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. 

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. 

The guys really didn’t like how Mike Tomlin came off on Tuesday with the media. Poni said he’s run his course as head coach and gives the team no advantage in big moments anymore. The guys jumped on the playoff drought, his sour coaching staff and his complete control on what happens. Poni said the Steelers should revisit trading Tomlin. 

Tomlin Takes – The guys broke down what Mike Tomlin said to the media ahead of Sunday’s game against the Panthers. 

Is Ben Roethlisberger eyeing a comeback? He joked on his podcast about playing for the 49ers in place of Brock Purdy. Poni thinks he’d fill the shoes fine in that offense, but Chris thinks Purdy is much better right now than Ben would be. Poni said it’s 50/50 joking/serious and would absolutely pick up the phone if the 49ers called him. 

Poni suggested someone the Steelers could look into to fix their punting woes. Chris did not like the suggestion at all.

Is Ben Roethlisberger eyeing a comeback? He joked on his podcast about playing for the 49ers in place of Brock Purdy. Poni thinks he’d fill the shoes fine in that offense, but Chris thinks Purdy is much better right now than Ben would be. Poni said it’s 50/50 joking/serious and would absolutely pick up the phone if the 49ers called him. 

Donny with a humble brag that all five of his fantasy football teams made the playoffs, including the ‘The PM Team…Team’ that is just an absolute juggernaut in the Audacy Pittsburgh league. How many teams is too many? Ben Roethlisberger had some criticisms for Mike Tomlin and defended Mitch Trubisky for some risky plays. The guys said Tomlin clearly doesn’t want a gunslinger QB, but hitched his wagons to QBs playing scared. Chris said he’d be a good coach in Cleveland, where the offensive line and run game is already in place with a good defense on the other end. 

The guys remembered innovative college football coach Mike Leach, who passed away Monday night. 

ESPN’s Brooke Pryor joined the show. Brooke said she could see Mitch Trubisky or Mason Rudolph, or both, play Sunday if Kenny Pickett is not active. She thinks both guys are pretty respected in the locker room and would get support either way. The guys asked Brooke what she thought of the Mike Tomlin press conference and his condescending tone throughout. She said concussions are hard to talk about and she thinks Tomlin is just taking the safe route by saying he isn’t a medical expert.