You ask. I answer. It’s time for “Mailing It In,” a weekly Q&A that appears Tuesdays at TribLive.com. Most of the questions come via X, but you can also hit me up at jraystarkey@gmail.com. Let’s gooooooo …
Josh Howard, @jhow2687: Barring any injuries in the QB room, how do you think the Steelers room shakes out for week 1? Seems to me you almost have to find a trade partner for Rudolph. If Rodgers goes down, you can’t waste the opportunity to see what you have in Howard, not when you’re staring down the barrel of taking a 3rd QB is just as many drafts, albeit probably in the top 20 picks this time. And you’re not going to cut or try to stash your 76th pick on the PS
Joey Wagner, @TheTruthSwagner: With Aaron Rodgers signed, which Steelers QB is the odd man out? I don’t see them keeping 4 QBs on the 53-man roster, and I don’t think Will Howard sneaks on to the practice squad. Rodgers and Allar are definitely in. The final spot comes down to Rudolph or Howard. Who wins?
Starkey: It’s a fascinating question, gentlemen. This appears to be boiling down to Mason Rudolph vs. Will Howard for the backup quarterback spot and maybe a roster spot.
I suppose the Steelers could keep four quarterbacks, but that would be highly unusual. They could find a mysterious injury to put somebody on injured reserve and keep four. Or they could try to sneak Howard through waivers to get him the practice squad.
They could also cut Howard or trade/cut Rudolph.
You’re right on Allar. He’s on the team, and he won’t be the backup. He is the head coach’s chosen guy and likely Aaron Rodgers’ successor, for better or worse. But not this year. This year, he’s a project.
It was interesting and perhaps symbolic to see Howard taking the backup snaps at the first day of OTAs. Did it mean anything? We’ll find out more as the week progresses.
My guess is that the McCarthy and the Steelers will want Rudolph’s experience behind Rodgers. But if Howard shows out in the spring and into training camp and the preseason, it feels like Rudolph’s job could be in jeopardy.
With a 42-year-old starting at quarterback, health is a concern. The backup here could get some chances to play.
Nolan in New Ken, @nolan_in_NK: Good day and good news to you, Dr. Starkey! If the Steelers told us what they think of Howard by drafting Allar, have the Steelers now told us what they think of Allar by re-signing Rodgers and by already being rumored to draft a first-rounder next year? Respectfully, Nolan in NK
Starkey: I wouldn’t go that far, Dr. NK. Let’s stick to your first point: The Steelers absolutely told us what they think of Howard by drafting Allar.
On the other hand, as I just mentioned, Howard is now getting his job interview. This is his chance. Every snap matters. He is the people’s choice. Let’s see what he does.
Donald Hilenbrant, @Hildebeest24: Good evening, Joe. Who do you think has the higher chance of being on the roster Week 1? Mason Rudolph or Will Howard?
Starkey: Lots of these questions this week, Dr. 24, and I am grateful to have received yours. I’m gonna go with Rudolph as part of the Steelers’ “win-now” theme. McCarthy will want experience behind Rodgers if he goes down in, say, Game 3 against the Bengals.
Incidentally, a man named Brett Kollman, who hosts the Bootleg Football Podcast, spoke of this “win-now” theme in a recent post on X and put it rather adroitly, I thought:
“I get the sentiment of always competing no matter what, but the Steelers insistence on always being as good as possible from year to year comes at the cost of their ability to be as good as possible from decade to decade.”
Jase Collins, @JaseCollins1980: Dr. Starkey, what, if anything, can be done about the Pirates Bullpen?
Starkey: Plenty, Dr. 1980. GM Ben Cherington could find some new pitchers, for one thing. It should also help when Jared Jones returns, likely to the rotation. That might push Carmen Mlodzinski to the bullpen (don’t ask me what to do about Bubba Chandler), and he could help there.
But I’ve been saying all along that the Pirates should be pursuing Aroldis Chapman. They need a stabilizer, a hammer, and he’s it. Hopefully, the Red Sox stay horrible and the Pirates stay in contention so such a deal would make sense.
In the meantime, there are plenty of veteran receivers out there. Go find some.
jamie, @jamie91942536: Do you have the answer to fix the Buccos?
Starkey: See above. Also, trade for a veteran starter like Robbie Ray or Jose Quintana.
Robert, @14RobertMaher: What players could you see the Pirates target in a trade. Personally think they need to go after a lefty bullpen arm and another big time bat like an Adley Rutschman from Baltimore. If they are really invested in competing they have to make a move like this.
Starkey: I’d rather have pitchers, Dr. 14, but there is a lack of depth offensively, as I fear we’re about to find out without Ryan O’Hearn. Rutschman is off to a good start, but he was horrible last season.
Then again, you or I would be an offensive upgrade on Henry Davis and the Pirates catchers.
Chris Hawthorne, @Hawthorneee: Hi Joe, is Art Rooney the worst owner in town right now? I sure get the sense that out of all three teams, the Steelers have the dimmest future.
Starkey: I feel like the Steelers are so close yet so far, Dr. Hawthorne. They’re building a decent young core, but they need a quarterback. They need a face of the franchise.
So you could even say they’re one player away — but teams spend years and even decades looking for that one player.
Is Art II the worst owner in town right now? Well, we haven’t met the Hoffman family and the other one is Bob Nutting. So he’s probably safe for now, but his popularity rating and job performance have certainly declined over the past decade.
Taylor, @Taylor72815844: Joe – What are your top 5 sitcoms of all time? I’d say: 1 – Seinfeld 2 – Friends 3 – Cheers 4 – All in The Family and 5 Threes Company
Starkey: I’d say:
• Friends
• Seinfeld
• Mary Tyler Moore Show
• Everybody Loves Raymond
• The Middle
Ed Helinski, @MrEd315: What are you liking and disliking about the Steelers schedule?
Starkey: I love the trip to Paris, Mr. Ed. That’s gonna be lit as the kids say (do the kids still say that?). I think it’s great. Steeler Nation will show up big.
The worst part is after that — well, after they beat Cleveland the following week. Going to Cincinnati and Philly, followed by games against Houston, Denver, at Jacksonville and Baltimore is potentially a brutal stretch.
Gooseheimer2023, @gooseheime83054: Hello Professor Starkey. Given Buffalo’s heartbreaking history in big postseason games, is it possible that your hometown is the victim of some obscure prehistoric curse or built over an ancient Native American burial ground?
Starkey: I was just thinking that!
Seriously though, Dr. 2023, anything is possible. I wrote about the curse at triblive.com today.
Bubba, @oh-booey: Do you believe the Steelers would have a better record with or without Aaron Rodgers? Best case scenario: 11-6. Tough second half schedule.
Starkey: Probably with. I’m saying 9-8, borderline playoff team. Big surprise, eh?
Burke O’Toole, @BurkeMan513: When will we see Wilber Dotel come back up? He pitched well and then was sent back down. Seems like an obvious choice to help the Bullpen.
Starkey: Agreed. He was good. Anybody would help the bullpen now, Dr. 513. It’s a flaming disaster.
And thank you for asking.