Podcast appearances and mentions of Will Howard

Post-Gazette Steelers insiders Gerry Dulac and Ray Fittipaldo report from the NFL combine in Indianapolis, where GM Omar Khan spoke extensively about the team's QB situation. The guys react to Khan's comments about Aaron Rodgers as well as backup Will Howard, who has the attention of new coach Mike McCarthy because of his performance in practice over the past year. They also give their thoughts on the 2026 QB class and the possibility that names like Drew Allar, Cade Klubnik or Garrett Nussmeier could be added to the mix with a Day 2 or Day 3 NFL draft pick in anticipation of the stronger 2027 QB class. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this hour, Adam Crowley and Dorin Dickerson react to Steelers' GM Omar Khan bringing up Will Howard on his own when addressing the team's QBs in general. Also, are the Steelers planning on drafting a QB this year? February 25, 2026, 7:00 Hour

On the Tuesday episode of the North Shore Drive podcast, presented by FanDuel, host Noah Hiles welcomes Post-Gazette Steelers insider Brian Batko to react to GM Omar Khan's comments at the NFL combine. What should we make of Khan saying he has "no deadline" for QB Aaron Rodgers to return? How important is it for the team to get him signed quickly after Khan indicated he expects a decision from Rodgers sooner than it came in 2025? What are the implications of Rodgers' potential return to a QB room that also includes Mason Rudolph and Will Howard at present? And what impact will Rodgers have on other offseason decisions? Our duo tackles those questions, then weighs potential trade options. Will Khan look to repeat his 2025 blockbuster moves for DK Metcalf, Jalen Ramsey and Jonnu Smith? Or will this be a quieter spring? Would the Eagles' A.J. Brown be a good fit as a player known to be in the mix to move? Or would the Steelers be better off investing in a younger player in the NFL draft like Jordyn Tyson, Denzel Boston, Makai Lemon or Carnell Tate? And which players will other teams be asking Khan about? Does T.J. Watt top the list? And could others including Ramsey and Patrick Queen merit consideration as well? Our duo tackles those questions and more. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

One Steelers fan wants Ohio State wide receiver Carnell Tate. Omar Khan said there is no deadline on Aaron Rodgers, but that he doesn't expect things to go like they did last year. Omar said they are still looking for the next quarterback, but very excited to work with Will Howard.

Omar Khan spoke to the media today as the NFL Combine is underway in Indianapolis. The biggest takeaway is what he said about quarterback and Mike McCarthy. Do we think Khan wants Aaron Rodgers back the same way the coach wants? The guys believe Khan actually wants Will Howard to start and push to the future, but the coach and owner could be holding that back. Poni has his doubts we find many people that will be calling in defense of the older QB.

Poni is nervous. He once had a lot of hope for Will Howard, but he can't believe the amount of hype surrounding a 6th round pick by the team itself. Is this what happens with Mike Tomlin gone?

Omar Khan spoke to the media today as the NFL Combine is underway in Indianapolis. The biggest takeaway is what he said about quarterback and Mike McCarthy. Do we think Khan wants Aaron Rodgers back the same way the coach wants? The guys believe Khan actually wants Will Howard to start and push to the future, but the coach and owner could be holding that back. Poni has his doubts we find many people that will be calling in defense of the older QB. Would Aaron Rodgers consider any other team besides the Steelers? Would any other team, besides the Steelers, consider him? Sports Court w/ our friends from Edgar Snyder & Associates. With Konnor Griffin mashing the baseball today, the guys asked if any prospect in baseball could make a legal push to be on a big-league roster earlier than they should? After Sidney Crosby was hurt in the Olympics, what legal standing is there when it comes to pro players taking part in international competition? Rob told us baseball and hockey are different, and that each player in MLB has to have insurance policies in-place before they play in something like the World Baseball Classic. He added that players that don't get insured could lose everything if they get injured.

Poni is nervous. He once had a lot of hope for Will Howard, but he can't believe the amount of hype surrounding a 6th round pick by the team itself. Is this what happens with Mike Tomlin gone? A random conversation about kielbasa for breakfast turned the tide of the segment. Calls on Will Howard and kielbasa for breakfast. The answer we got today from Omar Khan about Broderick Jones has us worried about his football future. Is there any faith in Dylan Cook?

Last season it was Shedeur Sanders that got the love from Mel Kiper Jr going into the draft. This year's name appears to be Ty Simpson and Kiper, yet again, has the Steelers connected to the QB. Are we even positive that Simpson is better than Kenny Pickett? Poni said he would be more upset about the Steelers drafting Simpson would be worse than bringing Aaron Rodgers back. How do fans feel about Ty Simpson? We ranked Simpson against Will Howard and Drew Allar. Donny Football Debrief – Some of the new UFL rules are interesting. Will any ever get picked up by the NFL?

Who will have a better career: Marc Bugler or Will Howard, Brandon Lowe, and Fair Game with Nick Farabaugh

Curling is shuffleboard on ice. Marc Bulger is very interested in curling. He has a massive bet with Jared Allen about curling. Who will have a better NFL career: Bulger or Will Howard?

The Pittsburgh Steelers enter the 2026 offseason with one defining question: who will be the starting quarterback next season? In this episode, Joe and Brian take a deep dive into every path the Steelers could take, from an Aaron Rodgers return to the possibility of handing the offense to Will Howard after a year of development. We explore the veteran quarterbacks who could become available due to contract situations and cap decisions, including Kirk Cousins, Kyler Murray, Tua Tagovailoa, and Derek Carr, and how each one would fit in Pittsburgh. We also examine the free‑agent market, potential bridge options, and the top quarterback prospects in the upcoming NFL Draft who align with the Steelers' long‑term vision. If you want a complete, informed, and forward‑looking breakdown of the Steelers' quarterback plan for 2026, this episode covers every angle. Fan Questions Want to be featured on the show? Reach out below: Call: (203) 900‑4SCU (4728) Text: (203) 900‑4SCU Email: fanmail@steelcityunderground.com All SCU Links Podcast platforms, social channels, merch, and more: https://www.steelcityunderground.com/links About Steel City Underground Steel City Underground delivers daily Pittsburgh Steelers news, analysis, film breakdowns, and podcasts — covering the Black and Gold with insight, clarity, and a fan‑driven perspective. Unpacking Every Steelers Quarterback Option for 2026 appeared first on Steel City Underground.

Is Aaron Rodgers done? Aditi told the guys yesterday that she is hearing something different than what everyone else is assuming – that Rodgers is done. And not just done with the Steelers, but done entirely. If Aditi is right, where does that leave the Steelers? If that is the case, it will be 6 different starting QBs in 6 seasons. Steelers insider Ray Fittipaldo from the PG joined the show. Ray said the Steelers don't have 100% assurance that Aaron Rodgers will be back. Ray doubts we will know this time next week, but he expects there to be an answer by free agency. Ray believes the Steelers absolutely have a backup plan if Rodgers retires or chooses to play elsewhere in 2026, but isn't sure what it is. Ray confidently said Will Howard will not be the Steelers Week 1 starting QB. If Ray was in charge he would want to retool a little bit, but not completely tear things down. Total Request Thursday.

Steve Palazzolo from the 33rd Team joined the show. Steve has no idea what is going on with Brandon Aiyuk, but he's become the biggest mystery man in the NFL. Steve likes the other 49ers free agent WR, Jauan Jennings because he's simply the more dependable player. Could the Steelers make AJ Brown work in their offense? Steve thinks the Steelers should be open to trading a late-round pick for Anthony Richardson because it's another shot at franchise quarterback. Steve wanted to set the record straight that he didn't trash Will Howard last week. Steve said there are bad elements of college football that are not preparing QBs for the pros.

Steelers insider Ray Fittipaldo from the PG joined the show. Ray said the Steelers don't have 100% assurance that Aaron Rodgers will be back. Ray doubts we will know this time next week, but he expects there to be an answer by free agency. Ray believes the Steelers absolutely have a backup plan if Rodgers retires or chooses to play elsewhere in 2026, but isn't sure what it is. Ray confidently said Will Howard will not be the Steelers Week 1 starting QB. If Ray was in charge he would want to retool a little bit, but not completely tear things down.

Paul Skenes said he can't wait to represent the United States in the World Baseball Classic. Does that sit with us any different after seeing Sidney Crosby get hurt in the Olympics? An update on Sid – he is ‘unlikely' to play in the semifinal game against Finland. Steve Palazzolo from the 33rd Team joined the show. Steve has no idea what is going on with Brandon Aiyuk, but he's become the biggest mystery man in the NFL. Steve likes the other 49ers free agent WR, Jauan Jennings because he's simply the more dependable player. Could the Steelers make AJ Brown work in their offense? Steve thinks the Steelers should be open to trading a late-round pick for Anthony Richardson because it's another shot at franchise quarterback. Steve wanted to set the record straight that he didn't trash Will Howard last week. Steve said there are bad elements of college football that are not preparing QBs for the pros. Donny Football Debrief – The Browns could be losing their entire offensive line due to free agency. We're not sure if that has ever happened before.

Chris and Joe break down the biggest questions facing the Pittsburgh Steelers this offseason, starting with the splashiest name of all: Tyreek Hill. Would the former All-Pro wide receiver be worth the price tag? The guys debate whether Hill's likely contract demands — along with lingering off-field concerns — make him too risky for Pittsburgh's long-term plans.They also dive into the idea of adding pass rusher Bradley Chubb. While Chubb brings proven production when healthy, Chris and Joe question whether he truly fits what the Steelers need defensively. Is he the right scheme match? And would the investment make sense compared to developing younger talent?At quarterback, things get even more interesting. Tua Tagovailoa is floated as a potential trade target, but his massive salary cap hit complicates the conversation. The Steelers would need to make significant financial moves to make it work. Is Tua worth reshaping the roster around, or would Pittsburgh be better served exploring more affordable options?The discussion shifts to young quarterbacks and draft prospects, including Will Howard. How does he compare to Tanner McKee and Anthony Richardson? The debate centers on upside versus readiness, arm talent versus decision-making, and which direction best aligns with the Steelers' culture and timeline.Chris and Joe also talk about the importance of the NFL Draft — especially with Pittsburgh hosting. What does it mean for the city, the fan base and the franchise? Hosting the draft brings national attention and energy, but it also raises expectations. Can the Steelers capitalize on the spotlight and make the right moves?This episode is packed with analysis, debate and realistic scenarios as the Steelers prepare for a pivotal offseason.Check out my work at https://www.cleveland.com/staff/cpugh/ and support the podcast at https://linktr.ee/ChrisPughEdits#Steelers, #PittsburghSteelers, #NFL, #NFLFreeAgency, #TyreekHill, #BradleyChubb, #TuaTagovailoa, #WillHoward, #TannerMcKee, #AnthonyRichardson, #NFLDraft, #NFLDraft2026, #SteelersRumors, #NFLTrades, #FootballTalk, #SteelersNation, #AFCNorth, #NFLPodcast, #SportsDebate, #Pittsburgh

Send a textThe kind of football that makes Pittsburgh feel like Pittsburgh isn't an accident—it's a choice. We open the playbook on what defines the Steelers now: the city's unmatched stadium atmosphere on the North Shore, the legends who set the bar, and the decisions that could turn a short window into a serious run. From the animated Mount Rushmore debate to reliving Polamalu's chaos and Hines Ward's grin-through-the-hit toughness, we map the DNA that still drives this team.Then we get current and honest. Mike McCarthy's hire lands with mixed energy—some want a long-haul architect, others see a proven leader who understands Pittsburgh's culture and knows how to assemble a staff. Bridge coach or not, the task is clear: pick a quarterback path and build hard around it. We lean into the Rodgers question—one more year of elite processing and on-field coaching—or hand the keys to Will Howard and commit to development. Either way, the roster must match the vision.That's where the draft and free agency come into focus. Wide receiver is priority one: a WR2 who separates, wins late in the route, and stretches safeties. We talk names, traits, and how a true vertical threat reshapes the offense. From there, we zero in on tackle depth to keep the quarterback upright and a secondary upgrade to survive a league engineered for points. And yes, we tackle the TJ Watt question head-on—what loyalty, value, and timing mean when your best players carry big contracts and bigger expectations.If you love real Steelers talk—stadium lore, coaching nuance, cap realities, and a draft board that actually fits the scheme—you'll feel at home here. Hit play, ride along, then tell us your Steelers Mount Rushmore and WR1 target. Subscribe, share with a fellow fan, and leave a review so more of SteeleSubscribe for exclusive content: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1530455/support Buzzsprout - Let's get your podcast launched!Start for FREETactical BrotherhoodThe Tactical Brotherhood is a movement to support America.Dubby EnergyFROM GAMERS TO GYM JUNKIES TO ENTREPRENEURS, OUR PRODUCT IS FOR ANYONE WHO WANTS TO BE BETTER.ShankitgolfOur goal here at Shankitgolf is for everyone to have a great time on and off the golf courseSweet Hands SportsElevate your game with Sweet Hands Sports! Our sports gloves are designed for champions,Buddy's Beard CareBuddy's Beard Care provides premium men's grooming products at an affordable price.Deemed FitBe a part of our movement to instill confidence motivation and a willingness to keep pushing forwardWebb WesternWebb Western is for those who roll up their sleeves and do what it takes to get the job done. Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the showFollow us on all social mediaX: @mikebonocomedyInstagram: @mikebonocomedy@tiktok: @mikebono_comedianFacebook: @mikebonocomedy

Mike Florio from Pro Football Talk joined the show. Mike had a quick reaction to the Tony Clark situation, even though that is baseball related. After Joey Porter spoke out about Ben Roethlisberger, the guys asked Mike if that would impact his Hall of Fame candidacy. Mike doesn't think $40M for Malik Willis is outrageous at all because it's only 66.6% of what the quarterback market is. Does anyone out there want Tyreek Hill? Mike thinks there are enough teams that can use him and enough that want him that would look passed the off-the-field issues and his injury. Mike said the Steelers drafting Ty Simpson would be the clearest sign that the team isn't as giddy on Will Howard as they made it sound. He said their open love for Howard could be a way to move teams off the scent. After Sam Darnold won the Super Bowl, is it a requirement to have a superstar QB? Mike has never met Snoop Dogg despite being at several big events.

Did we get an indication on what the Pirates are going to do with Konnor Griffin? It felt like Don Kelly gave a hint, in a recent interview with Shelby Cassessee, that Griffin could be looking at the first month of the season in Triple A. Do we all want him on the Opening Day roster? Griffin is 1 of their 9 best players, which should give him a role. If they had added another bat from someone on the left side of the infield, would that change your mind? Paul Skenes spent some time in Triple A, so would it be the worst thing if Griffin did the same? Kelly said it would be a ‘tough ask' for Griffin to be here on Opening Day. The Tony Clark situation is… something. Mike Florio from Pro Football Talk joined the show. Mike had a quick reaction to the Tony Clark situation, even though that is baseball related. After Joey Porter spoke out about Ben Roethlisberger, the guys asked Mike if that would impact his Hall of Fame candidacy. Mike doesn't think $40M for Malik Willis is outrageous at all because it's only 66.6% of what the quarterback market is. Does anyone out there want Tyreek Hill? Mike thinks there are enough teams that can use him and enough that want him that would look passed the off-the-field issues and his injury. Mike said the Steelers drafting Ty Simpson would be the clearest sign that the team isn't as giddy on Will Howard as they made it sound. He said their open love for Howard could be a way to move teams off the scent. After Sam Darnold won the Super Bowl, is it a requirement to have a superstar QB? Mike has never met Snoop Dogg despite being at several big events.

Joe sees the rationale for Will Howard, but it isn't a great plan. Nick said the Alabama offensive line was bad for Ty Simpson, but the tools are slightly above average. He needs some seasoning and Nick thinks he's more of a second round pick. Nick thinks a developmental quarterback like Drew Allar, who has great tools, should be considered in the middle rounds.

Hour 2 with Joe Starkey: Joe sees the rationale for Will Howard, but it isn't a great plan. Nick Farabaugh said the Alabama offensive line was bad for Ty Simpson, but the tools are slightly above average. Nick thinks a developmental quarterback like Drew Allar, who has great tools, should be considered in the middle rounds. Fighter Dalton Rosta joined the show to preview his PFL MMA fight and is a New Castle native.

Field Yates is one of the draft experts with Ty Simpson going to the Steelers 21st overall in his early mock drafts. Can the Steelers turn him into a franchise QB? Is he a force multiplier to an NFL offense? But do you need that in the NFL anymore? The last 2 QBs to win Super Bowls are Sam Darnold and Jalen Hurts – neither of which are considered upper echelon. It's fair to point out that the rosters in Seattle and Philly were so dominant otherwise, it didn't matter a ton. The Steelers roster isn't there yet. Does it make sense to take a flier or give Will Howard the shot we are all talking about?

Field Yates is one of the draft experts with Ty Simpson going to the Steelers 21st overall in his early mock drafts. Can the Steelers turn him into a franchise QB? Is he a force multiplier to an NFL offense? But do you need that in the NFL anymore? The last 2 QBs to win Super Bowls are Sam Darnold and Jalen Hurts – neither of which are considered upper echelon. It's fair to point out that the rosters in Seattle and Philly were so dominant otherwise, it didn't matter a ton. The Steelers roster isn't there yet. Does it make sense to take a flier or give Will Howard the shot we are all talking about? NFL Draft analyst Ryan Wilson from CBS Sports joined the show. Does Ryan think it would make sense for the Steelers to go QB in the 1st round? Ryan said Ty Simpson has tools of a legitimate night one player, but the end of his season will scare some teams away. Ryan ultimately feels like there's a good chance Simpson goes in the 1st round. Ryan went through a few positions that are deep and how deep of the class is overall. Donny Football Debrief – ESPN predicts a former WPIAL star will return to Pittsburgh.

February 15, 2026 - For Episode 1,809 this Sunday afternoon, Dr. Melanie Friedlander talks about why Will Howard may not even make the Steelers' final 53-man roster for the 2026 season. ⁠⁠steelersdepot.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Donny doesn't care that Konnor Griffin loses a year of service time by being on the Opening Day roster. Field Yates has the Steelers taking Ty Simpson. Who has the better NFL career: Drew Allar or Will Howard?

Hour 4 with Joe Starkey and Donny Football: Henry Davis said this year is going to be different and he didn't realize the problems he had at the plate. He knew there were problems, but didn't understand them. Davis looked at the data and found that he was putting all his pressure on his back leg. Donny doesn't care that Konnor Griffin loses a year of service time by being on the Opening Day roster. Who has the better NFL career: Drew Allar or Will Howard?

Fair Game w/ Steelers reporter Nick Farabaugh from Penn Live dot com joined the show. Nick thinks there are legitimate concerns with Ty Simpson being a 1st round pick and thinks the Steelers have more pressing needs than to take a flier on him. Nick can see the Steelers trading up to draft a WR instead of just staying put because he believes there is a drop off between the top 2-3 at that position and the rest of the 1st round names. He thinks Jordyn Tyson could be the one to fall out of that group. Is Simpson a better prospect than Will Howard? Nick thinks it's more likely that the Steelers take a QB on the second night or third day of the draft, and that could be Drew Allar. Nick said there were some interesting prospects that went back to school. Nick said Garrett Nussmeier, who has clear connections to Mike McCarthy has ‘tanked' his stock going into the draft process. The Steelers have 5 picks in the top 100 right now and Nick expects them to draft a pair of receivers with that at their disposal.

We had some fun with the way Sidney Crosby says ‘pasta' as Canada gets set for its second game later today. The guys reviewed some answers Crosby gave in an interview about playing in the Olympic games. The guys thought ‘persistent' was the perfect way for Sid to describe himself. One answer they debated was Crosby saying winning the Stanley Cup was bigger than winning a gold medal. Stanley Cup or gold medal? Fair Game w/ Steelers reporter Nick Farabaugh from Penn Live dot com joined the show. Nick thinks there are legitimate concerns with Ty Simpson being a 1st round pick and thinks the Steelers have more pressing needs than to take a flier on him. Nick can see the Steelers trading up to draft a WR instead of just staying put because he believes there is a drop off between the top 2-3 at that position and the rest of the 1st round names. He thinks Jordyn Tyson could be the one to fall out of that group. Is Simpson a better prospect than Will Howard? Nick thinks it's more likely that the Steelers take a QB on the second night or third day of the draft, and that could be Drew Allar. Nick said there were some interesting prospects that went back to school. Nick said Garrett Nussmeier, who has clear connections to Mike McCarthy has ‘tanked' his stock going into the draft process. The Steelers have 5 picks in the top 100 right now and Nick expects them to draft a pair of receivers with that at their disposal.

Steelers correspondent Mark Kaboly from The Pat McAfee Show joined the show. The discussion began around food and what Mark would eat every day for the rest of his life. He decided on pizza, agreeing with Donny. This all stemmed from Sidney Crosby saying he would eat pasta every day. Mark talked about the debate that has been ongoing this week after Joey Porter slammed Ben Roethlisberger for being a bad teammate. Kaboom said from 2004-2010, ‘you couldn't find a bigger jerk,' but he does believe Ben changed as he matured. Mark shared a story that involved Jason Bay, who won Rookie of the Year in baseball the same year as Ben in football. Did Porter throw more shade at James Harrison than he did at Big Ben? The guys wondered if there would be retribution from Deebo or Ben back at Peezy. More w/ Mark – We are starting to see more and more mock drafts with the Steelers taking Ty Simpson. How extensive will the homework be on QBs? How much money is Mark willing to pay Malik Willis? More w/ Mark – Mark thinks there is a better chance Patrick Queen gets an extension than him getting released. Mark said everyone feels up in the air with the new coaching staff. The guys ran through some pending free agents and if Mark believes they will be back in Pittsburgh. Mark would rather bring back Asante Samuel than James Pierre. Mark expects Joey Porter Jr. to get an ‘easy' $20M/year deal. Is the football future of Broderick Jones in question? Mark laughed at the idea of Nick Herbig being traded for a backup QB. Mark questioned how enamored the Steelers are with Will Howard because he hasn't played a snap. Mark can't believe people still read books.

On the Thursday episode of the North Shore Drive podcast, presented by FanDuel and Edgar Snyder & Associates, Post-Gazette Steelers insiders Christopher Carter and Brian Batko react to the podcast beef between former franchise Super Bowl champions Joey Porter, Ben Roethlisberger and James Harrison. Is their back-and-forth over Mike Tomlin criticism too messy? Especially with the franchise moving on into new coach Mike McCarthy's tenure? Are Harrison and Roethlisberger valid in their critiques? Or at least in bounds? Or has the bad blood gotten too personal on both sides? And how does the whole episode that unfolded on Cam Heyward's show this week impact legacies? Our duo tackles those questions then ponders Aaron Rodgers' future amid a report from NFL insider Jason La Canfora that it's either the Steelers or retirement for him in 2026. Is that the logical outcome for the 42-year-old QB at this stage of his career? Or could he still find some magic with a team like the Minnesota Vikings, who have a well-respected play caller in Kevin O'Connell and a young QB in J.J. McCarthy who could be helped by Rodgers' mentorship? Should the Steelers want Rodgers back in their QB room, given his connection to new coach Mike McCarthy from their days with the Green Bay Packers? Or should Rodgers' spot go to a younger player next to Mason Rudolph and Will Howard? Our duo tackles those questions and more. 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 Joe Starkey: Mark and Joe share their Myron Cope stories. Should the Steelers take Ty Simpson in the first round? If you pick Ty Simpson, you are admitting you aren't confident in Will Howard. Mark Kaboly thinks there's a better chance that Patrick Queen is extended than cut. It's hard to tell who will be back for the Steelers with Mike McCarthy taking over.

Mason Rudolph picked his side in the Joey Porter vs Ben Roethlisberger battle, and it's not much of a surprise to know he was happy to hear Porter go on and on after #7. Their relationship was notably sour and The Fan may have had some impact in it going down that road. Peezy also took shots at James Harrison, and the guys aren't convinced Harrison will take the high road on this. Executive Chef Michael Campbell from Le Mont joined the show. Le Mont catered some food in the office today and Michael ran the guys through what they had to offer. Mullsy, a self-aspiring chef, had some questions. We then got back into the ongoing battle between Ben Roethlisberger and Joey Porter. Mike Florio from Pro Football Talk joined the show. Mike doesn't think there will be a hard deadline on the Steelers waiting on Aaron Rodgers like some local media have claimed. Is there anywhere else Rodgers will go? Mike believes if Rodgers does play in 2026, this year will absolutely be it. Mike thinks Rodgers should be the Philip Rivers of 2026 and wait around for a contending team that needs a QB. Mike feels like the Steelers drafting a QB in the '26 Draft would tell us more about Will Howard than Rodgers. Mike said it does surprise him a little bit that the Steelers wouldn't want to know about Rodgers by the time free agency begins. He thinks old options like Kirk Cousins or Joe Flacco could get the phone call, but how far could the Steelers really go with those guys? Mike weighed in on the war of words started by Joey Porter in the direction of Ben Roethlisberger. Mike thinks things changed a little bit with Ben after he was suspended in 2010, but is not surprised to hear something like this. Will stuff like this cost Big Ben a shot at being a first ballot Hall of Famer? Mike thinks it may take Ben some time to get to the HOF, but he should get in before Eli Manning. Mike got into the logjam that tends to be created when it comes to HOF entry. How was Mike's flight back to Pittsburgh from the Super Bowl?

Mike Florio from Pro Football Talk joined the show. Mike doesn't think there will be a hard deadline on the Steelers waiting on Aaron Rodgers like some local media have claimed. Is there anywhere else Rodgers will go? Mike believes if Rodgers does play in 2026, this year will absolutely be it. Mike thinks Rodgers should be the Philip Rivers of 2026 and wait around for a contending team that needs a QB. Mike feels like the Steelers drafting a QB in the '26 Draft would tell us more about Will Howard than Rodgers. Mike said it does surprise him a little bit that the Steelers wouldn't want to know about Rodgers by the time free agency begins. He thinks old options like Kirk Cousins or Joe Flacco could get the phone call, but how far could the Steelers really go with those guys? Mike weighed in on the war of words started by Joey Porter in the direction of Ben Roethlisberger. Mike thinks things changed a little bit with Ben after he was suspended in 2010, but is not surprised to hear something like this. Will stuff like this cost Big Ben a shot at being a first ballot Hall of Famer? Mike thinks it may take Ben some time to get to the HOF, but he should get in before Eli Manning. Mike got into the logjam that tends to be created when it comes to HOF entry. How was Mike's flight back to Pittsburgh from the Super Bowl?

Hour 4 with Bob Pompeani and Brian Batko: Brian wouldn't be surprised if the Steelers picked a defensive lineman in the first round but would be, right now, with an offensive lineman. There are things to like about Will Howard because of how he goes about his business. Brian has heard good things about Brian Angelichio at OC and Kevin O'Connell appreciated his input to make him a pass-game coordinator.

There are things to like about Will Howard because of how he goes about his business. Brian has heard good things about Brian Angelichio at OC and Kevin O'Connell appreciated his input to make him a pass-game coordinator. Brian is intrigued by Domata Peko and James Campen/Jahri Evans as defensive and offensive line coaches.

The Seahawks traded DK Metcalf to the Steelers and Geno Smith to the Raiders after a 10-7 season along with firing their offensive coordinator after last season, which led to some thinking they were rebuilding. They were just retooling. They made shrewd moves and nailed the draft in the last 4 seasons in pursuit to a dominant Seahawks victory in Super Bowl LX. Being bold paid off – that doesn't always work, but for Seattle it did. NFL Draft analyst Ryan Wilson from CBS Sports joined the show. With the Steelers in need of another WR, Ryan told the guys it is a ‘deep' group in the 2026 class. Ryan said Carnell Tate is probably out of the question, but there is a slew of WRs behind him that will be on the Steelers board at 21st overall. Denzel Boston and Jordyn Tyson are the top two names Ryan gave the guys. Ryan pointed out some receivers that will be around on the second night of the selection process. Makai Lemon drew comparisons to Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who just won a Super Bowl and OPOY. Ryan told the guys why the Steelers should probably stay away from Ty Simpson in the 1st round. Ryan reminded us that he had Will Howard as a 2nd or 3rd round projection last year in the draft, but of course he fell to the 6th round and pick 185. He added that he would like to see what Mike McCarthy can do with Howard as his QB1. If the Steelers take a QB this year, will it be Garrett Nussmeier due to his relationship with McCarthy? Ryan thinks Nussmeier is a Day 3 pick. Donny Football Debrief – What does the salary cap space look like for the Steelers heading into the offseason?

NFL Draft analyst Ryan Wilson from CBS Sports joined the show. With the Steelers in need of another WR, Ryan told the guys it is a ‘deep' group in the 2026 class. Ryan said Carnell Tate is probably out of the question, but there is a slew of WRs behind him that will be on the Steelers board at 21st overall. Denzel Boston and Jordyn Tyson are the top two names Ryan gave the guys. Ryan pointed out some receivers that will be around on the second night of the selection process. Makai Lemon drew comparisons to Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who just won a Super Bowl and OPOY. Ryan told the guys why the Steelers should probably stay away from Ty Simpson in the 1st round. Ryan reminded us that he had Will Howard as a 2nd or 3rd round projection last year in the draft, but of course he fell to the 6th round and pick 185. He added that he would like to see what Mike McCarthy can do with Howard as his QB1. If the Steelers take a QB this year, will it be Garrett Nussmeier due to his relationship with McCarthy? Ryan thinks Nussmeier is a Day 3 pick.

In this clip from the Monday episode of the North Shore Drive podcast, presented by FanDuel and Edgar Snyder & Associates, host Adam Bitner welcomes Post-Gazette Steelers insider Ray Fittipaldo to react to the Seattle Seahawks' victory in the Super Bowl. Did Sam Darnold show that GM Omar Khan and new coach Mike McCarthy can win big with free agent QBs? Could 2026 free agents like Daniel Jones, Zach Wilson, Malik Willis or Mitch Trubisky repeat Darnold's success? Or was he a unique option for Seattle last offseason? And how should Darnold's victory impact the view the Steelers should have of in-house options like Aaron Rodgers, Mason Rudolph and Will Howard? Our duo tackles those questions and more. Later, the guys react to the way Seattle won with elite defense and a strong running game. Can McCarthy and new coordinators Patrick Graham and Brian Angelichio mimic that success? Why haven't the Steelers been able to play great defense consistently under former coach Mike Tomlin with top talents like T.J. Watt, Cam Heyward and Jalen Ramsey on the roster? Does GM Omar Khan need to been up his secondary around Joey Porter Jr. with more elite players like Devon Witherspoon and Nick Emmanwori? And are Jaylen Warren, Kenneth Gainwell and/or Kaleb Johnson capable of a big-game performance like we saw from the Seahawks' Kenneth Walker III? Our duo tackles those questions and more. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jeff really likes Jesse Minter as a defensive coach. Jeff thinks if the head coaches and coordinators were flipped between the Steelers and Ravens that it would probably be better fits for both. What is the real Will Howard that we'll see in pro football? Framber Valdez signed a three-year, $38 million deal with the Tigers. Joe wonders who told Ken Rosenthal to report this?

On the Wednesday episode of the North Shore Drive podcast, presented by FanDuel and Edgar Snyder & Associates, host Adam Bittner welcomes Post-Gazette Steelers insider Christopher Carter to analyze the NFL draft QB class following Chris's trip to the Senior Bowl last week. How does the Steelers' Will Howard compare to guys expected to be available on Days 2 and 3? Is he clearly a better option than names like Garrett Nussmeier, Drew Allar, Cade Klubnik, Carson Beck, Sawyer Robertson and others? Or could one of those guys offer value over him as he competes with Mason Rudolph and -- possibly -- Aaron Rodgers for positioning on new coach Mike McCarthy's depth chart? Where's the ideal spot on the depth chart for Howard if GM Omar Khan gets his offseason moves right? And why do so many fans have such resolute faith in the former sixth-round pick? Our duo tackles those questions and more. Our duo tackles those questions, then ponders Khan's trade options this offseason. How seriously should he consider moving on from Jalen Ramsey, given the corner/safety's hefty cap hit? Is he worthy of making the money Minkah Fitzpatrick did at the position? Could the team get by with names like DeShon Elliott, Chuck Clark, Jabrill Peppers and Kyle Dugger in that spot? Or should it consider drafting a safety like Caleb Downs or Bud Clark to fill the void at a cheaper price? The later, the guys ponder how to handle the Steelers' array of draft picks. Should Khan hold onto all 12 with the goal of building his team's depth? Or should he trade up, even if it's not for a QB? Knowing that it's unlikely he could keep all of the picks on the 53-man roster and that impact talents like USC's Makai Lemon at WR could be available? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Lions fan who DK Metcalf had an altercation with is suing for $100 million. Jeff Patton of Baseball Card Castle joined the show. The General has a Will Howard jersey card as Starkey's Card of the Week.

In this episode, I discuss the latest on the Steelers with Darren Steele (@DJSBurgh) and Dave Podnar (@ProfPod). We discuss how sentiment has changed about the Mike McCarthy hire, the staff he's added, who might be released or traded, if Will Howard should start, Super Bowl predictions, and more!

Bruce Arians said that Will Howard is "the future of Pittsburgh." Arians said he thinks that Howard has a ton of upside. Joe has an open mind surrounding Howard but this is crazy to think. We dive into what draft analysts and college football analysts said about Will Howard before the draft.

Bruce Arians thinks Will Howard is the future of the Steelers. It's much different when Arians says that Howard is very good compared to random people. Brian Batko thinks people need to act normal with Will Howard. Relying on Will Howard as a plan isn't something that is worth betting on.

Hour 4 with Joe Starkey, Austin Bechtold, and Brian Batko: Bruce Arians thinks Will Howard is the future of the Steelers. It's much different when Arians says that Howard is very good compared to random people. Brian Batko thinks people need to act normal with Will Howard. Who is the next Steelers Hall of Famer? Cam Heyward and T.J. Watt have been very quiet surrounding Mike McCarthy and the Steelers.

Hour 1 with Joe Starkey: Mason Rudolph had a great tribute message to Mike Tomlin. He said Tomlin had a Denzel Washington-like swagger. The first five years was an A+ winning the Super Bowl and going to the Super Bowl a second time. Bruce Arians said that Will Howard is "the future of Pittsburgh." Arians said he thinks that Howard has a ton of upside. We hear what analyst said around the 2025 NFL Draft.

In this hour, Adam Crowley and Dorin Dickerson share who they'd prefer to be Steelers' QB going into next season; Aaron Rodger or Will Howard. February 3, 2026, 8:00 Hour

Is Mason Rudolph the forgotten man yet again? Everyone is showing love for Will Howard and others are talking up the return of Aaron Rodgers while Rudolph just sits around. Does Rudolph fit into what Mike McCarthy can do? Rudolph is an old school type QB, but are fans completely out on him after 2025?

On the Monday episode of the North Shore Drive podcast, presented by Edgar Snyder & Associates, Post-Gazette Steelers insiders Christopher Carter and Ray Fittipaldo discuss Chris's first mock draft of the season following his visit to the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala. over the weekend. Should coach Mike McCarthy and GM Omar Khan get aggressive at wide receiver given the depth of this class? How could names like Makai Lemon and Malachi Fields fit in the receivers room alongside names like DK Metcalf and Roman Wilson? Is Miami's Keionte Scott a potential fit alongside Joey Porter Jr. at CB? And why does Chris like prospects including safety Bud Clark, guard Beau Stephens and quarterback Cole Payton alongside veterans like Jalen Ramsey, Mason McCormick, Mason Rudolph and Will Howard? Our duo tackles those questions, plus Scott Tolzien's OC candidacy. Does he have the experience necessary to thrive in the role? Especially with McCarthy likely retaining playcalling duties? Could his game plans get the most out of names like Jaylen Warren, DK Metcalf, Roman Wilson and others? Especially with the young offensive line that includes names like Zach Frazier, Troy Fautanu, Broderick Jones and Mason McCormick maturing? Or are there valid reasons for concern, especially with the future at QB uncertain? Could Tolzien succeed with Aaron Rodgers, Will Howard or Mason Rudolph? And how would the former quarterback help in terms of development should the Steelers look at names like Ty Simpson, Drew Allar, Garrett Nussmeier and Kade Clubnik in the NFL draft? Our duo tackles those questions and more. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.