Steelers QB Mason Rudolph approaching Bengals game with starting mindset

The quarterback position has become an issue for the Pittsburgh Steelers this season. Starting quarterback Kenny Pickett has struggled with both consistency and injury issues. Behind him, Mitch Trubisky also struggled. Now, Mason Rudolph will get the chance to start.

Rudolph is starting for the Steelers against the Bengals in an incredibly important AFC North game, with both teams fighting for a Wild Card spot. It’s an opportunity that he’s taking very seriously.

“We feel a sense of urgency and coach [Mike] Tomlin has challenged the whole offense — the passing game to make improvements and you know, the offense as a whole to score more points,” Rudolph said. “So, that falls heavily upon the quarterback to be the catalyst for that. So, we’re all working in that direction, we want to score points, I want to get the ball to the playmakers that we have and move the chains.”

Mason Rudolph has been with the Steelers since 2018, primarily as a backup quarterback. However, he has played in 18 games, making 10 starts. During those opportunities, he’s completed 61.5 percent of his passes for 2,369 yards and 16 touchdowns. He also has 11 interceptions.

“I’m going to take the reps that I was given today and do the best with it,” Rudolph said.

“And you know, I talked to Coach T for the final [decision], but as far as I know, I’m playing and that’s the way I’m treating it. And I’m going to maximize each day and practice each rep and get back into the flow with the guys and get a rhythm going. And I think I’ve got it, but anytime you’re out of it for two or three months since I guess training camp, it takes a bit.”

The Pittsburgh Steelers are 7-7, which is fourth in the AFC North. Nine AFC teams have a better record.

Mike Tomlin announces Mason Rudolph as starter for Week 16 vs. Bengals

Mike Tomlin recently announced that Mason Rudolph will start for the Steelers against the Bengals. In doing so, he also noted that Pittsburgh needed more out of the offense.

“As I stand here today, Mason Rudolph is the guy with the ball,” Tomlin said.

“It’s our intention as we sit here today to give Mason Rudolph an opportunity to start. He’s a veteran guy, he’s a backup but he’s a veteran guy. We have a great deal of comfort with him. Why are we making the change? We don’t like what we’re looking at and the consistency of it. We’re not scoring enough points. Particularly as you move into December football. You’ve got to score more than 14, 16 points this time of year. The engineering of a victory isn’t going to be fluid without doing those things.”