The Cook & Joe Show

The Patriots used reverse video boards at Gillette Stadium to try to distract kickers. It created an optical illusion of the wind blowing opposite of the actual uprights and was discovered by an Eagles strategy coach. Who should have a statue built? Joe doesn't like how the Franco statue is placed in the new PGH airport.

Tyler Kennedy has high hopes for Sergei Murashov. Who are the Penguins' next stars? Mario Lemieux has sold his stake in the Penguins in the Hoffmann Family sale. Tyler thinks Lemieux and Burkle are taking a step back. TK wonders if the Hoffmann's realize how important Mario Lemieux is to the Penguins.

Stanley Cup Champion Tyler Kennedy joined the show. TK's son is becoming a good golfer and he is only seven. Joe and Bob talk about their golf trip at Fox Chapel. Penguins updates. Camp begins soon. 

Does Jared Jones profile more as a closer than a starter? Joe is concerned that Austin may be right. The Pirates have had dream rotations that haven't panned out at all. Joe doesn't think we're going to see Skenes, Ashcraft, Jones, Chandler, and Hernandez all humming at the same time. 

The Pirates lost in extra innings to the Giants and had plenty of opportunities to win the game. Camilo Doval was the reliever who lost the game. Jeff thinks Don Kelly's bullpen management has been better. Would you bring back Don Kelly? Bob would and isn't a fan of one and done. Would you bring back the GM?

The full Pomp and Joe Show, with Bob Pompeani, Joe Starkey, and Austin Bechtold (behind the glass), from Wednesday, September 2nd, 2026

Hour 1 with Bob Pompeani, Joe Starkey, and Mark Kaboly: Joey Porter Jr. spoke for the first time on Tuesday after being activated from the PUP list. Mark Kaboly reported that teams were intrigued by Eli Heidenreich and he might not have been able to be on the practice squad. The Pirates found a way to beat the Giants 13-12 after having a huge lead.

Hour 2 with Bob Pompeani and Joe Starkey: We hear what Joey Porter Jr. said about the contract talk process. Is it up to Porter Jr. or the Steelers to get the contract done?? Paul Skenes did not pitch well against the Giants and was pulled after 4.2 innings. Matt thought it was very notable the Pirates didn't allow Skenes to pitch out of a jam and earn the five innings needed to qualify for a win.

Hour 3 with Bob Pompeani, Joe Starkey, and Matt Clement: What are the top three reasons the Pirates are where they are? Joe blames Paul Skenes first and foremost for not being himself. Ben Cherington and the bullpen are second and the rest of the Pirates rotation is third as well. Matt blames the defense for not nearly being good enough. Former Duquesne basketball coach Keith Dambrot joined the show. Keith is the Fighting Spirit Honoree & Champion of Hope speaker at the Coaches vs. Cancer event next week. Keith coached LeBron James in high school!

Hour 4 with Bob Pompeani and Joe Starkey: Jeremy Fowler is reporting Joey Porter Jr. doesn't feel like a priority. Keeanu Benton and Nick Herbig signed deals instead of JPJ. Jason thinks the Pirates need to take 5/6 or sweep to actually be able to discuss a chance the Pirates could make the playoffs. Ryan O'Hearn could even return.

Jason doesn't think the Pirates were making a point by taking out Paul Skenes with 4.2 innings and not let him pitch out of the fifth inning. Jason thinks the Pirates need to take 5/6 or sweep to actually be able to discuss a chance the Pirates could make the playoffs. Ryan O'Hearn could even return. Jason doesn't think that people should use injuries as an excuse for the fact the Pirates are below .500 and way out of the playoffs. 

Keith is the Fighting Spirit Honoree & Champion of Hope speaker at the Coaches vs. Cancer event next week. Keith coached LeBron James in high school. He knew that LeBron could be a pro during his freshman year and that he would never need to play in college during his sophomore year. He lives in Akron and still follows Duquesne basketball.

Joe blames Paul Skenes first and foremost for not being himself. Ben Cherington and the bullpen are second and the rest of the Pirates rotation is third as well. Matt blames the defense for not nearly being good enough. Bob thinks Skenes and Cherington are MAJOR reasons. The injuries are a big part of this, but every team suffers injuries. What will the team's roster look like next year?

Paul Skenes did not pitch well against the Giants and was pulled after 4.2 innings. Matt thought it was very notable the Pirates didn't allow Skenes to pitch out of a jam and earn the five innings needed to qualify for a win. Matt wouldn't have pulled Skenes and thinks he got pulled out because the Pirates have a pitch count on him. Skenes was pulled at 95 pitches. 

We hear what Joey Porter Jr. said about the contract talk process. Porter Jr. said the back is improving and why he was out, but we know it's because of his contract. Is it up to Porter Jr. or the Steelers to get the contract done?? Joey Porter Sr. has been helping his son through the negotiations and Joe thinks he is the wild card in this situation! 

The Pirates found a way to beat the Giants 13-12 after having a huge lead. Don Kelly pulled Paul Skenes after 4.2 innings and didn't give him another batter to qualify for the win. It became 12-12 and the bullpen blew it. Paul Skenes struggled once again. Mark Kaboly would shut him down. The Pirates are 41-31 when Oneil Cruz is in the lineup. Jeff Patton of Baseball Card Castle joined the show.

Joey Porter Jr. spoke for the first time on Tuesday after being activated from the PUP list. Porter Jr. wants to sign for what he will be worth in the coming seasons. Mark says the back injury was mostly exaggerated. Broderick Jones thinks switching between left tackle and right tackle really hurt him in the pros.

The full Pomp and Joe Show, with Joe Starkey and Austin Bechtold (behind the glass), from Tuesday, September 1st, 2026

Hour 1 with Joe Starkey: Joe thinks it's arrogant for the Steelers to have kept four quarterbacks. He doesn't think this season is going anywhere but nine or ten wins and they should try and see what the young quarterbacks are capable of. Former NFL quarterback and SiriusXM broadcaster Rich Gannon joined the show. Today is the debut of The Fan on SiriusXM, channel 169.

Hour 2 with Joe Starkey: It would make sense for Joey Porter Jr. to be back at practice tomorrow and the Steelers aren't covering for him anymore by taking him off the PUP list. Nick thinks Porter doesn't have the leverage to sit out games and has to practice next week. "If he's not out there by next Tuesday or Wednesday, sound the alarms." What would you do if you were Joey Porter Jr. and what would you do if you were the Steelers?

Hour 3 with Joe Starkey: Mario Lemieux will not be a part of the Penguins organization for the first time since 1999 when he bought the team. Lemieux and Ron Burkle sold their minority share of the Penguins when the Hoffmann Family bought the Penguins. Does Henry Davis have the lowest batting average ever? Omar Khan said it was best to place DeShon Elliott on IR even after he played in the preseason.

Hour 4 with Joe Starkey: Paul Skenes looked good in his last outing and banked on what worked. Michael prepares the broadcast as if they were facing the pitcher or opposing team. The Pirates are a significantly better team at home offensively and have struggled on the road. This date in sports history. Today is the anniversary of the first Pirates all minority lineup in 1971!

Tony Romo released a statement saying that multiple back surgeries led him to take multiple pain medications and subsequently to alcohol. This date in sports history. Today is the anniversary of the first Pirates all minority lineup in 1971!

Paul Skenes looked good in his last outing and banked on what worked. Michael prepares the broadcast as if they were facing the pitcher or opposing team. The Pirates are a significantly better team at home offensively and have struggled on the road. Michael points to many reasons why the offense may be better at home. 

Does Henry Davis have the lowest batting average ever? Omar Khan said it was best to place DeShon Elliott on IR even after he played in the preseason. Khan said there wasn't a setback. Huh?? 11 rookies made the Steelers this season. Omar Khan expects Joey Porter Jr. to practice. 

Lemieux and Ron Burkle sold their minority share of the Penguins when the Hoffmann Family bought the Penguins. Mario is expected to still be around the team. A trip to the mailbag. Starkey grades the Steelers moves this offseason with a B. Mike Tomlin should get credit for some of the good things with the Steelers draft, but also should get some blame. 

What would you do if you were Joey Porter Jr. and what would you do if you were the Steelers? Joe thinks the Steelers are probably much lower than $30 million. If Joe were Porter, he would take it to the last moments and even try to talk his way out of town. Austin would up the guaranteed money but keep Porter around $27 million per season. 

It would make sense for Joey Porter Jr. to be back at practice tomorrow and the Steelers aren't covering for him anymore by taking him off the PUP list. Nick thinks Porter doesn't have the leverage to sit out games and has to practice next week. "If he's not out there by next Tuesday or Wednesday, sound the alarms."

Former NFL quarterback and SiriusXM broadcaster Rich Gannon joined the show. Today is the debut of The Fan on SiriusXM, channel 169. Rich is friends with Mike McCarthy and is excited for him to be in Pittsburgh. He likes Will Howard thinks he has plenty of arm talent, plus can scramble. Rich thinks Drew Allar had some challenges around him in college and has good arm talent but is going to take reps and time. 

Joe thinks it's arrogant for the Steelers to have kept four quarterbacks. He doesn't think this season is going anywhere but nine or ten wins and they should try and see what the young quarterbacks are. Mike Garafolo said that Joey Porter Jr. is still day to day with his injury after Omar Khan said he is cleared. Garafolo said the Steelers haven't even made an official offer to Porter. 

The full Pomp and Joe Show, with Bob Pompeani, Joe Starkey, and Austin Bechtold, from Monday, August 31st, 2026

Hour 1 with Bob Pompeani and Joe Starkey: Is the Steelers roster good? Joe thinks the Steelers have problem areas on the offensive line and in the secondary. Joe thinks it's a pretty good roster, but not a great roster. The Steelers are 48-40-1 with a -143 point differential in their last 89 games. There is still time to sign a contract and Joe thinks Joey Porter Jr. has more leverage.

Hour 2 with Bob Pompeani and Joe Starkey: The Steelers traded Broderick Jones to the Cowboys after being the 14th pick in the 2023 draft. They passed on JSN, Will McDonald, Zay Flowers, and other great players. This is Omar Khan's roster now and Joe doesn't think he's done enough. The George Pickens trade isn't looking good. Bob thinks the offense line is the key to the Steelers offense thriving. One caller is concerned that Aaron Rodgers can't love around anymore.

Hour 3 with Bob Pompeani and Joe Starkey: Mike thinks it's just a matter of time before Max Iheanachor is the starter. Eli Heidenreich made the 53-man roster after having pretty long odds. Mike's understanding is that the Steelers aren't optimistic a Joey Porter Jr. contract is going to get done. Aaron Donald is back and signed with the Rams. Odell Beckham Jr. made the Giants roster. What part of the team would you most want to improve?

Hour 4 with Bob Pompeani and Joe Starkey: The Steelers kept four quarterbacks on the 53-man roster. Mark Kaboly said he thought the Steelers wanted to keep Aaron Rodgers, Will Howard, and Drew Allar, but Mason Rudolph played his way onto the Steelers roster. Bob used to go to Hawaii to cover it and he got some great interviews!

Are you going to miss the Pro Bowl? Bob used to go to Hawaii to cover it and he got some great interviews! One caller says Will Howard is a winner and Drew Allar is not.

The Steelers kept four quarterbacks on the 53-man roster. Mark Kaboly said he thought the Steelers wanted to keep Aaron Rodgers, Will Howard, and Drew Allar, but Mason Rudolph played his way onto the Steelers roster. The Steelers are keeping four quarterbacks for the first time since 1995. Rudolph impressed Mike McCarthy. 

Aaron Donald is back and signed with the Rams. Odell Beckham Jr. made the Giants roster. What part of the team would you most want to improve? Kenny Pickett is ditching the glove on his throwing hand. Konnor Griffin will be back for the Pirates over the weekend. Bob thinks Sal Stewart should be NL Rookie of the Year.  

Mike thinks it's just a matter of time before Max Iheanachor is the starter. Eli Heidenreich made the 53-man roster after having pretty long odds. Steelers wide receiver depth will be defined by Roman Wilson. Mike thinks Broderick Jones still has a chance to be ok, but not great. Mike's understanding is that the Steelers aren't optimistic a Joey Porter Jr. contract is going to get done.

Bob thinks the offense line is the key to the Steelers offense thriving. One caller is concerned that Aaron Rodgers can't love around anymore. Dan in Dallas thinks a young quarterback would help keep the play alive and not constantly throw the ball away and not make big time plays. 

The Steelers traded Broderick Jones to the Cowboys after being the 14th pick in the 2023 draft. They passed on JSN, Will McDonald, Zay Flowers, and other great players. This is Omar Khan's roster now and Joe doesn't think he's done enough. The George Pickens trade isn't looking good. The DK Metcalf trade hasn't worked out and numerous additions in the secondary haven't been great.

The Steelers activated Joey Porter Jr. off the PUP list. Rick in Pittsburgh doesn't think the Steelers should sign him to a big deal. There is still time to sign a contract and Joe thinks Porter Jr. has more leverage with DeShon Elliott being placed on IR for the first part of the season. Who has more leverage?? It seems that it's increasing for Porter.