The Pittsburgh Steelers could have to make a change at the quarterback position this week. Kenny Pickett, who has been starting since Week 5 of the season, suffered his second concussion of the season and has yet to be cleared from the league’s protocols.
Pickett’s status for the game this weekend against the Carolina Panthers is up in the air as a result. Based on what we have seen thus far this season, if Pickett is unable to go on Sunday, it will be Mitchell Trubisky under center for the Steelers.
Trubisky was signed as a free agent this past offseason and was the starter for the first four games of the season before he was replaced by Pickett. He has come in for relief of Pickett each time he has gotten hurt as well, but there is at least one person who would like to see that change.
Wide receiver Diontae Johnson shared his opinion on the Steelers’ quarterback situation and he believes Mason Rudolph deserves a shot to start this weekend should Pickett not get cleared to play. Rudolph has been inactive all season as the team’s No. 3 quarterback but Johnson is confident that he would be able to perform if called upon.
“Yeah, I want to see him play,” Johnson said Thursday when asked if he’d like to see Rudolph “get a shot.”
“I know he’s ready to play. I know it’s probably in the back of his mind like, ‘Dang, when I’m going get my chance?’ I feel like this week is it for him. I know he’s going to do everything it takes to be prepared this week, get ready for Sunday.”
Rudolph has struggled at times when pressed into being a starter, but it is hard to imagine that he would perform any worse than Trubisky has. The Steelers fell short last week against the Baltimore Ravens in large part because Trubisky turned the ball over so frequently, throwing three interceptions in the game.
Even turning the ball over one fewer time likely would have been enough for the Steelers to come away with a victory as all three turnovers came after the offense crossed into Ravens’ territory.
“They’ve got to be on their stuff just like me. I’ll make sure I talk to [Pickett] to see if he’s cool or whatnot. But no matter who it is, I’m, I’m going to be ready. Don’t matter who’s throwing the balls, as long as you’re making the play on the ball at end of the day.”
Rudolph last played in 2021 when he filled in against the Detroit Lions when Ben Roethlisberger was on the COVID-19 list. The Steelers tied the Lions that afternoon.
Johnson is without a touchdown reception this season and would probably like to see anyone other than Trubisky back under center for the remainder of this season. He did acknowledge that the two had a dustup earlier this season, which could also play a part in him throwing support behind Rudolph.
