The Pittsburgh Steelers came up with a huge win in Week 17. As a result, they improved to 9-7 overall and are still in playoff contention. Because of this, the Steelers need to have their best available players on the football field. That includes the quarterback position despite previously assigned roles.
Mike Tomlin Names Mason Rudolph Week 18 Starter
According to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network, Mike Tomlin told the press that Mason Rudolph would start in Week 18 against the Baltimore Ravens. This will be Rudolph’s third straight start for the Steelers after not playing for two years.
What has Rudolph done in his previous two games? Well, for starters, Pittsburgh is 2-0 in those games. Rudolph has 564 passing yards, two touchdown passes, and zero interceptions in that stretch.
Pittsburgh Steelers Bench Kenny Pickett
In the same address to the press, Tomlin noted that Pickett did not have any current health issues. Given that statement, it is implied that Pickett is being benched in favor of Rudolph due to performance. What does this mean for Pickett and the Steelers?
It means that there is some long-term uncertainty with the quarterback position for the Pittsburgh Steelers. They drafted Pickett in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft. This season, it took the Steelers 11 games to outgain an opponent.
It appears as if there is no guaranteed starter after next week for Pittsburgh. For now, the Steelers will have to focus on winning in Week 18 with Rudolph against the Ravens.
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