Steelers insider Ray Fittipaldo joined the show. Ray said he’s buying into what Cam Heyward is saying regarding the future of Stephon Tuitt. Ray believes Tuitt will show up for mandatory workouts in a few weeks. Ray talked about Diontae Johnson, who was also a no-show at OTAs. He said Johnson is more likely to show up at OTAs, but the team probably wasn’t very surprised to not see Johnson today. 

We heard audio from Mitch Trubisky and Mason Rudolph. Trubisky said the team did not make him aware the team was drafting a quarterback in the draft. The guys discussed if the team owed it to Trubisky to make it known what their plans were at the position. Rudolph seemed more excited about this year because of the absence of Ben Roethlisberger.

We heard audio from Cam Heyward. The leader of the Steelers defense puts hope into the return of Stephon Tuitt. He didn’t give a time table, but said Tuitt will show up at some point. The guys shared their concern with Tuitt – saying even if he does show up, after the long time off, how good of a player will he be? 

We heard audio from Mike Tomlin. He was in mid-season form with his words

We heard audio from Cam Heyward. The leader of the Steelers defense puts hope into the return of Stephon Tuitt. He didn’t give a time table, but said Tuitt will show up at some point. The guys shared their concern with Tuitt – saying even if he does show up, after the long time off, how good of a player will he be?

OTAs day one for the Steelers. A few confirmed no-shows and the first look at the QB “depth chart.” The guys discussed how much they should look into things right now and the chances Mason Rudolph has on this roster. 

93.7 The Fan Sports Director Jeff Hathhorn joined the show. The guys asked Jeff about what he saw from today’s OTAs – of what he was allowed to tell. He expects Mitch Trubisky to get the nod early on, but Kenny Pickett will be a deciding factor in Mason Rudolph’s future. The Steelers think when Stephon Tuitt shows up he will be the same player he was, even after missing over a year of playing time. Mandatory minicamp is a few weeks away and it will be a lot more serious if Tuitt isn’t in attendance for that. Kendrick Green confirmed that he is getting reps at left guard after starting at center last year. Jeff said to not look too far into that too because Mike Tomlin likes seeing how flexible his linemen are. 

Joe Starkey golf drama. What was that horse?!

93.7 The Fan Sports Director Jeff Hathhorn joined the show. The guys asked Jeff about what he saw from today’s OTAs – of what he was allowed to tell. He expects Mitch Trubisky to get the nod early on, but Kenny Pickett will be a deciding factor in Mason Rudolph’s future. The Steelers think when Stephon Tuitt shows up he will be the same player he was, even after missing over a year of playing time. Mandatory minicamp is a few weeks away and it will be a lot more serious if Tuitt isn’t in attendance for that. Kendrick Green confirmed that he is getting reps at left guard after starting at center last year. Jeff said to not look too far into that too because Mike Tomlin likes seeing how flexible his linemen are.

ALL ACCESS w/ Aditi Kinkhabwala – Aditi joined the show. The guys asked Aditi about what goes on during OTAs, which begin tomorrow for the Steelers. She said it’s a display to show what guys really like to work. Aditi said the Ravens practice differently than everyone else in terms of intensity, but after the rash of injuries last season, John Harbaugh may tone it down. Aditi said it will be interesting to see the Steelers QB dynamic with Mitch Trubisky and Kenny Pickett. The guys asked Aditi if Stephon Tuitt will show up tomorrow or if the Steelers should have a plan in place if he’s absent. 

HOF NFL writer Peter King joined the show w/ Aditi. Peter talked about his love for beer and said he’d be willing to give one of Donny’s favorites a try. Then he got into football talk and said why he thinks the Steelers may be the bottom team in the AFC North. He said the Browns are a total question mark and the Ravens were one of the most injured teams in NFL history last year. Poni asked Peter what made him sense Kenny Pickett would get drafted by the Steelers. He said the Steelers are a very tough team to read because they don’t leak information. Peter thinks Pickett has a good future, but isn’t sure if he has a “star” future. He admitted to not knowing a ton about Pickett, but a big play that sticks out was a throw on the run against Clemson this past season. Peter talked about Mike Tomlin’s value and said he’s one of the best coaches in the game today. Peter said it would be hard for teams to look at Mitch Trubisky and say “there’s our guy.” Peter added if Pickett is clearly better, he will be the starter from day one. He talked about how the offense might be built with a good, young running back stuck in a passing league. He’s skeptical about the Steelers because the coaches won’t let them struggle, but it’s a team facing an uphill battle in the division. He said two Steelers he loves watching are TJ Watt and Najee Harris. He talked about interviewing Steelers legends like Terry Bradshaw and Jack Lambert.

HOF NFL writer Peter King joined the show w/ Aditi. Peter talked about his love for beer and said he’d be willing to give one of Donny’s favorites a try. Then he got into football talk and said why he thinks the Steelers may be the bottom team in the AFC North. He said the Browns are a total question mark and the Ravens were one of the most injured teams in NFL history last year. Poni asked Peter what made him sense Kenny Pickett would get drafted by the Steelers. He said the Steelers are a very tough team to read because they don’t leak information. Peter thinks Pickett has a good future, but isn’t sure if he has a “star” future. He admitted to not knowing a ton about Pickett, but a big play that sticks out was a throw on the run against Clemson this past season. Peter talked about Mike Tomlin’s value and said he’s one of the best coaches in the game today. Peter said it would be hard for teams to look at Mitch Trubisky and say “there’s our guy.” Peter added if Pickett is clearly better, he will be the starter from day one. He talked about how the offense might be built with a good, young running back stuck in a passing league. He’s skeptical about the Steelers because the coaches won’t let them struggle, but it’s a team facing an uphill battle in the division. He said two Steelers he loves watching are TJ Watt and Najee Harris. He talked about interviewing Steelers legends like Terry Bradshaw and Jack Lambert.

ALL ACCESS w/ Aditi Kinkhabwala – Aditi joined the show. The guys asked Aditi about what goes on during OTAs, which begin tomorrow for the Steelers. She said it’s a display to show what guys really like to work. Aditi said the Ravens practice differently than everyone else in terms of intensity, but after the rash of injuries last season, John Harbaugh may tone it down. Aditi said it will be interesting to see the Steelers QB dynamic with Mitch Trubisky and Kenny Pickett. The guys asked Aditi if Stephon Tuitt will show up tomorrow or if the Steelers should have a plan in place if he’s absent.

As of Sunday night, Donny Football is now Uncle Donny. 

Peter King doesn’t think much of the Steelers going into the season. He has them ranked 23rd on his preseason power rankings. The guys are surprised he has the Steelers that low with the defense showing much promise. He has Baltimore 8th and Poni does not think the Ravens are that much better of a team. Cleveland is 18th because Deshaun Watson is a total question mark. 

93.7 The Fan Sports Director Jeff Hathhorn joined the show. Jeff was live from the Ron Hextall press conference. Jeff recapped what was covered by the Penguins GM. He said it appears they want to have Kris Letang and Evgeni Malkin back, but after signing Bryan Rust, he’s not sure how possible it is. Jeff said the team likely wants Letang back more than Malkin if they had to pick one player. Chris feared if they continue to bring back Letang and Malkin, it will turn into what the Blackhawks have endured over the last few years.

93.7 The Fan Sports Director Jeff Hathhorn joined the show. Jeff was live from the Ron Hextall press conference. Jeff recapped what was covered by the Penguins GM. He said it appears they want to have Kris Letang and Evgeni Malkin back, but after signing Bryan Rust, he’s not sure how possible it is. Jeff said the team likely wants Letang back more than Malkin if they had to pick one player. Chris feared if they continue to bring back Letang and Malkin, it will turn into what the Blackhawks have endured over the last few years.