Starkey & Mueller

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.