Art Rooney II seems to be a big Mitch Trubisky fan – so much to say he expects him on the team next season. Is this just a smokescreen or does Rooney actually believe Trubisky should be on the roster next season?

Steelers AFC Championship Game trivia once again goes without a winner.

How do the Bengals and their fans feel about JuJu Smith-Schuster now that he’s playing in Kansas City? 

Art Rooney II seems to be a big Mitch Trubisky fan – so much to say he expects him on the team next season. Is this just a smokescreen or does Rooney actually believe Trubisky should be on the roster next season?

Yesterday there was something a little odd Art Rooney II said that got Poni’s radar going. He didn’t commit to a Mike Tomlin extension and said “we’ll see.” Is that a sign that the next contract for Tomlin will be too rich for Rooney’s blood?

The owner said the arrow is pointing up for Matt Canada. If this was the last year of his contract, would the OC have gotten an extension? 

Donny and Crowley are working together tonight from 6-10:35. 

Yesterday there was something a little odd Art Rooney II said that got Poni’s radar going. He didn’t commit to a Mike Tomlin extension and said “we’ll see.” Is that a sign that the next contract for Tomlin will be too rich for Rooney’s blood? 

Poni’s favorite answer from Art Rooney II earlier today was about Andy Weidl and Omar Khan working together in the off-season and with the draft, which gives him hope the Steelers will let Weidl give his input after seeing what has happened to the Eagles roster in the last few years with Weidl involved. The guys were surprised the Rooney seemed to be more excited about the offense than the defense and didn’t use the TJ Watt injury excuse that most people expected. Based on what we heard today, Poni thinks a defensive player could be the pick at 17 – Chris thinks another answer hinted at the offensive line being improved in round one. 

One of the things Art Rooney II said today was him hating the idea of neutral site championship games. He doesn’t think it happens anytime soon, but the end of his answer didn’t rule it out forever. 

Steve Palazzolo from Pro Football Focus joined the show. The guys asked Steve what the Steelers plan of attack could be in the off-season given their history and estimated cap space. Steve was going over teams that are still alive and how the Steelers could work there way to that level – citing the 49ers as a perfect example of weapons galore. There are a few former Steelers in the playoffs that are pending free agents – could any of them make a return to Pittsburgh? Steve said Javon Hargrave is one of the best free agents on the upcoming market. Steve said Cam Sutton will get some additional looks because of his versatility as a corner. Looking to the draft, Steve talked about instant impact and that his order, given the Steelers needs, would be wide receiver, cornerback and offensive tackle. Steve said Joey Porter Jr. would be a solid pick at 17, but not great, but he likes the idea of taking a shot at a corner with that pick. 

Steve Palazzolo from Pro Football Focus joined the show. The guys asked Steve what the Steelers plan of attack could be in the off-season given their history and estimated cap space. Steve was going over teams that are still alive and how the Steelers could work there way to that level – citing the 49ers as a perfect example of weapons galore. There are a few former Steelers in the playoffs that are pending free agents – could any of them make a return to Pittsburgh? Steve said Javon Hargrave is one of the best free agents on the upcoming market. Steve said Cam Sutton will get some additional looks because of his versatility as a corner. Looking to the draft, Steve talked about instant impact and that his order, given the Steelers needs, would be wide receiver, cornerback and offensive tackle. Steve said Joey Porter Jr. would be a solid pick at 17, but not great, but he likes the idea of taking a shot at a corner with that pick. 

The Art Rooney II State of the Steelers press conference. 

The guys gave their takeaways from the Art Rooney II press conference. Poni thought one of the answers about Matt Canada was interesting. Chris didn’t like the hodgepodge of nonsense about the improvement of the Steelers offense. The guys pointed out the teams that are still alive have offenses you will never see from the Steelers and it’s no fault of the players. 

Poni went to the Pitt basketball game last night and saw Kenny Pickett. How excited was he? And the Duquesne Uber Eats prank has taken over. 

The guys pick the AFC and NFC Championship Games. 

We are speculating what we will hear from Art Rooney II as he talked to ‘some’ media members as the show started. The guys went through some of the top questions they would have for the Steelers owner and how they would expect them to get answered. 

Does the Chase Claypool trade give you hope on what the Steelers front office will do going forward? Ron Cook said on-air earlier today that former GM Kevin Colbert was not on board with the move even though it looks like one of the best the Steelers have made in years. The guys agreed it was a good sign that Omar Khan and others made the trade happen because it likely wouldn’t have in the past. And Frank Reich has a new job – the head coach of the Carolina Panthers. 

93.7 The Fan Sports Director Jeff Hathhorn joined the show. Jeff had his takeaways from the Art Rooney II press conference. Per usual, Rooney was encouraged by the season’s second half and is happy with the way the year ended, despite not qualifying for the playoffs. Jeff said Art seemed to defer everything coaching related to his coaches. Jeff said the Steeler Way was preached during the 20+ minute presser. According to Jeff, the Steelers did not want to play Kenny Pickett much at all in his rookie season and it was intended to be mainly Mitch Trubisky at QB. It appears Rooney is happy with the young pieces on the roster going forward.