Rudolph’s NYE Expectations, and Kenny’s Resolutions
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph (2) throws in the third quarter during a Week 16 NFL football game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Pittsburgh Steelersl, Saturday, Dec. 23, 2023, at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pa.
New Year’s Eve is the worst holiday of the year. While the beginning of a new year is a clean slate and can provide a moment of reflection, the celebration of the night itself has historically been a letdown. From crowded bars with exorbitant cover charges to unfulfilled anticipation, the holiday is often just another night, but with a great deal of fanfare.
It’s the expectation that a party or dinner will somehow be cathartic simply because of the date on the calendar that throws people. Mason Rudolph and Pittsburgh Steelers fans are staring down a fateful New Year’s Eve of their own as Pittsburgh travels to Seattle for Sunday’s game. Tomlin announced that Rudolph would be the starter, even if he didn’t say it as plainly as that. Fans and the media rejoiced. Nevertheless, it will likely be just be another game, despite the high hopes with Rudolph under center.
This is no condemnation of Rudolph as a player. I was fully invested in his success and the spark he provided the offense against the Cincinnati Bengals. I found myself raising my hopes for the season unreasonably high, checking and re-checking the slate of games and who the Steelers needed to lose to remain in playoff contention.
To look at it objectively, there is something to be excited about, but let’s temper those expectations. It’s not as though Rudolph is likely to become the franchise quarterback; there’s a reason he’s coming off the bench. If we’re entering into a new year with an 2024 mindset, let’s not overlook the opportunity for Kenny Pickett to learn a few tricks from a quarterback to who plays a similar style of football.
The offense looked stellar against Cincinnati, from deep balls and the run game to yards after catch, the yardage and point total were a shock to the system for many yinzers. At face value, though, it wasn’t far off from what we were seeing from Pickett before his injury.
While fans of the Black and Gold yelled “Run, run, Rudolph!” followed by “Don’t get hurt, Rudolph!” as the third-string QB secured a first down with his legs, it was a stark contrast to the slide from Mitch Trubisky against the Patriots. But it was reminiscent of the play that got Pickett knocked out of the game against the Arizona Cardinals.
The successful deep passes Rudolph threw — and the unsuccessful ones — were mirrors of the long shots Pickett has slung this season. That’s not to say Rudolph didn’t play better than Pickett has, but it was really a slightly elevated version of the brand of football they play with their second-year starter.
This is the first time Pickett has sat behind a quarterback who plays a similar style of football, albeit on a slightly higher level. Rudolph throws a more accurate deep ball, and he seems to be able to process defenses more efficiently. The latter surely comes with development, and Pickett should be able to learn from Rudolph’s play. He can watch the offense be run in the style that he runs in, and absorb and analyze without being under center.
The other area Pickett can grow from watching Rudolph: pocket presence.
Throughout the season, Pickett has simply not seen or thrown to wide-open receivers. Many times that was because Pickett was “under duress.” I put that in quotations because often Pickett had more time than he felt he did, causing him to scramble and take his eyes away from his receivers.
Rudolph used to have a similar issue. He would get happy feet whenever he felt threatened, even when he played behind a top-five offensive line. He showed nothing of the sort against the Bengals’ pass rush. He stood tall in the pocket, waiting until the last moment when he had to. Yes, he threw the ball away a few times, but he was only sacked once by a formidable pass rush.
If Rudolph can improve in this area while standing on the sideline, so can Pickett. Without making a deal out of the sideline shots of Pickett’s facial expressions, I’m sure he will be frustrated about not playing in Seattle. It will eat at him, especially if he is 100%. That shouldn’t interfere with his ability to grow from watching the same brand of football being played.
Sure, Sunday could be another majestic performance from Mason Rudolph, and he will have all but saved the season. If so, I’ll be as excited as anyone. The reality is, the results will not live up to the hype– like any New Year’s party. Either way, Kenny Pickett can watch and learn, and make write down some resolutions, like standing strong in the pocket.
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