Steelers' Mason Rudloph to start at QB in playoffs
QB Mason Rudolph has resurrected the Pittsburgh Steelers 2023 season. A scenario just about no one saw coming, The Steelers are in the playoffs with a healthy Kenny Pickett, only he's not the one calling the signals or orchestrating the offense. And despite some recent reports that it's still Pickett's job, QB Mason Rudolph will […]
QB Mason Rudolph has resurrected the Pittsburgh Steelers 2023 season.
A scenario just about no one saw coming, The Steelers are in the playoffs with a healthy Kenny Pickett, only he's not the one calling the signals or orchestrating the offense.
And despite some recent reports that it's still Pickett's job, QB Mason Rudolph will be handed the ball once again come Sunday in Buffalo:
No Upsetting the Apple Cart
"At the quarterback position. we'll stay with Mason Rudolph, Tomlin told reporters during his weekly presser. "Much like in the spirit in which 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 and so we will continue in that vein," added Tomlin.
Tomlin's statement comes off the heels of Rudolph's third straight win, and one that helped Pittsburgh clinch their ticket to the postseason.
But it seemed odd that Tomlin even needed to make such an announcement, as any change at QB would likely cause a mutiny in the locker room.
However, in case you missed it, before Sunday's game in Baltimore, Coach Tomlin and the Steelers were singing a different tune, emphasizing that this was still Kenny Pickett's team, and that they had confidence in his ability to be a franchise guy.
Tomlin was asked about a similar situation on Tuesday, seeing as Kenny Pickett is still listed as the starting QB on the team's depth chart:
"Would it make you feel better if I did?" Answered Coach Tomlin when asked why Mason Rudolph is not the starter on the depth chart. "We're going about our business cultivating a plan to win this week. We care less about division of labor in terms of what's on pieces of paper and depth charts and so forth. And more strategically how we utilize the tools at our disposal in an effort to secure victory. I've been transparent with you guys. [Rudolph's] got the hot hand. He's gonna maintain control of the ball. I don't know why that is an issue to be quite honest with you."
In my opinion, it's a lot easier to say "We’re rolling with the hot hand" and then fall off that narrative if Rudolph has a bad game, while leaving Pickett as the technical starter.
It's all window dressing designed to take the heat off what will be a big offseason decision for Pittsburgh.
But for now, their focus, and Tomlin's especially is on the Bills, with anything else being merely a distraction that is best suited for a different time and place.
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