The Steelers, having suffered three consecutive defeats, are turning to quarterback Mason Rudolph. While coach Mike Tomlin didn’t definitively declare Rudolph as the starter for the crucial division game against the Cincinnati Bengals on Saturday, he emphasized that Rudolph “is the guy with the ball.”
In his weekly news conference, Tomlin stated, “It’s our intention as we sit here today to give Mason Rudolph an opportunity to start. He’s a veteran guy, a backup with a long tenure in our program. We have a great deal of comfort with him.” Tomlin also mentioned that quarterback Kenny Pickett, recovering from “TightRope” surgery, remains a potential option for Saturday’s game, depending on his response to recent rehab efforts.
This decision comes in contrast to Tomlin’s stance just a week ago, where he dismissed the idea of Rudolph starting due to insufficient “in-helmet prep” in the given environment. However, after Mitch Trubisky’s struggles in the recent 30-13 loss to the Indianapolis Colts, Tomlin altered his perspective. Trubisky, who was benched for Rudolph, threw two interceptions, prompting Tomlin to acknowledge the need for change to alter the team’s trajectory.
The Steelers’ playoff hopes have dwindled with three consecutive losses, during which they averaged only 13.7 points per game. Since parting ways with offensive coordinator Matt Canada, their offensive struggles have persisted. In two games with Trubisky starting, the offense has averaged 240 yards, a decline from their season average of 287.1.
Tomlin explained the decision, stating, “We don’t like what we’re looking at and the consistency of it. We’re not scoring enough points, especially in December football. The engineering of victory is not going to be fluid if you’re not doing those things.” Rudolph, a familiar face in the Steelers’ program, is viewed as a competitor with toughness and confidence, qualities that make him an attractive option for the upcoming game.
Rudolph, who last saw game action in 2022, had his most recent start in Week 10 of the 2021 season, filling in for Ben Roethlisberger. In 2019, he gained significant experience, starting eight games and completing 62.2% of his passes for 1,765 yards, 13 touchdowns, and nine interceptions. Despite being active for only three games since the Steelers signed Trubisky in 2022, Tomlin expressed confidence in Rudolph’s ability to handle tough circumstances.
