Can a self-assured Mason Rudolph turn around the struggling Steelers in week sixteen?
ESPN: Mason Rudolph is allegedly drawing attention from….
The Pittsburgh Steelers, who were formerly associated with stability and prosperity, are currently experiencing a difficult season. Their most recent defeat by the Indianapolis Colts, 30-13, is simply one more set of their problems. This season, the squad will face a major obstacle as backup quarterback Mitch Trubisky will be starting in place of starting quarterback Kenny Pickett, who had to undergo surgery due to a high ankle sprain. But lately, criticism has been leveled at the highest-paid backup quarterback in the NFL. As a result, Mason Rudolph will start for the team in Week 16 against the Cincinnati Bengals, according to Head Coach Mike Tomlin.
Mason Rudolph, the third-string quarterback for the Steelers, during practice
NFL.COM
Mason Rudolph, the third-string quarterback for the Steelers, during practice.
As the Steelers prepare to play the Bengals on December 23, their quest for atonement continues. Although Rudolph hasn’t started a game since 2021, Tomlin believes that a shift is necessary if this club is to score more points in the future. The Bengals, who are now 8-6, are riding high after defeating the Minnesota Vikings 27-24 in overtime on Saturday. They have now won three straight games. They are headed in the right direction, which is bad news for the struggling Steelers. See SportyTrader’s in-depth previews and predictions from their NFL experts for further information and the best NFL betting advice for this week.
Trubisky has been thrown into the starting lineup for the past two weeks while Pickett is out. Regretfully, though, his onstage persona has been everything but comforting. He completed 16 of 23 throws for 169 yards and a touchdown against the Colts, but his stat line was tarnished by two interceptions and three sacks, which was similar to his poor performance against the New England Patriots the week before. Following that, followers started using social media to vent their dissatisfaction.
Steelers Mitch Trubisky
Pittsburgh Steelers’ Jarred Wickerham
In a primetime encounter at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania’s Acrisure Stadium against the New England Patriots, Steelers quarterback Mitch Trubisky scrambles.
But Trubisky’s on-field problems with the Steelers are by no means unprecedented. Trubisky was benched by Coach Tomlin during the team’s Week 4 loss to the New York Jets last season. Although he had a brief comeback later in 2022, his recent play has sparked discussion over whether or not he is the team’s best option. Pittsburgh’s quarterback situation has become a mystery, and the front office’s choice to prolong Trubisky’s deal has drawn criticism. Many believe that the money spent on him is out of proportion to his on-field success, and as a result, their faith in him is eroding quickly. Trubisky’s problems are numerous and include poor processing speed, accuracy problems, and a lack of faith in his mechanics. Rudolph seems to be the best option till Pickett returns to a level of fitness.
Steelers Defense Is Also Having Issues
However, it would be inaccurate to attribute the Steelers’ decline in play to the quarterback alone. Despite boasting dynamic edge rushers in Alex Highsmith and T.J. Watt, their defense is particularly weak owing to injuries, and Trubisky is left exposed far too frequently as a result of the defense’s inability to help them. The Steelers must address issues on both sides of the field if they hope to regain their competitive edge. Generally, their defense’s slowness has made it easier for opponents to take advantage of their vulnerabilities.
Pittsburgh Steelers Highsmith, Alex T.J. Watt
Joe Savage / GETTY Pictures
In 2023, the Pittsburgh Steelers’ edge rushers TJ Watt (#90) and Alex Highsmith (#56) will be a real pain for opposing offensive lines.
What is the likelihood of this happening? It’s getting more and more obvious that Trubisky’s time in Pittsburgh may be coming to an early end, and benching him in favor of Rudolph causes a chasm between the player and the organization that is frequently very hard to heal. In addition to his on-field difficulties, the coaching staff, front office, and fans seem to lack faith in him, which raises the possibility that the Steelers will have to make the difficult choice to part ways with their quarterback in the offseason. With nothing to lose, Rudolph will try to infuse this club with much-needed energy.
