Steelers Coaching Staff Gave Mason Rudolph A Gigantic Vote Of Confidence In Crucial Moment Of Week 17

The Pittsburgh Steelers were content at the end of 2022 with watching Mason Rudolph leave town. Kenny Pickett was the established starter, and Mitch Trubisky was one of the best-paid backup quarterbacks in the NFL. Rudolph explored free agency, but no one wanted him as a number two quarterback. The Steelers were willing to take him back as the third-string quarterback for one season.

Rudolph ate a huge helping of humble pie by returning to Pittsburgh, but he wanted to get paid to continue playing football, so he choked it down. He watched from the sideline as Pickett struggled in his sophomore campaign and left multiple games due to injury. Trubisky was a disaster, and after back-to-back losses, Mike Tomlin was forced to turn to Rudolph two days before Christmas in a must-win against the Cincinnati Bengals. Rudolph delivered the best offensive performance by a Steelers quarterback since Ben Roethlisberger retired.

Pittsburgh and Rudolph were supposed to come back down to earth in Seattle. The Seattle Seahawks were playing for their playoff lives, and many analysts predicted they would get the better of the Steelers and their third-string quarterback. Somebody forgot to copy Rudolph on the email that the Steelers were supposed to lose in Seattle. The offense posted 30 points for the second consecutive game. The Steelers were a terror on the ground on Sunday, but Rudolph added several key throws to ensure a victory.

Rudolph found Diontae Johnson, George Pickens and Pat Freiermuth for massive plays in the passing game. He did not have a passing touchdown, but he threw for 274 yards on just 24 attempts. He also fielded several bad snaps from Mason Cole to prevent huge losses or, worse, a turnover. All of that paled into comparison to what happened when Pittsburgh got the ball at the two-minute warning after a failed onside kick.

The Steelers had the ball first and ten, with the Seahawks hanging on to two timeouts. Over the past two seasons, Tomlin would have plowed the ball into the line with Pickett or Trubisky under center and forced them to use their timeouts and probably punt with around one minute left in the game. Eddie Faulkner, Mike Sullivan and Tomlin had a different idea. They put the ball in the quarterback's hands with the game on the line. The coaching staff showed a ton of faith in Rudolph to make a good decision, and he rewarded them by finding Pickens for a huge 24-yard gain.

Steelers' Tomlin Will Ride With Mason Rudolph Over Healthy Kenny Pickett

Rudolph's decision-making has been impeccable in the last two games. Matt Canada must be absolutely kicking himself for not turning to him when he had the chance. The Steelers' offense has looked spectacular with Rudolph under center. Throws are coming out in rhythm, and the Seattle defense paid dearly when they tried to stack the box on Sunday.

It isn't all sunshine and rainbows in Steeler Nation. Pittsburgh is 9-7 and trails a trio of AFC South teams for the seventh and a final playoff spot. Losses to the Jacksonville Jaguars and Houston Texans hurt the Steelers, but losing to Gardner Minshew and the Indianapolis Colts in a game they led 13-0 at one point was devastating. If the Steelers had beaten the Colts, they would be the seventh seed, and it is apparent now that if they turned to Rudolph when Pickett went down with an injury, they would be. 

Instead, for the third consecutive year, the Steelers will need help in the season's final week. The Baltimore Ravens secured the number one seed in the AFC playoffs, but the temptation to play their starters and seek revenge on the Steelers might be too tempting to resist. Pittsburgh has to beat Baltimore and hope the Miami Dolphins beat the Buffalo Bills and win the AFC East to ensure a playoff appearance. 

The other possible scenario is that the Texans, who play the Colts, determine the AFC South division winner. If the winner of that game wins the AFC South and the Jacksonville Jaguars lose to the Tennessee Titans, then the Steelers would eke in at 10-7 while the Jaguars and the loser would finish 9-8. The Titans and Jaguars are bitter historical rivals, so an upset is possible. 

No one in the fan base saw Rudolph leading the Steelers to two victories and overseeing an offensive explosion in the process. The coaching staff probably should have, but it will be forgotten if the Steelers beat the Ravens and find their way into the playoffs. It shouldn't be, but it will. 

What do you think, Steeler Nation? Are you surprised Tomlin gave Rudolph a huge vote of confidence by relying on him to win the game? Please comment below or on my Twitter/X: @thebubbasq.

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