Pickett rips report that he vetoed QB2 role vs. Seahawks

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett strongly denied reports that stated he refused to be the backup to Mason Rudolph for the team's Week 17 win over the Seattle Seahawks.

"I saw reports out there that I felt like were attacking my character and how I am as a person, not even getting into a player standpoint of it," Pickett said on Tuesday, according to ESPN's Brooke Pryor. "There was no talk of me being a backup quarterback this week in terms of being a two."

Pickett added that he would've received the nod over Rudolph last week had he recovered enough from an ankle injury that's sidelined him since early December.

"If I was healthy enough to play and the trainers and coaches felt like I looked good enough to play, I was going to start and play," he said. "If they believed that I was not, which they believed I was not, I was not going to dress and suit up for the game."

Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin announced Monday that Rudolph will start the crucial regular-season finale Saturday against the Baltimore Ravens despite Pickett returning to full health.

The 2022 first-round pick confirmed he'll be the backup to Rudolph for the game versus Baltimore.

"So whoever reported that, I dunno where it started, it's kind of crazy what people will write and put out there to try to prove their point or help their standpoint or their careers and what you guys do," he said. "But disappointed to see that without any proof or basis of it."

Rudolph has powered Pittsburgh back into playoff contention with back-to-back wins. The Steelers have struggled for much of the season on offense but have their two highest-scoring games of the year with Rudolph under center.

After a poor rookie season, Pickett failed to take a sophomore leap in 2023 before his injury. He's completed 62% of his attempts for 2,070 yards and just six touchdowns against four interceptions.

Pittsburgh must beat Baltimore - which has clinched the No. 1 seed and could rest its starters - and hope other AFC wild-card contenders falter in Week 18 to earn a postseason spot.