Steelers QB Kenny Pickett denies rumors he refused to be the backup for their win over Seattle: ‘They were attacking my character’

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett has denied rumors that he refused to be the backup to Mason Rudolph against the Seattle Seahawks on New Year’s Eve.

On Tuesday, Pickett addressed the subject during a media scrum two days after the Steelers secured the 30-23 win.

Pickett did not play against Seattle, despite being listed as questionable before the game. After the rumors circulated on social media, Pickett deemed them false and pointed how how they were ‘attacking my character and how I am as a person.

‘It was either I was going to start and play,’ Pickett said. ‘Or if they didn’t think I was good enough to do that, healthy enough, I was going to be the [No] 3 and not dress.’

‘There was no talk of me being a backup quarterback this week in terms of being a 2.

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. 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.

‘So, whoever reported that, I don’t know 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. But disappointed to see that without any proof or basis of it.’

Pickett’s last game was a 24-10 loss to the Arizona Cardinals on December 3. The following day, he underwent a tight rope surgery for an ankle sprain.

Pickett was medically cleared to play late last week and confirmed that he will be the backup quarterback for their regular season finale against the Baltimore Ravens on January 6.

‘This week I’m now the 2,’ Pickett said. ‘They feel good four weeks out of the surgery for me to dress and be the 2. So I’ll be the 2 and do what I have to do to be ready to go from Baltimore.’

With Pickett out with the injury, Steelers coach Mike Tomlin started Rudolph who has led them in back-to-back wins. Tomlin is airing on the side of momentum by starting Rudolph again against the Ravens.

We’re going to leave the ball in Mason Rudolph’s hands,’ Tomlin said. ‘He’s done a good job and we’ve done a good job in the most recent two weeks. We’ve taken care of the ball; he’s taken care of the ball.

‘We’ve scored points at a rate in which we hadn’t done to this point this year. And with the urgency of the moment, and because of those reasons, we’re going to leave the ball in his hands.’

In 12 appearances this season, Pickett has completed 201 of 324 passes for 2,070 yards and six touchdowns.

The Steelers currently hold a 9-7 record as the third place team in the AFC North. Pittsburgh looks to end the regular season with a three-game win streak as they visit the Ravens.

As it stands, the Steelers are just outside the playoff picture but have not been completely eliminated from contention.