Daniel Jeremiah, NFL Network draft analyst does not have Kenny Pickett in the Top 25 rookies, but George Pickens cracks the Top 10. Is it fair to have Pickett that low (along with all of the other rookie QBs)? How disappointing has he been as a rookie? Chris thinks it’s a fair spot. 

Diontae Johnson made big headlines today when he said he wants to see Mason Rudolph get a shot Sunday. What do we make of it? Is it a shot at Mitch Trubisky or Kenny Pickett? 

The listeners love Donny Football and the guys asked him about his road trip to Carolina this weekend. 

Former Steelers QB Kordell Stewart joined the show. Kordell talked about the game-week QB competition between Mitch Trubisky and Mason Rudolph, and who he wants to see play. Kordell talked about competitions he went through during his time with the Steelers and what the mental scape might be for both players. He said it’s a situation where you have to have thick skin. Kordell said a great game from Rudolph would put the coaching stuff in a tough decision to keep him in. Chris asked Kordell how the locker room would react if Rudolph played well and they benched him anyway. Kordell gave his assessment of Kenny Pickett so far. 

Former Steelers QB Kordell Stewart joined the show. Kordell talked about the game-week QB competition between Mitch Trubisky and Mason Rudolph, and who he wants to see play. Kordell talked about competitions he went through during his time with the Steelers and what the mental scape might be for both players. He said it’s a situation where you have to have thick skin. Kordell said a great game from Rudolph would put the coaching stuff in a tough decision to keep him in. Chris asked Kordell how the locker room would react if Rudolph played well and they benched him anyway. Kordell gave his assessment of Kenny Pickett so far. 

If we see Mason Rudolph on Sunday, what kind of QB will we see? Chris thinks for people like Poni it’s a lose-lose situation because people will make excuses if he plays poorly or a big game of I-told-you-so if he looks good. The guys checked out what Mason said to the media today. 

We rehashed Mike Florio saying Panthers owner, David Tepper should try to trade for Mike Tomlin. The guys talked about what trade packages would be acceptable for Tomlin. Poni offered a replacement. Poni ran through some names that have won a playoff game more recently than Tomlin. Is the standard still the standard? 

Former Steeler Ike Taylor joined the show. Ike said he doesn’t care who the QB is for the Steelers on Sunday because once the game is underway it doesn’t matter, “it’s go time.” Ike said the defense should just stay quiet if the QB/offense makes a lot of mistakes because there will be mistakes made on both sides. Poni asked Ike how teams react to bad seasons and how they rebound into the next season. He said a losing record should put a sour taste in the team’s mouth and make for a motivated off-season. Ike said Kenny Pickett has shown a lot of growth and maturity during his rookie season and that he has what it takes to be an NFL franchise QB. Ike was asked what is going on with this defense, how it can be fixed and how it compares to the defenses he played on.

ALL ACCESS w/ Aditi Kinkhabwala – Aditi joined the guys to talk about what is going on with the Steelers right now. She gave some hypothetical changes the Steelers could go through in the off-season and how the team could fill the holes. She talked about Hall of Fame personnel praising about the Steel Curtain and how the Steelers don’t personify that today. She said Mike Tomlin is full of excuses for saying his defense has faced two mobile QBs in the last two weeks. 

Award-winning 93.7 The Fan reporter Josh Rowntree joined the show. Josh confirmed that it looks like it is a QB competition in practice this week between Mitch Trubisky and Mason Rudolph. Josh said if it wasn’t a real decision, why would Mason be getting any first team reps? Josh talked about Mitch moving the football downfield, but making the back-breaking mistakes in big moments. 

Award-winning 93.7 The Fan reporter Josh Rowntree joined the show. Josh confirmed that it looks like it is a QB competition in practice this week between Mitch Trubisky and Mason Rudolph. Josh said if it wasn’t a real decision, why would Mason be getting any first team reps? Josh talked about Mitch moving the football downfield, but making the back-breaking mistakes in big moments. 

Former Steeler Ike Taylor joined the show. Ike said he doesn’t care who the QB is for the Steelers on Sunday because once the game is underway it doesn’t matter, “it’s go time.” Ike said the defense should just stay quiet if the QB/offense makes a lot of mistakes because there will be mistakes made on both sides. Poni asked Ike how teams react to bad seasons and how they rebound into the next season. He said a losing record should put a sour taste in the team’s mouth and make for a motivated off-season. Ike said Kenny Pickett has shown a lot of growth and maturity during his rookie season and that he has what it takes to be an NFL franchise QB. Ike was asked what is going on with this defense, how it can be fixed and how it compares to the defenses he played on.

Mason Rudolph had some sarcastic answers when asked about Sunday. The guys think it’s so clear how much he hates the coaching staff, but likes his teammates.

Donny has completed the vaunted Double Stack Challenge.

Mike Florio from Pro Football Talk joined the show. Mike talked about the concussion policy and if there was any chance Kenny Pickett would play Sunday. Mike talked about some players having different control over whether or not they play coming off an injury. He said he can’t imagine Kenny will be able to step in and play Sunday. He doesn’t buy a lot into a Ben Roethlisberger comeback story with the 49ers. The guys asked Mike if there was any shot the Steelers would consider trading Mike Tomlin to a place like Carolina or Bill Belichick to somewhere that isn’t New England. He said Tomlin getting traded wouldn’t totally shock him, but the Rooney family would ignore offers or pitchforks from fans. 

An insider has hinted that Mike Tomlin will be eyeing a contract extension after this season. The guys big question – what in the world has he done to deserve it? He hasn’t won a playoff game in years and the Steelers keep making excuse after excuse. 

Will we see Mason Rudolph on Sunday for the first time all season? He split first team reps today with Mitch Trubisky. It is an alleged QB competition for this week. The guys don’t buy much of it if it’s anything like the “competition” that took place during camp. Poni said it makes him feel like Mike Tomlin wants to lose this game. The guys debunked the Rudolph “throws the ball downfield” theory. 

Donny does the 8 Double Stack Challenge. 

Mike Florio from Pro Football Talk joined the show. Mike talked about the concussion policy and if there was any chance Kenny Pickett would play Sunday. Mike talked about some players having different control over whether or not they play coming off an injury. He said he can’t imagine Kenny will be able to step in and play Sunday. He doesn’t buy a lot into a Ben Roethlisberger comeback story with the 49ers. The guys asked Mike if there was any shot the Steelers would consider trading Mike Tomlin to a place like Carolina or Bill Belichick to somewhere that isn’t New England. He said Tomlin getting traded wouldn’t totally shock him, but the Rooney family would ignore offers or pitchforks from fans.