The Pomp And Joe Show

Jason thinks it would take upwards of $200 million to sign Oneil Cruz. Dan thinks the Pirates won't be comfortable signing Cruz to that and doesn't nearly see a pathway. Paul Skenes felt his body was more in sync. He said he's made adjustments in the past that haven't led to velocity dip, but the velo was back up and he threw 15 of 21 first-pitch strikes. Cruz and the Pirates talked extension a few years ago, but never got off the ground because he wanted a big deal.

Kenneth Gainwell is the first Steelers MVP to play on a new team the following year. Should the Pirates bring back Ben Cherington? Joe thinks he will be back. We don't think Lowe will be back. We think the Pirates season ended against Arizona and Cincinnati. How confident are you in the Steelers offensive line?

Dan thinks Pitt is in its best spot to start a season in years. Olivia Babcock is in contention to be the greatest college volleyball player of all time. Izzy Starck is physically the most talented setter Dan has ever had. He thinks Starck and Babcock is the greatest duo he's had at Pitt.

Mark thinks Joey Porter Jr.'s agent is trying to get the narrative out there with all the reports regarding Porter Jr.'s contract. It doesn't benefit Joey Porter Jr. to sit out. Mark thinks the Steelers aren't trading Joey Porter Jr. unless they acquire a first-round pick and a day two pick. Mark doesn't think that Aaron Rodgers will play a series on Thursday. Mark would start Drew Allar.

Joe and Poni are going to the game with a fan tomorrow. Joe is going to wear a game-worn Dorin Dickerson jersey. Should Joe jump on a table at the Bills game? Jason La Canfora wrote a story wondering if Tomlin and Lamar Jackson could go to the Jets. One executive said that Woody Johnson will want Tomlin to coach the Jets next season. Joe and Bob think Tomlin will coach in the NFL again. Jeff Patton of Baseball Card Castle joined the show.

The Pirates beat San Diego 1-0 on an Oneil Cruz home run off Mason Miller. It was a good feel-good win, but it is filled with regret for what this season has been. Paul Skenes looked like Paul Skenes again. It was Skenes' first scoreless outing since May 12th and he even threw 99 mph. Matt Clement thinks Skenes' throwing motion was more north to south. Teams in front of the Pirates are starting to lose. How can Pittsburgh catch the Padres?

The full Pomp and Joe Show, with Joe Starkey and Austin Bechtold, from Tuesday, August 25th, 2026

Hour 1 with Joe Starkey: Ian Rapoport is reporting that Joey Porter Jr. could become the highest-paid corner in the league. According to Mike Garafolo, the Steelers haven't made an offer to Joey Porter Jr. He points out that the Steelers probably want to see Joey Porter Jr. continue to improve before paying him a big amount of money. We hear from Steelers fans who think the Steelers should trade Joey Porter Jr.

Hour 2 with Joe Starkey: Joe points to quarterbacks like Omar Jacobs, Tee Martin, Dennis Dixon, and others that were picked by the Steelers higher than Will Howard. In Gerry Dulac's chat someone asks if Joey Porter should honor his contract, but the Steelers could rip up his deal if Porter gets hurt. We talk about dinosaurs. Would the Steelers trade Porter? Dulac doesn't think so. Dulac said it's up to Porter if he wants to sign a new deal.

Hour 3 with Joe Starkey: Nick thinks that the Steelers are Porter Jr. both know where their two sides stand and Nick doesn't buy that there hasn't been a single offer. Both sides likely know who wants what. Nick believes Porter Jr. wants to be the highest-paid corner. The Big Ten and SEC are creating rules where players who go to the pros or play in the pros can not come back and play in college. The SEC said that those who choose to leave college and compete professionally should not be allowed and will blur the lines between college and professional sports.