Tim Benz: Steelers' QB depth chart debate is self-made distraction

For those fans and Pittsburgh Steelers media members who think that the whole Mason Rudolph-Kenny Pickett depth chart controversy was never a big deal, you’re probably right.

So why did head coach Mike Tomlin help it become one?

For those who would prefer this uncomfortable talking point never to become a focus of public interest, there was an easy way to make that happen.

Handle it the exact opposite way from the way it has been handled.

On Tuesday, when it was pointed out to Tomlin that the Steelers’ depth chart still had Kenny Pickett as the top quarterback even though Mason Rudolph had been named the starter for Sunday’s game in Buffalo, Tomlin could’ve said, “It’s an oversight. It’ll be corrected.”

And then correct it.

After all, other recent lineup changes have been reflected on the depth chart.

When BJones replaced Chuks, depth chart was updated

JPJ replaced Wallace, depth chart was updated

Benton moved ahead of Adams, depth chart was updated

*Mason* moved ahead of MITCH, depth chart was updated!

so certainly, as non-binding as it is, Steelers do update depth charts

— Chris Adamski (@C_AdamskiTrib) January 9, 2024

Also, last year, when a similar kerfuffle sparked up about Pickett being listed behind Rudolph on the season-opening depth chart, the Steelers issued a release correcting the alleged “cut and paste” error. Then Tomlin spoke to it after the change was made.

Why not do the same thing this time?

Instead, when asked about Pickett still being atop the depth chart even though Tomlin had already said Rudolph would start, Tomlin replied, “Would it make you feel better if I did?”

Um, no. I’m not going to feel any better or worse about it. But it might make Rudolph feel a little bit better after pulling your season back from a 7-7 cliff.

And if it at all makes Pickett feel better, I’m wondering why it should. And I’m wondering why you seem so intent on making that happen if he needs that kind of cosmetic reassurance.

Rudolph might be too.

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I won’t speak for Rudolph, but I know that, personally, I never would’ve bothered thinking about such things as the depth chart until Tomlin pushed back so hard to the question.

Previously, I would’ve just thought that the depth chart was an afterthought, and he never got around to telling whoever was in charge of updating it to update it.

Yet, as of Thursday morning on the team’s website — despite a full day of this topic consuming the masses in the Pittsburgh sports media landscape — Pickett is still the No. 1, and Rudolph is still the No. 2 even though the whole world knows Rudolph is starting in Buffalo on Sunday.

“We’re going about our business, cultivating a plan to win this week,” Tomlin continued. “We could care less about division of labor in terms of what’s on pieces of paper and depth charts and so forth. And, more strategically, how we utilize the tools at our disposal in an effort to secure a victory. I’ve been transparent with you guys: (Rudolph’s) got the hot hand; he’s going to maintain control of the ball. I don’t know why that is an issue, to be quite honest with you.”

Why? Because you’re making it into one, Coach. This is a self-created distraction. The only thing the media did wrong was … notice.

And, in the case of WTAE’s Ashley Liotus, ask about it.

Now, what Tomlin has done in the wake of the question is to stubbornly turn the debate into a self-fulfilling prophecy.

By refusing to change the depth chart, the presumption among the public has become that the organization is thinking that Pickett still deserves to be on top of it and that Rudolph is merely a placeholder on a hot streak.

And come training camp next year, Pickett will get the starter’s job back whether he deserves it or not.

And that Rudolph will either be relegated to backup duty again or leave for another team.

If you made me guess right now, I’d assume both of those things will happen. But this whole depth chart debate plants that seed and accelerates the discussion much too early on the calendar.

Most importantly, because, you know, there’s still a playoff game to be played.

I mean, if you were Rudolph, what else would you be thinking except, “If it’s really nothing more than a piece of paper, then what’s the big deal about changing it?”

Although, I’m sure all parties involved know that the piece of paper that really matters is Pickett’s contract. The one that says a fifth-year option has to be triggered after Year 3. So the franchise wants to know for sure by the end of 2024 if he’s worth keeping — or if they need to cut bait.

What is Rudolph supposed to do this offseason when they sell him a second bill of goods about an alleged open competition on the depth chart like they did heading into last year?

I’ll bet Rudolph was dubious of that last summer. He’d be flat-out gullible to believe it going into next year after this.

Who knows? Maybe Rudolph’s magic run will fade, and the Bills will beat the Steelers easily, and this will all become a moot point, and Tomlin can go back to Pickett with little concern to begin next year, and Rudolph can move on to another team.

Or Rudolph will go on a four-game playoff run and win the Super Bowl, and it’ll be a moot point because Tomlin will have no other choice but to give Rudolph the starting job to begin 2024.

Either way, Tomlin is going to face much tougher questions this offseason than the one he attempted to dismiss Tuesday about a pesky piece of paper.