PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – For those thinking it might be time for Mason Rudolph or at least he would get a shot to compete to start against the Colts on Saturday, Mike Tomlin shot that down pretty quickly on Monday.
"He just hasn't had a lot of exposure in terms of in-helmet prep," Tomlin explained during his weekly news conference.
Asked if he would get a chance to compete for the starting quarterback job this week?
"I don't know what you mean a fair evaluation or shot, I don't know we evaluate practice performance in that way this time of year," Tomlin said. "He'll get an opportunity to get some work and we'll evaluate that work and evaluate his readiness, but we are not opening up competition and things of that nature. It's not an environment for that as we work."
The 28-year-old Rudolph hasn't started a game since November 14, 2021, going 30 of 50 for 242 yards with a touchdown and an interception. He neither won, nor lost that game against Detroit. His last appearance in a game was December 26th two years ago going 5 of 8 for 35 yards at Kansas City.
Mitch Trubisky is coming off his first start of the season, finishing 22-35 for 190 yards with a touchdown and interception and ran for 30 yards and a score. The Steelers head coach believes having that game behind him, will mean a better performance this week.
"I thought Mitch picked up his play as the game wore on," Tomlin said about last Thursday against the Patriots. "I thought that that is a reasonable expectation for him to be even better because that experience. And because of the experience of having a full week's prep this week in preparation for the performance, in-helmet reps, full-speed reps, excited about that component of it."
Because he's the back-up, Rudolph will get some work with the first team, but not in a starter's role or competing to be a starter's role.
Comparing the career numbers:
Mitch Trubisky
· 68 games (56 starts), 31-25 record, 64% completion, 12,367 yards, 71 TD, 46 interceptions, 85.7 QB rating, 1,172 rushing yards, 12 touchdowns
Mason Rudolph
· 17 games (10 starts), 5-4-1 record, 61.5% completion, 2,366 yards, 16 TD, 11 interceptions, 80.9 QB rating, 89 rushing yards, no touchdowns
