The Steelers are at a crossroads in the 2019 season

A revised game plan on offense for the Steelers with Mason Rudolph or business as usual?

Through the first two games of the 2019 season, the Steelers offense is ranked 28th in total offense, according to the official website of the NFL. Put another way, we are currently the 5th worst offense in the NFL.  The crossroads here is what the offense will look like with Rudolph at the helm.

When Ben took the reigns of the offense in during the 2004 season, it was a similar situation to the one in which Rudolph finds himself.  Ben took over an offense that was committed to running the ball so as not to ask him to do too much.  Ben also had a better defense than does Rudolph.  Through two games, the defense is ranked 29th.

I believe Rudolph will be asked to do much more than Ben was asked to do.  Of course, this could be a double-edged sword.  If Rudolph can maintain a semblance of a passing game and if the offense can get the running game on track, the offense will look virtually the same as it did in the first two games.

If Rudolph tries to do too much by forcing balls into tight spaces and those balls are intercepted, the defense will be put in tight spots and may not be able to right the ship. Is the risk of letting Rudolph sling the ball all over the field worth the reward of possibly watching the heir apparent to Ben play sooner than expected?

I think the Steelers need to see what they have in Rudolph while trying to win enough games to salvage the season.  Obviously, the offense will be tailored around what Rudolph does best.  What aids Rudolph is the fact that he will be protected by one of the best offensive lines in football.

Another crossroad on offense comes in the form of Ben’s future if Rudolph plays well.  To me, no road needs to be crossed. If Rudolph plays well, that would be great for the Steelers; however, if Ben comes back next season and is healthy enough to play at a high level, he will be the starter and Rudolph will be the backup.

Ben is a two-time Super Bowl-winning quarterback and has been the starter since 2004.  The Steelers will give him every opportunity to win another Super Bowl before he decides to hang up the cleats.  I seriously doubt Ben would want to go out the way his season ended.

Let’s explore both sides of the crossroads as they relate to the defense.