Steelers should start Mason Rudolph regardless of Kenny Pickett's status in Week 17

Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin did not commit to a starting quarterback for the team's Week 17 game at the Seattle Seahawks, but he did indicate that Mason Rudolph would enter the week getting first-team reps while they wait to see how Kenny Pickett's ankle injury progresses. 

Regardless of Pickett's status, the most logical choice for the Steelers would be to give Rudolph another opportunity on Sunday.

Rudolph was given the start in Week 16 due to the combination of Pickett's injury and backup Mitch Trubisky continuing to struggle. Rudolph not only got the start and led the Steelers to a 34-11 win over the Cincinnati Bengals, but he also displayed some of the best quarterback play Pittsburgh has seen in at least three or four years. 

That performance should be enough to convince Tomlin and his staff to give Rudolph another chance. 

Even though Pickett was a first-round selection a year ago, their starting QB and potentially their long-term answer at the position, the Steelers can not be concerned about his development right now. They are in a must-win situation and fighting for a playoff spot. All they need to be focused on are wins by any means necessary and by whatever player can help produce them. 

Rudolph led the Steelers to their highest point total of the season and seemed to develop an immediate connection with impact wide receiver George Pickens. 

If anything, Pickett not being 100 percent could give Tomlin and the Steelers all the cover they need to start Rudolph again. If Rudolph flops in Seattle, it would be no issue to go back to Pickett for Week 18 in Baltimore. If Rudolph repeats his performance, however, now you have a situation where you might have a hot hand that you could ride to a playoff spot. 

Even though Rudolph entered the season as the team's third-string quarterback, he has posted better career numbers than both Pickett and Trubisky. Including Saturday's win, he has an 83.6 career passer rating with 18 touchdowns to 11 interceptions in 19 career appearances and 11 career starts. 

Just for comparison's sake, Pickett has managed only a 78.8 passer rating and thrown just 13 touchdowns in 25 appearances and 24 starts. Trubisky has a 77.6 passer rating and has thrown more interceptions (10) than touchdowns (eight) in his 12 appearances with the Steelers. 

It has been a wild ride for Rudolph during his time with the Steelers. It continues with the possibility that he is their best option for a crucial game with heavy playoff implications.