The Pittsburgh Steelers' 2023 season has been a rollercoaster of drama and quarterback controversies. The first episode in this drama unfolded when Kenny Pickett, the Steelers' hopeful franchise quarterback, got injured during a game against the Arizona Cardinals. In stepped Mitch Trubisky as the backup quarterback, facing challenging circumstances with two rain delays, peculiar meaningless touchdown celebrations from Diontae Johnson, and an embarrassing home loss to a struggling Cardinals team.
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Steelers' Kenny Pickett leaves the game due to injury against the Arizona Cardinals.
Despite the vocal desires of Steelers fans who yearned to see Mason Rudolph in action, Trubisky was entrusted with the starting role. The Steelers were on a short week, preparing to face the New England Patriots, and Mike Tomlin decided not to rush Rudolph into action, sticking with Trubisky. He had zero faith in Rudolph and even Ben Roethlisberger explained why he believed Rudolph wasn't given the chance.
Unfortunately, the Steelers fell to the Patriots, and their playoff hopes were dwindling fast. Tomlin granted Trubisky one more opportunity to redeem himself against the Indianapolis Colts, resulting in a third consecutive loss for Trubisky.
Tomlin had reached his breaking point and finally gave Rudolph the chance he deserved. Rudolph seized that opportunity against the Cincinnati Bengals, orchestrating two of the most impressive offensive performances seen in Steeler Nation in years. However, this raises the question: why did Tomlin wait so long to replace Trubisky with Rudolph? How did the coaching staff miss Rudolph's talent?
Steelers' Mike Tomlin's Response
When asked by reporters if there was any internal questioning within the coaching staff about their decision to start Trubisky over Rudolph, Tomlin provided an explanation that left many scratching their heads.
"There's a fine line between being a backup and a Pro Bowler in the National Football League. They're all professionals. They're all really good at what they do."
Tomlin's rationale seemed inadequate for the delay in recognizing Rudolph's potential. He seemed to be making an excuse for himself and his coaching staff for missing on starting Rudolph sooner, adding it all up to the fact that this happens in the NFL all the time.
"I think that happens all the time in the National Football League. Attrition is very much a component of our game. This is not a patient man's business, but I always ask people to work while they wait for opportunity. He is just an example of that, a guy that is prepared when opportunity presents itself.”
While Tomlin acknowledged Rudolph's patience and readiness, Steelers fans had seen Rudolph play in previous seasons, and he wasn't incredible. However, it's not hard to be better than Trubisky. Rudolph's recent performances indicated that he should have been given a chance sooner. The excuse that evaluating quarterback talent is difficult in the NFL does not fully justify the delay in making the switch.
"It's that perspective of it. They're all professionals. They're all capable. I don't know that any of us are shocked when any of those professionals perform really well, particularly when prepared.”
Tomlin's comments shed little light on the actual reasoning behind the delayed change from Trubisky to Rudolph. While evaluating quarterback talent is undoubtedly challenging, it's reasonable to assert that Tomlin should have recognized Rudolph's potential earlier in the season.
Pittsburgh Steelers YouTube
Steelers' Mike Tomlin weekly press conference.
After the Patriots game, when the Steelers were already on a slippery slope, turning to Rudolph could have been a strategic move to salvage their playoff hopes. While it's not guaranteed that Rudolph would have led the Steelers to victory against the Colts, it's evident that he provided a more promising option than Trubisky at that stage.
Jared Wickerham / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers' Mitch Trubisky in a game against the Patriots.
The Steelers' stubbornness and reluctance to make a change sooner may ultimately be the reason they miss the playoffs. While credit is due to Tomlin for finally entrusting Rudolph with the starting role, bringing Trubisky to the Steelers could be seen as a contributing factor to their playoff predicament.
The Rudolph era in Pittsburgh has been embraced and cherished by Steeler Nation, and fans and Rudolph himself deserve the chance to experience postseason football. However, due to the extended reliance on Trubisky, the Steelers now find themselves in a must-win situation against the Baltimore Ravens, with their playoff hopes hanging in the balance, requiring outside assistance to secure a postseason berth.
In hindsight, Tomlin's delayed decision to start Rudolph over Trubisky has become a focal point of discussion among Steelers fans and analysts. As the team faces a crucial game against the Ravens, the consequences of that decision loom large, leaving fans with a sense of both anticipation and apprehension.
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