In a press conference held on Tuesday, Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin confirmed that Mason Rudolph will take the starting role as quarterback for the team's upcoming game against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday. This decision comes as no surprise, as Rudolph had been receiving the majority of first-team reps during practice, while Kenny Pickett remained limited due to an ankle injury.

Although Pickett expressed feeling healthy enough to play, Tomlin chose to give him an additional week of rest and observation, using his ankle injury as justification. Pickett underwent surgery on December 4, and Tomlin believes that another week of watching Rudolph in action will be beneficial for Pickett's development.

Rudolph showcased his abilities in a convincing Week 16 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals, where he passed for 290 yards, two touchdowns, and no interceptions. The Steelers emerged victorious with a final score of 34-11. If Rudolph performs well again and the Steelers secure another win against the Seahawks, it will be difficult to justify benching him for their Week 18 finale against the Baltimore Ravens.

The Steelers are set to release their final injury report later today, which will include Pickett's official status. It is highly likely that Pickett will be ruled out, with Mitch Trubisky serving as the backup quarterback. Given Pickett's recovery progress, it seems increasingly likely that the decision to stick with Rudolph for the remainder of the season would result in Pickett being benched.

This decision would undoubtedly provoke ongoing discussions both within the team internally and among fans and analysts externally. The offseason would be fraught with speculation and debates about whether Rudolph is the long-term answer for the Steelers or if Pickett has the potential to reclaim his starting position.

As the Steelers go into their game against the Seahawks with the expectation that Rudolph will lead their offense, all eyes will be on the young quarterback as he seeks to solidify his position and help the team secure another crucial victory.