Podcast appearances and mentions of Mason Rudolph

A selection of the best Kyle Brandt cuts from the Week of November 17th: A team with problems NFC Playoff picture Lost the magic? Enjoying the Bears Small margin for error A time for trust 10 Takes with Kyle Brandt is part of the NFL Podcast Network See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Saturday Edition of the Good Morning Football Podcast looks back at The Undertaker's appearance on GMFB! Another matchup between Aaron Rodgers and the Bears, will he have the same success with the Steelers? Plus, Ravens TE Mark Andrews drops by to talk about Baltimore's 4 game winning streak and their resurgence in the AFC North! The Good Morning Football Podcast is part of the NFL Podcast NetworkSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Saturday episode of the North Shore Drive podcast, presented by FanDuel and Edgar Snyder & Associates, Post-Gazette Steelers insiders Christopher Carter and Brian Batko look at keys for NFL Week 12 against the Chicago Bears. Can DK Metcalf, Calvin Austin III, Roman Wilson, Darnell Washington, Pat Freiermuth and Jonnu Smith generate more yards after the catch? Regardless of whether Aaron Rodgers or Mason Rudolph is the starting quarterback? Is that the key to this passing game reaching expectations for OC Arthur Smith? And what can be learned from that group's early-season success? Our duo tackles those questions, then makes predictions for whether T.J. Watt, Jalen Ramsey, Cam Heyward, Joey Porter Jr., James Pierre and the defense can contain a dangerous Chicago offense led by Caleb Williams, Rome Odunze, D.J. Moore, Colston Loveland and D'Andre Swift. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Ruthie Polinsky and Clay Harbor preview Bears–Steelers in Week 12 as Chicago looks to improve to 8–3 on the season. They talk through the latest on Aaron Rodgers' injury, whether we'll see him or Mason Rudolph, and how much that actually affects the matchup. Clay breaks down what Caleb Williams and the Bears offensive line will need to handle from Pittsburgh's pass rush, and how injuries at linebacker could factor into the Steelers' ground game. They revisit the up-and-down special teams performance against the Vikings, discuss Ben Johnson's game management and message to Caleb, and close the show with a thank you and farewell to producer Edgar Perez.

Hour One of the Good Morning Football Podcast begins with hosts Jamie Erdahl, Rashad Jennings, Manti Te’o, and Seth Rollins reacting to the Houston Texans upset over Buffalo Bills. Indianapolis Colts WR Alex Pierce joins the show and talks about their upcoming matchup vs. Chiefs, Daniel Jones’ leadership, and playing alongside Jonathan Taylor and Sauce Gardner. STEELERS vs. BEARS - how do you expect Aaron Rodgers to perform vs. his rival?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hour Two of the Good Morning Football Podcast begins with hosts Jamie Erdahl, Rashad Jennings, Manti Te’o, and Seth Rollins discussing what is happening to the Buffalo Bills after their loss to the Texans. BIG NFC MATCHUPS - Expectations for Cowboys-Eagles and Buccaneers-Rams!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mark takes a call, talks about Mason Rudolph and is joined by Tim Benz this hour to preview Steelers and Bears See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Send us a textWe dive into a chaos-heavy sports week where FCS seeding flips, MLS redraws the calendar, and World Cup qualifying opens doors for surprise entrants. The stakes spike across rivalry games, while a few programs and federations make bold, risky bets on timing, talent, and identity.• South Dakota State's slide and what the committee values• Bracketology snapshots, seeds, and the real bubble• Rivalry week impact: Brawl of the Wild, Lehigh–Lafayette, Harvard–Yale• MEAC decider in Dover and Celebration Bowl path• FBS vs FCS upsets worth monitoring and why they matter• MLS's fall-to-spring pivot and USL's opportunity• International breaks, player availability, and transfer timing• CONCACAF chaos: Suriname and Curacao push for first World Cup trips• UEFA qualification pressure points and Nations League backdoors• NHL pulse check: pace-setters, slides, and the Sweden series“Stay tuned for tomorrow because I have a poem, maybe even an epic to read of the return of the rise of the ashes of Mason Rudolph.” Support the showMake sure to follow the Dad Hat Chronicles: https://linktr.ee/TheDadHatChronicles

On the Friday episode of the North Shore Drive podcast, presented by FanDuel and Edgar Snyder & Associates, host Adam Bittner welcomes Post-Gazette sports columnist Paul Zeise to discuss the surprising popularity of Steelers backup QBs Will Howard and Mason Rudolph. Why are some fans so eager to see both with future Hall of Famer Aaron Rodgers in place as the starter? Is there any world where Howard, a rookie, is ready for meaningful NFL snaps if Rodgers can't play in NFL Week 12 because of his injury? What is his upside at the NFL level? And why have some fans moved on so quickly from Rudolph's struggles that they lamented early in his career as the backup to Ben Roethlisberger? Our duo tackles those questions, plus some AFC North topics. Will Steelers fans regret the team not taking Shedeur Sanders in the NFL draft if he thrives in his first start for the Browns? Are the Bengals a bad team even if Joe Burrow is able to return at some point this season? And are Lamar Jackson, Derrick Henry and the Ravens really as dangerous to the Steelers in division race as some perceive them to be? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Welcome to Steelers Morning Rush, our new daily short-form podcast with Alan Saunders, giving a longer perspective on a single news topic surrounding the Pittsburgh Steelers or the National Football League. Today, it's the narratives surrounding the recent performance of quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Rodgers wasn't great before leaving last week's win over the Cincinnati Bengals at halftime, but he wasn't as bad as he had been the previous week, either. Back up Mason Rudolph only slightly performed better, and most of that was do to his receivers running after the catch. Is there really a lot that Rodgers could be learning from Rudolph if he is unable to play against the Chicago Bears this Sunday? Alan breaks it down. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike Tomlin spoke moments before the guys took the air and said that "we will see how it goes" when it comes to Aaron Rodgers' health for the game against the Chicago Bears on Sunday. Rodgers is still listed as 'questionable'. Who will start on Sunday: Rodgers or Mason Rudolph? Both Poni and Mueller say that they think Rodgers will play.

11-21 PM Team 2pm hour: Show open, phone calls, and Fair Game with Nick Farabaugh

Matt Jones and Drew Franklin start their Week 12 preview with a newly found fandom for the Bills. Matt notes the Eagles and Cowboys wins before moving to the news of the week. Ja'Marr Chase will sit out a game after spitting on Jalen Ramsey. How can Aaron Rodgers handle playing with a fractured wrist? Shedeur Sanders will get the start on Sunday when the Browns visit the Raiders. Will it be a good or a bad outing? Kirk Cousins will start for the Falcons, who lost Michael Penix Jr. for the season. Does the coin flip decide if the Panthers win or lose? Cam Skattebo goes to a WWE event and Matt wonders if was a good idea. Josh Allen will obliterate the record for rushing TDs for a QB. How long will Allen continue to run like he does? The Chiefs are currently out of the playoffs and Matt wonders if they'll make it to the postseason. Over in the NFC, can the Bears win the NFC North? The Saints will expand the NFL's International footprint with a game in Paris. Matt and Drew give their picks for Week 12 before giving their Survivor and TD parlays. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nov. 20 – Ep. 81: For this episode of The Depot Dive, Ross McCorkle and Joe Clark begin the show by recapping the Steelers' win over the Bengals. We discuss what led to this game looking completely different than their last matchup against the Bengals a month ago. We also talk about James Pierre, the RB committee, Aaron Rodgers' sluggish first half and more. Next we discuss Mason Rudolph's impressive second half, and whether or not he should start given Rodgers' left wrist injury. We each give our prediction for who will play on Saturday. For the final topic, we preview the Bears game with matchups to watch, injury news, and something that may favor the Steelers' defense in a big way. We wrap up the show with a listener question about the Steelers' top three draft needs (excluding quarterback). Thank you for joining us for this 41-minute episode, and we hope to see your thoughts in the comment section. Call the hotline at (412) 254-3145 and leave us a question for a chance to have it answered in a future episode. You can also text the line if you don't wish to have your voice on the show! Follow us on Twitter: Ross: @Ross_McCorkle Joe: @jclark1233 Steelersdepot.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

(0:00) Steelers evaluation(21:00) Colts-Chiefs preview(33:00) Eagles-Cowboys preview(40:00) Bucs-Rams SNF preview(46:00) Joe Burrow practiced in full Wednesday Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Hour One of the Good Morning Football Podcast begins with hosts Jamie Erdahl, Manti Te’o, Mike Garafolo and Seth Rollins previewing the Houston Texans-Buffalo Bills matchup! Ravens TE Mark Andrews joins the show and talks about his special play vs. Browns.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The guys dive into why right now is the moment the Ravens flip their season trajectory—what's been missing, what's finally clicking, and why this weeks matchup could become the turning point in Baltimore's year. Plus, Hutton rolls through One Big Thing on Every NFL Game, giving you the key storyline, pressure point, or chaos factor you need heading into the weekend. And Coach Todd Haley joins the show to share his take on current coaches being contacted mid season about open HC jobs, which NFL teams are rising to the top and do the Steelers have a better chance at the playoffs with Mason Rudolph? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Missi Matthews joins the show to discuss the impact Mason Rudolph can have on the offense if he's the one to get the start against the Bears on Sunday.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Missi Matthews joins the show to discuss the impact Mason Rudolph can have on the offense if he's the one to get the start against the Bears on Sunday.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Post-Gazette Steelers insiders Brian Batko and Ray Fittipaldo report from the team's practice facility ahead of an NFL Week 12 matchup with the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. What does it mean that Aaron Rodgers was seen working at QB during the portion of practice open to media? Will he play this week? Or will Mason Rudolph get the nod as Rodgers continues to recover from a broken wrist? Our duo tackles those questions for coach Mike Tomlin and OC Arthur Smith. Then ponders the future for Cory Trice Jr., who failed activation from injured reserve; and James Pierre's role at cornerback with Darius Slay returning from injury. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Hour 2 with Bob Pompeani and Chris Hoke: Hokie discusses how Aaron Rodgers will need to protect himself with his wrist injury. Hokie shares how he was the first advocate for Mason Rudolph. Not Mark Kaboly. Hokie wants the Steelers to give Mason Rudolph a chance at some point. Chris Hoke shares how George Pickens was late to meetings, the team plane, and didn't have accountability.

Chris Hoke discusses the roughing the passer calls against the Bengals. They're terrible calls, but by rules it's a penalty. Hokie discusses how Aaron Rodgers will need to protect himself with his wrist injury. Hokie shares how he was the first advocate for Mason Rudolph. Not Mark Kaboly. Hokie wants the Steelers to give Mason Rudolph a chance.

In this Episode, we discuss the Steelers' dominating performance against the Bengals, 34-12. We discussed Mount Washington running over the Bengals. We discuss Mason Rudolph coming in relief of Aaron Rodgers. We discuss Chamar Chase spitting on Ramsey and overall thoughts. We do some FU E trivia and have a weather report for Sunday against the Bears in Chicago, sponsored by Agent Hendo. We discussed the Keys to victory for the Steelers' victory on Sunday against the Bears. We make some predictions and who we think will win on Sunday. Please email the show at steelersfanaticaluniverse@gmail.com

Smith's Sayings – What did Arthur Smith say to the media today? KDKA TV's Bob Pompeani joined the show. Did the Steelers make a mistake trading George Pickens? Bob said they are still chasing their WR2 spot. When is the last time Bob did a shot? Bob gives Aaron Rodgers a 6.5/10 right now, with Mason Rudolph right behind at 6/10. Is TJ Watt playing up to his contract so far? Bob is afraid about what Caleb Williams can bring to the table on Sunday, but expects a one-score game. Power Rankings – Top 5 SNL cast members.

Austin's Answers – What did Teryl Austin say to the media today? Steve Palazzolo from the 33rd Team joined the show. Steve said he would rate Aaron Rodgers a 5.5/10 right now and Mason Rudolph a 4.5/10 – answering the same question Poni asked Pomp in the 3 pm hour. Steve isn't convinced Rodgers is playing better football than Ben Roethlisberger did in his last couple years. Steve described Rodgers as ‘a tick off' in his last few games. How good has the Steelers offensive line been in protection of Rodgers? Steve isn't sure why Darius Slay would go right back into the Steelers lineup. Does Steve think the Steelers should have regret trading George Pickens? The guys asked Steve how good Darnell Washington has been and what kind of potential he has at over 300 pounds. Steve picked the Steelers to beat the Bears, sighting how lucky Chicago has been. Donny Football Debrief – Why did CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens get disciplined on MNF?

The Bills and Texans kick off Week 12 of the NFL season tonight – 2 teams that were projected to win their division in the AFC. In fact, none of the preseason favorites to win their division are currently leading in the AFC. Is the AFC there for the taking? Poni doesn't think any of the typical conference powers are as scary this season. There's a real chance the Chiefs miss the playoffs completely. The guys think Mike Tomlin would be comfortable playing any team in the AFC right now. Steelers insider Ray Fittipaldo from the PG joined the show. Ray said it's a ‘better than 50% chance' that Aaron Rodgers plays on Sunday. The guys asked Ray if Rodgers would be pushing to play if they weren't in Chicago this weekend. How much of a gap exists between Rodgers and Mason Rudolph right now? Ray said Rudolph has been ‘money' since that rough patch he hit in his second season back in 2019. Ray thinks there is a realistic chance Rudolph is the Week 1 starter in 2026. Ray said the coaches are really confident in James Pierre after his last few games, so the leash on Darius Slay won't be too long, assuming he gets the start. Is Jonnu Smith getting more snaps because he's a favorite of Arthur Smith? Ray thinks Roman Wilson is slowly gaining the trust of Rodgers and the coaching staff. Ray wouldn't be stunned if Kenneth Gainwell gets more touches than Jaylen Warren on Sunday. How does Ray think the Steelers stack up with the rest of the AFC right now? Ray has a feeling the Steelers win. Total Request Thursday.

Poni had a question for everyone to start today's show – where did the Mason Rudolph love come from? How much of the heavy lifting does the end of the 2023 season do? Chris said people love a comeback story going back to biblical days. Did he get a raw deal? People haven't seen him play bad football in Pittsburgh for a little while. Where does the love for Mason Rudolph come from? One caller, missing the point, wondered why the guys were ‘praising' Duck Hodges in 2019. Pirates/Penguins reporter Jason Mackey from the PG joined the show. Jason confirmed that the Pirates did offer Josh Naylor a contract, but doesn't think Naylor was close to leaving Seattle. Jason thinks they will spend some money this off-season, but players like Naylor and Kyle Schwarber are probably too rich. Jason questioned why a free agent worth $30M/year would come to Pittsburgh. Jason believes it's ‘very possible' that Konnor Griffin begins the 2026 season on the Pirates roster as their starting shortstop. Jason thinks the Pirates payroll will be right around $100M, but doubts it gets any higher than that. Jason thinks Eugenio Suarez could be the big move of the off-season, coming off a 49 HR season.

Steelers insider Ray Fittipaldo from the PG joined the show. Ray said it's a ‘better than 50% chance' that Aaron Rodgers plays on Sunday. The guys asked Ray if Rodgers would be pushing to play if they weren't in Chicago this weekend. How much of a gap exists between Rodgers and Mason Rudolph right now? Ray said Rudolph has been ‘money' since that rough patch he hit in his second season back in 2019. Ray thinks there is a realistic chance Rudolph is the Week 1 starter in 2026. Ray said the coaches are really confident in James Pierre after his last few games, so the leash on Darius Slay won't be too long, assuming he gets the start. Is Jonnu Smith getting more snaps because he's a favorite of Arthur Smith? Ray thinks Roman Wilson is slowly gaining the trust of Rodgers and the coaching staff. Ray wouldn't be stunned if Kenneth Gainwell gets more touches than Jaylen Warren on Sunday. How does Ray think the Steelers stack up with the rest of the AFC right now? Ray has a feeling the Steelers win.

Steve Palazzolo from the 33rd Team joined the show. Steve said he would rate Aaron Rodgers a 5.5/10 right now and Mason Rudolph a 4.5/10 – answering the same question Poni asked Pomp in the 3 pm hour. Steve isn't convinced Rodgers is playing better football than Ben Roethlisberger did in his last couple years. Steve described Rodgers as ‘a tick off' in his last few games. How good has the Steelers offensive line been in protection of Rodgers? Steve isn't sure why Darius Slay would go right back into the Steelers lineup. Does Steve think the Steelers should have regret trading George Pickens? The guys asked Steve how good Darnell Washington has been and what kind of potential he has at over 300 pounds. Steve picked the Steelers to beat the Bears, sighting how lucky Chicago has been.

KDKA TV's Bob Pompeani joined the show. Did the Steelers make a mistake trading George Pickens? Bob said they are still chasing their WR2 spot. When is the last time Bob did a shot? Bob gives Aaron Rodgers a 6.5/10 right now, with Mason Rudolph right behind at 6/10. Is TJ Watt playing up to his contract so far? Bob is afraid about what Caleb Williams can bring to the table on Sunday, but expects a one-score game.

Poni had a question for everyone to start today's show – where did the Mason Rudolph love come from? How much of the heavy lifting does the end of the 2023 season do? Chris said people love a comeback story going back to biblical days. Did he get a raw deal? People haven't seen him play bad football in Pittsburgh for a little while.

Bobby Bones and Matt Cassel start with Bobby still wearing a boot and Matt's recent hibachi experience. Bobby's NFL Power Rankings has two QB's in the Top 5 that he doesn't really trust. Bobby reveals a team that he doesn't think is going to lose again for the rest of the season. Myles Garrett could be proving himself as the best defensive player ever. Ja'Marr Chase gets caught spitting on Jalen Ramsey and Bobby looks at the history of this offense. Matt notes the power shifts happening in the AFC East and the AFC West. Bobby gives the three best games for Week 12. Super Bowl Champion Tyrann Mathieu talks about being a Heisman finalist in his sophomore year at LSU. He talks about finding purpose after retiring and looking forward to what's next in life. Tyrann recalls his draft experience and where he thought he would play in the NFL. How was he pitched by the Chiefs in free agency and won a championship under DC Steve Spagnuolo. Who is on Tyrann's Mount Rushmore of LSU Football? Are the Cowboys a far better team than their record? What does Matt think Sam Darnold needs to be known as elite? Bobby gives his thoughts on Shedeur Sanders and how he rebounds from this week. Plus, who does Bobby think will be the next head coach at Arkansas? Lots to Say with Bobby Bones and Matt Cassel is part of the NFL Podcast Network See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

November 19, 2025 - Season 16, Episode 52 of The Terrible Podcast is now in the can. In this Wednesday morning episode, Alex Kozora and I get right into talking about the Pittsburgh Steelers making a few transactions since our last show with one of those being the signing of QB/WR John Rhys Plumlee back to the practice squad on Tuesday. We talk about why Plumlee was likely added to the practice squad in addition to discussing why five other players were brough in for tryouts on Tuesday. Alex and I then go over the list of injured players the Steelers have heading into Week 12 with QB Aaron Rodgers obviously being our main focus due to a fracture of some kind in his left wrist. We discuss what all HC Mike Tomlin had to say on Tuesday about Rodgers possibly playing on Sunday against the Chicago Bears and whether our gut feelings tell us when it comes to that possibly happening. Should the Steelers strongly consider starting QB Mason Rudolph against the Bears regardless of what transpires this week with Rodgers? Alex and I attack that question in this show and also talk about the possibility of Rodgers being the backup on Sunday against the Bears. We also talk a little about rookie QB Will Howard possibly getting a few first-team reps this week with Rodgers slowed by injury. As usual, Alex and I parse all of the notable talking points that came out of Tomlin Tuesday. We discuss what Tomlin had to say about playing time on Sunday for CB Darius Slay and CB James Pierre and if indeed the former will wind up resuming as the starter against the Bears if he clears concussion protocol this week. We discuss what playing time on Sunday might and should look like on Sunday against the Bears when it comes to both Slay and Pierre. Tomlin talked some about TE Darnell Washington and his usage in the offense on Tuesday, so we make sure to dive a bit deeper into those comments. We also talk about what Tomlin had to say about the reaction S Jalen Ramsey had to Cincinnati Bengals WR Ja'Marr Chase spitting on him in the second half of the Week 11 Sunday game at Acrisure Stadium. With Chase having his one-game suspension upheld on Tuesday as part of his appeal process, Alex and I address what should happen to every player that spits on another player during a game and how the NFL needs to take a more defined punishment stance moving forward. With the All-22 tape from the Steelers' Sunday home win against the Bengals now fully digested by us, Alex and I discuss the good, bad and ugly that we uncovered from that. We start with the defense and go over how that unit effectively did against the pass on Sunday and the changes that we have seen schematically the last several weeks with Ramsey and Kyle Dugger now manning the two safety positions. We also discuss the three outside linebacker packages the Steelers used on Sunday against the Bengals and how effective that was. After talking about the defensive play on Sunday, Alex and I move on to talk some about what we saw from the Steelers offense on the all-22 tape from the game against the Bengals. We were both less enthused when it came to that side of the football and we explain why. We also wonder if Rudolph might try to push the football down the field more on Sunday against the Bears should he indeed get the start in that contest over the injured Rodgers. Alex and I mix in quite a few tape observations during this show and we make sure to discuss the recent play of several different players as well. Alex previews a tape study that he is working on when it comes to Steelers DT Keeanu Benton as well. This 110-minute episode also discusses several other minor topics not noted and we wrap things up by answering several emails we received from listeners. steelersdepot.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

(0:00) Ja'Marr Chase suspension upheld by NFL(26:00) Aaron Rodgers will not require wrist surgery(36:00) Mike Tomlin praises Mason Rudolph Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Today's episode: Aaron Rodgers vs. Mason Rudolph? Eh, it's really not that Hear award-winning columnist Dejan Kovacevic's three Daily Shot podcasts -- one each on Steelers, Penguins, Pirates -- every weekday morning, plus the all-new DOUBLE SHOT show that follows up at 4:00 p.m. Eastern! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hour One of the Good Morning Football Podcast begins with the first look at Colts/Chiefs. Hosts Jamie Erdahl, Kyle Brandt, Manti Te'o, and Nick Garafolo discuss the scenarios for the Bills winning the AFC East in Whiteboard Wednesday. Plus, WWE Hall of Famer 'The Undertaker' drops by to talk about the Cowboys! Stay tuned for Brian Baumgartner coming up in Hour 2 of the GMFB Podcast! The Good Morning Football Podcast is part of the NFL Podcast NetworkSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hour Two of the Good Morning Football Podcast begins with the playoff outlook for the Lions. Hosts Jamie Erdahl, Kyle Brandt, Manti Te'o, and Nick Garafolo look at the NFC Playoff picture as it stands right now. Actor Brian Baumgartner drops by to discuss the Packers and Aaron Rodgers in Pittsburgh. Kyle and Nick take us Inside the Booth for the best calls from Week 11. Plus, Sr. Bowl Exec Drew Fabianich looks at stock rising in players as invitations are about to be sent out for the Senior Bowl. The Good Morning Football Podcast is part of the NFL Podcast NetworkSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Merril Hoge was encouraged by the play of Mason Rudolph in relief of Aaron Rodgers against the Bengals.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We open up with Schreff's Eagles rant on what was a pretty painful Sunday Night Football affair with the Lions - and our collective opinion on Jalen Hurts is the correct one. Mitchell and Jack give their thoughts on the Steelers win over the Bengals - the Ramsey/Chase incident, Aaron Rodgers and Mason Rudolph disparity, and a conversation about Nick Herbig. And of course, concluding with our week 12 spread and total picks.

Alan Saunders and Zachary Smith discuss all things Pittsburgh Steelers. On today's episode, we discuss the latest injury report as the Steelers begin to prepare for the Chicago Bears. Aaron Rodgers, Jaylen Warren and Alex Highsmith all missed practice. Cory Trice Jr. wasn't activated off of IR, thus ending his 2025 season and putting his future with the team in serious jeopardy. We also touch on the unique relationship between Aaron Rodgers and Mason Rudolph and what has allowed Rudolph to excel in this role. Finally, Alan once again goes off on PFF and the way people use and discuss their data. Let's go for another Steelers Afternoon Drive and discuss all this! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ben Roethlisberger was complimentary of Mason Rudolph on his Footbahlin podcast. Should Rudolph play against Chicago if Aaron Rodgers isn't close to 100%? The NFL upheld the one-game suspension for Ja'Marr Chase spitting on Jalen Ramsey. Tomlin confirmed that Darius Slay will start, if healthy.

Mark thought Rodgers looked skittish in LA. Not a lot of guys were consistently open. Who gives the Steelers the better chance to win? Mark is going with Rodgers. He thinks Rodgers and Mason Rudolph give the Steelers a chance to win, but how much of a difference is it?

Hour 1 with Bob Pompeani and Joe Starkey: Ben Roethlisberger was complimentary of Mason Rudolph on his podcast. Should Rudolph play against Chicago if Aaron Rodgers isn't close to 100%? We all think that Rodgers will play, especially being against the Bears. Jeff Passan reported that the Pirates were willing to offer double what they paid for in the Francisco Liriano contract for Josh Naylor. James Franklin has been hired by Virginia Tech.

In the Bengals' 34-12 loss to the Steelers on November 16, 2025, defensive end Myles Murphy delivered his most commanding performance yet, a beacon of progress amid a deflating defeat. The 2023 first-round pick entered the game under scrutiny, with just 4.5 sacks through 10 outings and the Bengals' pass rush depleted by injuries to Trey Hendrickson and Shemar Stewart. Facing a revamped Pittsburgh line featuring ex-first-rounders Broderick Jones and Troy Fautanu, Murphy stepped up as the de facto leader of Cincy's edge rotation. Murphy's stat line screamed dominance: a career-high seven tackles, five in the first half alone, anchoring the run defense with five stops that limited Jaylen Warren and Kenneth Gainwell's explosiveness. He led the team with six quarterback pressures, per Pro Football Focus, constantly disrupting Aaron Rodgers (and later Mason Rudolph) in the pocket. His crowning moment came midway through the second quarter: teaming with B.J. Hill for an 11-yard sack on Rodgers, a thunderous strip-sack that forced a punt and ignited Who Dey cheers in Acrisure Stadium. Murphy's bull rushes overwhelmed Fautanu, ending the rookie's recent hype, while his pursuit angles—chasing down Warren for a 3-yard stuff—showcased improved instincts and effort. This wasn't mere volume; it was refined technique. Murphy switched sides seamlessly, exploiting mismatches with violent hand usage and a low pad level honed during the bye week. Despite a roughing-the-passer flag that gifted Pittsburgh a first down and a neutral zone infraction, his motor never waned, even as the defense surrendered a pick-six and fumble return for scores in the second half. Teammates like Joseph Ossai and Cedric Johnson fed off his energy, hinting at a budding rotation. For a Bengals D ranked 28th in sacks, Murphy's breakout signals hope. At 22, he's evolving from raw athlete to disruptive force, pressuring coaches to eye his fifth-year option. In a season of 3-7 despair, this was Murphy's "put it all together" game—raw power meets football IQ. If sustained, it could salvage Cincinnati's pass rush and playoff dreams. Music from #InAudio: https://inaudio.org/ Track Name Holy (Trap). Music from #InAudio: https://inaudio.org/ Track Name Exercise (Rock). #Bengals #NFL #OffTheBench

Aaron Rodgers talked to the media today and the guys think that is a telltale sign that he will play on Sunday. Usually, a QB won't talk to the reporters if he isn't going to play a few days later. Poni posed the question – is Mason Rudolph the best backup QB in team history? He has more wins than Charlie Batch in backup duty. We looked back at some backup QBs in Steelers lore. Poni thinks Rudolph pulling Mike Tomlin and his team out of the ground in 2023 is something that could win him some tiebreakers. Does Tommy Maddox deserve any consideration? Former MLB pitcher Matt Clement joined the show. The guys asked Matt about the Pirates off-season rumors and if the team has any shot to make a mark. Matt went through some names the Pirates should truly pursue. He thinks, even though the staff is already strong, the Pirates should look into pitchers like Ranger Suarez if his market isn't as strong as expected. Matt said the Pirates can't wait too long with Paul Skenes on their roster and they need to show urgency. Is it a good idea for the Pirates to start Konnor Griffin out of the gate in 2026? Matt insisted the Pirates will bolster their starting rotation and could make other splashes, to a smaller degree. Mike Florio from Pro Football Talk joined the show. The guys asked Mike about his card collecting days and he explained why 1976 was a big year. Mike also gave quite an interesting take on an ice cream topping. Once the talk got to football, it turned to Aaron Rodgers and if he would play in Chicago on Sunday. Mike expects Rodgers to play and that he will do everything in his power to play against the Bears one more time. Mike thinks Rodgers is aware that this could be his final season, which could make it more difficult to keep him out of games. The guys asked Mike about the tussle between Ja'Marr Chase and Jalen Ramsey on Sunday, which resulted in Ramsey's ejection and Chase's suspension. How do officials walk the fine line of punches in games?

Rodgers Rebuttals – What did Aaron Rodgers say to the media earlier today? Steelers insider Brian Batko from the PG joined the show. Brian feels like Aaron Rodgers will play on Sunday. What type of limitations will he have? Brian talked about the glow up for Mason Rudolph with the fans. If Darius Slay plays on Sunday, how much leeway will he get with James Pierre playing so well? Brian doesn't know why people bring up the ‘football' side of George Pickens because there was never a doubt of his ability. Brian thinks the Steelers lose in Chicago. Judge Donny – Will Penn State hire a coach better than James Franklin?

ALL ACCESS w/ Aditi – Aditi doesn't believe the George Pickens trade will go down as the ‘worst' in Steelers history and sometimes a player just needs that change of scenery. Aditi referenced Baker Mayfield going through the same thing in Cleveland. Is it a smarter move for the Steelers to play Aaron Rodgers or Mason Rudolph on Sunday? She said Rodgers is the starter for a reason and an opponent like the Bears probably gets his juices flowing a little bit more.

Should Aaron Rodgers play in Chicago with a broken wrist? Or a healthy Mason Rudolph? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hour One of the Good Morning Football Podcast begins with hosts Jamie Erdahl, Kyle Brandt, Manti Te’o, and Isaac Rochell reacting to the Cowboys emotional victory over the Raiders. Then they discuss the roaring Chicago Bears and Kyle gives away his Angry Runs scepter! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.