With the season on the line in a must-win game as large as must-win games go, Mason Rudolph will have one more chance to shine.
Mike Tomlin named Rudolph the starting quarterback for Saturday's regular-season finale at 4:30 p.m. in Baltimore, a move that feels justified enough by Rudolph's leadership of the Steelers' offense over the last two weeks. The Steelers have posted 34 and 30 points over the two games Rudolph has started, and this offense will need another fashionable output if they want to reach the postseason.
While relishing the opportunity -- one afforded by Kenny Pickett's ankle sprain and surgery nearly a month ago -- Rudolph is holding "tunnel vision" on accomplishing and optimizing his preparation for Saturday.
"It means another great opportunity to play a game, and so, very excited," Rudolph said after Tuesday's practice on the South Side. "Obviously we have a lot to play for so just focusing on having a good day of prep today, having a good week of practice, and all we can control is our performance and whether we win or lose. We've got tunnel vision on that and the rest of the chips will fall where they fall."
This decision from Tomlin to roll with Rudolph over Pickett comes amid swirling reports that Pickett allegedly refused to back up Rudolph last weekend in Seattle. Pickett refuted that report emphatically before Tuesday's practice and said he will back Rudolph up Saturday against the Ravens.
"I saw reports out there that I felt like were attacking my character and how I am as a person, not even getting to a player standpoint of it," Pickett said to reporters before taking any questions Tuesday. "There was no talk of me being a backup quarterback this week in terms of being a 2. If I was healthy enough to play and the trainers and coaches felt like I looked good enough to play, I was going to start and play. If they believed that I was not, which they believed that I was not, I was not going to dress and suit up for the game. So, whoever reported that -- I don't know where it started -- it's kind of crazy what people will write and put out there to try to prove their point or help their standpoint or their careers and what you guys do. Disappointed to see that without any proof or basis of it."
As DK reported here at DK Pittsburgh Sports Monday and Tuesday, Pickett never made any such refusal and the decision to make him inactive in Seattle was based on a late-week clearance to play and a lack of team reps in practice last week.
Going into this week, Tomlin noted Pickett's availability for Saturday would be "less in question." Nonetheless, Rudolph will have the ball with the season on the line. The Steelers will qualify for the postseason if one of these conditions are met:
• Steelers win AND a Jaguars loss to the Titans OR
• Steelers win AND a Bills loss to the Dolphins OR
• Steelers win AND Texans-Colts tie OR
• Steelers loss AND a Jaguars loss AND a Broncos win over the Raiders AND if Texans-Colts doesn't end in a tie.
If Rudolph plays in any fashion like he has over the last two weeks, he can get the Steelers there.
Rudolph's eye-opening performance on the eve of Christmas Eve against the Bengals was followed up with a thunderous encore on New Year's Eve in Seattle. He completed 18 of 24 passes for 274 yards and a 112.2 rating. The Steelers posted 468 total yards of offense and were as balanced as they have been all season. Najee Harris rushed for 122 yards, 4.5 per carry, and two touchdowns. Jaylen Warren added 75 rushing yards, 5.8 per carry, and an additional rushing touchdown as the Steelers rushed for 202 yards as a team.
"We ran the ball quite well," Rudolph said. "Really proud of the guys up front. Coach Tomlin challenged them all week. Us being able to ride their wave as a team, performing as an offense as a team. They controlled he line of scrimmage and did a great job and we had our shots when they presented themselves. Felt really balanced and I really did love how the receivers responded. The were team-first. Blocking and George (Pickens) made the tackle on the play that got called back, the turnover. Just seemed like they were fired up for the offensive line, fired up for the running backs, and just a lot of selflessness on display."
Over his last two starts, Rudolph has completed 35 of 51 passes (68.6%) for 564 yards, two touchdowns, no interceptions, and a 118.42 rating. He has been sacked just once over the games against the Bengals and Seahawks.
On Tuesday, Pickett has logged his first full practice since injuring his ankle Dec. 3. Pickett was listed as the starting quarterback on the team's official depth chart released Tuesday. Rudolph was listed as the second-string, while Mitch Trubisky was penned as the third-string.
But ...
"This week, I'm now the 2," Pickett said. "Feel good four weeks out of the surgery for me to dress and be the 2, so I will be the 2 and do what I have to do to be ready to go in Baltimore. So, if there's any other questions about that -- I feel like I answered it pretty good there -- if there's anything else, any Baltimore questions, then we'll get on to Baltimore."
