Heading into the Pittsburgh Steelers’ Week 17 matchup with the Seattle Seahawks, we knew Mason Rudolph would once again be in the starting lineup instead of Kenny Pickett. Yet, Pittsburgh’s former first-round quarterback may have been healthy enough to at least be on the active gameday roster.
According to Mark Madden of 105.9 The X, Pickett “refused to be the backup” in Week 17, which could have set up an odd scenario. Rudolph was named as the starter, which left Mitch Trubisky in the backup role, yet with the Steelers not having Pickett available either, if both of their top two QBs were hurt, a player from another position would have been thrust into action under center.
The reason why Pickett didn’t want to act as the team’s backup is not known, and the truth may never come out. Yet, we do know Pickett was still battling an injury when the week began, evidenced by him being limited in practice throughout the week leading up to the game.
But was Pickett healthy enough to play? He drew a questionable tag, which seems to indicate he wasn’t entirely unavailable due to injury, yet just how restrained he still was is not known. Yet, after Wednesday’s practice, Pickett said he wanted to play while also admitting those decisions are not left up to him.
We already know Rudolph will be back in the starting lineup for the team’s crucial Week 18 matchup against the Baltimore Ravens on Saturday. But who will be the backup? If it’s not Pickett, coach Mike Tomlin could face a ton of questions about the status of his young QB.