Pittsburgh ? Many NFL quarterbacks would feel uncomfortable going a few weeks without starting. Tommy Maddox is about to learn what it’s like to play after 10 years without a start.

Maddox, a former Broncos first-round flop who revived his career in the Arena League and earned another NFL shot by starring in the XFL, will be the Pittsburgh Steelers’ starter Sunday in New Orleans.

Coach Bill Cowher’s surprising decision, announced Wednesday at a team meeting, sends 2001 team MVP Kordell Stewart to the bench for the third time in four seasons. It also signals that Cowher is running out of patience with an underachieving team that was favored to win the AFC title but is only 1-2.

“He came up in his little crystal ball that he wanted to start Tommy,” said Stewart, clearly upset by the decision. “It’s not the end of the world for me, and I’m going to have an opportunity to start again. I just don’t know when.”

Stewart went to the Pro Bowl after the Steelers (13-3) advanced to the AFC championship game last season, but he committed six turnovers in the first two games of this season as the Steelers were manhandled by New England and Oakland.

With Pittsburgh trailing Cleveland 13-6 Sunday, Maddox replaced Stewart to lead two scoring drives and a 16-13 overtime victory. Maddox was 11-of-13 for 122 yards, a touchdown and an interception.

Stewart has touchdown passes, five interceptions and two lost fumbles in three games.

“I just feel it’s the right thing to do at this time, and now let’s move on,” Cowher said.