Steelers Bench QB Mitchell Trubisky, Will Start Mason Rudolph vs. Bengals

Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin is making a quarterback change.

Steelers coach Mike Tomlin announced Monday that Mason Rudolph will be the team’s starting quarterback against the Bengals on Saturday instead of Mitchell Trubisky. 

The team’s starting quarterback, Kenny Pickett, has been out of action since undergoing surgery on a high ankle sprain he suffered in a Week 13 loss to the Cardinals. Since then, Trubisky has been the starter under center, but Pittsburgh’s offense has ranked among the worst in the NFL in that span. 

Pittsburgh (7–7) has gone 0–3 and scored just 41 points since Trubisky took the reins. In his five appearances on the year, Trubisky has thrown for 632 yards and four touchdowns to five interceptions while completing 62.6% of his passes.

Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph passes the ball during a preseason game against the Falcons on Aug. 24, 2023.  :: Dale Zanine/USA TODAY Sports

Rudolph made his season debut at the end of the Steelers’ 30–13 loss to the Colts on Saturday and completed two of his three passes for three yards in limited time on the field. The 28-year-old Oklahoma State alum will make his 11th career start on Saturday when the Steelers play host to the Bengals (8–6). 

Kickoff is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. ET on NBC.