Steelers' slide coincides with trade deadline; Mason Rudolph expects to stay put

Defensive captain Cameron Heyward talked of a “dysfunction” in the way the Pittsburgh Steelers are playing. Offensive captain Najee Harris said the Steelers lack “discipline” and “accountability.” Rookie quarterback Kenny Pickett thought the offense needs to “study more” as a group.

If Chuck Noll were still alive, he’d likely rekindle the remark he once used on running back Sidney Thornton and transfer it to the franchise as a collective: Their problems are great, and they are many.

For just the second time in coach Mike Tomlin’s 16 seasons, the Steelers have a 2-6 record after eight games. They lost for the fifth time in the past six games Sunday when they were no match for the Philadelphia Eagles in a 35-13 defeat at Lincoln Financial Field.

Not only are the Steelers last in their division, they are averaging the fewest points in the NFL at 15.0 per game. Only three defenses are allowing more yards per game than the Steelers, who are slightly better by ranking No. 23 in points surrendered.

For all of the frustrations with Matt Canada’s offense, center Mason Cole said the players have only themselves to blame.

“We’re seeing on tape a lot of mental mistakes across our offense,” Cole said Monday. “This is the National Football League. This is our job. This is what we get paid to do. For guys not to know what they are doing on a play solely falls on them. Guys have to know what they are doing.

“We are given all the tools. We’re given the assignments. It’s our job to know where we are supposed to be and how we are supposed to do it.”

The bye week might be arriving at the appropriate time for the Steelers, and not just because they don’t get to add to their burgeoning loss total this weekend. The other reason is it coincides with the NFL’s trading deadline, which is 4 p.m. Tuesday and represents the last chance for losing teams to make a deal that can shed a veteran and add draft capital for the future.

The Steelers have several players that fit into that category. Two are quarterbacks who had an eye on starting this season but find themselves watching Pickett take all of the snaps in what is shaping up to be a rebuilding year.

One is Mason Rudolph, who thought he might have a chance to compete for the starting job in training camp but fell to third on the depth chart and has been inactive for all eight games this season.

Rudolph told reporters Monday he has not “publicly” requested a trade and doesn’t expect to be dealt by the deadline.

Rudolph said lobbying for a trade is a moot point anyhow.

“You don’t have any say in it,” he said. “I have no control. If I was to request, there have been a few guys who have done that (in the NFL) this year. They have no control. My focus is on doing the best I can as I have for the last 7-8 weeks to be the good teammate, stay sharp whether I get an opportunity here or somewhere else.

“I want to be here — at least for the time being. It’s out of my hands.”

Rudolph expects to report to UPMC Rooney Sports Complex on Wednesday when the Steelers hold their final practice before getting a four-day break.

“I haven’t heard anything,” he said. “Typically, if something was serious or was going to happen, you’d start to hear a little bit from the team or just in the rumor mill. We’ll see, but I don’t anticipate it.”

Mitch Trubisky, who remains a team captain despite losing his starting job to Pickett in Week 4, could be another trade option if the Steelers decide it’s worth not having two veteran backups on the payroll. Trubisky, unlike Rudolph, is signed through next season.

Wide receiver Chase Claypool’s name has surfaced in trade discussion, too.

The Steelers made one in-season deal last year when they sent disgruntled pass rusher Melvin Ingram to the Kansas City Chiefs. A year earlier, they added linebacker Avery Williamson after a season-ending injury to Devin Bush. In 2019, the Steelers made a move in Week 3 by bringing in safety Minkah Fitzpatrick.

Those teams, though, weren’t in the same predicament at the midpoint of the season as these Steelers, whose only other 2-6 start under Tomlin came in 2013.

“Don’t hide from it,” Heyward said. “Expose the wounds. That’s the only way you get better.”