PTI Podcast Summary

Episode: Are the Steelers Back to Being Good?!
Hosts: Tony Kornheiser & Michael Wilbon
Date: December 16, 2025

Overview

Tony Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon break down the Pittsburgh Steelers' shocking resurgence behind Aaron Rodgers, the Dolphins freezing up in Pittsburgh, and this week's hot topics across the NFL and NBA. They debate Cooper Flagg’s historic night, the meaning of the NBA Cup, and go “Five Good Minutes” with Jeff Saturday to get an insider’s take on quarterback transitions, the future of the Chiefs, Micah Parsons’ impact, and cold-weather football. The show closes with quick hits on Arch Manning, Clippers woes, and more.

Steelers Dominate Dolphins: Are They Back?

[01:12-04:18]

• Game Recap: Steelers routed the Dolphins 28-15 in frigid Pittsburgh, taking control with four straight Rodgers-led touchdown drives, making it 28–3.
• Aaron Rodgers' Performance
  • "He is a Hall of Fame quarterback... he didn't lose his skills. They didn't erode overnight." — Tony Kornheiser [03:03]
  • Noting Rodgers' highest one-game completion rate since 2014 (23/27) and a 98.8 passer rating, 11th in the league.
• Mike Tomlin's Job Security & Locker Room Mood
  • Wilbon: "They always look better after a win in the NFL...You win a game, everybody feels good for a little bit." [02:00]
  • The hosts caution against overreacting: Tomlin’s job was never seriously in danger, and the three remaining games are tough.
  • Roethlisberger, who previously said Tomlin should consider moving on, reverses course: “If Mike Tomlin wants to coach 10 more years... I’m good with that.” — Tony [03:52]

Cooper Flagg’s Historic Night: How Big a Deal?

[04:18-06:59]

• Flagg Scores 42 at 18 Years Old
  • Youngest NBA player to drop 40+; breaks LeBron’s age-18 record of 37.
  • "How many other rookies have had 42 points?...None." — Tony Kornheiser [05:47]
• Debate Over Significance
  • Tony: Cautiously says it could be significant if Flagg becomes a star, but right now "at least a little deal".
  • Wilbon: Unimpressed by the milestone itself—“I see Cooper Flagg as a big deal. I see his maturation as a big deal. But 42 in and of itself, eh, not doing much for me.” [06:59]
  • Adds historical note: Most NBA rookies used to enter at 19+, so comparison is muddled.

NBA Cup: Does It Matter (and to Whom)?

[06:59-09:43]

• San Antonio faces the Knicks for the NBA Cup (in-season tournament, $530,000 to winner).
• Wilbon: "The Spurs, no doubt. ...It would mean a lot to them. And I'm gonna try to watch as much of this as I can." [07:20]
  • Highlights European influence: “When Banyama grew up in Europe, he's French and it means everything. And so the cup does."
  • "If the Knicks were to win this and hang a banner, I would make fun of you and everybody in New York ... for the rest of time." [07:41]
• Kornheiser: Unimpressed; wouldn’t watch because it’s streaming, scoffs at invented tournaments.
  • "This is who we are. Will you watch us? ...The winner will be forgotten by Friday." [08:22]
  • Playful back-and-forth about whether Knicks should hang a banner: “They ought to hang up a gigantic... banner and just say 2025 NBA Cup. Remember where you were when we won it.” [09:19]

Five Good Minutes with Jeff Saturday (NFL Analyst)

[11:58-18:44]

On Philip Rivers & Facing 49ers

[12:25-13:37]

• Rivers’ quick release is a challenge for defenses—Jeff Saturday advises defenses to make him hold the ball longer.
• "Once teams zone in on how far they think you're willing to push the ball down the field, they will creep up and make it very difficult." — Jeff Saturday [12:48]
• Rivers will need to “take the training wheels off ... and let that thing rip a few times.”

Chiefs & Patrick Mahomes’ Outlook

[13:50-15:24]

• Mahomes: No need for panic—Chiefs just need a new wave of youthful contributors.
• "It's just a retooling in my opinion... The Chiefs have rested on Patrick Mahomes ... it worked, right? ... They need another one of those kind of draft classes.” — Jeff Saturday [13:50]
• Predicts Mahomes and the team will bounce back once past current injuries.

Impact of Losing Micah Parsons

[15:46-16:53]

• Compares Parsons’ loss to losing a star quarterback due to his massive impact on defensive scheme.
• "He multiplies, right? It's a force multiplier... It is equal to losing a quarterback on offense." — Jeff Saturday [15:46]
• This is a "massive loss" and “It will affect their Super Bowl chances.”

Does Cold Weather Affect Linemen?

[17:46-18:44]

• Short answer: Yes, especially for defensive ends.
• “Nobody likes to get beat around when it’s 17 degrees... as an offensive lineman, I always thought it was our advantage.”
• “If you see his fingers near a pile, maybe slide your cleat over it a little bit, you know, just make him think about that cold and that pain...” — Jeff Saturday [18:12]
• Both sides test each other’s toughness in the cold.

Notable Quotes

• Kornheiser on Steelers Fans: "It's easy to hate Aaron Rodgers lately, but he is a Hall of Fame quarterback... The Steelers do not stink. This is reflected in Aaron Rodgers' play." [03:03]
• Wilbon on NFL Overreactions: "You win a game, everybody feels good for a little bit." [02:00]
• Wilbon on NBA Cup Banners: “If the Knicks were to win this and hang a banner, I would make fun of you and everybody in New York ... for the rest of time.” [07:41]
• Jeff Saturday on Micah Parsons: "It is equal to losing a quarterback on offense. This was a massive loss for the Packers." [15:46]

Around the Horn: Quick Hits

[20:53-24:40]

• Arch Manning Stays at Texas [22:49]: Skips NFL draft for senior year. “Senior year could and should be the high note. I hope he has a great senior year. I'm gonna root like hell for him.” — Wilbon [23:28]
• Clippers' Slide: "They stink." — Tony Kornheiser [19:05]
  “I can’t defend him.” — Jeff Saturday [24:29]
• Connor Bedard Out: Wilbon notes his great run, but shoulder injury sidelines him.
• Crosby vs. McDavid game: Kornheiser glad it’s on “real TV, not this streaming stuff.” [24:20]

Memorable Moments & Banter

• Running jokes on Tony’s TV setup and aversion to streaming; Wilbon calls Tony “the last person in America left with one TV, a nine inch like Ralph Kramden and Ed Norton.” [06:20]
• Friendly jabs about team loyalties and “phony baloney tournaments.”
• Jeff Saturday’s “church it up” phrase amuses both hosts at the end [19:10].

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Steelers vs. Dolphins Discussion: [01:12-04:18]
• Cooper Flagg’s 42-Point Game: [04:18-06:59]
• NBA Cup Debate: [06:59-09:43]
• Five Good Minutes with Jeff Saturday: [11:58-18:44]
• Happy Time/Quick Hits: [20:53-24:40]

Tone & Style

• The typical PTI blend of playful banter, sharp debate, and sports wisdom.
• Engaged, conversational exchanges full of personality and quick-witted back-and-forths.
• Well-balanced between serious analysis and light-hearted humor, making for an entertaining listen.

For listeners who missed the episode: You’ll come away understanding the Steelers' turnaround, skepticism about NFL overreactions, Cooper Flagg’s potential stardom, why the NBA Cup divides generations, and the enduring cold-weather toughness of the NFL trenches—all through the clever, no-nonsense give-and-take that defines Kornheiser, Wilbon, and their guests.