Even though Kenny Pickett is healthy enough to return to action for the Pittsburgh Steelers, the team is still going with backup quarterback Mason Rudolph for Saturday’s must-win season finale. That may not necessarily mean anything for Pickett’s status going forward, however.
According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, the Steelers still have faith in Pickett and view him as their franchise quarterback going forward despite how things have gone for him this season.
From @NFLGameDay Kickoff: This offseason, Mason Rudolph shadowed congressmen and senators and spent time at architectural firms and commercial real estate firms — planning for life after football. Now, he's a starting QB with a chance to send the #Steelers to the playoffs. pic.twitter.com/BK66qMG6kV
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 6, 2024
“The organization does still believe in Kenny Pickett and in no way wants to move on from him after the season,” Rapoport said. “Still a ton of confidence that he can be a franchise starter.”
In 12 starts on the season, Pickett has just six touchdown passes to go with 2,070 passing yards. Pittsburgh’s offense has been bad all year no matter who has played at quarterback, at least until things looked greatly improved under Rudolph last week. While one unflattering report about Pickett has been denied, it is definitely a bit worrisome that the Steelers think the quarterback that gives them their best chance to win right now is the guy who started the season third on their depth chart, not the player they apparently view as their franchise signal-caller.
