In our chat with Aditi, she said at least 4 offensive minds around the league that think they can fix Kenny Pickett and a lot of the issues come from around him. Did watching Mason Rudolph have success in that spot tell you otherwise? Which player would grant more on the open market? Is a QB room with Pickett and Rudolph a smart move by the Steelers? 

Aditi Kinkhabwala from the NFL on CBS joined the show. Aditi went through some of the current Steelers OC candidates and how she feels about each. She talked about Zac Robinson having a relationship with Mason Rudolph from Oklahoma State. She also shared her thoughts on Mike Sullivan venturing out looking for OC gigs. Aditi doesn’t think there should be any give up yet on Kenny Pickett as a franchise QB.  

We played a little game of KEEP or CUT with the Steelers current unrestricted free agents – keeping our top 3 names. Then we had to decide out of potential cut candidates the three guys we would let go. 

Mike Florio from Pro Football Talk joined the show. Mike reacted to the thought of Russell Wilson being a Steelers QB and what he could get on the open market. Mike does think Wilson would take a 1-year deal for the league minimum since the Broncos already owe him a ton. Mike talked about what happened with Wilson in Denver and if he’s an attractive free agent. Mike gave an update from his end on the Steelers defensive coordinator search. He isn’t sure Kliff Kingsbury is the right fit in Pittsburgh. Mike looked at how the Steelers could go about a very important off-season. 

Poni had a “hot” rumor around the Steelers offensive coordinator search – a package deal of Arthur Smith as the OC and Mike Munchak back as the OL coach. Does that tip the scales in favor of Smith with Munchak included in that deal? The guys love the idea of a mind like Munchak molding the offensive line in its current state. 

Former Penguin Tyler Kennedy joined the show. TK said the culture is night and day different from the time he was playing with the Penguins big three compared to what it is like now. He said this team’s future is more about just making the playoffs than winning the whole thing. Tyler doesn’t think it’s the right time to move on from Mike Sullivan, but if things continue it could ignite something. TK said he would move Evgeni Malkin off the top power play in a way to get him pissed off and get going. He doesn’t think Kyle Dubas should wait around to make moves – he’s got to go for it right now. Tyler got into what the future could look like for Jake Guentzel and if it is with the Penguins. He suggested a trade for Guentzel in the near future could kickstart the rebuild of the franchise. 

The Steelers are stuck in a QB conundrum. Should Mason Rudolph get an offer to come back? Would that create a bad situation with Kenny Pickett? Would it possibly divide the locker room? Where does that leave the Steelers in the QB pecking order of the AFC? 

Hour 1: On the drive into work, we heard the great Peter King say Kliff Kingsbury would “talk to the Steelers” at some point. We got excited about this. Why? Poni thinks we are damaged at this point. We are damaged from what Matt Canada and Randy Fichtner did as the offensive coordinator of the Pittsburgh Steelers. Poni doesn’t think Kingsbury is good at his job and doesn’t think he would be as exciting of a hire as people think. But every idea and every candidate will sound better than what we just dealt with. 

Where do fans stand on the OC search? 

HOCKEY TALK! The Pens embarrassed themselves last night against the Coyotes. They scored an own-goal in the 5-2 loss. What will the Pens do as we get closer and closer to the trade deadline? Can they turn things around? 

Hour 2: We looked into the idea of Kliff Kingsbury being the Steelers next offensive coordinator. We also got some well wishes from listeners with Mullsy being out today. We took calls on where fans think the Steelers are looking in the offensive coordinator search? 

A report from the PG says the Steelers will be renewing the contract of Teryl Austin as the team’s DC. We also found out that Pat Meyer was the Steelers run game coordinator. So, it wasn’t Eddie Faulkner? We heard from more listeners on where the Steelers are heading. 

Pirates insider Jason Mackey from the PG joined the show. Jason reacted to the Aroldis Chapman signing from last night. He said it was a move that completely came out of left field and nobody was expecting this. He thinks it was a way for the Pirates to pivot their approach a little bit and if this move can make them more aggressive with the bullpen opposed to starting pitching. He still thinks they can still complete a move to address the rotation before the season starts. He does not think the team will consider Trevor Bauer due to his baggage, but he thinks the conversation should be had. Jason thinks a pre-season trade is the most likely way the Pirates can add an arm. Jason gave a projection of their opening day rotation and when we could see Paul Skenes in the majors. Poni asked Jason if the Pirates will bring Rich Hill back, but he hopes their plans are a little bit higher than that. 

Hour 3: What do we make of the Aroldis Chapman signing? We reacted to our guy Jason Mackey projecting that Chapman won’t be on the roster after this year’s trade deadline. Poni thinks this is a pivotal year for the organization where they have to show more growth. We noted that Chapman is still playing at a high level and won a ring with the Rangers last season while being a key cog in their bullpen. Poni brought up a poll question he put out there earlier today asking which Pittsburgh team would end the city’s playoff win drought. We also visited the idea of Russell Wilson being a prospective Steelers quarterback next season. Poni isn’t a fan of that move. 

Could Russell Wilson be the Steelers next QB if he plays for the veteran minimum? 

Joey Porter Jr. was named to the PFWA All-Rookie team. Does his emergence make you feel better about the Steelers track record with cornerbacks?