Steelers coach Mike Tomlin says Mason Rudolph to start vs. Bengals

With the Pittsburgh Steelers trying to snap a three-game losing streak that has dropped them out of playoff positioning and into last place in the AFC North, coach Mike Tomlin is switching quarterbacks.

Barring an early return by Kenny Pickett from ankle surgery, Mason Rudolph is in line to start Saturday when the Steelers play the Cincinnati Bengals at Acrisure Stadium.

Rudolph would replace Mitch Trubisky, who was pulled late in the Steelers’ 30-13 loss Saturday at the Indianapolis Colts.

“I’m not dumping the game at Mitch’s feet. I’m not saying that,” Tomlin said. “I’m saying the guy at that position is at the controls and does have a big say in how some things unfold. It’s more about Mason Rudolph being deserving of an opportunity and us changing the trajectory of what has been transpiring.”

Trubisky was pulled in the fourth quarter after throwing his second interception of the game. He finished with a 68.9 passer rating. Rudolph played the final two series and completed 2 of 3 attempts for 3 yards.

The Steelers have gone five consecutive games without scoring 20 points, and they are averaging 14.25 points in the four games since offensive coordinator Matt Canada was fired. They take a 7-7 record into the game against the 8-6 Bengals.

“Why are we making the change? We don’t like what we’re looking at and the consistency of it,” Tomlin said. “What I mean is we’re not scoring enough points.”

Tomlin left open the possibility of Pickett returning, but he is formulating a game plan with Rudolph as the starter. Pickett has missed the past two games, but Tomlin said he has been impressed with the quarterback’s rehabilitation following tightrope surgery.

“His availability is not out of the question this week,” Tomlin said. “At the front part of our week, our attention and emphasis will be on Mason Rudolph, and we’ll leave the door ajar and see how Kenny responds to the work he gets (Monday) and the limited work he gets (Tuesday).”

Rudolph hasn’t started a game since Nov. 14, 2021, when he was a late replacement for Ben Roethlisberger, who tested positive for covid-19 the night before the game against the Detroit Lions.

Rudolph took all the first-team reps the following week, but Roethlisberger was cleared to return and started against the Los Angeles Chargers. Before Saturday, Rudolph’s previous work in a regular-season game was late in the 2021 season when he mopped up for Roethlisberger in a 36-10 loss at Kansas City.

After Rudolph spent all but one game of last season as the No. 3 quarterback, he planned to leave the Steelers in free agency. But when no offers emerged to be a backup, he re-signed with the Steelers in mid-May.

“He’s been a part of our program. He knows us; we know him,” Tomlin said. “He’s tough-minded. He’s got a lot of confidence in himself, and he’s a competitor. Those are some of the things that are attractive about giving him an opportunity to start this week.”

Tomlin also called Rudolph a “calculated risk-taker,” which could be an inference that he isn’t prone to throwing multiple interceptions. Trubisky has thrown five in 107 pass attempts this season whereas Pickett didn’t throw any in the past eight starts.

“I believe that mentality is helpful to us under these circumstances,” Tomlin said.

On defense, the Steelers will be without All-Pro free safety Minkah Fitzpatrick, who injured his knee in the second quarter. Defensive tackle Cameron Heyward remains in the concussion protocol.

With Fitzpatrick injured, Damontae Kazee suspended for the rest of the season and backup Trenton Thompson dealing with a stinger, Tomlin said he might elevate veteran Eric Rowe from the practice squad. Rowe has five years of experience and spent last season with the Miami Dolphins.

Related:

• Steelers safety Damontae Kazee suspended for rest of season for hit on Colts WR Michael Pittman
• Madden Monday: There's only 1 scenario that would see Mike Tomlin gone as Steelers' coach
• Mark Madden: Steelers' loss to Colts another embarrassment for Mike Tomlin

Myles Jack, another in-season addition to the practice squad, also is a candidate to be elevated as the Steelers deal with attrition at inside linebacker.

Tomlin said safety Elijah Riley could be activated from injured reserve. He has been out with an ankle injury. Tomlin, though, said the Steelers are not counting on veteran safety Keanu Neal returning this week. Neal remains on injured reserve with a rib injury.

To hear what Tomlin had to say, either watch below or go to the Steelers Facebook page. (To hear the video, right-click on the video and select “Show All Controls” and unmute the video.)

Follow Joe Rutter for more on the Steelers.

Tweets by tribjoerutter