The Pomp And Joe Show

Chris Hoke joins from the West Coast, clad in Pitt Panthers attire. Is this the make-or-break week for JPJ? Is this a bad matchup to return to? Can the Steelers start fining JPJ now? Are back injuries harder to evaluate as legitimate? Will there be an OL change? The timing has been off and Hoke thinks the lack of preseason reps is a factor. Is there cause for concern with Zach Frazier? The Steelers has a miserable offense in the first quarter once again. The mentality needs to change to run the ball. Was Alex Highsmith offside? Why were the Steelers best defenders off the field early in the game?

Is this Gino's retirement tour? He might want to play another year. Will he be on the PP1? Who will start in net for the season opener. Why is the season increased to 84 games. How many points will the Pens finish with? Is Mike Sullivan on the hot seat?

Tyler Kennedy is in the house to start the show. Limits and Callas are at Waynesburg today. A discussion about flossing. Traveling on Christmas. Andrei Kuzmenko's father was tragically killed. Bryan Rust looks slated for the third line. Who is the sandpaper for the Pens. Avery Hayes has made an impact. Who that missed the playoffs last year will get in? Will the Pens make it? Will the Pens let the youth play on the blueline?

The full Pomp and Joe Show, with Bob Pompeani, Joe Starkey, and Austin Bechtold, from Wednesday, September 23rd, 2026

Hour 1 with Bob Pompeani and Joe Starkey: The Steelers released their latest depth chart. Nothing has changed, including the offensive line. Will Joey Porter Jr. practice and play this week? Is this a must-win game for the Steelers? Bob thinks it's a 4+ because it's against Cincinnati at home. There are a lot of fans that want to replace Aaron Rodgers already. Jared Jones has been incredible over the last four starts. Michael McKenry said Brandon Lowe wants to stay and really likes Pittsburgh.

Hour 2 with Bob Pompeani and Joe Starkey: If Joey Porter Jr. isn't ready to go this week, the Steelers need to put him on IR. Who do you blame for certain moves the Steelers have made through the last four years? Joe gives the Steelers a 40% chance to beat the Bengals. Bengals left tackle Orlando Brown has been a disaster for them. The Bengals don't have depth at tackle.

Hour 3 with Bob Pompeani and Joe Starkey: Steelers insider Mark Kaboly of The Pat McAfee Show joined the show. Joey Porter Jr. is going to try to practice today, but we don't know in what capacity. Porter was out on the field during the stretch portion. Mark thinks Porter would "be crazy" to play. MLB analyst Matt Clement joined the show. Matt think Paul Skenes wasn't going to use the WBC as an excuse all season long, but Matt doesn't think Skenes knew how much that would effect him. Reflecting on it, Skenes thinks it's a factor.

Hour 4 with Bob Pompeani and Joe Starkey: Michael McKenry said a deal for Brandon Lowe makes sense for around $20-25 million. Lowe likes being in a small market. Matt Clement heard that Lowe likes it here and is a good thing in negotiations. Pirates insider Jason Mackey joined the show. Jason gives it around a 30% chance to be back next year. Jason thinks a team will give him insane money to sign somewhere. Jason thinks an offer starts at three years, $15-20 million per year as a starting point.

Pirates insider Jason Mackey joined the show. Jason gives it around a 30% chance to be back next year. Jason thinks a team will give him insane money to sign somewhere. Jason thinks an offer starts at three years, $15-20 million per year as a starting point. He doesn't know if it makes sense to sign him for more than $20 million. Jason thinks Nick Gonzales may be traded if the Pirates sign Brandon Lowe.

Michael McKenry said a deal for Brandon Lowe makes sense for around $20-25 million. Lowe likes being in a small market. Matt Clement heard that Lowe likes it here and is a good thing in negotiations. Matt thinks the only way to make it work is to get rid of Mitch Keller's contract. The chances are going up the Pirates sign Lowe and Matt thinks it can work if Lowe isn't valued much by the rest of the MLB.