The 2023 regular season is moving into January and the final week of games. With the Steelers bouncing back with back-to-back wins over two teams that were sitting in a playoff position at the time, the Steelers are still alive. Playing the first game of the week on Saturday afternoon, head coach Mike Tomlin took to the podium on Monday to address the media. With plenty of questions asked by those in attendance, it is once again time for a players mentioned article. Remember these are players where a specific question was asked during the Q&A period.

Kenny Pickett & Mason Rudolph

In the first of many questions about the Steelers top two quarterbacks, Mike Tomlin was asked about the status of Kenny Pickett and if he anticipated on him being available to practice this week as well as what the plan was for quarterback.

“Yeah, I think Kenny’s (Pickett) availability is less in question this week. I anticipate him being available to practice. That being said, we’re going to leave the ball in Mason Rudolph’s hands. He’s done a good job and we’ve done a good job in the most recent two weeks. We’ve taken care of the ball; he’s taken care of the ball. We’ve scored points at a rate in which we hadn’t done to this point this year. And with the urgency of the moment, and because of those reasons, we’re going to leave the ball in his hands. But I say all those things with the understanding that I know Kenny (Pickett) is very capable, and particularly as it pertains to this matchup, Kenny (Pickett) has led us to victory late in the game the last two times we played Baltimore. And so, we feel like we got two capable guys. We’ll proceed into the week the same way that we did last week. But just knowing that his availability is less in question.”

In a follow-up question, Coach Tomlin was asked if Pickett was cleared to play by the medical folks for this past game.

“Yes.”

For the next question, Coach Tomlin was asked if it was his call to make Pickett inactive.

“Yeah, that clarity didn’t come until later in the week, and it was about the distribution of reps and who was best prepared and positioned to help us win. And so, that’s the direction that we went with.”

Coach Tomlin was then asked why not have Pickett as the emergency guy in uniform.

“Because again, the likelihood of that coupled with the risk in terms of what I didn’t see from him, it would’ve been speculating. And I just, you know, not into speculating.”

The next question was asked if Coach Tomlin was anticipating for Pickett to not be inactive this coming week.

“Again,you know, I don’t have a crystal ball, but I anticipate his availability being less of an issue this week. We’ll see where the week leads us.”

Turning back to Rudolph, Coach Tomlin was then asked what he has done to lead the offensive production that we’ve all seen the last two games.

“You know, he’s done a nice job. Like I mentioned when we inserted him, he’s got a great deal of confidence in himself, and it is real. I think it’s contagious. He’s aggressive, in style of play. And I think that’s helpful, particularly when you’re up against it. The calculated risk-taking associated with the pursuit of victory is important. And he’s displayed those things, but it’s more than obviously, what he has done. It’s what we have done or that collective has done. We’ve run the ball extremely well over the last two weeks. We’ve been in manageable possession down circumstances. We’ve run the ball well in the red area, particularly yesterday. Three rushing touchdowns, two and through the red area. You know, you’re not absorbing a lot of risk when you’re performing and performing in that way. And so, it’s just been a good trend for us. Our desire is to keep that trend rolling. We’re going into a hostile environment versus a really good opponent. One that’s extremely hot, obviously. And so, we better utilize all the mojo at our disposal in an effort to secure victory.”

In a follow-up question, Coach Tomlin was asked if Mason Rudolph is the best quarterback on the roster right now.

“You know, I hadn’t analyzed it in that way. I’m just looking at where we are and what we need to do this week. That’s probably more of an end of the year type analysis, man and we’re on a short week and we’re trying to put together a formula to win this game.”

Coach Tomlin was then asked if the Steelers make the playoffs does Mason Rudolph keep the ball.

“It depends on what happens this week to be quite honest with you, man. We’re more of a day-by-day, week-by-week outfit at this point. Hypotheticals and speculations is fruitless for us. We got so many tangible challenges and so much tangible work to do, we’re just not wasting a lot of time speculating and things of that nature.”

Coach Tomlin was then asked how much he factors the decision of the starting quarterback this week and effect of confidence in Kenny Pickett both by him and the team.

“I think you factor in all variables when you make decisions. That’s just a component of decision-making.”

In a later question, Coach Tomlin was asked how Pickett is handling the situation where he feels he’s healthy enough to play but isn’t in the game.

“Man, he is a competitor. He wants the football, he wants to play but at the same time, he’s a team player. And so, you know, our agenda is winning football games right now. And so, I’d imagine that’s everyone’s mindset.”

In a later question, Coach Tomlin was asked how Kenny Pickett reacted to learning of his role this week.

“I’m not getting into all of that. I’ll let him speak for himself. You guys can ask him when he has availability later in the week.”

Coach Tomlin was asked if Mason Rudolph being through so much over his six years with the Steelers and getting an unexpected opportunity recently if it resonates throughout the locker room.

“I think that happens all the time in the National Football League. Attrition is very much a component of our game. You know, this is not a patient man’s business, but I always ask people to work while they wait for opportunity, and he is just an example of that. A guy that is prepared when opportunity presents itself and is stepping through an open door. But that happens every week on every team, particularly at this portion of the season, when the attrition component is what it is. You know, we’re talking about Eric Rowe and Myles Jack on the other side. I just think that that’s a component of team. That’s a component of the journey that is a season and that’s why you’re always working to develop any and everyone,because you never know when you got to call upon them.”

Coach Tomlin was asked with the success of Mason Rudolph when he was given the opportunity if the coaching staff considers how they missed on his ability and not having him on the field sooner.

“There’s a fine line between being a backup and a pro bowler in the National Football League. They’re all professionals. They’re all really good at what they do. And so, what might seem like a large space from the outside looking in, all professional running backs could run through this room and not get tackled by anyone. And so, it’s that perspective of it. They’re all professionals. They’re all capable. I don’t know that any of us are shocked when any of those professionals perform really well particularly when prepared.”

Coach Tomlin was asked about Rudolph’s demeanor and how it has changed from a young guy in 2019 getting thrown into the starting role to someone who didn’t even know if he would be with the Steelers this season.

“His demeanor has always been pretty steady in the same, man. He’s got a great deal of confidence in himself. He’s good with people. He’s smart, he’s engaging, he communicates well.”

Coach Tomlin was asked if since Kenny Pickett will be available if they would be more willing to make a switch in-game.

“Again, speculation.”

Pat Feiermuth

Coach Tomlin was asked if he has seen improved blocking from Pat Freiermuth the last couple of weeks.

“You know, I don’t know that I would identify it as that. I think that’s a component of his game that he identified coming into the season that he desired to be better at and has worked in that regard. It might be reflected more in the last few weeks, but I think a lot of things in a positive way can be reflected in the last few weeks based on the result of our play.”

Myles Jack

Coach Tomlin was asked if having Myles Jack gives them a boost as far as communication when it comes to preparing for the different things the Ravens like to do since Jack was part of the system last year.

“Yeah, his history with us has been an asset from a communication perspective, no doubt, but that was one of the reasons why we were really interested in acquiring him.”

George Pickens

Coach Tomlin was asked about how Mason Rudolph and George Pickens have created chemistry so fast based on their success the last couple of weeks.

“We run the ball extremely well. When you run the ball well, you get single high, you get one-on-one matchups, and usually those one-on-one matchups breed opportunity. And so, the source of that production is probably the effectiveness of the run game to be quite honest with you.”

Eric Rowe

Coach Tomlin was asked what has allowed Eric Rowe to dial in in a relatively short time.

“He’s a veteran guy. He’s been in some systems. He’s been around. He’s been in multiple teams and multiple schematic circumstances and he’s a sharp guy. And so, usually under those circumstances, it’s not learning what to do, it’s just learning what to call it, or the translation of what he already knows. And so, I’d imagine his learning process is probably quicker than most.”

Joey Porter Jr.

Coach Tomlin was asked what he has seen out of Joey Porter Jr. specifically when he was targeted twice in key points late in the game and both led to incompletions.

“Yeah, he doesn’t run from the fight, he runs to the fight. It’s legitimate. He always wants to be in the big matchup and in the big moment. Respect that about his approach. Mindset has a lot to do with success. And so, he’s trending and developing and growing in all the right ways. And getting challenged in big moments. And standing up against those challenges is just a component of his growth and maturation process and displaying the type of player that he needs to be and wants to be and is becoming.”

Mike Tomlin’s complete press conference can be seen here:

Coach Tomlin speaks to the media ahead of our Week 18 game against the Ravens. @PNCBank

📺: #PITvsBAL 1/6 at 4:30 PM ET on ESPN/ABC https://t.co/6cLF70RQP5

— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) January 1, 2024