'He's proven himself': Steelers fans say Mason Rudolph should start playoff game

His beloved Pittsburgh Steelers may be serious underdogs heading into Buffalo for a playoff game against the Bills, but Tim Piett remains hopeful.

“They have a few injuries like we do,” Piett said, “and I think we have more offensive power than they do.”

A Pittsburgh Steelers fan for his entire life, Piett, 65, is store manager at Yinzers in the Burgh in the Strip District. He’s in his 41st year of selling Steelers merchandise.

“When I was growing up back in the ’70s, I saw my very first Super Bowl,” he said. “I was like 12 years old.”

Terry Bradshaw was quarterbacking the Steelers back then. On Sunday, Piett said, the starting quarterback has to be Mason Rudolph over 2022 first-round draft pick Kenny Pickett. Other fans informally surveyed around Pittsburgh on Monday agreed.

“You have to give him the opportunity. He’s proven himself,” Piett said of Rudolph’s last three games, all wins.

Abbey Larotonda, store manager at Rally House North Shore, watched the Steelers defeat the Bills in person during the preseason at Acrisure Stadium. That game didn’t count. This one will be a steep challenge.

“They’re turning around, and they’re looking good,” Larotonda, 30, of Ambridge said of the Steelers. “We made a run for it so, hopefully, we can keep going.”

Rudolph also is her pick for starting quarterback Sunday.

“The fans are with Rudolph for now,” she said. “He’s showing up for us.”

Jason Abrahams, a store manager at Rally House Federal Street, believes the Steelers have a “really good shot” at defeating Buffalo.

“I think that we can shock the world,” he said. “We’re coming in hot.”

After Sunday, however, Abrahams, 47, of Carrick doesn’t believe the team will advance much further.

“I just don’t think that we’re built for being a playoff team to be honest,” he said. “We got a lot of great energy going into the first round of the playoffs, but playoffs are different than regular season.”

He believes it will be difficult for the Steelers to win more than one playoff game with star linebacker T.J. Watt being injured. Watt suffered a knee injury during Saturday’s victory in Baltimore.

Abrahams also thinks Rudolph is “1,000%” the best choice for Sunday’s matchup. The players are rallying around Rudolph.

“I just think that he, as a veteran, … gives us our best chance to win,” he said.

Jaejun Lee believes the Steelers can pull off the upset.

“Obviously, we have a chance,” he said. “ I think a lot of the teams and fan bases are sleeping on us.”

Lee, 23, of Pittsburgh’s South Side grew up in the Steelers merchandise industry. His parents own the Pgh Sports merchandise shop in the Strip District.

Lee graduated from the University of Pittsburgh, where Pickett played college football. He’s a Pickett fan. Still, he believes there’s no question the Steelers need “hot hand” Rudolph to start Sunday.

“I like how (Rudolph’s) playing fearless,” Lee said. “He’s been like letting it fly. … I’ve been liking that.”

William Morgan said he starts every Steelers season thinking the team will win the Super Bowl. Of course, he absolutely believes there’s a chance in the playoffs.

“I’m twisted. I’m a Steelers fan like that,” he said. “I think we’re going to win every game.”

Morgan, 53, of Ross has been a Steelers fan for his whole life.

Leaving Rudolph in as quarterback is the best choice, he said.

“I think that Kenny wasn’t quite ready when they threw him into the fire,” Morgan said. “He’s got a lot to learn.”

Despite setbacks, he still believes the Steelers can go all the way.

“It’s been a tough season, but I still have faith,” he said.

Piett hopes the team can make it to the Super Bowl.

“It would be a Cinderella story.”