The Cook & Joe Show

The Steelers are in a tight race for the division lead with Baltimore with a big game in Chicago this weekend. Will Rodgers play and continue to dominate the Bears? Or, will the Steelers 30-year drought in Chicago continue?

The full Pomp and Joe Show, with Joe Starkey, Donny Football, and Austin Bechtold (behind the glass), from Friday, November 21st, 2025

Hour 1 with Joe Starkey and Donny Football: The 6-4 Steelers play the Bears (7-3) in Chicago on Sunday. It's not a believable resume for the Bears and Joe thinks the Steelers may win by 10 or more points. We all think the Steelers are going to win. Four pressing questions in Steelers-Bears.

Hour 2 with Joe Starkey and Donny Football: Ray Fittipaldo gives it a 65% chance that Aaron Rodgers plays on Sunday. He likes the safety situation now with Jalen Ramsey looking very comfortable. Ray thinks the Steelers won't go to the playoffs this year. The numbers that matter in Steelers-Bears Sunday.

Hour 3 with Joe Starkey and Donny Football: Nick Kostos thinks the only team in the AFC that can win the Super Bowl is the Chiefs. Nick would bet the Bears in the matchup against the Steelers. Austin is stunned by the Pirates bringing back Jack Suwinski for $1.25 million. 19 recruits have decommitted from Penn State since James Franklin was fired and only 1 from LSU, 0 from Florida.

Hour 4 with Joe Starkey and Donny Football: The Quiz Show once again ends in predictable fashion for Joe Starkey. College Football and NFL Week 12 picks.

Joe Starkey, Donny Football, and Austin Bechtold's College Football and NFL Week 12 picks.

The Quiz Show once again ends in predictable fashion for Joe Starkey!

Austin is stunned by the Pirates bringing back Jack Suwinski for $1.25 million. An ESPN story today said that Pete Alonso is a good fit for the Pirates. Eugenio Suarez at $20 million per season makes a lot of sense. 19 recruits have decommitted from Penn State since James Franklin was fired and only 1 from LSU, 0 from Florida.

Nick is going to buy us lunch for Joe's winning bet that Bo Nix and the Broncos would beat the Chiefs! But Joe bets double or nothing! Nick would bet the Bears in the matchup against the Steelers, but wants to know what is going on with Aaron Rodgers. 84 Lumber Vice President of Marketing and PR Amy Smiley joined us on location!

The numbers that matter in Steelers-Bears this Sunday from Chicago.

Ray gives it a 65% chance that Aaron Rodgers plays on Sunday. He likes the safety situation now with Jalen Ramsey looking very comfortable. Alex Highsmith is likely going to have to deal with his pec injury the rest of the year. Ray predicts the Steelers to win, but to miss the playoffs!

1. Should Darius Slay start and how many snaps should James Pierre be on the field? We think Pierre should have the majority of the snaps. 2. Pat Freiermuth was targeted one time against the Bengals. Does Pat Freiermuth have a bigger role soon?

The 6-4 Steelers play the Bears (7-3) in Chicago on Sunday. Are the Steelers like the Bears or are they a step above? It's not a believable resume for the Bears and Joe thinks the Steelers may win by 10 or more points.

The full Pomp and Joe Show, with Bob Pompeani and Austin Bechtold (behind the glass), from Thursday, November 20th, 2025

Hour 1 with Bob Pompeani and Tyler Kennedy: A source inside the locker room told TK that the vibes inside the locker room are so much different and better with Dan Muse. "Everyone has a voice" with Dan Muse as head coach. Tyler Kennedy is encouraged by what he's seen from Sergei Murashov as the answer in goal. He wouldn't rush Tristan Jarry back from injury and wants to see an extended look at Murashov and Arturs Silovs.

Hour 2 with Bob Pompeani and Chris Hoke: Hokie discusses how Aaron Rodgers will need to protect himself with his wrist injury. Hokie shares how he was the first advocate for Mason Rudolph. Not Mark Kaboly. Hokie wants the Steelers to give Mason Rudolph a chance at some point. Chris Hoke shares how George Pickens was late to meetings, the team plane, and didn't have accountability.

Hour 3 with Bob Pompeani: What do you expect the Pirates to do in the offseason? We want to see the Pirates be aggressive and actually do something. As Paul Skenes said, "talk is cheap." James Franklin is officially the next head coach of Virginia Tech. Pitt has big games against Georgia Tech and Miami for a chance to play in the conference championship.

Hour 4 with Bob Pompeani: L.C. Greenwood is a semifinalist for the Class of 2026 in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Aaron Rodgers explained how he loves playing the Bears. Jeff is with Pitt basketball to announce Pitt-UCF. The ACC isn't deep and outside of Duke, there are a lot of question marks. If Mason Rudolph has to start, Jeff doesn't think it's that much of a drop off from the first couple weeks of the season.

Jeff is with Pitt basketball to announce Pitt-UCF. The ACC isn't deep and outside of Duke, there are a lot of question marks. ACC football has been unpredictable. If Mason Rudolph has to start, Jeff doesn't think it's that much of a drop off from the first couple weeks of the season.

L.C. Greenwood is a semifinalist for the Class of 2026 in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Bob thinks the NFL will be 20 games in the next five years! The Patriots are not fools gold, but Cam Newton is trying to say they are. Aaron Rodgers explained how he loves playing the Bears.

James Franklin is officially the next head coach of Virginia Tech. Franklin and Penn State agreed to a $9 million buyout. Franklin could make an immediate impact in the ACC. Pitt has big games against Georgia Tech and Miami for a chance to play in the conference championship.

What do you expect the Pirates to do in the offseason? We want to see the Pirates be aggressive and actually do something. As Paul Skenes said, "talk is cheap." Pirates fans weigh in and are tired of hearing about players the Pirates could add, and want to see the Pirates add solid players.

Chris Hoke shares how George Pickens was late to meetings, the team plane, and didn't have accountability. Hokie thinks the Steelers needed a new voice and had to move on. Hokie thinks Steelers-Bears will be a one-point game??

Chris Hoke discusses the roughing the passer calls against the Bengals. They're terrible calls, but by rules it's a penalty. Hokie discusses how Aaron Rodgers will need to protect himself with his wrist injury. Hokie shares how he was the first advocate for Mason Rudolph. Not Mark Kaboly. Hokie wants the Steelers to give Mason Rudolph a chance.

Tyler Kennedy is encouraged by what he's seen from Sergei Murashov as the answer in goal. He wouldn't rush Tristan Jarry back from injury and wants to see an extended look at Murashov and Arturs Silovs. TK wants to see more Murashov. A look around the NHL.

A source inside the locker room told TK that the vibes inside the locker room are so much different and better with Dan Muse. "Everyone has a voice" with Dan Muse as head coach. TK thinks that the Penguins have a plan for Harrison Brunicke. If Malkin wants to stay for another year, what does Dubas want to do?

The full Pomp and Joe Show, with Bob Pompeani, Joe Starkey, and Austin Bechtold (behind the glass), from Wednesday, November 19th, 2025

Hour 1 with Bob Pompeani and Joe Starkey: Ben Roethlisberger was complimentary of Mason Rudolph on his podcast. Should Rudolph play against Chicago if Aaron Rodgers isn't close to 100%? We all think that Rodgers will play, especially being against the Bears. Jeff Passan reported that the Pirates were willing to offer double what they paid for in the Francisco Liriano contract for Josh Naylor. James Franklin has been hired by Virginia Tech.

Hour 2 with Bob Pompeani and Joe Starkey: The General has a Paul Skenes card as Starkey's Card of the Week for winning the Cy Young. Mark thinks Pat Freiermuth is better than Jonnu Smith. Should the Steelers have kept George Pickens? Bob continues to say yes but Mark said it would have been bad with Pickens here. If Aaron Rodgers is able to go, he's going to go

Hour 3 with Bob Pompeani and Joe Starkey: Intern Dom wrote a story on Bob in high school! Jeff Passan reported the Pirates are in on Kyle Schwarber and are strongly considering Konnor Griffin to be their everyday shortstop. Pitt is not ranked in the updated College Football Playoff rankings.

Hour 4 with Bob Pompeani and Joe Starkey: Bob would bet that Aaron Rodgers will play, but there is a concern about ball security and how Rodgers will play with the injury. Cam Heyward said on his Not Just Football podcast that Jalen Ramsey told him in the moment he was spit on. Pitt's clinching scenarios for the ACC Championship. The Steelers still only have an over/under of 8.5

Pitt's clinching scenarios for the ACC Championship. The Steelers still only have an over/under of 8.5. We would take the over. Shedeur Sanders is going to make his first start for the Browns. Kansas City, Detroit, and Baltimore are all out of the playoffs.

Bob would bet that Aaron Rodgers will play, but there is a concern about ball security and how Rodgers will play with the injury. Cam Heyward said on his Not Just Football podcast that Jalen Ramsey told him in the moment he was spit on. Bob and Austin think only one team from the AFC North will make the playoffs, but Joe thinks it could be two.

Pitt is not ranked in the updated College Football Playoff rankings. Miami would be the only ACC team to make the playoffs. Kay Adams on the Up and Adams show said she thinks the George Pickens trade may go down as one of the worst trades in NFL history.

Intern Dom wrote a story on Bob in high school! Jeff Passan reported the Pirates are in on Kyle Schwarber and are strongly considering Konnor Griffin to be their everyday shortstop. Passan is one of the best in the business and Joe doesn't think Passan would report this if he didn't believe it. The Pirates need to try and sign Konnor Griffin to a long-term extension, even before he debuts.

Mark thought Rodgers looked skittish in LA. Not a lot of guys were consistently open. Who gives the Steelers the better chance to win? Mark is going with Rodgers. He thinks Rodgers and Mason Rudolph give the Steelers a chance to win, but how much of a difference is it?

Jeff Patton of Baseball Card Castle joined the show. The General has a Paul Skenes card as Starkey's Card of the Week for winning the Cy Young. Should the Steelers have kept George Pickens? Bob continues to say yes but Mark said it would have been bad with Pickens here.

Jeff Passan reported that the Pirates were willing to offer double what they paid for in the Francisco Liriano contract for Josh Naylor. Passan also said the Pirates are in on Kyle Schwarber as well as two Japanese hitters. James Franklin has been hired by Virginia Tech. Will Franklin do well?

Ben Roethlisberger was complimentary of Mason Rudolph on his Footbahlin podcast. Should Rudolph play against Chicago if Aaron Rodgers isn't close to 100%? The NFL upheld the one-game suspension for Ja'Marr Chase spitting on Jalen Ramsey. Tomlin confirmed that Darius Slay will start, if healthy.

The full Pomp and Joe Show, with Joe Starkey and Austin Bechtold (behind the glass), from Tuesday, November 18th, 2025

Hour 1 with Joe Starkey: George Pickens is second in the NFL in receiving yards and had a big game for Dallas. Should the Steelers have kept George Pickens? Joe is of two minds here. He doesn't think Pickens would have flourished in Pittsburgh, but the receiver room is poor and would have been worth the risk. The Steelers don't possess the ball and don't have an explosive offense.