The Cook & Joe Show

The full Pomp and Joe Show, with Joe Starkey and Austin Bechtold (behind the glass), from Thursday, May 21st, 2026

Hour 1 with Joe Starkey and Tyler Kennedy: Stanley Cup Champion Tyler Kennedy joined the show. Josh Yohe talked to Sidney Crosby and Sid said he'd like to play as long as he can. Yohe suggested five years and Sid said "that would be nice." This is good news for the Penguins. Have the Penguins passed the threshold for a full rebuild?

Hour 2 with Joe Starkey: Aaron Rodgers said, "This is it," and he will retire after the season. How should Steelers fans treat this? It will be a farewell tour for Rodgers and there will be a ceremonial ending for Rodgers in some locations. Carol in Clinton calls this the "Get It Over With" tour!! Should Carmen Mlodzinski be in the rotation or bullpen?

Hour 3 with Joe Starkey and Mark Kaboly: Aaron Rodgers told Mark that this is it for him and will retire after the year. Rodgers suggested to Omar Khan that the Steelers interview Mike McCarthy. It is possible that McCarthy is the Steelers coach because he was suggested and recommended by Rodgers. Mark Kaboly thinks the Steelers offensive line will begin with Troy Fautanu and Mason McCormick on the left side.

Hour 4 with Joe Starkey and Jeff Hathhorn: The Steelers report to camp on July 28th. All practices will begin at 11am. Michael McKenry thinks the best way to manage Jared Jones' recovery is to make him a starter, like the Pirates are preparing him to be in the minor leagues. Carmen Mlodzinski is going to do what's best for the team. Jeff doesn't see a path where Bubba Chandler pitches in the bullpen. Who will go to the Stanley Cup Final? Can the Pirates continue to play Davis??

Who will go to the Stanley Cup Final? Can the Pirates continue to play Henry Davis??

The Steelers report to camp on July 28th. All practices will begin at 11am. Friday Night Lights has been replaced by Saturday Night Lights on August 8th. Brandon Lowe hit an inside the park home run. Michael McKenry thinks the best way to manage Jared Jones' recovery is to make him a starter, like the Pirates are preparing him to be in the minor leagues. Carmen Mlodzinski is going to do what's best for the team.

Mark Kaboly thinks the Steelers offensive line will begin with Troy Fautanu and Mason McCormick on the left side. He thinks Spencer Anderson and Dylan Cook will start on Day 1. Mark thinks Iheanachor will start, at some point. Mark is interested to see what Brock Hoffman does.

Aaron Rodgers told Mark that this is it for him and will retire after the year. Rodgers suggested to Omar Khan that the Steelers interview Mike McCarthy. Mark thinks Drew Allar has a great arm but Will Howard has a better arm than many think. Mark would be "stunned" if Rudolph is not the backup quarterback. Mark thinks they need to keep four.

Has Carmen Mlodzinski earned a spot in the rotation, or is he more valuable in the bullpen??

Aaron Rodgers said, "This is it," and he will retire after the season. How should Steelers fans treat this? It will be a farewell tour for Rodgers and there will be a ceremonial ending for Rodgers in some locations. Joe thinks people are more in line with being depressed about the season rather than celebrating Rodgers because the Steelers are likely not going that far.

Sidney Crosby told Josh Yohe that he wants to play multiple years. This is good news for the Penguins. Have the Penguins passed the threshold for a full rebuild? Tyler Kennedy thinks it would take years to come back from a full rebuild. The Penguins don't have their next face of the franchise after Sidney Crosby and is concerning. Would Sidney Crosby be fine with taking a couple steps back to take a couple steps forward?

Stanley Cup Champion Tyler Kennedy joined the show. Josh Yohe talked to Sidney Crosby and Sid said he'd like to play as long as he can. Yohe suggested five years and Sid said "that would be nice." A discussion about milk.

Hour 1: Austin Bechtold in for the guys today! Is Don Kelly officially on the hot seat after another bad Pirates loss? Why was Livvy Dunne on The Tonight Show last week? Could Steelers-Ravens be played internationally at some point? And Austin and Dom argue over what Pittsburgh should do with the Draft clock. Hour 2: Matt Clement joins the show for the full hour! How much blame should Don Kelly shoulder for the Pirates' struggles? Should Jared Jones become the new Pirates' closer? And is Bob Pompeani avoiding Austin? Hour 3: Callers debate what the biggest problem with the Steelers is right now. Dom reviews the new Obsession movie. And Mark Kaboly joins the show to recap Day 2 of Steelers OTAs. Hour 4: Will the Steelers have a top-five defense this year? Dom calls out Pablo Torre for trying to expose Oz Pearlman. And Jason Mackey joins the show to discuss what's going wrong with the Pirates right now.

Hour 4: Will the Steelers have a top-five defense this year? Dom calls out Pablo Torre for trying to expose Oz Pearlman. And Jason Mackey joins the show to discuss what's going wrong with the Pirates right now.

Jason Mackey joins the show to talk about Don Kelly's bullpen management, what reliever he trusts the most right now, if the Pirates made the right call optioning Isaac Mattson, if he's panicking about Pittsburgh right now, and more!

Hour 3: Callers debate what the biggest problem with the Steelers is right now. Dom reviews the new Obsession movie. And Mark Kaboly joins the show to recap Day 2 of Steelers OTAs.

Mark Kaboly joins the show to talk about any update with the Steelers' backup QBs, the changes that Mike McCarthy is making to the team, if Broderick Jones could get traded, what Pittsburgh's offensive line outlook is like, and more!

Hour 2: Matt Clement joins the show for the full hour! How much blame should Don Kelly shoulder for the Pirates' struggles? Should Jared Jones become the new Pirates' closer? And is Bob Pompeani avoiding Austin?

Matt Clement joins Austin to go through the Pirates' struggles right now. Could Jared Jones become a closer when he returns from injury? What should Pittsburgh do with Henry Davis right now? And why won't Bob Pompeani go to one of Austin's wiffle ball games?

Hour 1: Austin Bechtold in for the guys today! Is Don Kelly officially on the hot seat after another bad Pirates loss? Why was Livvy Dunne on The Tonight Show last week? Could Steelers-Ravens be played internationally at some point? And Austin and Dom argue over what Pittsburgh should do with the Draft clock.

Austin Bechtold in for the guys today! The Pirates had a bad loss last night, but how much of it falls on Don Kelly? The guys wonder what needs to happen with the Pirates bullpen. What should Pittsburgh do with Marcell Ozuna?

The full Pomp and Joe Show, with Joe Starkey and Austin Bechtold, from Tuesday, May 19th, 2026

Hour 1 with Joe Starkey: Joe is sad the Sabres lost to the Canadiens. Buffalo hasn't won a championship in Joe's lifetime. Dorin thinks it's significant Will Howard took second team reps on for the first day of OTAs. Will Howard vs. Mason Rudolph is going to be the story of camp, and likely Drew Allar. Joe would rather have a young, untested guy be the backup over someone who has failed before like Mason Rudolph.

Hour 2 with Joe Starkey: How good should the Steelers defense be? The Steelers are the highest-paid defense for the fifth year in a row. New defensive coordinator Patrick Graham has a deep respect for the history of the Steelers defense, but it can't be the Steel Curtain defense. Nick Kostos thinks it would be best for the Steelers to go 3-14 this season and draft a franchise quarterback.

Hour 3 with Joe Starkey: The Austin Bechtold trading card is here! The Pirates were swept by Philadelphia one week after being swept by St. Louis. How good are the Pirates? We're about to find out. There are real questions if the Pirates are a good team. We want the Pirates to go get Aroldis Chapman. What is the first move you would make for the Pirates to right the ship?

Hour 4 with Joe Starkey: Jared Jones returning is right around the corner. Michael think the Pirates have to give Bubba Chandler plenty of time in the rotation. Michael doesn't think it would be a good thing for Jared Jones to pitch in the bullpen. What will the Steelers' offensive line look like? Joe wants to see Max Iheanachor at left tackle. Iheanachor played left tackle at JUCO before Arizona State. The Steelers are going to be rotating their offensive line in OTAs to try to find the best solution and best combination.

What will the Steelers' offensive line look like? Joe wants to see Max Iheanachor at left tackle. Iheanachor played left tackle at JUCO before Arizona State. The Steelers are going to be rotating their offensive line in OTAs to try to find the best solution and best combination.

Jared Jones returning is right around the corner. Michael think the Pirates have to give Bubba Chandler plenty of time in the rotation. Michael doesn't think it would be a good thing for Jared Jones to pitch in the bullpen. Michael proposes the wild idea that Seth Hernandez could close, but doesn't think there is a chance that would happen. Michael thinks Ryan O'Hearn is the anchor to the lineup and is a huge loss. 

Two tickets are on the line for the best call on how to fix the Pittsburgh Pirates.

The Austin Bechtold trading card is here! The Pirates were swept by Philadelphia one week after being swept by St. Louis. How good are the Pirates? We're about to find out. There are real questions if the Pirates are a good team. We want the Pirates to go get Aroldis Chapman. 

Nick Kostos thinks it would be best for the Steelers to go 3-14 this season and draft a franchise quarterback. Joe and Austin think the Steelers would be best for one step back for three to four steps forward. 

How good should the Steelers defense be? The Steelers are the highest-paid defense for the fifth year in a row. New defensive coordinator Patrick Graham has a deep respect for the history of the Steelers defense, but it can't be the Steel Curtain defense. Nick thinks Mason Rudolph and Will Howard are co-QB2.

The question is the backup and Joe doesn't think the Steelers are keeping four. We hear from Steelers fans. Rookies have played and played early in their careers and the Steelers shouldn't be scared to play their young quarterbacks. Joe would rather have a young, untested guy be the backup over someone who has failed before like Mason Rudolph. 

Joe is sad the Sabres lost to the Canadiens. Buffalo hasn't won a championship in Joe's lifetime. Dorin thinks it's significant Will Howard took second team reps on for the first day of OTAs. Will Howard vs. Mason Rudolph is going to be the story of camp, and likely Drew Allar. Will Howard starting with the second team is a story. Who's your guy?

The full Pomp and Joe Show, with Bob Pompeani, Joe Starkey, and Austin Bechtold, from Monday, May 18th, 2026

Hour 1 with Bob Pompeani and Joe Starkey: Bob thinks Rodgers gives the Steelers the best chance to win, meaning a winning season. Bob thinks Rodgers has the best chance to go into the playoffs and win a game, but Joe asks if that even matters because it isn't working. NFL reporter Tyler Dunne told The PM Team that a former teammate of Aaron Rodgers thinks Rodgers and Mike McCarthy will be at each other's throats.

Hour 2 with Bob Pompeani and Joe Starkey: What happens to Will Howard? Joe thinks it's established that Will Howard is the starter. Aaron Rodgers returning may cost Will Howard a roster spot. The Steelers have officially announced they signed Aaron Rodgers. Who is the next Steelers quarterback beyond Aaron Rodgers. Joe thinks Drew Allar is going to get a chance and is Mike McCarthy's guy for the job in 2027.

Hour 3 with Bob Pompeani and Joe Starkey: ick thinks re-signing Rodgers is a terrible move. Nick thinks Mike McCarthy is lying about liking Will Howard. What is the best-case scenario for the Pittsburgh Steelers? "Steelers fans should want to lose" to get a franchise quarterback. Aaron Rai won the PGA Championship Sunday. The Steelers are playing Mason McCormick at left guard and Dylan Cook at right tackle to begin OTAs.

Hour 4 with Bob Pompeani and Joe Starkey: Will Howard is taking second-team reps at the Steelers' OTAs. Bob doesn't think it's significant at all. Joe is surprised Mason Rudolph isn't QB2. It's just May 18th, and Bob doesn't think he'll look into this until training camp. Austin thinks the Steelers are trying to give Will Howard an opportunity to win the backup job. Aaron Rodgers and Mike McCarthy are reunited again for the first time in nearly a decade.

Aaron Rodgers and Mike McCarthy are reunited again for the first time in nearly a decade. Troy Fautanu wants to be a tackle and is fine at either side, but not as a guard.

Will Howard is taking second-team reps at the Steelers' OTAs. Bob doesn't think it's significant at all. Joe is surprised Mason Rudolph isn't QB2. It's just May 18th, and Bob doesn't think he'll look into this until training camp. Austin thinks the Steelers are trying to give Will Howard an opportunity to win the backup job. Pirates swept by Philadelphia on Sunday.