In a surprising move, Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin announced on Monday that Mason Rudolph will continue as the starting quarterback for Week 16 against the Bengals. This decision comes after Rudolph replaced the struggling Mitch Trubisky in the team's disappointing 30-13 loss to the Indianapolis Colts on Saturday.

Rudolph, a third-round pick in 2018, had a limited outing against the Colts, completing 2 of 3 attempts for just three yards. Trubisky, who was filling in for the injured starting quarterback Kenny Pickett, had a rough performance, completing 16 of 23 passes for 169 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions. This marked Trubisky's second consecutive loss as the starter, dropping the Steelers to a 7-7 record and placing them in the 10th position in the crowded AFC playoff race.

However, Tomlin did not commit to Trubisky as the starter for Week 16, stating, "I don't have answers as I sit here right now," when asked about Trubisky's status. He acknowledged that changes need to be made and that the team needs to approach things differently moving forward.

The Steelers have had a tumultuous season, which included firing offensive coordinator Matt Canada in November. They will now face the Bengals, who are also fighting for a playoff spot with an 8-6 record, in a crucial AFC North matchup on Saturday. Unfortunately for the Steelers, they will be without safety Damontae Kazee, who was suspended for the remainder of the season following a hit on Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman that led to his ejection from the game. Pittman was subsequently ruled out with a concussion.

Trubisky's struggles were evident in the Steelers' loss to the Colts, but Tomlin took full responsibility for the team's performance. He admitted that the entire team had fundamental issues and expressed his frustration, saying, "We're a fundamentally poor football team right now."

When questioned about Trubisky's lackluster performance and his future as the starter, Tomlin avoided giving a direct answer, emphasizing that team-wide improvements are necessary. Trubisky initially had a strong start, rushing for a score and throwing a touchdown to give the Steelers a 13-0 lead in the second quarter. However, his performance deteriorated as he threw interceptions in the second and third quarters. Trubisky's final pass attempt of the day, an overthrown ball to George Pickens, sealed his fate as he was benched in favor of Rudolph.

Despite the loss pushing the Steelers further away from playoff contention, Tomlin remains focused on the remaining three games of the season. He emphasized the need for change and a different approach to achieve better results. The Steelers have a seven-day turnaround before their upcoming game against the Bengals, and Tomlin is determined to make the necessary adjustments to improve their chances of success.