Steelers Sights and Sounds: Look at New Starting QB Mason Rudolph

PITTSBURGH — The Steelers are benching Mitch Trubisky for quarterback Mason Rudolph for this week’s game versus the Bengals. After extensive struggles from Trubisky, including two interceptions and just one touchdown, he has been benched for Rudolph. Rudolph prepared for that role last week but only played during the team’s final drive against the Colts.

On Monday, Mike Tomlin named Rudolph the starter due to their comfortability with his level of play and what he can bring to the table. Tomlin says that they will get Rudolph as many snaps as possible throughout the week to prepare him, but he did not rule out Kenny Pickett coming off his ankle injury yet, either. The change was simple for Tomlin, he is not seeing what he wants from the offense, and while it’s not all Trubisky’s fault, he has a say in it. He took the field for the first time on Tuesday as the starter at practice, taking most of the reps.

“We don’t like what we’re looking at and the consistency of it,” Tomlin said. “I’m not trying to lay it all at Mitch’s feet…it’s more about Mason Rudolph being deserving of an opportunity.”

Rudolph hasn’t started a game since the 2021 season when he started in place of Ben Roethlisberger, who was out with COVID-19 against the Detroit Lions. Rudolph finished that game 30 of 50 for 242 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. He also appeared in one garbage time appearance that season.