Mike Tomlin comments on Steelers quarterback situation after win over Seahawks
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph led the team to a 30-23 victory over the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday. The 18-for-24 game by Rudolph was a stellar performance for the backup but now, it raises questions about who Mike Tomlin should start for the final game of the 2023 regular season. To keep their playoff hopes alive, the Steelers must beat the Baltimore Ravens on Saturday. If they can secure that win, then they’ll need some additional help.
The Steelers head coach wasn’t eager to make any decision at quarterback immediately after the game on Sunday. He told reporters the team is focused on the victory, at least for the next 24 hours.
“Right now we’re just appreciative of the victory and we’ll give you guys something to buzz about here for the next 24 or so,” Tomlin said.
The head coach will address the media for his weekly press conference at 12 p.m. ET on Monday. In the last two weeks, Pittsburgh has decided on who to start early in the week. That may not be the case this week considering Kenny Pickett‘s updated health status.
Kenny Pickett feels ‘good’ for Steelers
Pickett discussed his health with reporters last week, saying that he feels “good,” but the decision whether he plays is up to the coaches. He practiced in a limited fashion each day last week.
“It feels good,” Pickett said of his ankle, via the team’s website. “I am going to take it a day at a time, see what the coaches are saying, what the trainers are saying. They have a plan for me, I am just going about what they are telling me. It feels like I am on track with what I need to do. It’s not how I feel, it’s what they see me doing and how they feel like I am looking moving around.”
Pickett has been sidelined for a month for the Steelers after he suffered an ankle injury that required Tightrope surgery. He returned to practice in limited fashion last week but remained unavailable to play on Saturday. Prior to the injury, Pickett was completing 62% of his passes with 2,070 passing yards, six touchdowns and four interceptions. He is less than 400 yards away from surpassing his 2022 total, which he accumulated over 13 regular season games.
Mason Rudolph has led the Steelers to back-to-back victories over the Bengals and then the Seahawks. He’s thrown for 564 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions in those two wins. He’s also taken just two sacks.