(Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
The Pittsburgh Steelers made a not-so-shocking quarterback change for their Week 16 game against the Cincinnati Bengals after head coach Mike Tomlin announced Mason Rudolph will start over Mitchell Trubisky.
Rudolph is perhaps most well-known for an in-game brawl with Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett where Garrett hit Rudolph with the quarterback’s own helmet late in a game.
Rudolph has only started three games since that incident and hasn’t played a full game since 2021.
Now, he’ll be tasked with bringing the Steelers back into playoff contention if Kenny Pickett can’t return from his high ankle sprain.
Considering the potential season-altering implications of this move, fans had plenty of thoughts on Rudolph and the Steelers.
This is probably your last chance Mason. Go get ‘em and best of luck.
— Kyle Reese (@NoVaxAllFacts) December 18, 2023
He’s Trash
— KING_56 (@_notsaqib) December 18, 2023
Bro as much as I love Tomlin he might not make it to next season if Steelers don’t start winning
— raB (@PhillyBarr) December 18, 2023
So to be fair…I always thought he had talent…his first year starting was so odd…the concussion and then helmet hit…but I am kind of excited about this but won’t totally blame him if it isn’t good…that would mean coaching needs a lot of work.
— Brian Wolters (@brianwolters) December 18, 2023
Rudolph gets his chance on Christmas Eve. Poetic
— Jackmerius Tacktheritrix (@JackTack420) December 18, 2023
Rudolph, who the Steelers drafted in the third round in 2018, completed 2-of-3 passing attempts in relief of Trubisky at the end of Pittsburgh’s 30-13 loss to the Indianapolis Colts in Week 15.
He hasn’t been very good during his NFL tenure, though, with a 61.5 career percent completion rate for 2,369 passing yards with 16 touchdowns and 11 interceptions in 18 games and 10 starts.
The Steelers don’t really have much of a choice at quarterback, though, if Pickett is still out.
Trubisky was awful in his two starts for Pittsburgh with 359 passing yards for two touchdowns with three interceptions and five sacks, although he did also rush for two scores.
The Steelers offense as a whole has been bad, too: They rank 28th in scoring, 27th in yards, and fifth in turnovers.
Rudolph might not be the answer to save the Steelers season, but he’s at least a different option as Pittsburgh remains in the playoff hunt.
The post Fans React To Today’s Mason Rudolph News appeared first on The Cold Wire.