The Pomp And Joe Show

Pouncey responded to Tomlin's comments. Calls on the Steelers, Tomlin, and Pickett. 

Ray Fittipaldo on Tomlin's comments and his outlook, the importance of the OC hire, QB options, Cam Hayward's future, the issues on the defensive line, Diontae Johhson's comments about Rudolph, the timeframe for the new offensive staff, trading TJ Watt, his NFL playoff picks. 

Are the Steelers ahead of where they were last year? Ron doesn't think so. Further reaction to Tomlin's comments about Pickett and Rudolph yesterday. What will happen at the QB position? Tyler Kennedy joins to discuss the winter weather, the impressive win against the Kraken, Crosby's incredible pace, the landscape in the division and the East, Ovechkin's struggles to score, Auston Matthews torrid pace, Fleury's milestone and his favorite prank. Mike Tomlin isn't scared about his job. and he talked about his drive. 

Tyler Kennedy joins to discuss the winter weather, the impressive win against the Kraken, Crosby's incredible pace, the landscape in the division and the East, Ovechkin's struggles to score, Auston Matthews torrid pace, Fleury's milestone and his favorite prank. 

Are the Steelers ahead of where they were last year? Ron doesn't think so. Further reaction to Tomlin's comments about Pickett and Rudolph yesterday. What will happen at the QB position? 

Hour 1 with Ron Cook: Diontae Johnson said Mason Rudolph did a great job this season and he hopes Rudolph returns as the guy next year. It sounds like Johnson wants Rudolph as QB1, and Ron would do the same. He thinks, though, that Kenny Pickett will be the starter again. Mike Tomlin talks to the media today at noon. What do we expect to hear or not to hear? He will definitely be asked about the report he told his team he will be back next year. NFL coaching news. Mike McCarthy will be back as Cowboys head coach. Ron takes calls on the state of the Steelers. Callers want to discuss the Rudolph-Pickett debate and what we could hear during Mike Tomlin's press conference. Ticket prices in Detroit for the Lions-Bucs game are averaging $1k. The Lions haven't won back-to-back playoff games since 1957. We hear more from callers on expectations for Tomlin's press conference.

Hour 2 with Ron Cook: Former 93.7 The Fan and Cook and Joe Show producer Matt Koll joined the show! Matt returns for another Wheel of Ball. Why is Dallas keeping Mike McCarthy? We thought Bill Belichick could have gone there. Najee Harris played well down the stretch. His 5th year option will cost over $6 million. Will the Steelers pick up Najee's option? We think yes. Chiefs-Bills could be the game of the week. Derrick Henry feels the Titans are moving in a direction without their star running back. Houston is hot and going to Baltimore for a great matchup with the MVP and possible Rookie of the Year. If Jim Harbaugh leaves Michigan, where will he go? The Chargers stand out. Super Bowl winning head coach Brian Billick joined the show. The Steelers ran into a buzzsaw against the Bills and the game got away. Brian thinks the Steelers should be proud of what they fought through to get to the playoffs. Mason Rudolph and Kenny Pickett have shown signs, but the Steelers could look for a QB if they don't think either guy is good enough to be the guy. Brian said it rarely happens when you know that someone's 'the guy' after 25 starts. Bill Belichick did a good job in New England for so many years, but it was time to move on. He's going to have a second interview in Atlanta. Ron and Bill look ahead to the playoff matchups. 

Hour 3 with Ron Cook: Mike Tomlin press conference and reaction. Mike Tomlin is confident a contract will be completed between him and the Steelers next season. Tomlin was impressed by Mason Rudolph and his opinion of Rudolph changed. Tomlin said "yes" when asked if the 2024 QB is on the roster, but also seems like competition will be brought in. The Steelers will hire an outside candidate at offensive coordinator.  

Chris Hoke gives his Tomlin thoughts. Mike Tomlin thinks the Steelers are closer now than they were last year. Are they actually? They made the playoffs this year compared to 2022, but the quarterback position is up in the air. Will Cam Heyward return next season? Chris thinks he was still one of the best players against the run. Heyward dealt with injuries but did well helping Keeanu Benton. Chris gives his game predictions for divisional weekend. He predicted a Houston win in Baltimore. 

Steelers analyst Chris Hoke joined the show. He thought Mike Tomlin was very honest in his final press conference. The locker room shifted from Kenny Pickett to Mason Rudolph when the success happened and stabilized things. The culture seemed to be fixed when they won. George Pickens and Diontae Johnson were no longer talking points.