Why Kenny Pickett's Week 17 inactive tag means trouble is brewing

Ahead of the Steelers' Week 17 win against the Seahawks, the belief was that QB Kenny Pickett would backup QB Mason Rudolph. However, Pickett was later deemed inactive for the contest, which has some thinking the quarterback room isn't as cohesive as many believed.

Pickett was very unhappy that he wasn't starting in Seattle and him being inactive was a direct result of that, according to Chris Mueller of Pittsburgh's 93.7 The Fan.

In the days leading up to the game, Pickett, who's been recovering from ankle surgery, thought he was healthy enough to play.

"I feel like I could [play this week]," Pickett said. "I always try to push myself. It's the trainers. It's the coaches. It's what they see me moving and how they want to go about it."

Pickett didn't get his wish, however, and the same will remain true this week now that head coach Mike Tomlin named Rudolph the starter for the third straight week.

"I think Kenny's availability is less in question this week," Tomlin told reporters. "That being said, we're going to leave the ball in Mason Rudolph's hands."

Pickett's health is no longer in question, but the Steelers are sticking with Rudolph's hot hand. The six-year veteran has thrown for 564 yards, two touchdowns and zero interceptions the past two weeks and has the NFL's best passer rating (115.3) this season (min. 50 attempts).

Pickett has continued to underwhelm in his second season, throwing for just 2,070 yards, six touchdowns and four interceptions in 12 games.

If Rudolph can stay hot and deliver Pittsburgh its third straight win in its regular-season finale against the Ravens (13-3) on Saturday, Pickett's days as the team's starter may already be over.

However it plays out, the Steelers have a quarterback controversy brewing, and it seems Pickett won't go down quietly.