The Cook & Joe Show

Joey Porter called Roethlisberger a bad teammate, the young Bucs are in Bradenton and Pittsburgh wrestles with supporting country over Crosby.

The full Pomp and Joe Show, with Joe Starkey (11-2PM), Donny Football, and Austin Bechtold (behind the glass), from Friday, February 13th, 2026

Hour 1 with Donny Football: Team USA and Team Canada are off to good starts in men's hockey. Donny and Austin both want to see the United States win the gold but some people are rooting for Sid. Maurkice Pouncey came to Ben Roethlisberger's defense saying he can't believe the people bashing Ben. The NFL has won a grievance over the NFLPA where the Players Association can no longer release its report cards

Hour 2 with Joe Starkey and Donny Football: Bill Barnwell said that the Steelers should trade Nick Herbig for Tanner McKee. WHAT? Ray has the Steelers trading up for Jordan Tyson (Arizona State). Joe wants to trade up for Caleb Downs. Ray gives it a 75% chance Aaron Rodgers will be back. Would fans boo the Steelers taking Ty Simpson?

Hour 3 with Joe Starkey and Donny Football: Charlie Campbell of Walter Football says Ty Simpson does well throwing against the rush, keeps his eyes down field, and has good intangibles. 84% of people in our Twitter poll say Steelers fans would boo the Steelers picking Ty Simpson in the first round. Evan Drellich of The Athletic said a $240 million cap and $160 million floor for Major League Baseball COULD be the target.

Hour 4 with Joe Starkey and Donny Football: Henry Davis said this year is going to be different and he didn't realize the problems he had at the plate. He knew there were problems, but didn't understand them. Davis looked at the data and found that he was putting all his pressure on his back leg. Donny doesn't care that Konnor Griffin loses a year of service time by being on the Opening Day roster. Who has the better NFL career: Drew Allar or Will Howard?

Donny doesn't care that Konnor Griffin loses a year of service time by being on the Opening Day roster. Field Yates has the Steelers taking Ty Simpson. Who has the better NFL career: Drew Allar or Will Howard?

Henry Davis said this year is going to be different and he didn't realize the problems he had at the plate. He knew there were problems, but didn't understand them. Davis looked at the data and found that he was putting all his pressure on his back leg. Kevin would start Konnor Griffin on the big-league team. Does he think Griffin will make the Opening Day lineup??

84% of people in our Twitter poll say Steelers fans would boo the Steelers picking Ty Simpson in the first round. Evan Drellich of The Athletic said a $240 million cap and $160 million floor for Major League Baseball COULD be the target. We loved hearing Mike Lange and Doc Emrick call hockey games.

An Alabama fan calls in and doesn't think Ty Simpson is good. Charlie Campbell of Walter Football says Simpson does well throwing against the rush, keeps his eyes down field, and has good intangibles. Donny doesn't want the Steelers to reach for Simpson.

Speed skating is an intense Olympic sport. Joe wants to see checking in speed skating. Would fans boo the Steelers taking Ty Simpson? Joe thinks Steelers fans would cheer any quarterback! Donny thinks it's very possible that Steelers fans boo.

Bill Barnwell said the Steelers should trade Nick Herbig for Tanner McKee. Ray has the Steelers trading up for Jordan Tyson (Arizona State). Joe wants to trade up for Caleb Downs. Ray has the Steelers taking WR Chris Bell from Louisville in the third round coming off a major injury. Ray thinks Drew Allar could go as early as the second round. Ray gives it a 75% chance Aaron Rodgers is back. 

The NFL has won a grievance over the NFLPA where the Players Association can no longer release its report cards. Art Rooney received a D by the players last year. Mike Tomlin earned an A. The Steelers overall graded as the 28th team in the NFL. 

Team USA and Team Canada are off to good starts in men's hockey. 40% of PM Team fans responded to a Twitter poll saying that they are rooting for Team Canada to win gold in hockey. Donny and Austin both want to see the United States win the gold. Maurkice Pouncey came to Ben Roethlisberger's defense saying he can't believe the people bashing Ben.

The full Pomp and Joe Show, with Bob Pompeani, Joe Starkey, and Austin Bechtold (behind the glass), from Friday, February 12th, 2026

Hour 1 with Bob Pompeani, Joe Starkey, and Tyler Kennedy: How many Stanley Cups do the members of Team Canada and Team USA have? Bob would have been curious to see what Russia would have done in the Olympics. Tyler Kennedy wouldn't add an older veteran to assist the Penguins run to the playoffs. He thinks the Penguins need someone under 30 that is going to make an impact for a while.

Hour 2 with Bob Pompeani and Joe Starkey: Outside of Paul Skenes, who is the most important Pirate? Bob thinks Oneil Cruz needs to take a big step. When will Konnor Griffin be here? Paul Skenes said that in his exit meeting and conversations in the offseason the Pirates listened to him and others with the changes they made. We like hearing that Skenes had a say in the additions the Pirates made this offseason. Skenes said he doesn't have a new pitch.

Hour 3 with Bob Pompeani and Joe Starkey: The Steelers will host the Falcons, Panthers, Broncos, Texans, and Colts will all come to Pittsburgh next season. The Steelers will play at the Patriots, Jags, Buccaneers, and Eagles. Should Omar Khan trade up for Caleb Downs? Charlie talked to team sources who think Ty Simpson will interview well and won't slide too far in the draft. Charlie has Carnell Tate going to the Steelers in the first round.

Hour 4 with Bob Pompeani and Joe Starkey: Joey Porter called out Ben Roethlisberger on Cam Heyward's podcast. Jeff shares with us seven Steelers defensive players the team must contemplate bringing back. Would you bring Malik Harrison back next season? We would bring Brandon Echols back. Should Nick Herbig be extended?

Jeff shares with us seven Steelers defensive players the team must contemplate bringing back. Would you bring Malik Harrison back next season? We would bring Brandon Echols back. Should Nick Herbig be extended? Joe would trade T.J. Watt. Cam Heyward may look for a new contract.

Cam Heyward didn't speak up to call out Joey Porter after Porter called out Ben Roethlisberger. Jeff said the 70s Steelers didn't get along. Antonio Brown said that Ben helped him with a lot of advice. Bob thinks Ben has taken accountability and has changed now and Ben will admit that he needed to change too.

Charlie Campbell talked to team sources who think Ty Simpson will interview well and won't slide too far in the draft. Charlie thinks Drew Allar and Garrett Nussmeier have NFL arms. Charlie has Carnell Tate going to the Steelers in the first round. He compares Trindas Chambless to Russell Wilson as a potentially solid mid-round quarterback!

The Steelers will host the Falcons, Panthers, Broncos, Texans, and Colts will all come to Pittsburgh next season. Wide receiver KC Concepcion of Texas A&M is an option for the Steelers in the first round. Should Omar Khan trade up for Caleb Downs? Alec Pierce would be a great signing for the offense, but who else should the team target?

Paul Skenes said that in his exit meeting and conversations in the offseason the Pirates listened to him and others with the changes they made. We like hearing that Skenes had a say in the additions the Pirates made this offseason. Skenes knows the league is going to try to punch back at him and is all business. Are you concerned with Skenes pitching in the World Baseball Classic and ramping up quickly?

Outside of Paul Skenes, who is the most important Pirate? Bob thinks Oneil Cruz needs to take a big step and Joe wants him to bat 7th. Cruz had a .270 average against righties last season. Bob wants to see Konnor Griffin in the majors before signing him. Austin wants to sign Griffin to an extension today.

Team Canada is off to a fast start in its first hockey game with Sid leading the charge. Tyler Kennedy wouldn't add an older veteran to assist the Penguins run to the playoffs. He thinks the Penguins need someone under 30 that is going to make an impact for a while. TK thinks a lot of guys on the Penguins are overachieving compared to what they've done in their careers before the Penguins.

How many Stanley Cups do the members of Team Canada and Team USA have? Members of Team Canada have combined for 31 Stanley Cups. Joe, Bob, and Tyler discuss curling and Joe offends Tyler about the sport. Tyler Kennedy sounds off on the Ben Roethlisberger-Joey Porter debate.

The full Pomp and Joe Show, with Joe Starkey and Austin Bechtold (behind the glass), from Wednesday, February 11th, 2026

Hour 1 with Joe Starkey: Spring training starts today! 25 years ago today, Three Rivers Stadium was imploded. Joe shares his favorite memories of Three Rivers. There is legitimate hope for the Pirates this year. They might have a winning team and a solid lineup. Joe and Austin give our projected Pirates lineup with Konnor Griffin. Jeff Patton of Baseball Card Castle joins!

Hour 2 with Joe Starkey: Mark and Joe share their Myron Cope stories. Should the Steelers take Ty Simpson in the first round? If you pick Ty Simpson, you are admitting you aren't confident in Will Howard. Mark Kaboly thinks there's a better chance that Patrick Queen is extended than cut. It's hard to tell who will be back for the Steelers with Mike McCarthy taking over.

Hour 3 with Joe Starkey: RMU men's basketball coach Andy Toole joined the show. RMU is starting to hit its stride in the Horizon League. RMU has one guy from its team a year ago that almost beat Alabama. Toole addressed how frustrating it was that one of their players was point shaving and the lack of respect for the game. Joey Porter Sr. said that Ben Roethlisberger wasn't a good teammate or person. Pitt basketball lost to Duke but there was some energy in the building.

Hour 4 with Joe Starkey: Ben Cherington said that no matter what, the Pirates want to always have a great relationship with Andrew McCutchen. They want a good relationship with him but focused on the guys that are there. Should Konnor Griffin be on the Pirates roster to start the season?

Joey Porter Sr. said that Ben Roethlisberger wasn't a good teammate or person. Joe thinks Ben was a good teammate by being tough and sacrificing himself to the team, but Ben definitely had major shortcomings early in his career. Pitt basketball lost to Duke but there was some energy in the building. This is going to be high stakes hockey in the Olympics.

RMU men's basketball coach Andy Toole joined the show. RMU is starting to hit its stride in the Horizon League. RMU has one guy from its team a year ago that almost beat Alabama. Players are always trying to move up and play at the highest level, or high major players moving down to mid majors to put up better stats. Toole addressed how frustrating it was that one of their players was point shaving and the lack of respect for the game.

Mark Kaboly thinks there's a better chance that Patrick Queen is extended than cut. It's hard to tell who will be back for the Steelers with Mike McCarthy taking over. Mark would be a little bit surprised if Calvin Austin is back because he's going to hit free agency.

Kaboly had some bad moments with James Harrison and Mike Wallace. Joe recalls Ben calling Todd Haley's offense a pop-gun offense. Mark and Joe share their Myron Cope stories. Should the Steelers take Ty Simpson in the first round? He doesn't think the Steelers should sign Malik Willis. Joe is more interested in Willis than Aaron Rodgers.

There is legitimate hope for the Pirates this year. They might have a winning team and a solid lineup. Joe and Austin give our projected Pirates lineup with Konnor Griffin. Jeff Patton of Baseball Card Castle joined the show for Starkey's Card of the Week.

Spring training starts today! 25 years ago today, Three Rivers Stadium was imploded. Joe shares his favorite memories of Three Rivers. There is legitimate optimism around the Pirates. What can this Pirates team be?

The full Pomp and Joe Show, with Bob Pompeani and Austin Bechtold (behind the glass), from Tuesday, February 10th, 2026

Hour 1 with Bob Pompeani: The Pirates have made significant upgrades to their lineup, but it has come at Andrew McCutchen's expense. The Pirates should sign Konnor Griffin RIGHT NOW. Austin would offer a deal of eight-years, $140 million with a club option. Pitt basketball hosts Duke tonight at 9pm. Steelers fans respond to the idea of Aaron Rodgers coming back for a second year.

Hour 2 with Bob Pompeani: This is a very solid wide receiver class in the first round. Nick Farabaugh thinks the No. 21 pick will be a wide receiver. Nick thinks Garrett Nussmeier or Drew Allar makes sense in the middle rounds. The Steelers could take a shot on a mid-round quarterback because they're going to have 11-12 picks and there are good prospects who will fall for various reasons.

Hour 3 with Bob Pompeani: Bob is interested to see how Team USA men's hockey plays. Sidney Crosby is projected to be Team Canada's third-line center behind Connor McDavid and Nathan McKinnon. We wanted the Pirates to add two to three bats this offseason, and they've done that. Will Eli Manning get in the Hall of Fame over Ben Roethlisberger?