Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Diontae Johnson. (Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports)
Steelers wide receiver Diontae Johnson wants to see Mason Rudolph get a chance to start over Mitch Trubisky if Kenny Pickett can’t go.
It’s not clear who will quarterback the Steelers this weekend against the Panthers with Kenny Pickett in concussion protocol but we do know who receiver Diontae Johnson would prefer.
Hint: It’s not Mitch Trubisky.
“Yeah, I want to see [Mason Rudolph] play,” Johnson answered a question about Rudolph getting a shot via ESPN’s Brooke Pryor. “I know he’s ready to play. I know it’s probably in the back of his mind like, ‘Dang, when I’m going get my chance?’ I feel like this week is it for him. I know he’s going to do everything it takes to be prepared this week, get ready for Sunday.”
Steelers: Diontae Johnson wants Mason Rudolph over Mitch Trubisky
Given the past drama between Johnson and Trubisky — they had a confrontation in the locker room at halftime during the Week 4 game against the Jets earlier this year — it shouldn’t be much of a surprise that he’s not the now backup’s biggest fan.
It probably doesn’t help that Trubisky couldn’t lead the team to victory over the Ravens when he took over for Pickett on Sunday. The Steelers lost 16-14 while the quarterback threw three interceptions.
In four starts to begin the season, Trubisky was 1-3 with two passing touchdowns in four games. Pickett also had his struggles in his early starts but he came back from the bye week looking much improved and was slowly but surely proving himself capable of leading the team as a rookie.
It makes sense to invest in Pickett’s development, living with the growing pains as they come. Trubisky’s struggles can’t be passed off as rookie mistakes. If Pittsburgh is going to get three interceptions from a veteran, they might as well give Rudolph a chance.
Signs may be pointing to that possibility, but fans will have to find out on Sunday whether Mike Tomlin is willing to bypass Trubisky for Rudolph this time.
