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 declined to be Mason Rudolph's backup against the Seattle Seahawks on New Year's Eve.

On Tuesday, Pickett addressed the topic during a media bash, 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 spread on social media, Pickett deemed them false, pointing out how they “attacked my character and who I am as a person.”

“It was like I was going to start and play,” Pickett said. 'Or if they felt I wasn't good enough to do that, healthy enough, then I would have the [No] 3 and don't dress.'

“There was no question this week of me being a backup quarterback in terms of a 2.

Pickett was medically cleared last week after suffering an ankle injury in early December

“If I was healthy enough to play, and the trainers and coaches thought I looked good enough to play, then I was going to come on and play. If they believed I wasn't – which they believed I wasn't – I wouldn't suit up and get dressed for the game.

“So whoever reported that, I don't know where it started, it's kind of crazy what people will write and publish to try to prove their point or help their point or their career and what you guys do. But disappointed to see that without any evidence or basis.”

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

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

“This week I'm now the 2,” Pickett said. 'Four weeks after the operation they feel good, so I can get dressed and be the second. So I'll be the second and do what I need to do to be ready to leave Baltimore.”

With Pickett out due to the injury, Steelers coach Mike Tomlin started Rudolph, who led them to back-to-back victories. Tomlin shines on the momentum side by starting Rudolph again against the Ravens.

Mason Rudolph will start in Pittsburgh's final game after leading the team to back-to-back victories

“We're leaving the ball in Mason Rudolph's hands,” Tomlin said. “He has done well and we have also done well in the last two weeks. We took care of the ball; he took care of the ball.

'We scored points at a pace that we had not done so far this year. And with the urgency of the moment, and for those reasons, we 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 have 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 against the Ravens.

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