BB.MASON RUDOLPH POINTS STRAIGHT AT DK METCALF AFTER LOSS TO BEARS: “The decision to throw to him killed us!”

Imago

In Aaron Rodgers’ absence, Mason Rudolph stepped in as the Pittsburgh Steelers’ starting quarterback for the game against the Chicago Bears. Despite his best efforts, Rudolph struggled at key moments, committing two costly turnovers that ultimately hurt the team’s chances. After the game, he opened up about how his decision involving wide receiver DK Metcalf went wrong.

“I think, you know, just trying to give DK a 50-50 shot there to start the game. I will do that every time I get the opportunity because he’s such a great player and comes down with a lot of those,” Rudolph said during the presser.

“I think on the play action at the boundary on the sack fumble, they did a good job of peeling off the left tackle to go and rob that check down, which I was about to throw. And I saw that and kind of recocked it, and that’s when I got hit. So, they covered the play well, and I just got to do a better job of protecting the ball.”

Rudolph’s first pass attempt of the game was an interception. He tried a risky deep pass to Metcalf, but cornerback Nahshon Wright was quick to create a turnover. This helped the Bears take the lead. This wasn’t the right start for Rudolph.

However, the QB was effective on the next drive, completing all six of his passes and helping the team advance 95 yards down the field to score a touchdown. Rudolph’s second turnover was a sack strip by Bears pass rusher Montez Sweat in the third quarter.

The two mistakes Rudolph made ultimately proved very costly, as the Bears turned both of them into touchdowns. Those turnovers gave Chicago 14 points, which was crucial in their 31-28 win over the Steelers. The Oklahoma product completed the game with 24 of 31 passes for 171 yards, with one touchdown, and was sacked twice in the game.

Imago

After the game, Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin was asked about Rudolph’s performance.

“I thought he was game. He always is. He made plays for us, particularly in the fourth quarter,” Tomlin said in the press conference. “But as a collectively, him included, we didn’t do enough to win.”

He is right. It wasn’t just Rudolph. The Steelers leaned more on the running game while their passing game struggled. Apart from Metcalf, the team didn’t seem to have enough reliable deep receiving threats.

Now, the question is when Rodgers can return to the field.

Will Aaron Rodgers play in Week 13?

Coach Tomlin was asked the same question during the press conference. And he assured that the quarterback might be able to return to the game against the Buffalo Bills in Week 13.

“I anticipate him being ready for next week,” he said.

Earlier, the QB missed the game because of a left-wrist fracture he suffered against the Cincinnati Bengals. But he was present on the sideline. Coach Tomlin had planned for Rodgers to play in Week 12 and even had him sit out practice on Wednesday (November 19). Rodgers wore a wrist stabilizer and was a limited participant in the following practices.

Coach Tomlin ultimately decided to start Rudolph on Saturday. Some players, like center Zach Frazier, found out on Sunday.

“It was a prudent decision to make. Certainly, it wasn’t a fluid week for him. It was a fluid week for Mason in terms of reps and so forth, and so I think it’ll be in our rear view as we move forward. I’m hopeful of that.”

When asked whether Rodgers wanted to play in Week 12, Tomlin confirmed that he did.

“Aaron always wants to play,” he said.

The Steelers will hope for the QB to have the same mindset in Week 13. The next game will be important for the Steelers, and they will need Rodgers on the field.