The Cook & Joe Show

Aaron Rodgers plans to retire after one year in Pittsburgh, Oneil Cruz sits for lack of effort, George Pickens bailed on a kids' football camp but one Steeler is coming to the rescue.

The full Pomp and Joe Show, with Jason Mackey and Austin Bechtold (behind the glass), from Friday, June 27th, 2025

Hour 1 with Jason Mackey: What will the Pirates do at the deadline? Should the Penguins go on a full-on rebuild? Jason wants them to win in the next year or two but Austin thinks they're already into a full rebuild. Who are your top 5 athletes of the past 25 years? Who should play shortstop when IKF is traded? Jason would try Bart at first base and play Gonzales at short.

Hour 2 with Jason Mackey: Ray believes Aaron Rodgers is going to get every opportunity to be the starter for all 17 games. Could Rodgers come back next season if the Steelers have a great year? Ray thinks it sure doesn't sound like it. Ray has no timetable for a T.J. Watt extension and it's quiet on Watt's side. Jeff Passan thinks the 2027 baseball season is 'in peril" because media rights deals haven't been finalized and a cap and floor is more likely to be considered in the CBA after 2026.

Hour 3 with Jason Mackey: The Pens have $23 million in cap space. Jason doesn't think they have to completely punt on the season and can try and make it work with this core. Ken Rosenthal says the Pirates should be motivated to trade Mitch Keller and would be available for four pennant races. What could you get for Mitch Keller? Dalton Wasserman of PFF has Mike Tomlin as the 5th best coach in football. Dorin said if he would select one QB in next year's draft, it would be Drew Allar!

Hour 4 with Jason Mackey: . The Pirates host the Mets this weekend with Mitch Keller on the mound. There are times when Oneil Cruz can play frustrating baseball due to a lack of effort. Bob Walk thinks Cruz tried to go the extra mile the last few games. Bob is frustrated by Cruz going slow at times, but other players do that too. Shane Gillis will host the ESPYS this summer. Which Pittsburgh athlete would you want to see host?

Shane Gillis will host the ESPYS this summer. Which Pittsburgh athlete would you want to see host? We want to see Andrew McCutchen call games but Jason said McCutchen said he doesn't want to. Ben Roethlisberger would be great. Our top 5 athletes of the past 25 years.

The Pirates host the Mets this weekend with Mitch Keller on the mound. There are times when Oneil Cruz can play frustrating baseball due to a lack of effort. Bob Walk is frustrated by Cruz going slow at times, but other players do that too. There are other players whose effort isn't changed by a slump and low batting average. Fans weigh in on the Penguins and the Pirates.

The NHL is exploring going to an 84 game season. Ken Rosenthal says the Pirates should be motivated to trade Mitch Keller and would be available for four pennant races. What could you get for Mitch Keller? Dalton Wasserman of PFF has Mike Tomlin as the 5th best coach in football. Dorin said if he would select one QB in next year's draft, it would be Drew Allar!

The offseason begins today for the Penguins. The Pens have $23 million in cap space. Jason doesn't think they have to completely punt on the season and can try and make it work with this core. The goaltending has been bad. Jason thinks it's reasonable to buy a goalie and fix some problems.

Jason talked to Jeff Passan of ESPN and there "is no indication" Bob Nutting is going to sell. Passan thinks the 2027 baseball season is 'in peril" because media rights deals haven't been finalized and a cap and floor is more likely to be considered in the CBA after 2026. He doesn't like capping the amount of money players can make.

Ray believes Aaron Rodgers is going to get every opportunity to be the starter for all 17 games. Could Rodgers come back next season if the Steelers have a great year? Ray thinks it sure doesn't sound like it. Ray has no timetable for a T.J. Watt extension and it's quiet on Watt's side. Jason misses coaches who are tough on players.

Isiah Kiner-Falefa is hitting.273 and can help a contender. It wouldn't surprise Jason if he's traded. Who should play shortstop when IKF is traded? Jason would try Joey Bart at first base and play Nick Gonzales at short.

What will the Pirates do at the deadline? Should the Penguins go on a full-on rebuild? Jason wants them to win in the next year or two but Austin thinks they're already into a full rebuild. Who are your top 5 athletes of the past 25 years? Jason examines how the Pirates can improve at the trade deadline.

The full Pomp and Joe Show, with Bob Pompeani, Joe Starkey, and Austin Bechtold (behind the glass), from Thursday, June 26th, 2025

Hour 1 with Bob Pompeani, Joe Starkey, and Tyler Kennedy: Joe is freaking out that he is struggling at golf. The Penguins will hand out the book "Mind Gym" to players to try and make sure they have their minds right. Should the Penguins move up in the draft? Bryan Rust's no-movement clause expires in a few days. Is he more valuable as a veteran on the Penguins or as a trade piece?? The biggest issues are goaltending and what to do with Erik Karlsson

Hour 2 with Bob Pompeani and Joe Starkey: James Palmer is hearing there is a chance T.J. Watt gets over $40 million from the Steelers. Paying Watt over $40 million is extravagant. Do the Steelers need to sign Watt before Parsons? Jay Glazer thinks Tomlin-Rodgers is a 'perfect match.' Joe included Sidney Crosby, Ben Roethlisberger, Evgeni Malkin, Andrew McCutchen, Troy Polamalu

Hour 3 with Bob Pompeani and Joe Starkey: Barry Bonds is getting a statue in San Francisco. Should Barry Bonds be in the Hall of Fame? The Pirates moved Oneil Cruz down to 5th in the lineup, but we don't think he should have played after being benched for a lack of effort. Cruz has one home run since May 28. Would you offer Oneil Cruz the Bryan Reynolds contract?

Hour 4 with Bob Pompeani, Joe Starkey, and Jeff Hathhorn: 93.7 The Fan Sports Director Jeff Hathhorn joined the show. Our Pirates all-century team of the last 25 years. Pedro Alvarez is our third baseman. Jack Wilson plays short. Should Starling Marte be our left fielder? Bob thinks Brian Giles should be considered. Jeff gives us his top Pitt players of the last 25 years.

Jeff Hathhorn gives us his top Pitt players of the last 25 years.

93.7 The Fan Sports Director Jeff Hathhorn joined the show. Our Pirates all-century team of the last 25 years. Pedro Alvarez is our third baseman. Jack Wilson plays short. Should Starling Marte be our left fielder? Bob thinks Brian Giles should be considered.

The Pirates moved Oneil Cruz down to 5th in the lineup, but we don't think he should have played after being benched for a lack of effort. Cruz has one home run since May 28. Would you offer Oneil Cruz the Bryan Reynolds contract? Joe shares what he is looking for at Next Up on The Fan, which includes immediately grabbing attention.

Barry Bonds is getting a statue in San Francisco. Should Barry Bonds be in the Hall of Fame? A big debate on if Barry Bonds should be in the Hall of Fame, with Austin believing Bonds shouldn't be in but is fine with Bonds having a statue in San Francisco.

Joe included Sidney Crosby, Ben Roethlisberger, Evgeni Malkin, Andrew McCutchen, Troy Polamalu. McCutchen is one of only three players in Pittsburgh this century to win an MVP. Malkin won Rookie of the Year, MVP, two scoring titles, playoff MVP, and three Stanley Cups. Mario Lemieux is the only other Pittsburgh sports athlete to win Rookie of the Year, MVP, and playoff MVP.

Jesse Palmer is hearing there is a chance T.J. Watt gets over $40 million from the Steelers. Do the Steelers need to sign Watt before Parsons? Jay Glazer thinks Tomlin-Rodgers is a 'perfect match.' Glazer said the only two places he thought Rodgers could win a Super Bowl was with the Rams and the Steelers.

Bryan Rust's no-movement clause expires in a few days. Is he more valuable as a veteran on the Penguins or as a trade piece?? The biggest issues are goaltending and what to do with Erik Karlsson.

Stanley Cup Champion Tyler Kennedy joined the show in studio. Tyler suffered a golf injury! Joe is freaking out that he is struggling at golf. The Penguins will hand out the book "Mind Gym" to players to try and make sure they have their minds right. What is your favorite venue in the city? What was the loudest moment at the Civic Arena or PPG Paints Arena? 

The full Pomp and Joe Show, with Joe Starkey and Austin Bechtold (behind the glass), from Wednesday, June 25th, 2025

Hour 1 with Joe Starkey: Don Kelly benched Oneil Cruz for a lack of hustle running out a double play. Crowley is giving Aaron Rodgers the benefit of the doubt and is optimistic about his season. Should T.J. Watt be in our top five Pittsburgh athletes of the past 25 years?

Hour 2 with Joe Starkey: George Pickens will not be attending his youth football camp on June 28th. Pickens is now not going to be a part of it, but tight end Pat Freiermuth has stepped up and will be a guest at the camp. Dionte Johnson said he was "too cold" to go into a game with the Ravens. Greg Brown told Mullsy he thinks Ben Cherington is going to make a big move to acquire an impactful bat.

Hour 3 with Joe Starkey: Dan Zangrilli is disappointed in Oneil Cruz that he's not taking advantage of the opportunity to be one of the faces of the game. Dan would trade controllable pitchers for bats and thinks Dennis Santana and David Bednar could go. The five greatest moments in Pittsburgh sports. Steelers insider Mark Kaboly of the Pat McAfee Show joined the show. Mark believes Aaron Rodgers is likely going to retire after this season.

Hour 4 with Joe Starkey: The Steelers need Broderick Jones to take a significant step and be a good left tackle. Kaleb Johnson has great potential and Mark thinks he will have "much better" numbers than Najee Harris in his Steelers career. Pirates midseason awards: Who is your Pirates MVP outside of Paul Skenes? Ke'Bryan Hayes and Bryan Reynolds are LVP candidates. We're keeping our eyes on Bubba Chandler, Konnor Griffin, and Termarr Johnson.

Pirates midseason awards: Who is your Pirates MVP outside of Paul Skenes? Ke'Bryan Hayes and Bryan Reynolds are LVP candidates. We're keeping our eyes on Bubba Chandler, Konnor Griffin, and Termarr Johnson.

The Steelers need Broderick Jones to take a significant step and be a good left tackle. Mark Kaboly thinks he's always been athletic, but hasn't had enough time at left tackle. Kaleb Johnson has great potential and Mark thinks he will have "much better" numbers than Najee Harris in his Steelers career.

The five greatest moments in Pittsburgh sports. Steelers insider Mark Kaboly of the Pat McAfee Show joined the show. Other moments include Ben's tackle, the fake slide, and Chris Kunitz scoring in 2 OT. Mark believes Aaron Rodgers is likely going to retire after this season. Mark thinks it could be a big motivator for Rodgers.

Joe Starkey and Dan Zangrilli react to Cruz playing finale in Milwaukee.

Dan would like to see the Pirates re-sign IKF, but we all think he will be traded. Dan is disappointed in Oneil Cruz that he's not taking advantage of the opportunity to be one of the faces of the game. Dan called it "a public embarrassment" by benching Cruz in the game and that the Pirates need to do something to help Oneil Cruz figure it out.

Greg Brown told Mullsy he thinks Ben Cherington is going to make a big move to acquire an impactful bat. The Pirates need a young player who is either proven, or a AAA stud. There needs to be emphasis on bats. Who could the Pirates acquire to change the lineup?

George Pickens will not be attending his youth football camp on June 28th. The team putting together the camp was told by Pickens' team he would still be there. Pickens is now not going to be a part of it, but tight end Pat Freiermuth has stepped up and will be a guest at the camp. Dionte Johnson said he was "too cold" to go into a game with the Ravens.

Should T.J. Watt be in our top five Pittsburgh athletes of the past 25 years? Watt should be a 3x Defensive Player of the Year. We would have to bump Andrew McCutchen, Evgeni Malkin, or Troy Polamalu. Jeff Patton of Baseball Card Castle joined the show with a Nick Gonzales signed card for Starkey's Card of the Week.

It's Skenes Day and a GREAT pitching matchup against the Brewers. Don Kelly benched Oneil Cruz for a lack of hustle running out a double play. Crowley is giving Aaron Rodgers the benefit of the doubt and is optimistic about his season.

The full Pomp and Joe Show, with Bob Pompeani (10-11:30am), Joe Starkey, and Austin Bechtold (behind the glass), from Tuesday, June 24th, 2025