On Thursday, former Pittsburgh Steelers Quarterback Kordell Stewart was on 93.7 The Fan on Andrew Fillipponi's show. He was asked about the current quarterback crisis in Pittsburgh. The Steelers are likely without their starting rookie Quarterback Kenny Pickett this weekend. Pickett suffered a concussion in last week's loss to the Baltimore Ravens.
NASHVILLE, TN - AUGUST 25: Quarterback Mason Rudolph #2 of the Pittsburgh Steelers warms up before a game against the Tennessee Titans during week three of the preseason at Nissan Stadium on August 25, 2019, in Nashville, Tennessee. The Steelers defeated the Titans 18-6. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
Stewart Weighs In On Steelers QB Rudolph
With the potential loss of Pickett, the Steelers are stuck trying to determine who his backup will be. This is not as simple as just starting your QB2 like normal. The Steelers QB2 is Mitch Trubisky. Trubisky came in for Pickett when the injury occurred late in the first half and while he drove the ball down the field well, he also threw three interceptions. Those likely cost the team the game as they occurred near the red zone multiple times.
Pittsburgh Steelers Quarterback Mitch Trubisky (10) attempts completion in a 16-14 loss vs the Baltimore Ravens / Photo Credit: Steelers.com
The only other option is Mason Rudolph, who has been a backup in Pittsburgh since being drafted in the third round in 2018. Rudolph has been under center numerous times during his career behind Ben Roethlisberger. Stewart pointed out how unusual it is to have three QBs competing for a job in the middle of the season.
When Fillipponi asked Stewart about the unusual quarterback situation in Pittsburgh, Stewart said that this is definitely a complicated situation. For one thing, he pointed out that Rudolph is the most senior, longest-tenured quarterback on the team.
Stewart also said that this is really Rudolph's chance to shine. If he gets the opportunity to play on Sunday against the Carolina Panthers, and Stewart thinks that is likely, then he should go "balls to the wall." Rudolph should throw caution to the wind and take some calculated risks. As Stewart pointed out, Rudolph doesn't have much to lose.
As far as Trubisky goes, Stewart feels that for a quarterback, you are only as good as your last play and can only focus on your next play. Rudolph is already a QB3, he cannot be "demoted" any further. This is a win-win situation for him. He can either show that he is the one who deserves the QB2 job, show how well he can play and hope for a trade or possibly even play in additional games this year.
Stewart was asked what he thought would happen if Rudolph played the best football of the season this weekend, that is if he outplayed both Pickett and Trubisky. Would the Steelers just bench him and go back to Pickett? Stewart said he would go with the "hot hand" in that situation. You have to play the player who is winning your team games. He added that he understands that Pickett, hopefully, is the quarterback of the future for the Steelers.
Photo Credit: AP Photo/Keith Srakocic
When asked about the morale in the locker room with all of the changes at quarterback and about how Wide Receiver Diontae Johnson made comments about preferring to have Rudolph play, Stewart quipped back that no one has the right answer. Stewart said, "who is playing great football this season?" None of them have the right to complain, there is plenty of blame to go around.
This is certainly going to be interesting to watch as the week unfolds. With Pickett practicing some on Thursday, but still not fully cleared, we may not even learn who is going to start until near game time. Who do you think should start this week if Pickett can't play? Do you think Rudolph can lead the team effectively? What if Rudolph plays well should he continue to start? Comment below!
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