The Pittsburgh Steelers are putting their playoff hopes on the shoulders of Mason Rudolph as they face a must-win regular-season finale against the Baltimore Ravens. Despite the return of Kenny Pickett, who has been medically cleared after ankle surgery, Coach Mike Tomlin is sticking with Rudolph at quarterback.
Tomlin emphasized Rudolph’s recent performance, stating, “He’s done a good job, and we’ve done a good job in the most recent two weeks. We’ve taken care of the ball, and he’s taking care of the ball. We score points at a rate at which we hadn’t done to this point this year.” The urgency of the situation and Rudolph’s recent success have led to this decision.
Since Rudolph took over as the starting quarterback, the Steelers’ offense has thrived, averaging 32 points and 432.5 yards per game. Rudolph’s performance against the Seattle Seahawks, where he completed 18 of 24 attempts for 274 yards with no interceptions, showcased his abilities.
Tomlin praised Rudolph’s confidence and aggressive style of play, noting that it has a positive impact on the team. He also highlighted the team’s strong running game and red zone performance as key factors in their recent success.
Rudolph’s completion rate of 68.5% with two touchdowns in two starts has been impressive, while Pickett has struggled in his second season with a 38.8 QBR. Rudolph is also averaging 282 passing yards per game, significantly more than Pickett’s 172.5 per game in 12 starts.
Coach Tomlin didn’t provide clarity on the long-term plans with Pickett or whether he would return to start in the playoffs if the Steelers make it. The focus remains on the immediate challenges and tangible work ahead.
The Steelers are counting on Mason Rudolph to lead them to victory against the Ravens and keep their playoff hopes alive in this crucial matchup.