburgh in the playoff hunt. Heading to the Pacific Northwest, Head Coach Mike Tomlin is riding the hot hand and sticking with Rudolph, despite Kenny Pickett declaring himself good to go for the contest. Former NFL Head Coach Chuck Pagano said the team has a big problem on their hands because of that.
The Pat McAfee Show
Former NFL Head Coach Chuck Pagano joined The Pat McAfee Show on Dec 28th to talk about the Steelers quarterback situation heading into Week 17 of 2023.
Pagano coached the Indianapolis Colts from 2012 to 2017, but also has experience with AFC North football, having been on staff with the Cleveland Browns as a secondary coach from 2001 to 2004 and holding the same position for the Baltimore Ravens from 2008 to 2010, before being promoted to the Defensive Coordinator role for one year in 2011. He joined the guys on The Pat McAfee Show on Thursday to help asses the Pittsburgh quarterback situation.
Pickett formally spoke to the media on Wednesday for the first time since he had ankle surgery, and they played some of his press conference with Pittsburgh media on the show before breaking it down. Pagano said it was clear to him that Pickett wasn't happy.
"Their biggest problem is going to be this: Kenny is pissed," he said. "If you're a competitor, you want to go over the podium and knock whoever asked that question out."
Pagano added that he doesn't believe Pickett should lose his starting job because of the injury he suffered against the Arizona Cardinals. Pickett played arguably his best game of 2023 against the Bengals in Week 12. He was then 7 for 10 for 70 yards against the Cardinals before he was forced to leave the game with an ankle injury.
"If he's healthy, you can't lose your job because of injury. He’s your starting [quarterback] right and he gets injured. This guy comes in. If he’s healthy and wants to go, that’s the tough decision for Coach T [Tomlin]. Let him [Pickett] go out there and start in that chaotic atmosphere in Seattle."
Pat McAfee pushed back a little on the notion that a starting quarterback's job is safe just because they get an injury. He noted that Jameis Winston has lost a starting job due to being hurt and that the Dallas Cowboys took their time rushing Dak Prescott back when Cooper Rush went on a little run in 2022.
Steelers In A Tough Situation, But Pagano Would Still Start Pickett
The longtime NFL coach said the Steelers are in a really difficult spot because of the way Rudolph played against the Bengals. The Steelers have posted two of their best games against the Bengals, who have given up the second-most yards of any defense in the NFL this season, according to Pro Football Reference.
Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph looks to try and complete a pass during the team's Week 16 matchup with the Cincinnati Bengals.
The Seahawks' defense has been slightly better statistically this season giving up the ninth most yards in 2023. Their pass defense is notably stingier than their run defense, with it ranking 19th in yards versus their rank of 27th in rushing yards. This might lead to a heavy attack of Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren on New Year's Eve.
Still, the question remains of who would be handing them the ball, and Pagano doesn't believe in the one-game wonder of Rudolph.
"It's one game and we're ready to put him in the Hall [of Fame]," Pagano exaggerated of Rudolph.
The show's resident Steelers expert, Tone Digs, said Rudolph has had his ups and downs before. He doesn't care who plays himself, as long as the team gets a win. He'd prefer playing Pickett because he's the first-round pick.
%202023%20Camp%20Final%20with%20Logos/2L9A5123-544x306.jpg "Steelers Kenny Pickett")
Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (Twitter / X: @JSKO_PHOTO)
Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett (#8) makes a throw during the team's 2023 training camp at St. Vincent College in Latrobe, PA.
Tomlin can continue to waffle on Pickett's status and play Rudolph, who is hot. If Rudolph has another big game against the Seahawks this week, that will only further Tomlin's biggest problem. If Rudolph plays and struggles however, the team's season could be lost.
Do you think Pickett should start since he says he's ready to go? Would you ride the hot hand and go with Rudolph again? Comment below!
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