Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett has found out just how tenuous a job in the NFL is. Pickett was injured during the Steelers' Week 13 loss to the Arizona Cardinals. He suffered a high ankle sprain and underwent tightrope surgery. After watching backup Mitch Trubisky struggle under center for a couple of games, Head Coach Mike Tomlin made the bold decision to start third-string quarterback and longtime Steeler, Mason Rudolph.
Gene J. Puskar / AP Photo
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph scrambles for an important first down against the Cincinnati Bengals in Pittsburgh's Week 16 34-11 win.
The gamble paid off. Rudolph has led the team to decisive victories during his two starts and has already been named the starter for Week 18 against the Baltimore Ravens. That has created a bit of a quarterback controversy in Pittsburgh with everyone wondering what will happen to Pickett in 2024.
Legendary Steelers great, Ben Roethlisberger is one of many who took the stance that Pickett will remain the starter. On his podcast, Roethlisberger said that to dump a first-round quarterback like Pickett after only two years is the same as admitting failure, and the Steelers won't do that.
There is also the offensive coordinator issue. Pickett spent nearly all his time working under Matt Canada. Canada was finally fired after the Week 11 loss to the Cleveland Browns. The next game, against the Cincinnati Bengals, was the only game Pickett played without Canada and it was arguably the best game of his career. The Steelers won that game 16-10 in Cincinnati.
Rudolph is in his sixth season with the Steelers and has had his share of ups and downs. As a backup for Roethlisberger, he saw playing time, but did not perform at the level he has the past couple of weeks. In fact, Rudolph has been a polarizing figure in Pittsburgh with much of the fan base trying to run him out of town. Now he has proven he can save the season and has perhaps saved his career in the process. But what does that mean for Pickett?
Steelers Experiment With Kenny Pickett Needs To End Per PFF Analyst
On 93.7 The Fan's Morning Show, which is hosted by Dorin Dickerson and Adam Crowley, they discussed Rudolph's success and Pickett's future with guest Brad Spielberger. Spielberger is an analyst for Pro Football Focus. He thinks the Steelers have to make a move during the offseason to find a new starting quarterback.
Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph (2) has waited long enough to prove to the Steelers and the fans what he can do.
While the Rudolph story is one that feels good, Spielberger does not believe it is sustainable. Instead of solely highlighting Rudolph's abilities, his success has actually marked the end of a short era for the Steelers and Pickett.
"They need to make a massive move at quarterback this offseason, whether it's going after a free agent, or making a draft pick in the first or second round," Spielberger said. "The whole Rudolph story is actually the fact that the Kenny [Pickett] era is over, and they've decided that they've moved on, and they need to figure out what they're gonna do for Week 1, 2024. It should be a top 50 draft pick, or a Kirk Cousins or Russell Wilson, whatever."
All indications coming out of the Steelers camp are that Pickett will still be the guy next season still. The Steelers historically tend to stand by their players and staff. They don't tend to just cut or release players and move on like other teams do. They even stuck by Canada as the coordinator for nearly three seasons before finally letting him go, despite seeing the writing on the wall.
It also feels unlikely that the Steelers will pay for a high-priced veteran like Spielberger suggests. After all, when they needed a quarterback headed into the 2022 season, they chose to take Trubisky.
However, questions have also been raised about Pickett's attitude, with several reporters stating that he refused to play as Rudolph's backup against the Seattle Seahawks. Pickett has denied that accusation, instead saying that he wasn't physically ready to practice for the game. Regardless, the Steelers have decided to go with the hot hand for the Ravens and are not answering questions about the postseason.
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Steelers quarterbacks Kenny Pickett (8), Mason Rudolph (2), and Mitch Trubisky (10) wait for a drill to start during a practice in the summer of 2022.
In the meantime, Rudolph has become the living embodiment of one of Tomlin's favorite sayings about the next man up. Despite all of the negativity Rudolph has experienced during his time in Pittsburgh, he has shaken that off and shown that he is able to lead a team successfully. Whether that team will be the 2024 Steelers or some other city remains to be seen.
What do you think should happen with Pickett? Do you agree that the Steelers need to find a new quarterback for 2024? Click to comment below.
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