Former NFL LB and Penn State legend LaVar Arrington joined the show. LaVar talked about his legendary time at North Hills and Penn State, and how he has made a jump to working in media. LaVar talked about the Pitt-Penn State battles and why the rivalry should be played every single season. 

Steelers defensive back Tre Norwood joined the show. Tre talked about his journey to the NFL and how much he watches sports outside of playing pro football. Tre said his first love was the NBA and he wanted to be a pro basketball player as a kid. He said his height obviously held him back from his basketball dreams and he focused more on football as he got older. He talked about being a 7th round pick and how that puts a chip on his shoulder. Tre said it was a shock in the locker room when Chase Claypool got traded, but chalked it up to the business of football. Tre talked about the day he was drafted and said he blacked out in the moment and doesn’t remember much. Tre got into playing in the Steelers defense and trying to learn multiple positions as a versatile defensive back. He gave a shout out to Minkah Fitzpatrick for being a great leader in the DB room. Tre confirmed a funny story about the infamous Marcus Allen huddle incident in Carolina this past season. 

NFL insider Jordan Schultz joined the show. Jordan talked about some pending free agents that the Steelers could have some interest in. The guys asked Jordan what happens with Jacoby Brissett and if he will get a chance to be a team’s bridge quarterback before taking a backup job. Jordan talked about the interesting dilemma with the Cardinals and Kyler Murray and how many coaches really want to coach there. Jordan labeled Cam Sutton as a “really good player” and thinks the Steelers love him and projects him as a 9 or 10-million-dollar player. The guys asked Jordan if there could be a reunion between Kenny Pickett and Jordan Addison. Jordan gets the feeling the Steelers will target offensive line in the 1st round. 

Donny’s latest Wing It review. 

Steelers defensive back Tre Norwood joined the show. Tre talked about his journey to the NFL and how much he watches sports outside of playing pro football. Tre said his first love was the NBA and he wanted to be a pro basketball player as a kid. He said his height obviously held him back from his basketball dreams and he focused more on football as he got older. He talked about being a 7th round pick and how that puts a chip on his shoulder. Tre said it was a shock in the locker room when Chase Claypool got traded, but chalked it up to the business of football. Tre talked about the day he was drafted and said he blacked out in the moment and doesn’t remember much. Tre got into playing in the Steelers defense and trying to learn multiple positions as a versatile defensive back. He gave a shout out to Minkah Fitzpatrick for being a great leader in the DB room. Tre confirmed a funny story about the infamous Marcus Allen huddle incident in Carolina this past season. 

Poni lit a fire that has spread around on a national level regarding what happened between Mitch Trubisky and Diontae Johnson in the early season loss to the Jets. Poni set the record straight and wanted to offer an apology to Johnson. 

Former Steeler Kelvin Beachum joined the show. Kelvin talked about when he was drafted by the Steelers in the 7th round – referring to himself as “7D” because he was the team’s fourth option in that round. Kelvin talked about how important Mike Munchak was to his success in the league. Kelvin gave a shout out to Maurkice Pouncey and said he still stays in touch with the former center. He got into the X’s and O’s that Mike Tomlin helped him with on the defensive side to make him more effective up front. Kelvin is a free agent and could see himself back in Pittsburgh if the fit is right. He talked about his early years here and how much he loves the community. 

Poni gave a little bit of a scene setter from *MEDIA* row and said he saw someone walking around barefoot.

Former Steeler Kelvin Beachum joined the show. Kelvin talked about when he was drafted by the Steelers in the 7th round – referring to himself as “7D” because he was the team’s fourth option in that round. Kelvin talked about how important Mike Munchak was to his success in the league. Kelvin gave a shout out to Maurkice Pouncey and said he still stays in touch with the former center. He got into the X’s and O’s that Mike Tomlin helped him with on the defensive side to make him more effective up front. Kelvin is a free agent and could see himself back in Pittsburgh if the fit is right. He talked about his early years here and how much he loves the community. 

Former NFL RB Shaun Alexander joined the show. Shaun talked about his memories of Super Bowl XL and the loss to the Steelers. Shaun talked about the trash talk leading up to that game and what the Seahawks thought of Joey Porter. He doesn’t blame the refs – he said the Seahawks didn’t do enough to win the game. He said the defense was ready for a gadget play, but the Steelers still hit one over the top to put the game away. He said the crowd was very pro Pittsburgh as it looked on TV. Shaun spoke highly of Troy Polamalu and how much he respected him as a player.

Poni hopped back in on *MEDIA* Row.

Aditi Kinkhabwala joined the show. Aditi talked about the battles of tracking down Poni and her favorite interviews this week.

Former NFL RB Shaun Alexander joined the show. Shaun talked about his memories of Super Bowl XL and the loss to the Steelers. Shaun talked about the trash talk leading up to that game and what the Seahawks thought of Joey Porter. He doesn’t blame the refs – he said the Seahawks didn’t do enough to win the game. He said the defense was ready for a gadget play, but the Steelers still hit one over the top to put the game away. He said the crowd was very pro Pittsburgh as it looked on TV. Shaun spoke highly of Troy Polamalu and how much he respected him as a player. 

Chris jumped back to something one of our guests said earlier today about Kenny Pickett and why that has him feeling better about the QB going forward. 

Steve Palazzolo from Pro Football Focus joined the show. Steve said the Steelers have a Super Bowl level pass rush, comparable to the Eagles. He talked about big time acquisitions and how a move like the AJ Brown trade made such a big impact. Steve talked about what teams have to do when they have a young, cheap QB. Steve said it’s tough to bet against Patrick Mahomes and has the Chiefs winning the Super Bowl by a field goal. Steve said it’s not outrageous to put Mahomes in the top five all-time even without knowing what he will do for the rest of his career. Chris got Steve’s thoughts on Marcus Peters and if he would fit in the Steelers system. Steve said Peters would be better for the Steelers than a rookie given the team’s track record. 

Disturbed giveaway.

Steve Palazzolo from Pro Football Focus joined the show. Steve said the Steelers have a Super Bowl level pass rush, comparable to the Eagles. He talked about big time acquisitions and how a move like the AJ Brown trade made such a big impact. Steve talked about what teams have to do when they have a young, cheap QB. Steve said it’s tough to bet against Patrick Mahomes and has the Chiefs winning the Super Bowl by a field goal. Steve said it’s not outrageous to put Mahomes in the top five all-time even without knowing what he will do for the rest of his career. Chris got Steve’s thoughts on Marcus Peters and if he would fit in the Steelers system. Steve said Peters would be better for the Steelers than a rookie given the team’s track record. 

Football analyst Mike Golic Jr. joined the show. Mike talked about the cup of coffee he had with the Steelers and how Cam Heyward scared him into an early retirement. Mike hyped up some of the Steelers offensive line from the early 2010’s like Maurkice Pouncey and David DeCastro. He also gave a shout out to Ramon Foster as an undrafted guy that made it in the league. Mike talked about training camp at St. Vincent College and how impressed he was with the fanfare. He said Ben Roethlisberger had a pretty positive relationship with everyone and how he’s one of the most naturally-gifted guys to play QB he’s ever seen. 

NFL film expert Greg Cosell joined the show. Greg just wrapped up his 43rd season as an NFL films expert. Greg liked Kenny Pickett a lot coming out of Pitt and that he was the best QB of last year’s class because of his understanding of concepts. He said there are definitely things Pickett needs to work on, but that is expected with a young quarterback. Greg said sometimes Pickett leaves the pocket early and abandons the play not realizing how the pocket is forming around him, but he looked pretty poised for a rookie. Greg made his comparison between Pickett and Joe Burrow. He said it’s not a bad idea to add talent along the offensive line with a young quarterback, saying the interior of the line needs more work. Greg said Najee Harris is a huge question mark in the Steelers offense as a foundational piece. Greg praised George Pickens coming out of college, saying he was the most talented guy in the class last year at his position. 

ESPN NFL insider Jeremy Fowler joined the show. Jeremy thinks it would be tough for Mitch Trubisky to stay in Pittsburgh at the current number, but likely released instead of traded. The guys asked how possible a signing of Jacoby Brissett could be. Jeremy didn’t rule out the Steelers signing Marcus Peters in free agency and commented on why it would match some moves they’ve made in the last few years. Jeremy thinks it will be a collaboration between Mike Tomlin and the rest of the front office when identifying free agents and draft prospects.