Report: "Internal division" over whether Pickett or Rudolph should start

[hawaiiansteel]

Report: "Internal division" over whether Kenny Pickett or Mason Rudolph should start for Steelers

Published February 17, 2024

The Steelers don't have a clear-cut No. 1 quarterback. And they apparently don't have a clear-cut vision within the building about who the No. 1 quarterback should be.

As explained by Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, there appears to be some internal division that maybe Mason Rudolph should be the starter, given his performance at the end of the season.

Of course, Kenny Pickett was drafted in the first round two years ago, with the idea that he?d be the heir to Ben Roethlisberger. After Pickett suffered a late-season ankle injury, however, Rudolph emerged and the Steelers low-key benched Pickett for the veteran who had become buried on the depth chart and largely forgotten.

Rudolph is due to become a free agent next month. It?s not a given he'll return to Pittsburgh. Where else, however, would he get a chance to be the starter?

Dulac also reports that the Steelers ?are not interested in bringing in a quarterback who wants to be a starter. Earlier this month, team president Art Rooney II didn't rule it out.

Why wouldn't they explore available alternatives to Pickett and Rudolph? Neither has done anything spectacular, frankly. Neither can compare to Kirk Cousins (who will be a free agent), Justin Fields (who could be available via trade), Ryan Tannehill (who will be a free agent), and Russell Wilson (who likely will be released and might take a veteran-minimum deal, since Denver owes him $39 million for 2024).

The Steelers are set in their ways, and they're proud of it. They get comfortable with certain players and coaches, and they don't like to change. That's fine, but there are moments where it makes no sense.

As to the quarterback position, it makes no sense to flatly say no thanks when a potentially significant upgrade at the most important position on an NFL team is available.

That's not to say the 2024 Steelers will fail. With coach Mike Tomlin in place, they'll likely be on the right side of .500 and they'll have a great chance to make the playoffs. Without a quarterback who can deliver in the clutch during postseason games, however, it will be lather, rinse, repeat for a Steelers team that hasn't won a playoff game since the 2016 season.

https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/report-internal-division-over-whether-kenny-pickett-or-mason-rudolph-should-start-for-steelers

[WindyCitySteel]

Finishing above .500 is the goal. Get used to it.

[Joel Buchsbaum]

Finishing above .500 is the goal. Get used to it.

Rudolph should start if he is singed.

[Iron City Inc.]

Competition is going to make every player better. If MR does sign elsewhere we better bring in someone via f/a or preferably through the draft that wants to be the 1 and not just a clip board holder. I'm not big on a vet qb as the back up just because our #1 isn't established as a #1 yet. Drafting a player like a Joe Milton for example on day 3 would be a good move. A young player that should push KP. We need camp to be extremely competitive to get the most out of these guys.
We have to know what KP is or isn't for this team to move forward.

[hawaiiansteel]

Finishing above .500 is the goal. Get used to it.

Steelers labeled as "unserious franchise" by NFL analyst in light of QB rumors

The Steelers seem to be garnering more negative opinions than good ones

Feb 17, 2024

https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/2024/2/17/24075995/steelers-labeled-as-unserious-franchise-by-nfl-analyst-in-light-of-qb-rumors-kenny-pickett

[Steelwolf]

Steelers labeled as "unserious franchise" by NFL analyst in light of QB rumors

The Steelers seem to be garnering more negative opinions than good ones

Feb 17, 2024

https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.co...-kenny-pickett

Damn gut punch to see this organization regress. Sure it's opinions but just wild this culture recently has a lot of people talking. Looking forward to some changes hopefully and this team rights the ship for 2024

[SteelerOfDeVille]

This is exactly why Mason doesn't need to be on the team at all. And why I'd go with Tannehill.

I'm tired of .500 like the rest of y'all, but I'm apparently ready to go find the franchise QB faster than some are.

My Motto this offseason will continue to be: Throw KP into the deep end and let him sink or swim. If he sinks, draft a 1st round QB next year.

Besides, if guys are going to half-ass play for Pickett trying to get Mason on the field, then Mason doesn't need to be there. As Madden used to say, "if you have two QBs, you really have NONE"

[WindyCitySteel]

This is exactly why Mason doesn't need to be on the team at all. And why I'd go with Tannehill.

I'm tired of .500 like the rest of y'all, but I'm apparently ready to go find the franchise QB faster than some are.

My Motto this offseason will continue to be: Throw KP into the deep end and let him sink or swim. If he sinks, draft a 1st round QB next year.

Besides, if guys are going to half-ass play for Pickett trying to get Mason on the field, then Mason doesn't need to be there. As Madden used to say, "if you have two QBs, you really have NONE"

Depends on when he sinks. What if he sinks in September and Tannehill gets them to 9-8? Load up on young guys with potential and be prepared to tank the season if none of them work out. Kenny, Fields, Lance/draft pick.

Swing for the fences, stop choking up on the bat just to make contact.

[T.Ferguson]

Hell of a job Tomlin/Rooney are doing lol. If this is actually happening within the organization then that is scary. Here's what I would do

- Let MR leave - it's not like the team is a MR away from a SB appearance and the guy will be almost 30 with just a handful of decent games under his belt. His likely ceiling to me is decent/bridge starter with right team. I don't think MR actually wants to come back regardless though so this article is a little puzzling to me.

- I'd get rid of DJ, I have long been a fan even though he clearly has a some mental issues on the field but with his recent comments and the way he has played at times with KP I'd say see ya if the team is serious about trying to develop KP. For someone that is paid what he is paid he should be able to actually read a defense at this point and help his inexperienced QB out instead of going on his twitter account after a game and proclaim he ran the right route (no, no you didn't).

[feltdizz]

Hell of a job Tomlin/Rooney are doing lol. If this is actually happening within the organization then that is scary. Here's what I would do

- Let MR leave - it's not like the team is a MR away from a SB appearance and the guy will be almost 30 with just a handful of decent games under his belt. His likely ceiling to me is decent/bridge starter with right team. I don't think MR actually wants to come back regardless though so this article is a little puzzling to me.

- I'd get rid of DJ, I have long been a fan even though he clearly has a some mental issues on the field but with his recent comments and the way he has played at times with KP I'd say see ya if the team is serious about trying to develop KP. For someone that is paid what he is paid he should be able to actually read a defense at this point and help his inexperienced QB out instead of going on his twitter account after a game and proclaim he ran the right route (no, no you didn't).

I would obviously bring back KP since he is under contract. I would bring in Tannehill simply to help KP with the offense this year.

Draft a QB like Penix if he is there in the 3rd round. Don’t care if he has some hiles in his game. Everyone does.. if you are serious about trying to upgrade the QB position you have to take risk on guys like Penix who are boom/bust picks.

Other option would be to trade for Trey Lance. I think he is another boom/bust guy who could end up being something special.

I would stay away from McCarthy. Not sure Nix is anything special either but I would take Nix over McCarthy if both were available and we were dead set on picking a QB.

[T.Ferguson]

I would obviously bring back KP since he is under contract. I would bring in Tannehill simply to help KP with the offense this year.

Draft a QB like Penix if he is there in the 3rd round. Don?t care if he has some hiles in his game. Everyone does.. if you are serious about trying to upgrade the QB position you have to take risk on guys like Penix who are boom/bust picks.

Other option would be to trade for Trey Lance. I think he is another boom/bust guy who could end up being something special.

I would stay away from McCarthy. Not sure Nix is anything special either but I would take Nix over McCarthy if both were available and we were dead set on picking a QB.

Tannehill - Not a fan but if he comes cheap then whatever, sure I guess.

Penix - I would take a chance on maybe in a later round but he won't be there imo, he could pan out also could be a big bust too risky in an early round for me.

Lance - Intriguing option for sure, I'm not very familiar with him tbh.

McCarthy - I wouldn't draft him in any round lol. His arm just doesn't look NFL level. Nix I'd have to see more.

[Eich]

In fairness to Tomlin, Rooney, Kahn, etc... it's just not easy to find your Franchise QB. Plenty of organizations have struggled and screwed it up.

Imagine paying Watson what the clowns did? Throwing a dumpster of money at head-case Rodgers (or Favre before him) like the JETS did? The QB and coaching carousel of the Washington Redskins/Football Team/Commanders? Life after Brady in NE? Denver after Peyton & the disaster with Wilson? Plenty of teams are struggling to find their guy and even when some think they have, it can still be hard to win and especially win in the playoffs (Chargers w/Herbert, Dallas with Dak, Lions with Stafford, etc.). I still get a little ill thinking about all the QBs we went through between Bradshaw and Ben.

I saw an article the other day that pointed out the Lions WITH Stafford had never won a playoff game. They actually improved by getting rid of a franchise QB who now has a ring on his finger.

The Steelers really need to improve on the evaluation and development part, once they take a chance on a guy. Can't fault them much for drafting Mason when they did. Don't fault them for drafting Kenny #1. Didn't fault them for signing Mitch when they did. But they can't figure out what they have quickly enough and move on to the next prospect (though, at least they dumped Mitch). How are we still talking about Mason POTENTIALLY being the starter after 6 seasons?? How do we still know so little about Kenny after 2?

It's bad when everyone, including James Harrison, is pointing out that the Standard is different now than it was 10 years ago.

I get why people feel like they're more focused on the winning regular season record. They'd rather protect and hide the QB from the offense than figure out what they have. They need to change that mentality.

[Northern_Blitz]

Tannehill - Not a fan but if he comes cheap then whatever, sure I guess.

Penix - I would take a chance on maybe in a later round but he won't be there imo, he could pan out also could be a big bust too risky in an early round for me.

Lance - Intriguing option for sure, I'm not very familiar with him tbh.

McCarthy - I wouldn't draft him in any round lol. His arm just doesn't look NFL level. Nix I'd have to see more.

I think Lance is interesting too. But there are no indications he's available.

IMO the problem with drafting a QB at 20 is that you then have to give that QB time to see if they're anything too. I'd rather see what's going on this year, then go all in on QB if we need to next year.

[T.Ferguson]

I get why people feel like they're more focused on the winning regular season record. They'd rather protect and hide the QB from the offense than figure out what they have. They need to change that mentality.

It all starts with Tomlin and Rooney sort of seems out to lunch at this point. Tomlin is so focused on avoiding a losing season that it's effecting potential long term growth for the team imo. To put it another way I'd rather see the Steelers go 6-11 with KP putting up over 4k in yards and throwing a bunch of TDs AND INTs vs. whatever the hell the team was doing with the position under Canada. Manning threw a ton of INTs his first year, a lot of inexperienced QBs do this as part of their growth, Tomlin apparently isn't interested in that because he's so deathly afraid of a losing season, very short-sighted and dumb (and selfish).

[feltdizz]

Didn?t we just watch Sam Howell in Washington throwing TDs and a bunch INT?s and now the HC and OC are fired and Sam Howell is 50/50 moving forward?

Sure, if you draft a QB first you stink so letting him throw it all over the field is less risky. Really isn?t anywhere to go but up in that scenario if you pick first.

But if you pick 20th and your QB throws 20 INT?s his first year you probably aren?t going to end up with Peyton Manning in year 2.

Herbert and Howell are 2 examples of this.. and both of their coaches were fired. I?m sure some of you want that to happen to Tomlin. Still have no idea if Herbert will pan out or if Howell will even have a starting gig next year.

and the craziest part is Kenny was 7-4, we fired the OC and he had an opportunity to take the next step and got injured. He could?ve established himself as the man during that soft schedule but he was in a boot. Its only been 2 years since Ben retired. People talk like its been 10 years.