Saturday’s 34-11 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals in the Steelers final home game of the 2023 NFL season was nothing short of a Christmas miracle. As if the situation could be more magical, the Steelers were led to victory by QB Mason Rudolph, who had been the habitually inactive emergency QB3 all season until Kenny Pickett’s ankle injury. Mason Rudolph finally got another chance to show what he could do, and he made the most of the opportunity.

Rudolph began the game with a singular mindset; keep it simple, stupid. Make the proper pre-snap reads, get the ball out of his hands quickly and on time, with accuracy. Sounds simple enough, but it has been anything but for the Steelers quarterbacks this season.

The Steelers have only produced one 400+ yard offensive performance this season, which just so happened to be against the Cincinnati Bengals defense. It was also easily the best game of Kenny Pickett’s season. Plus the first game after firing OC Matt Canada. Safe to say that the Steelers offense matches up well against the Bengals defense.

After Kenny Pickett’s ill-timed injury, I immediately suggested that the Steelers should start Mason Rudolph over Mitch Trubisky. I listed multiple reasons why that Rudolph was the better option, especially his underrated ability to throw a catchable deep ball to George Pickens, who is undoubtedly the Steelers most explosive weapon. Saturday’s monster performance from the Rudolph to Pickens connection confirmed my suspicions. Maybe the Steelers wouldn’t be outside the playoff bubble looking in if Tomlin and company had a similar foresight. Player usage has been a huge issue for the Steelers coaching staff this season.

Now Tomlin has another huge decision to make this week. Does he give Rudolph the start this week against the Seattle Seahawks on the road in another must win contest? Or does he give Kenny Pickett the start, although it remains highly unlikely that Pickett is anywhere close to being 100% after ankle surgery?

It sure does feel like Rudolph has earned another starting opportunity, after producing the Steelers best QB performance since Big Ben’s retirement. However, Kenny Pickett was the Steelers first round pick last season, and the Steelers are still trying to figure out if he can be their next franchise guy with a competent OC.

Regardless of what decision Tomlin makes, you can rest assured it will not only impact the rest of this season,  but send shockwaves through what promises to be a tumultuous offseason for the Steelers.

Steelers Stock Trending Up: Jaylen Warren 

Although few fans apparently noticed, Warren went into the Steelers record books Saturday against the Bengals. He became only the second undrafted free agent to ever produce a 1000 yard season for the Steelers, joining living legend Fast Willie Parker, who happened to do so on three occasions. Now Warren’s 1000 yards are obviously combined total yards, meaning both rushing and receiving totals, but still an impressive accomplishment nonetheless. Warren continues to impress and produce whenever called upon, and he has been the Steelers most consistent offensive weapon this season. Warren’s physicality and relentless nature has endeared him to the Steelers faithful. Warren’s de-cleater block of Bengals ILB Germaine Pratt has to be in the running for best block of the year.

Steelers Stock Trending Up: Alex Highsmith

Highsmith has came up big in multiple Steelers victories this season. Through hard work and dedication, Highsmith has become one of the most well rounded edge players in the NFL. Highsmith sets a great edge against the running game, possesses a vast arsenal of pass rush moves, and continues to show impressive instincts in pass coverage. His diving interception on Saturday looked like a talented TE going across the middle. I believe that T.J. Watt is the best defender currently walking the planet, but Highsmith does an excellent job of being a complimentary piece to Watt’s dominance. The Steelers desperately needed their superstar edge guys to step up against the Bengals, considering their defense has been ravaged by injuries, and Highsmith stood out once again when needed most.

Steelers Stock Trending Even: George Pickens 

I already know what some of you are going to say. Is this guy crazy? Pickens just had the most dominant performance by a Steelers wide receiver since Antonio Brown was catching passes from Ben Roethlisberger. However, nothing Pickens did against the Bengals shocked me in the slightest.

I already knew that Pickens was immensely talented and gifted athletically. So it should have surprised absolutely no one when he caught a simple slat pass from Rudolph, split a couple of defenders, and raced untouched 86 yards to the endzone. Or when he caught multiple other deep passes from Rudolph, a player renowned for throwing a catchable ball.

I also already knew that Pickens is a great front-runner, who shines brightest in the spotlight. Soaking up the adoration of the Steelers fans has never been an issue for the enigmatic young man. However, showcasing the maturity to handle adversity like an adult has been missing in action.

As much as I hate to admit it, this breakout performance does nothing to rectify that situation. If anything, it could make matters worse. At one point of the game, Pickens was on the sidelines yucking it up for the cameras. He sheepishly mimicked a talking sign with his hand, then blew on his finger, like he was trying to silence his critics. This doesn’t bode well that Pickens learned a valuable lesson during what can only be considered a controversial week, especially when he insinuated that the individuals critiquing him were not his peers.

Problem is, he is wrong. There have been plenty of former players and opponents who have condemned his actions and lack of effort. This is a potentially dangerous situation for Mike Tomlin and the Steelers. Who can forget when Antonio Brown’s train came off the tracks? How the Steelers handle this Pickens situation moving forward will definitely shape their immediate future. Give me a hardworking team player with limited athleticism, like Puka Nacua, over an immensely talented individual with a questionable work ethic everyday of the week, and twice on Sunday.

BTW I want to wish all our SCN family and friends a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.