The PM Team w/Poni & Mueller

Steelers insider Ray Fittipaldo from the PG joined the show. Ray has released his first Steelers mock draft and has them trading up to select Jordyn Tyson to add a WR to the room early. Ray thinks the Steelers could double-down at WR on the first two nights of the draft. Ray went through his middle rounds of the draft and how the Steelers could utilize their abundance of picks. Ray has the Steelers using their final pick on a QB, so not one to threaten the future. Ray said Mason Rudolph would be the odd-man-out if the Steelers do take a QB in late April. Ray shared his thoughts on the finalized coaching staff under Mike McCarthy, which is a bigger staff than anything we ever saw under Mike Tomlin. How many guys due for second contracts will get one? Ray still doesn’t think the TJ Watt contract was a mistake because the salary cap continues to go up. Ray doesn’t think Isaac Seumalo is back unless the Steelers give him a raise. Is Dylan Cook going to get a real shot to start at left tackle next season?

Steve Palazzolo from the 33rd Team joined the show. Steve thinks the Steelers need to turn the page to the future and roll with another QB in 2026 – not Aaron Rodgers. Steve thinks Malik Willis might be netting nearly $40M per year in free agency after stepping up for the Packers a few times the last two seasons. He thinks that has to do with a limited pool in free agency and a weaker rookie class. Steve explained why he thinks Kyler Murray is an interesting option and got into the focus aspect of his game. Steve, a former minor league pitcher, talked about his memories of Spring Training. Steve talked about some of the amenities in the MiLB days.

What has made Terry Bradshaw change his tune about Aaron Rodgers? Last season he told Rodgers to get lost and ‘chew on bark,’ but now he seems OK if Rodgers comes back for a second season in Pittsburgh. We looked the numbers from Russell Wilson in 2024 – they aren’t much different than what Rodgers gave them in 2025. There weren’t many out there that wanted Wilson back, so why do more want Rodgers? Was Rodgers the biggest problem last season?

KDKA TV’s Bob Pompeani joined the show. Bob talked about his time covering the Winter Olympics. The guys asked Bob about Olympic hockey and the rooting interest fans have between the United States and Sidney Crosby & Canada. Pomp said he is true red, white and blue when it comes to the Olympic games. Bob called the Joey Porter beef with Ben Roethlisberger ‘strange’ and thinks the timing of it is weird. Bob reflected on what Porter and Ben said about the Steelers and each other during the Hall of Honor ceremony. Can Bob do 15 push-ups consecutively? Pomp is upset Russia isn’t in the games.

Antonio Brown has come to the defense of Ben Roethlisberger. But was it really AB? His social accounts seem to be operated by a few different people. Poni is still perturbed by Joey Porter turning heel on Big Ben after they were buddy-buddy at the most recent Steelers Hall of Honor ceremony. Is Porter angling for a career in media? The guys discussed active players having podcasts, since this did take place on the one hosted by Cam Heyward. Poni said he wouldn’t be stunned if Heyward’s next episode includes some sort of apology.

Pirates insider Jason Mackey from the PG joined the show. Jason is taking in the early workouts in Bradenton after pitchers and catchers reported yesterday. Nick Castellanos just got released by the Phillies, but Jason does not anticipate the Pirates having any interest there. Jason does not think talks have begun between the Pirates and Konnor Griffin on a contract extension. Jason guessed it would need to be close to the Roman Anthony deal with the Red Sox, which was worth $130M total. Jason said there is a ‘very good chance’ Griffin is on the Opening Day roster and he will have every opportunity throughout the spring, similar to Jared Jones, to prove it. Jason said there are no questions defensively for Griffin and he can play a mix of shortstop and outfield. Jason is a little less optimistic that the Pirates will sign a left-handed pitcher before the season begins. He projected that they have ‘maybe a half dozen’ options at 3B outside of the organization. Jason has the Pirates as an 84-85 win team right now.

Sidney Crosby has begun his quest for a third Olympic gold medal as Canada blanked Czechia, 5-0 earlier today. Poni had a big question for people in Pittsburgh – are you rooting for the United States or Canada? It sounds silly, but a recent poll showed that 40% of Penguins fans are rooting for 87 to win another gold. Team USA doesn’t have anyone from the Penguins current roster, but it has a former coach and Stanley Cup champion in charge. Mullsy got annoyed late in the segment and decided he would also root for Canada and Crosby.

PM Team FULL Show 2-11-26

What are other notable Steelers saying about Joey Porter bashing Ben Roethlisberger? Not much. A few players responded to the Instagram post, but none of them want to say more about it. Poni is upset that guys that won a Super Bowl together are taking shots at each other well after their playing days. Chris has issues with both guys – could he be the great unifier? 93.7 The Fan Sports Director Jeff Hathhorn joined the show. Jeff is surprised that Joey Porter called out Ben Roethlisberger because they won a Super Bowl together. Jeff pointed out the reaction these guys get when they come back to ceremonies and such at Acrisure Stadium. Jeff said the Team MVP voting is the most critical sign that the guys didn’t care for Ben as a teammate. A discussion took place on the merits of natural talent. Judge Donny – Should Konnor Griffin be on the Pirates Opening Day roster?

Pitchers and catchers reported to Bradenton today as the Pirates get set for the 2026 season. After some solid offseason moves, there is actual optimism around the team. Paul Skenes spoke to the media today. What are his goals for 2026? Did he have conversations with the front office about their offseason plan? ALL ACCESS w/ Aditi – Aditi talked about her experience at Super Bowl LX. Aditi commented on Joey Porter taking a shot at Ben Roethlisberger, and possibly adding a jab at James Harrison. Aditi talked about some things heard in the Steelers facility during her time covering the team closely. She noted, as we have before, how Ben was only once voted Team MVP. Aditi already wasn’t convinced about Ben being a first ballot Hall of Famer and stuff like this won’t necessarily help matters. Aditi doesn’t think there is another Sam Darnold in the 2026 free agent field, but said Malik Willis is her most intriguing name. Donny Football Debrief – A longtime college bowl game is going extinct and it’s not the only one. Is this going to become a trend?

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?

A Steelers family feud took up the top story today – Joey Porter Sr. vs Ben Roethlisberger. Peezy was on the podcast hosted by Cam Heyward and took big shots at Big Ben – calling him a bad teammate and a bad person. Was this news to anyone? The guys took sides of the debate. Is Porter the right messenger for this? We have also noticed multiple current and former Steelers taking Porter’s side of the fray. Does Ben Roethlisberger pass the ‘good guy’ test? Were the comments a low blow from Joey Porter? Former Penguin Tyler Kennedy joined the show. TK sat on the fence when he was asked about which country he was rooting for between the US and Canada. Tyler told the guys he took and passed his US citizenship test and mentioned a few of the questions on there. Tyler thinks Canada is the most-talented team in the Olympics and broke down what the United States squad looks like.

93.7 The Fan Sports Director Jeff Hathhorn joined the show. Jeff is surprised that Joey Porter called out Ben Roethlisberger because they won a Super Bowl together. Jeff pointed out the reaction these guys get when they come back to ceremonies and such at Acrisure Stadium. Jeff said the Team MVP voting is the most critical sign that the guys didn’t care for Ben as a teammate. A discussion took place on the merits of natural talent.