The Steelers have a quarterback controversy once again. Except this time, it’s for who the back up to rookie QB Kenny Pickett will be.
QB Mason Rudolph has waited for his shot, and he may just get it in Week 15 vs. the Panthers. “I’m waiting to hear my involvement or the level to my involvement this week, but I’m ready to rock if I’m needed,” Rudolph told reporters.
Pickett left their Week 14 contest with a concussion and didn’t return. Now, head coach Mike Tomlin has a decision to make if he can’t go.
Fellow QB Mitchell Trubisky played in Pickett’s absence, but threw three costly interceptions in Pittsburgh’s 16-14 loss.
Tomlin wouldn’t specify who would start if Pickett couldn’t pass through the concussion protocol, but if he couldn’t, practice “reps will be divided between Mitchell Trubisky and Mason Rudolph.”
Rudolph, listed as the third quarterback on the Steelers’ depth chart, would look forward to the extra reps in practice.
“Bye week I got one rep. I bartered with Mitch and Kenny to get a rep each day and they gladly agreed. Before that anything significant would be training camp,” Rudolph added. “I want to play. I want to practice. I take advantage of the reps I get.”
Rudolph has been in Pittsburgh since being drafted by the Steelers in 2018. He has 16 touchdowns and 11 interceptions in his career, per ESPN.com. However, he has a reputation of playing conservatively.
Trubisky does bring more upside with his legs compared to Rudolph, and it may be unfair to bench him after one poor performance against a well-coached 9-4 Ravens team.
Although, it is December and Rudolph tends to shine this time of year.
