Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin didn’t decide to a beginning quarterback for the workforce’s Week 17 recreation on the Seattle Seahawks, however he did point out that Mason Rudolph would enter the week getting first-team reps whereas they wait to see how Kenny Pickett’s ankle damage progresses.
No matter Pickett’s standing, essentially the most logical selection for the Steelers can be to offer Rudolph one other alternative on Sunday.
Rudolph was given the beginning in Week 16 as a result of mixture of Pickett’s damage and backup Mitch Trubisky persevering with to battle. Rudolph not solely bought the beginning and led the Steelers to a 34-11 win over the Cincinnati Bengals, however he additionally displayed among the greatest quarterback play Pittsburgh has seen in not less than three or 4 years.
That efficiency needs to be sufficient to persuade Tomlin and his employees to offer Rudolph one other likelihood.
Despite the fact that Pickett was a first-round choice a 12 months in the past, their beginning QB and doubtlessly their long-term reply on the place, the Steelers can’t be involved about his improvement proper now. They’re in a must-win scenario and combating for a playoff spot. All they should be targeted on are wins by any means obligatory and by no matter participant may also help produce them.
Rudolph led the Steelers to their highest level whole of the season and appeared to develop a right away reference to impression large receiver George Pickens.
If something, Pickett not being 100% may give Tomlin and the Steelers all the duvet they should begin Rudolph once more. If Rudolph flops in Seattle, it could be no subject to return to Pickett for Week 18 in Baltimore. If Rudolph repeats his efficiency, nonetheless, now you will have a scenario the place you might need a sizzling hand that you may journey to a playoff spot.
Despite the fact that Rudolph entered the season because the workforce’s third-string quarterback, he has posted higher profession numbers than each Pickett and Trubisky. Together with Saturday’s win, he has an 83.6 profession passer score with 18 touchdowns to 11 interceptions in 19 profession appearances and 11 profession begins.
Only for comparability’s sake, Pickett has managed solely a 78.8 passer score and thrown simply 13 touchdowns in 25 appearances and 24 begins. Trubisky has a 77.6 passer score and has thrown extra interceptions (10) than touchdowns (eight) in his 12 appearances with the Steelers.
It has been a wild journey for Rudolph throughout his time with the Steelers. It continues with the chance that he’s their best choice for an important recreation with heavy playoff implications.
