The Pittsburgh Steelers were able to snap their three-game losing streak in Week 16 by beating the Cincinnati Bengals by a score of 34-11. A big reason the Steelers were able to be so successful in their victory was because of once third-string quarterback Mason Rudolph playing so well in his first start since the 2021 NFL season. Rudolph was the Steelers third starting quarterback of the 2023 season, and he did not disappoint as he got the Steelers back on the right track as they look to make a push at playing in the postseason.
Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers' Isaac Seumalo (73) and Mason Rudolph (2) during a 2023 contest against the Bengals
Steelers' Rudolph Had A Lot Of Say In The Offense
Rudolph, Mitch Trubisky, and Kenny Pickett all have different skillsets and are different types of quarterbacks. They each prefer different things, have different favorite routes, and different favorite plays that they like to run. With that being said, it is very important to cater the offense towards whichever quarterback will be playing during any given week. In Week 16, Rudolph got the start and he shared how involved he was with the offensive game plan during his postgame press conference.
"Coach Sullivan, and the way he took a lot of input from me, and sort of the things that I like. It's a lot of the same stuff as Kenny and Mitch, but a few tweaks here and there. He was very open to my input and I think you just feel confident when you have a good week of practice and you have no regrets about, 'Did I watch enough film?', that gives you the confidence."
Mike Sullivan, who is the interim play-caller for the Steelers under also-interim Offensive Coordinator Eddie Faulkner clearly did the right thing in catering the offense towards Rudolph and taking input from the quarterback. He was playing with confidence, and it showed in the success he and the offense had. Rudolph finished the day with nearly 300 passing yards and two touchdowns, as he led the Steelers to a 23-point victory over a divisional rival in a game that was a must-win for Pittsburgh. Rudolph played so well that Acrisure Stadium erupted with fans chanting his name, which is not something he is used to hearing so far in his career.
Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers' Mason Rudolph during a victory over the Cincinnati Bengals in 2023
Rudolph loves throwing the deep ball, and he is very good at doing so. It was clear this was a focal point of the offense this week, as he had two beautiful deep passes to second-year wide receiver George Pickens.
One went for a touchdown on a third and two, and the other came at the end of the first half and it put the Steelers in field goal range to allow them to take a 24-0 lead going into the break. Not to mention a quick slant that resulted in a 86-yard touchdown in the first quarter. Other changes that were likely made to the offense was the lack of roll outs and play that relied on the quarterback's mobility. Pickett and Trubisky are more mobile than Rudolph, so it made sense to eliminate some of those plays.
Matt Freed / Post-Gazette
Steelers Mitch Trubisky and Mason Rudolph
Rudolph hasn't played a ton in his NFL career, and when he has in the past, it has been met with a lot of criticism from Steelers fans. He certainly shocked a lot of people with his stellar performance in Week 16, and there's a chance he gets the opportunity to do so again in Week 17 against the Seattle Seahawks. Pickett began practicing again in Week 16 as he is making a return from an ankle injury which required surgery, and is expected to be available to play against Seattle.
The Steelers coaching staff now has a difficult decision to make after Rudolph performed so well in a high-stakes environment. He had the best performance from a Pittsburgh quarterback in 2023, and the offense looked impeccable.
Do the Steelers ride the hot hand of Rudolph, or go back to their 2022 first-round pick who is expected to be the future of this franchise? Let us know in the comments below!
#SteelerNation
