Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett vehemently refuted allegations suggesting he refused to be the backup to Mason Rudolph in their victory over the Seattle Seahawks in Week 17 of the NFL season.
Pickett clarified that he was either set to start or, if not deemed fit or skilled enough, would not dress for the game. Despite being labeled as questionable, Pickett did not participate.
“It was either I was going to start and play,” Pickett said. “Or if they didn’t think I was good enough to do that, healthy enough, I was going to be the 3 and not dress.”
Pickett explained that there was no discussion of him assuming the backup role for that week. He stated that his participation depended on the trainer’s and coaches’ readiness assessment. Pickett expressed disappointment in the rumors, dismissing them as baseless and damaging to his reputation.
“There was no talk of me being a backup quarterback this week in terms of being a 2,” Pickett said. “If I was healthy enough to play, and the trainers and coaches felt like I looked good enough to play, I was going to start and play. If they believed that I was not, which they believed I was not, I was not going to dress and suit up for the game.
“So, whoever reported that I don’t know where it started, it’s kind of crazy what people will write and put out there to try to prove their point or help their standpoint or their careers and what you guys do. But disappointed to see that without any proof or basis of it.”
NFL NEWS & RUMORS: Kenny Pickett, Mason Rudolph, Pittsburgh Steelers Updates
Having undergone TightRope surgery for a high ankle sprain in early December, Pickett was medically cleared to play late last week. He is now set to be the second quarterback behind Rudolph for the upcoming regular-season finale against the Baltimore Ravens.
“This week, I’m now the 2,” Pickett said. “They feel good four weeks out of the surgery for me to dress and be the 2. So I’ll be the 2 and do what I have to do to be ready to go from Baltimore.”
Pickett, who has been sidelined since aggravating his ankle injury in Week 13, acknowledged Rudolph’s strong performance in recent games, which has kept the Steelers’ playoff hopes alive. Coach Mike Tomlin announced his decision to start Rudolph against the Ravens, citing his recent effective play.
“As a competitor, you want the ball,” Pickett said. “I want the ball in the most crucial situations of the game. I want the ball in the biggest games of the season, and this is what you work for, this is what you do. But one man’s misfortune is another man’s opportunity.
“Mason played well when he got in there. I have a ton of respect for Mason. Everything he’s done and what our team has been doing. So now my job that I’m back healthy is to be the backup. If something happens, if he goes down, be ready to go and continue to support him the way I’ve been.”
NFL NEWS & RUMORS: Kenny Pickett, Mason Rudolph, Pittsburgh Steelers Updates
While Pickett has averaged 172.5 yards per game with six touchdowns and four interceptions in 12 starts this season, Rudolph’s recent performance has shown significant offensive gains for the team. Pickett expressed his competitive desire to be in crucial game situations but recognized Rudolph’s opportunity due to his misfortune.
“It was tough,” Pickett said. “Early on, there really wasn’t many conversations. It was very much a day-by-day, week-by-week thing in terms of what was happening. If Mason did not play well, I feel like I would’ve had to go in there earlier than they would’ve wanted me to, and that’s just the truth of the situation.
“He played well. They felt where I was at in my recovery. They didn’t want to push it and try for me to suit up, and I had to get thrown in there. So that’s why I didn’t suit [up].”
NFL NEWS & RUMORS: Kenny Pickett, Mason Rudolph, Pittsburgh Steelers Updates
Tomlin cited the allocation of practice reps and preparation as the reason why Pickett was not the primary backup in the Seattle game. Pickett acknowledged the need for more team reps before returning to play but noted the challenge of getting these at this late-season stage.
“It was about the distribution of reps and who was best prepared and positioned to help us win,” Tomlin said. “And so, that’s the direction that we went with.”
Pickett, a 2022 first-round pick with a contract running through 2025 and a potential fifth-year option for 2026, refrained from speculating about his future role in the team. He emphasized the importance of being ready for any situation as the team strives for a playoff spot.
