The Pomp And Joe Show

We are concerned about Dennis Santana as the Pirates closer. Santana has seven walks in 13.2 innings. We don't think Santana has a wipeout pitch. Austin would rather see Santana in the eighth. The Pirates need more bullpen pieces to improve the back end. Sidney Crosby is showing the Penguins true resiliency!

Terry Smith joined us yesterday and said that Penn State's system wasn't built for Drew Allar. Terry thinks Aaron Rodgers could help teach Allar. Penn State didn't let Allar throw the ball deep until they were trailing. James Franklin wasn't aggressive on offense. Andy Kotelnicki's RPO offense didn't fit Allar's skills.

Doug Whaley said that teams usually never call players, at least in the first round, before they are on the clock. Art Rooney II told the flagship that he thought before the draft the Steelers would take an offensive lineman, but we saw the Steelers miss on a wide receiver. Our favorite and least favorite selections in the Steelers draft.

Nick thinks the Steelers placing the right-of-first-refusal tender on Aaron Rodgers gives them the insurance of getting a draft pick if Rodgers goes to another team. If he retires but decides to sign elsewhere, it will give the Steelers a draft pick. Nick wonders if Rodgers was for sure coming back, why they would but this tender on Rodgers. It makes you think the Steelers are not 100%. It sets the contract parameter around $15 million dollars. Nick said that Drew Allar wouldn't have been there in the fourth round and isn't sure about 85. The Steelers need to developing their QBs.

The Penguins energy has been better and has taken advantage of their opportunities. Arturs Silovs was good again. Jay thinks the leadership in the room took over and the Penguins having their backs against the wall has been a key reason they've won two games. Kris Letang has played better the last two games and the Penguins are practically playing with only five defensemen. The Penguins scored the first goal in Game 4 and Game 5 but Jay thinks the Penguins can still win Game 6 even if they don't score first.

The Penguins won Game 5 with a 3-2 win and the series is 3-2 Philadelphia. Joe thinks this young Philadelphia team is starting to worry and look different. The Penguins have more energy and playing THEIR game. Joe thinks Sidney Crosby and the Penguins hosting Game 7 against the Flyers would be one of the greatest achievements of his career. Kris Letang has played much better.

The full Pomp and Joe Show, with Bob Pompeani, Joe Starkey, and Austin Bechtold, from Monday, April 27th, 2026

Hour 1 with Bob Pompeani and Joe Starkey: The Steelers selected Penn State quarterback Drew Allar in the third round. He is their developmental quarterback. What does this mean for Will Howard? Joe would unquestionably develop Allar over Howard. Why does Aaron Rodgers need to be here?

Hour 2 with Bob Pompeani and Joe Starkey: Omar Khan talked at the combine about how the Steelers watched practice tape of Will Howard and liked what they saw. This was clearly a smokescreen with Howard. We hear more from Steelers fans who do not want Aaron Rodgers back. Joe thinks there is a 5% chance that Will Howard ends up with more reps than Allar. Penguins-Flyers has turned into an ugly series. It is Penguins-Flyers. Was this a blip on the radar or a change in the series?

Hour 3 with Bob Pompeani and Joe Starkey: Penn State associate head coach Terry Smith joined the show. Terry shared how Drew Allar continued to travel and stay involved with Penn State after suffering an injury. "Our system wasn't built for him," Terry said that the system wasn't catered for Drew Allar. He thinks the right coaching can help him. Terry wants Aaron Rodgers to come back and mentor Allar. Allar is a "pro style quarterback" who can run when necessary but isn't good on designated runs. Drew Allar was Mike McCarthy's pick and Will Howard was Mike Tomlin's pick.