Coach Mike Tomlin Press Conference - Pittsburgh Steelers on Mason Rudolph and Kenny Pickett Week 18

Coach Mike Tomlin Press Conference - Pittsburgh Steelers on Mason Rudolph and Kenny Pickett Week 18

[@willb3018]

No matter how this plays out long term, Mason Rudolph EARNED this star.

[@christopherdennis6785]

It's Simple, Earn Your Spot. 290 yards, 2 touchdowns, no interceptions, 34 points…..Strong case for another start for Mason.

[@ralphgreenjr.2466]

Mason Rudolph has won the locker room, receivers believe in him, and he has won the starting job on the field of play. What, just what if, he is capable of playing at this level every week? We need to keep playing him and find out. What we have to lose? If he is capable, we don't have to draft a QB.

[@Davidmallen429]

Exactly. We need to see if he is able to duplicate it. That's information we need to know!

[@Gungadin0112]

Exactly.

[@cald1421]

What about Kenny?

[@Davidmallen429]

@@cald1421 Kenny can compete for his current job just like anyone else would in an employment setting. He hasn't progressed like he was expected to, and doesn't simply "deserve" the job because his current title is QB1. He needs to step-up and show that he can put more points on the board. His ability to do that so far hasn't been impressive.

[@cald1421]

@@Davidmallen429 I agree with all that but Kenny’s 10-4. Rudolph was carried by his receivers in that bengals game if you were paying attention. I like Rudolph and want competition but in my mind-it’s not much of a competition.

[@wiggybends3632]

Rather listen to a 3 hr lecture on peanut butter and jelly sandwiches from a.i. than listen to Tomlin

[@wv4776]

I get Tomlin is extremely loyal to players and I think that it has some benefit that a lot of fans ignore. But Mason gave us the best QB play we’ve seen in possibly 5 years, at least 3. He deserves this game and if he plays well he should be allowed to ride it out. If Tomlin wants to put him on a short leash because it’s Kenny’s job then that’s fine but rn it should be Rudolph QB1 until proven otherwise. But I think people need to remember that Kenny post Canada looked like an adequate QB

[@georgeburdine5660]

Yeah, here's an assessment of your statement about Tomlin and certain players. GP , Tomlin loves this guy,GP is a huge detriment to the team. Anyone stating they ain't going to get hurt is a cancer to the team, basically making it 11 guys to 10 on the field. Can't win like that. Tomlin going with Trubisky as QB 2 , well that certainly isn't a winning formula. After 17 years worth of NFL experience, you would think this guy would know how to win a game, especially with bad teams in the lineup, but no. It's come to the time of year where typically, Steelers don't control their own destiny and need help getting somewhere that there going to get beat anyway. Look at the record, it's the Tomlin 500 that rules. This guy needs to go,the sooner the better, right youngster. It should have never been fire Canada,it should have always been,fire Tomlin. And KP don't have two years experience either.

[@tomreeder2193]

KP in the Bengals game and for the brief sting in the cards game looked like the Kenny when the season ended last year. This year up until Canada was fired there was no play action pass anymore and the tight ends were relegated to blocking and it brought the offense to a grinding halt.

[@jakecivis7402]

Loyalty to players thats why Rudolph has been benched.

[@bob-bf5uj]

That's the problem with the Steelers. We have Tomlin is is adequate (just above average according to his record) and KP who at best is adequate. That will always get us 1st round loses.

[@who0icu812]

His loyalty is the problem

[@corythompson9171]

Mason reminded us of what a quality QB can do with these weapons. We don't need an all pro QB, we need a competent QB. I'm sorry but even though Canada's offense seemed terrible, the play calling was most certainly placed around Kenny's abilities or lack there of. I've never seen Kenny reach that level of play in basically two years. What more do we need to see. Should ride with Mason for the rest of this year and next while we build a nasty o line.

[@Hammer0839]

mason has one good game for the FIRST TIME. and kenny who has plenty of good games let start mason…

[@emmanuelellis4996]

​@@Hammer0839what good game? When? 😂😂😂

[@chuckrambo4401]

@@Hammer0839 you can keep your Kenny poster. It’s ok

[@corythompson9171]

@@Hammer0839 When did Kenny have THAT good of a game?

[@JustSomeGuyWithNoMaidens]

You have a short memory. Kenny played against the Bengals just as well as Mason did in his first game without Canada. And he played well against Arizona until he got hurt.

[@steelcitysteve8794]

Honestly i just liked seeing a dude with the balls to go deep. Mason spent years watching big ben so hes a gunslinger like he was. Kenny is a system guy and is PROBABLY better overall but to finish this year id like to see a gunslinger with the rock.

[@alexm2889]

Dude Kenny was hitting tons of deep throws as soon as Canada left. What are you talking about.

[@Gungadin0112]

Better overall your nuts!

[@ThePopeII]

Mason earned another start. If we are losing at half time against Seahawks then go ahead and put Pickett in for the second half. We need to win every game from here on out one way or another.

[@allseasonmaintenance908]

Mason reminds me of Big Ben taking those chances deep throwing it accurately and giving the receivers a chance 1 on 1 and seeing the field

[@73searay]

Go Rudolph Go ! 🏈 🦌

[@pisnop]

Tomlin. Just say we are going start Mason next game! That's it!

[@truspirit1925]

If he doesn't start Mason he needs fired for another bonehead decision

[@billhavrilla7479]

I sure hope mason starts!

[@Michael-dd6hl]

The numbers speak for themselve. Mason put up the best stats all year. Start him until he falls apart. He could play like that again and leave us one game for a possibility of a playoff birth. Go Steelers!!!!

[@MrRhmccabe]

....thanks Coach......Rudolph is paid a Million while Mahomes/Jackson are paid 275,000,000.....God bless the Steelers.

[@LockedOnOklahomaState]

Let’s go MASON!!!

[@jasonhawn1908]

Amen 🎉 tomlin... Rudolph earned that spot, let najee and warren try to establish the run. Then, we want to see Pickens looking like Moss again 🔥!!

[@Ken-Toledo]

Mason can start the last two games, it will give other teams a good look before they sign him in the off season.

[@insearchofveracity2304]

Tomlin is once again evincing his poor coaching skills. Why he would not give Mason a shot earlier in the season is beyond me. Absolutely thrilled Mason did such a great job last week.

[@franciscovillafanez6394]

Mason, please!

[@lincolnmaceachern2410]

If it's Kenny, Tomlin should be fired today.

[@marcderogatis8513]

He won't be in fact he is getting extension

[@matthewd84]

Tomlin should have been fired in 2015.

[@emmanuelellis4996]

😂 why haven't they cut Mitch yet for that extra roster spot

[@jamy8575]

Mitch is guaranteed millions thru '25. YEPPER. If cut at end of season..$7.5M still to pay him.

[@SummerTime341]

There’s nothing ‘hypothetical’ I asking “after what we saw out if Rudolph last week, why wouldn’t we start him this week?” How does Tomlin take that as a hypothetical question’ ? There’s no IFs i that question!

[@faisalchaudhry8150]

The reporter said if Kenny had 100% health.

[@THWELDING]

KP is a backup!!!

[@JM-fr3cd]

He can't see past his 1st read.

[@WilliamRichards-tm1jm]

Why has Mason Rudolph has been overlooked this long is mind blowing to me. This other than Matt Canada have been two of Mike Tomlin's biggest mistakes...

[@lipfishingthosebass5812]

Mason had his loose helmet used as a weapon to hit him in the back of the head against bengals a few years ago, after that seemed like the steelers just gave up on him

[@ChrisCash720]

If mitch did his job kenny wouldn't have even been a starter yet. He would still be learning. He in no way has starter on lock.

[@jamy8575]

Mitch did his job.. His job was to confuse fanbase.. Preseason '22. With two first round draftees in camp.. Mason was burried.. That was the goal. Goal was to get KP8 on field year number one. It worked.

[@pittsburghsteelersfans]

"I haven't witnessed Kenny reach that level of play in almost two years. What more evidence do we need? It might be wise to stick with Mason for the remainder of this year and the next, allowing us to focus on building a formidable offensive line."

[@juliandavis528]

There is one thing for sure coach Tomlin is a very loquacious individual.

[@landanwoodard7569]

I see the Steelers as a once beautiful home. Since Tomlin moved in the gutters are sagging, there are weeds in the driveway, shrubs are growing against the windows and the grass gets cut once a month. The mailbox is crooked and rusted. There are a couple of rusted out cars with flat tires that add to the scenery of the back yard.

[@grantorino7644]

so true!

[@gabrieltoldme5308]

As a homer, I wanted Pickett to do well, but he’s not Dan Marino, he’s bubby brister! Rudolph has been the best QB on the roster since Ben left. Tomlin should be fired for that.

[@jimfisher1616]

He's Bubby without the arm

[@emmanuelellis4996]

Yes all Steelers' fans wanted Kenny to be Joe burrow for Christmas unfortunately we got coal instead. He is like Burrow without the TD passes and the 300+ yard games.

[@jimmyReesby]

I have a good idea... Play your best QB. Just like you play your best Linebacker or safety or WRs. It's not brain surgery. Rudolph is your best QB. Kenny will be a nice backup. Trubisky shouldn't even dress.

[@frankanthony5662]

This is good, agreed

[@wiggybends3632]

Best game of year and you'll change direction?

[@brianmcgrath5977]

Pretty simple Mason good Kenny bad

[@gladius1275]

Based on his performance, Mason deserves another start, but he does not deserve to be declared the starter or the next coming based on one game. Now, if he has another dominant, impressive performance next week, then I say finish the season with him as starter. The Steelers need to see if Mason may be the man at QB. This may lead to a QB competition in training camp next year. Right now we are putting the car before the horse. He needs to show he can repeat and have consistently strong game play.

[@NoneNone-pb8vh]

Well people when the players on both sides of the ball rally around rudolph that tells everything...the dude has game turn him lose

[@susanfeldman-rm7ht]

This game reminded me of the Super Bowl against Arizona everything went our way 😊

[@belasgirl6]

Steeler fan since 8yrs old, I'm done, Over 13 years I have seen my team plummet. I can handle losing if I can hold my head up high. He has to go!

[@jameslancaster7582]

Please be done. The crying of fair weather fans is annoying. Please go like the browns.

[@belasgirl6]

@@jameslancaster7582 Confused? What is you definition of a fair weather fan?

[@johnwebb167]

So Mason won 1 game and good for him he is the best option that is available. Kenny is coming off an injury and Mitch sucks. But where were all the Mason front runners when he was getting hit in the head by Garrett? They didn't want to hear 1 word from that guy. In my opinion he's been here long enough let him play the last 2 games and see what he looks like. Can't hurt this team isn't going anywhere as long as Dumblin is the HC. My only knock on Rudolph was he holds onto the ball to long and takes to many sacks. But as far as accuracy he's always had that. Wish we still had Washington. Whatever happened to him?

[@philiprobins5488]

Former Biletnikoff winner James Washington and Mason Rudolf are both quiet talking, humble Christians. Neither fit in with Rothenberg's wild lifestyle, so he ignored both players. Never tried to help Rudolph and never threw to Washington. That's my opinion.

[@tomstroup8338]

Kenny Pickett is not the answer

[@gyice]

Give Mason the chance against Seattle and it really doesn't matter who the steelers use against Baltimore unless Baltimore rests half their team we aren't a match anymore.

[@klove5765]

Scared money don't make money, in reference to Pickett being not aggressive compared to Mason

[@st.christopher1155]

Pickett can’t carry Rudolph’s antler strap. 🏈😜

[@tomalcock620]

Pickett needs to sit and learn from Mason as he is the incumbent veteran and playing better.

[@MikeH0311]

Give the guy a chance

[@bowdown2carnagehalo247]

The perfect Story would be for KP to start, fail, then Mason to step back in and continue with the same fire. Back to back production would then solidify the belief in him. And Stephen A will then apologize. 😂

[@tonypallotto4190]

Mason could turn into tom brady for God sakes give Mason the go u guys remember Bledsoe an brady Mason could very shine

[@danielself9943]

OK State lighting it up.

[@user-mi1zv7rs2b]

If it ain’t broke don’t fix it 😤

[@o_0sama-BinVibin]

KENNY AINT IT !!

[@MorningDew85]

I’m not a huge mason guy especially after the Big Ben comments, but come on!!! Kenny is pure, unadulterated cheeks

[@johncox1570]

We would have probably 3 more wins with Mason at the helm !

[@brendanbugala8774]

LETS GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO STEELERS AND BEAT THEM SEAHAWKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@susanfeldman-rm7ht]

Rudolph Rudolph Rudolph go with the winner Please 😊 that Game showed this is Mike Tomlins Team ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤💛🖤💛🖤💛🖤💛🖤💛🖤💛🖤🖤🖤💛💛💛

[@FlyyHigh834]

why would Kenny NEED to come back right now tho theres only 2 games left... whats the point let him chill and recover

[@cald1421]

Rudolph, won’t you lead our sleigh tonight?

[@ryanbeatty3022]

Idk why everyone is so high on “Kenny” hes terrible, he was a 5-6 rd projection before he decided to stay & play a soft schedule with a great defense to win the acc, hes a #3 at best, maybe a backup in a few years

[@jaysinleigh]

MASON. How is this even a real question anyone is asking??

[@FireballStylist]

Pickett sucks BIG TIME!!!!😂 Mason Rudolph should have been the next in line to be the starter QB when Big Ben retired. Rudolph knows more about the team, and he played and set behind Big Ben. The dude won some games when Big Ben was out on injuries. Keep Pickett BENCHED!!!!!! 😜

[@Michael-hq1iq]

yea why not go with a guy who doubled the production of a guy with a bad wheel !

[@chuckrambo4401]

And arm

[@toddmiller7876]

Kenny is a grown man. I expect he will handle this as a grown man. Same goes for Mason, and Mitch.

[@emmanuelellis4996]

He can handle it on the bench like all of the other backups in this league

[@mx3x3m]

come back to this comment section in two weeks 😂😂 i’ll be waiting

[@brianlawrence8314]

If he starts Pickett over Rudolph, after last week, then he should be marched outta town. The best qb performance since #7.

[@timj3630]

This guy needs to go

[@libidinousbear4563]

When you say we’ll see how Kenny is at a mobility perspective you do mean the only way he’s playing is if he’s running like Usain Bolt right? There’s no reason at all that little twerp should be on the field. First Canada, then Trubisky, now this? Is Tomlin trying to show us all he’s not capable of coaching anymore because that’s what it fucking seems like.

[@lawrencepennington7396]

WELL WHO THE FUTURE!!!PICKET IS!!!DON'T RETURN TO OLD HABITS CHOICE IS PICKET PERIOD

[@lipfishingthosebass5812]

Start Rudolph rest of the season and Kenny is backup.. Mitch practice team and send him somewhere else offseason

[@carlosmarmolejo4295]

Win o loose out Tomlin now year and more years no Súper bowls out tomlin

[@karenwilliams1442]

Mason

[@stevefadrosh6506]

Hypotheticals, schematics, blah blah blah.

[@utah2nyc250]

Steelers fake fans but tomlin have zero losing seasons record. 😂 I swear this dude it’s the most overrated coach of all’s history

[@willb3018]

Without regard to how over rated Tomlin may or may not be, one thing I know for sure is..."non losing seasons" is not the standard. There is something called wild cards, division winners, conference champions and...oh yeah...Super Bowls. Of course you don't win all that every year but we are in a kind of a drought. It is no coincidence that Tomlin's only Super Bowl was in his very early years. Cower built that team and Tomlin retained many of Cowers coaches. That was really Cower's second SB win as far as I am concerned. I do think Tomlin is probably a good coach but certainly not great.

[@GTO4001]

Don't be surprised by Friday Pickett starts Sunday

[@johnk5193]

Tomlin, typical democrat, can’t answer the question. He’s gotta go!

[@arielgarcia8736]

Bruh Kenny stays on the bench please

[@droid0311]

"Information that we have" umm.... the information you have is that Mason deserves to play. Kenny has struggled, badly, doesn't see wide open receivers, or the the field very well. Players.giving up on plays vecause they are tored.of his performance. The team looked excited to play last week with Mason under center. This guy is an idiot

[@jeffbecraft7174]

I'm so sick of Tomlin. 17yrs of this sh-----it. Please walk away

[@belasgirl6]

Go away

[@denisjeux1020]

Don't play kenny

[@charliesmith4932]

Tomlin is a joke of a coach

[@intheburgh4293]

Tomlin needs to go bye bye and take that punk Kenny with him

[@belasgirl6]

Can he disappear?

[@emmanuelellis4996]

😂😂😂😂i got a feeling no matter how good Kenny looks this week it will be Mason starting and if Mason has a good game vs Seattle then I'm afraid Kenny's injury will be season ending

[@ironcity4182]

Reindeer

[@70bluesville]

Ride the anointed player, Kenny repent you are doing something very wrong in your life. It always shows up as some kind of fruit, yours has been bad. God bless you Mason.

[@emmanuelellis4996]

😂 we must operate in our gifts! Kenny's gift is not throwing TD passes!

[@silntstl]

How about before we anoint MR as the savior QB we actually see how he handles a much tougher defense? Crazy concept I know but so many conveniently forget that KP helped put up over 400 yards against that same defense. MR has yrs of experience over KP as well, to include sitting behind BR and learning. Yet another convenience yinzers seem to forget. So many and don't lie to yourself thought MR was never going to be anything other than a clipboard holder and yet now he's the savior of this team. It would be funny if it wasn't so pathetic.

[@jimfisher1616]

How many points did KP put up?

[@silntstl]

@@jimfisher1616 Who won the game?

[@emmanuelellis4996]

The future of Pittsburgh is not on the roster. Mason did ball out. He had a decent game Not great but decent. Many fans think that it's great because we haven't seen a 2 passing TD game in a long time. Also we haven't scored 30+ since Big Ben. Let me be frank. Mason may make a decent backup! Mitch should not play in the NFL. Kenny Might be able to be a backup some day if he improves.

[@silntstl]

@@emmanuelellis4996 I hope you're right and MR becomes a decent back up. He's already ahead of MT but that's not saying much. Both he and MT should be ahead of KP if for no other reason than experience. Yet neither could beat him out of the starter position this summer. Hopefully MR "balls out" as you say the rest of the season and gets the attention of other teams. I'm pulling for him to get the hell out of this organization that has shown him nothing but disrespect and I'll gladly root for him if/when he plays the Steelers. As far as you stating that KP is nothing more than a backup, well that's your opinion. I myself will wait and see through next year when hopefully a actual OC can work with him and a revamped OL that can actually protect the QB.

[@darobode6265]

Kenny sucks

[@jakecivis7402]

Mason should announce retirement effective immediately.

[@JustSomeGuyWithNoMaidens]

If Kenny's 100% healthy, go with him. If not, start Rudolph. Simple as that

[@Gungadin0112]

Just some guy with no brain.

[@stanrock8015]

Everyone positive on mason will likely be the first to turn on him first bad game.

[@cmorales5]

If K is ready to play he should play and I think that Tomlin will do that. I think that’s the correct decision. K is BETTER than Mason, that’s why he is QB1 and Mason is QB3.