NFL

Steelers bench Mitch Trubisky for Mason Rudolph with playoffs hanging in the balance

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Published Dec. 18, 2023, 2:54 p.m. ET

The Mason Rudolph era will continue in Pittsburgh — for now, at least.

Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin announced Monday that Rudolph will get the start in Week 16 against the Bengals, two days after he relieved a struggling Mitch Trubisky in Pittsburgh’s 30-13 loss to the Indianapolis Colts.

Rudolph, a third-round pick in 2018, completed 2 of 3 attempts for three yards on Saturday when he replaced Trubisky in the fourth quarter.

Trubisky, 29, had been playing in place of injured starting quarterback Kenny Pickett, who underwent surgery for a high-ankle sprain earlier this month.

Of Pickett, Tomlin said: “His availability is not out of question this week.”

“But at the front part of the week, our intention and emphasis will be on Mason Rudolph and we’ll leave the door ajar and see how Kenny responds to the work that he did today,” Tomlin said, according to Pro Football Talk.

Trubisky and the Steelers got off to a 13-0 start on Saturday before allowing 30 straight points.

Mason Rudolph has been announced as the Steelers' starting quarterback for Week 16.
Mason Rudolph has been announced as the Steelers’ starting quarterback for Week 16. Getty Images
Mason Rudolph saw action in the Steelers' 30-13 loss to the Colts on Dec. 16, 2023.
Mason Rudolph saw action in the Steelers’ 30-13 loss to the Colts on Dec. 16, 2023. Getty Images

Tthe former first-round pick completed 16 of 23 passes for 169 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions.

It marked Trubisky’s second straight loss as the starter and dropped the Steelers to 7-7 — putting them in the 10th slot in an already crowded AFC playoff race.

Tomlin did not commit to Trubisky as the starter following Saturday’s clash.

“I don’t have answers as I sit here right now,” Tomlin said when asked about Trubisky’s Week 16 status.

Mitch Trubisky was relieved by Mason Rudolph during the Colts-Steelers game in Week 15.
Mitch Trubisky was relieved by Mason Rudolph during the Colts-Steelers game in Week 15. Getty Images
Mitch Trubisky attempts a pass against the Colts on Dec. 16, 2023.
Mitch Trubisky attempts a pass against the Colts on Dec. 16, 2023. Getty Images

“I know that we better do some things differently. We better approach some things differently. We’re not going to roll that ball out there like that next week.”

It’s been a tumultuous season for the Steelers, who fired embattled offensive coordinator Matt Canada in November.

When the Steelers play host Saturday to the Bengals — an AFC North rival very much in the postseason hunt at 8-6 — they’ll be without safety Damontae Kazee, who was suspended for the remainder of the season Monday after a hit on Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman over the weekend.

Kazee was ejected on the play and Pittman was ruled out with a concussion.