Kaboly: Steelers' Mason Rudolph Is Absolutely Better Than Kenny Pickett

The Pittsburgh Steelers have been far from drama-free lately, and the latest episode of quarterback uncertainty has captured the spotlight. After two stunning performance's by Mason Rudolph, who had not seen playing time since 2021, questions have arisen regarding the team's starting quarterback position.

Rudolph, once an unassuming backup, entered the Steelers' struggling offense and managed to resurrect it. His impressive display made the offense resemble the days when Ben Roethlisberger was at the helm. Kenny Pickett, who was poised to return from injury and potentially salvage the Steelers' season, found himself in limbo and at the center of controversy as Rudolph took charge.

The Great Steelers Debate

As Steeler Nation debates who the better quarterback is and how Pickett has handled being benched, Mark Kaboly, Senior Writer for The Athletic, made his stance clear on the 93.7 The Fan show. He firmly believes that Rudolph is currently the superior quarterback, and here's why.

Kaboly's conviction that Rudolph outshines Pickett in the current quarterback debate is based on a compelling case. Let's delve deeper into the reasons behind his stance.

“It has nearly been three years since the Steelers’ offense looked as good as it did against the Bengals last week, and it was mostly due to the right arm of Rudolph. His deep-ball ability allowed for some quick points, which is something Pickett hasn’t been able to do for the better part of the past two years.”

Rudolph's remarkable performance against the Bengals saw him throw for 290 yards and two touchdowns. It was a display of quarterback excellence that had been lacking in the Steelers' offense for quite some time.

“Maybe if Pickett had been playing good football when he hurt his ankle, I’d think differently about who should get the call. But he wasn’t. Maybe if Rudolph was average against the Bengals, I’d think differently. But he wasn’t.”

Moreover, Rudolph's ability to involve the talented, but occasionally problematic, George Pickens early in the game has been a game-changer. In his last two games under Rudolph's leadership, Pickens has averaged an impressive 163 receiving yards per game, showcasing a level of chemistry that Pickett struggled to establish over his 24 starts.

“The best opportunity to win the next game comes with Rudolph and not Pickett at this particular time,” Kaboly continued.

This statement came in reference to Rudolph starting against the Seattle Seahawks, where he threw for 274 yards and led the Steelers to a victory despite not recording any touchdown passes.

Rudolph's impact on the entire offense is undeniable. Under his leadership, the unit has demonstrated better cohesion and effectiveness, even though Pickett might not have had a fair chance to prove himself under former Offensive Coordinator Matt Canada.

For Pickett, the timing of his injury could not have been worse. However, it is hoped that he will use this setback as motivation to regain his starting position. The path back to the starting role remains uncertain, as the Steelers need to beat the Baltimore Ravens and receive outside help to secure a postseason berth.

If Rudolph leads the team to the playoffs, the debate between Pickett and Rudolph will intensify. It would appear unlikely for Mike Tomlin to revert to Pickett should the team make the playoffs, further prolonging Pickett's wait for an opportunity to reclaim his starting position and added drama.

For Steeler Nation, the silver lining is the return of exciting offensive football and the anticipation that each drive might culminate in seven points. The Steelers may be in the midst of a quarterback conundrum, but for now, it's a good problem to have as they chase a playoff berth.

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