The Pittsburgh Steelers announced a stunning decision to bench one of their key starters this season ahead of their Wild Card matchup with the Buffalo Bills this weekend.
The Steelers made an incredible late-season surge to make the playoffs. Quarterback Mason Rudolph led the team to four straight wins to end the season.
Rudolph had a pedestrian performance in rough weather conditions during the Steelers’ win over the Baltimore Ravens in Week 18. He went 18/20 passing for 152 yards and a touchdown in a 17-10 win over the Ravens backups.
The Steelers believe Rudolph’s warranted another start.
The Pittsburgh Steelers name Mason Rudolph the starter
According to the Steelers’ website, Mike Tomlin announced the Steelers would start Rudolph because of his recent ability to deliver wins:
“At the quarterback position we’ll stay with Mason Rudolph,” said Tomlin. “Much like in the spirit of how we worked a week ago, we’re just simply staying with the hot hand and not disrupting the apple cart. We’ve been in some tough circumstances. He’s delivered, we’ve delivered. So, we’ll continue in that vein.”
This will be Rudolph’s first postseason action, but he brings a level of confidence to the field that is hard not to notice and will be needed on Sunday.
“I’ve said this repeatedly when asked about him,” said Tomlin. “He has an unflappable confidence in himself. He’s highly professional, he’s always preparing and prepared. And I think that that provides the platform or the performances that you’re seeing.”
Once again, 2022 first-round pick Kenny Pickett will be benched for Rudolph.
Kenny Pickett talked about his role as a No. 2
Per Brooke Pryor with ESPN, Pickett said he would be the number two quarterback for the Steelers against the Ravens but declined to say he was their backup quarterback:
“There was no talk of me being a backup quarterback this week in terms of being a two. If I was healthy enough to play and the trainers and coaches felt like I looked good enough to play, I was going to start and play if they believed that I was not, which they believed I was not, was not going to dress and suit up for the game.
“So whoever reported that, I dunno where it started, it’s kind of crazy what people will write and put out there to try to prove their point or help their standpoint or their careers and what you guys do. But disappointed to see that without any proof or basis of it.”
Pickett's opening statement in transcript form: "I saw reports out there that I felt like were attacking my character and how I am as a person, not even getting into a player standpoint of it.
"There was no talk of me being a backup quarterback this week in terms of being a… https://t.co/S9C6B7r4kS
— Brooke Pryor (@bepryor) January 2, 2024
It’s clear after the Steelers’ decision Tuesday that Pickett is the Steelers’ backup quarterback after he was demoted for Rudolph. That could easily change if Rudolph plays poorly against the Bills.
But Rudolph is playing better right now than Pickett did during the regular season. Rudolph’s quarterback rating is 118, and Pickett’s is 81.4.
But most importantly, Rudolph has three touchdown passes and no interceptions. Pickett has thrown just six touchdowns to four interceptions.
Those types of numbers from Pickett would get him benched anywhere.
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2 Comments
This article doesn’t mention who is being benched for the wild card game. Wtf. The headline is misleading. Why do that?
“Once again, 2022 first-round pick Kenny Pickett will be benched for Rudolph.”