Aditi joined the guys to react to the Matt Canada news. Aditi said there is a way for the Steelers to win with their current formula, of running the football and playing great defense. 

Did the players need to step up more here? Players like Kenny Pickett, Najee Harris and others speaking negatively about Matt Canada could have resulted in his firing. Per the reports, it was never in doubt that Canada would be back once the season ended. Poni thinks Pickett wouldn’t have as much power in this situation as we may believe.

Calls.

Mike Florio from Pro Football Talk joined the show. Mike said in the age of high-flying offense in the NFL, the Steelers don’t have the brain trust in the building to keep up with the rest of the league. Mike thinks it’s more complicated than just Matt Canada in the Steelers facility. Mike said if Kenny Pickett grows to an elite level, or even close to it, Canada will be viewed as an offensive mastermind. Mike said fundamentally, the players aren’t as good on the Steelers roster as some of the others around the league, like the teams in the playoffs. “This continuity (of working with Matt Canada) will help Kenny Pickett get towards what he’s going to be” is what Mike said of Pickett continuing to work with Canada and being able to face the entire off-season like a starting quarterback. On Tom Brady, Mike said he expects Brady to stay closer to the east coast and threw out the Panthers as an option if they land Sean Payton. Mike thinks the Ravens will issue the non-exclusive franchise tag on Lamar Jackson, which leaves his options open, but if the Ravens don’t’ want to match an offer, they will receive multiple 1st round picks. Mike suggested the Dolphins as a landing spot for Lamar if he doesn’t play for the Ravens. 

Mike Florio from Pro Football Talk joined the show. Mike said in the age of high-flying offense in the NFL, the Steelers don’t have the brain trust in the building to keep up with the rest of the league. Mike thinks it’s more complicated than just Matt Canada in the Steelers facility. Mike said if Kenny Pickett grows to an elite level, or even close to it, Canada will be viewed as an offensive mastermind. Mike said fundamentally, the players aren’t as good on the Steelers roster as some of the others around the league, like the teams in the playoffs. “This continuity (of working with Matt Canada) will help Kenny Pickett get towards what he’s going to be” is what Mike said of Pickett continuing to work with Canada and being able to face the entire off-season like a starting quarterback. On Tom Brady, Mike said he expects Brady to stay closer to the east coast and threw out the Panthers as an option if they land Sean Payton. Mike thinks the Ravens will issue the non-exclusive franchise tag on Lamar Jackson, which leaves his options open, but if the Ravens don’t’ want to match an offer, they will receive multiple 1st round picks. Mike suggested the Dolphins as a landing spot for Lamar if he doesn’t play for the Ravens. 

Matt Canada is back…the guys aren’t happy.

Calls.

Former Penguin Tyler Kennedy joined the show. Tyler had some insight on the Matt Canada situation from a player perspective, just from a different sport. Tyler also told us about his relationship with Omar Khan. Tyler talked about what coaches were able to “press his buttons” and turn him into the best version of himself on the ice. Tyler said the Penguins are very inconsistent right now and that they don’t realize what the race to the playoffs will be like late in the season. 

Former Penguin Tyler Kennedy joined the show. Tyler had some insight on the Matt Canada situation from a player perspective, just from a different sport. Tyler also told us about his relationship with Omar Khan. Tyler talked about what coaches were able to “press his buttons” and turn him into the best version of himself on the ice. Tyler said the Penguins are very inconsistent right now and that they don’t realize what the race to the playoffs will be like late in the season. 

It is being reported that Mike Tomlin has a personal matter to attend to which is why we haven’t seen any changes with the Steelers staff, including Matt Canada. Does this leave any hope that they will part ways with Canada? It would be the longest they’ve let an assistant hang around before letting them go. Chris brought up Frank Reich and Jim Caldwell, but knows those are pipe dreams. Chris pointed out that teams that run the ball well did not make the playoffs, for the most part. Passing? Almost all of the top teams did. 

CBS NFL Draft insider Ryan Wilson joined the show. At 17th overall, Ryan thinks the Steelers will have their eyes on corners and offensive linemen, but isn’t ruling out wide receiver. Ryan said he loves Joey Porter Jr. and has him going in the top 10 as his CB1. He thinks Kelee Ringo could be in the mix at 17 along with Devon Witherspoon – both corners. Cam Smith was another corner that Ryan mentioned being in play for the Steelers. Somebody who could slide to the Steelers? Ryan said Jordan Addison and Peter Skoronski are his top names in that category. 

CBS NFL Draft insider Ryan Wilson joined the show. At 17th overall, Ryan thinks the Steelers will have their eyes on corners and offensive linemen, but isn’t ruling out wide receiver. Ryan said he loves Joey Porter Jr. and has him going in the top 10 as his CB1. He thinks Kelee Ringo could be in the mix at 17 along with Devon Witherspoon – both corners. Cam Smith was another corner that Ryan mentioned being in play for the Steelers. Somebody who could slide to the Steelers? Ryan said Jordan Addison and Peter Skoronski are his top names in that category. 

What is the Steelers biggest problem? Some fans argue that inside linebacker doesn’t get covered enough, but how can you look beyond the offensive side of the ball and the offensive coordinator? You want the new OC, but the guy has to be able to open it up and Mike Tomlin has to allow that to happen. The guys worry about what Tomlin will allow any coordinator to do. The teams that score make the playoffs and are still kicking. The teams that don’t are at home. 

Calls.

Why is Kliff Kingsbury in Thailand? And Kenny Pickett said something last year before he was drafted that he would “slam the table” for Jordan Addison to get drafted by the same team the following year. Should the Steelers give Kenny a lot of input in their draft plans with a very important draft ahead? Chris doesn’t see it happening after Mike Tomlin failed to label Kenny a “franchise quarterback.” Poni would love to see a true 3-headed monster at receiver like the Bengals have. 

Why is Kliff Kingsbury in Thailand? And Kenny Pickett said something last year before he was drafted that he would “slam the table” for Jordan Addison to get drafted by the same team the following year. Should the Steelers give Kenny a lot of input in their draft plans with a very important draft ahead? Chris doesn’t see it happening after Mike Tomlin failed to label Kenny a “franchise quarterback.” Poni would love to see a true 3-headed monster at receiver like the Bengals have. 

Buccaneers insider Jon Ledyard joined the show. Jon did not have high praise for Byron Leftwich because he hasn’t proven to be someone that can change or adapt from year to year. He actually gave Matt Canada props for doing that in the middle of this season. Jon said Leftwich was the guy that ran the offense on game days and did the game planning in Tampa Bay and it wasn’t just Bruce Arians calling all the shots. Jon thinks the overall playbook from Leftwich and Arians isn’t as strong as it’s perceived in the league. He said it counts a lot on the players being at an elite level. He said the in-game evolution of the offense is almost nonexistent. Jon talked about the predictability of the offense is bad and the success only comes from Tom Brady in a no-huddle approach. He expects Leftwich to consider his options, but would certainly have interest from Pittsburgh. His overall grade for Leftwich in his time in Tampa is a C because there were great things, but last year earned him an F. 

Is Tom Brady finally done? He looked horrific last night capping off his worst season in an illustrious career. Chris thinks he still has a tiny bit left in the tank. Poni thinks the old man is cooked. And what type of offensive coordinator would you want in Pittsburgh if it isn’t Matt Canada? Would you rather it be the system and not the player?

Aaron Rodgers thinks he can win another MVP, but isn’t sure if that will be in Green Bay. Poni said he wants to see Kenny Pickett go 2-0 against Rodgers and Tom Brady next year. Aaaaaaand what did Antonio Brown post on Snapchat this morning? Does he do this stuff just to keep his name in the news?