Rumor circulates about Kenny Pickett not backing up Mason Rudolph in Week 17

Aug 13, 2022; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett (8) warms up before the game against the Seattle Seahawks at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Kenny Pickett was inactive in the Pittsburgh Steelers’ Week 17 win over the Seattle Seahawks, and some interesting rumors are circulating about the decision.

Pickett underwent surgery on December 4 for his high ankle sprain. He has not played since then, though he did return to practice on December 19. He was limited in practice last week, and there were debates about whether Pickett was inactive because of his health. Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said that Pickett was inactive Sunday because he didn’t get enough practice last week.

Despite being healthy to play, Kenny Pickett is inactive vs Seattle.

— Gerry Dulac (@gerrydulac) December 31, 2023

Did Pickett have enough reps to serve as the backup? Or did his health keep him from being the backup to Rudolph rather than Mitch Trubisky?

In a post on X Monday, Mark Madden, who works for 105.9 The X, said that Pickett “refused” to back up Rudolph on Sunday.

“Just got told that Pickett 100 percent refused to be the backup. That the Steelers writers know that but won’t write it,” Madden reported.

Just got told that Pickett 100 percent refused to be the backup. That the Steelers writers know that but won't write it.

— Mark Madden (@MarkMaddenX) January 1, 2024

The Athletic’s Mark Kaboly appeared to express skepticism regarding Pickett’s status.

“KP didn’t dress because of his health yesterday but 12 hours later he’s fine and health is not an issue.”

KP didn’t dress because of his health yesterday but 12 hours later he’s fine and health is not an issue.

— Mark Kaboly (@MarkKaboly) January 1, 2024

On Monday, Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin stated that Pickett was healthy this week, but the team will keep Rudolph as their starter.

Maybe Pickett felt he needed another week of healing before being made active for a game, even if that was as a backup. Regardless, Steelers fans can’t be too confident about the team’s quarterback situation.

The Steelers’ offense was mostly stagnant all season until Rudolph was named the starting quarterback for Week 16. In both of his starts, the team has scored at least 30 points, something they never achieved in their first 14 games of the season. They have won both of Rudolph’s starts. The team was 7-5 with Pickett as the starter.