In a stunning turn of events, Mason Rudolph has emerged as the starting quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers, outshining Mitch Trubisky, while Kenny Pickett continues to recover from his injury. Rudolph's stellar performance led the Steelers to their most impressive offensive display of the season, scoring 24 points in the first half en route to a resounding 34-11 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals. However, Head Coach Mike Tomlin's recent comments during a press conference have raised questions about the team's quarterback dilemma and the future of the position in Pittsburgh.

During his Tuesday press conference, Coach Tomlin stated that Rudolph is set to start again, but emphasized that the Steelers will closely evaluate Pickett's health. Pickett has been sidelined with a high ankle sprain injury, which occurred 25 days ago, and underwent surgery 24 days ago to expedite his recovery. Remarkably, Pickett experienced a similar injury during his college career and returned to play just 28 days later. This suggests that Pickett may be available for the Steelers' upcoming Week 17 road game against the Seattle Seahawks.

However, with Rudolph's impressive performance fresh on everyone's minds, the team faces a tough decision. Should they continue to ride the hot hand of Rudolph, who excelled against a familiar opponent at home, or adhere to the unwritten rule that a starter should not lose their position due to injury? Adding complexity to the situation, Coach Tomlin may have the opportunity to attribute Pickett's absence to injury, saving face and allowing Rudolph to start once more.

Former NFL head coach Chuck Pagano, in a recent appearance on ESPN's Pat McAfee Show, shared his insights on the matter. Pagano expressed admiration for Rudolph's one-game success, remarking, "It's one game, I mean [we're] ready to put him in the Hall. Let him go out there and start in that damn chaotic atmosphere in Seattle." However, Pagano also emphasized the principle that a player should not lose their starting position due to injury, highlighting Pickett's frustration and asserting, "If he's healthy, you can't lose your job because of injury."

Coach Tomlin has historically adhered to this principle, but the current circumstances offer a possibility to use Pickett's injury as a temporary justification for sticking with Rudolph for the upcoming game. Nevertheless, if Rudolph performs admirably once again, it will ignite a significant controversy that could shape the future of the Steelers' quarterback position.

With a trip to the hostile environment of Seattle and an unfamiliar opponent awaiting them, Rudolph's ability to replicate his success remains uncertain. The Steelers must carefully weigh their options and consider the long-term implications as they navigate this challenging quarterback dilemma.