Starkey & Mueller

PM Team FULL Show 1-28-26

The Steelers reportedly found Nate Scheelhaase ‘too inexperienced’ to be considered for a head coach job. But the guys did note that Gerry Dulac referred to Scheelhaase as the ‘hottest of commodities’ in the next year or two for teams looking for a head coach. Why didn’t the Steelers take a chance on him? 93.7 The Fan Sports Director Jeff Hathhorn joined the show. Jeff told us Patrick Graham as DC is likely, but not official just yet. Jeff said Lunda Wells as OC has some smoke to it, but again, nothing official. Jeff told us the Steelers are ‘setting the table’ for an Aaron Rodgers return and if he wants to come back, it will happen. Jeff described Will Howard as the ‘in-house’ option and would rather them just run him out on the field next season and let the chips fall. Is Jonnu Smith on his way out the door? Jeff thinks this change sets up well for Pat Freiermuth. He would be surprised if Kenneth Gainwell isn’t viewed as a priority this offseason. Jeff reported to us that the Steelers front office told Ro

Mark Kaboly said ‘absolutely yes’ when asked on the midday show if Aaron Rodgers will be back in 2026 for a Steelers reunion with Mike McCarthy. Yuck. Why would that be a good idea? The guys are looking for good reasons, if there are any, for Rodgers to return next season. We discussed Kaboly’s admiration of the Steelers always being the same team. ALL ACCESS w/ Aditi – Aditi had a breakdown on Patrick Graham, who is expected to be hired as the Steelers next defensive coordinator. The guys asked Aditi about the hiring of Mike McCarthy and what the staff and team could look like next season. She thinks McCarthy’s main goal is to figure out the quarterback. Are the Steelers going to run it back with Aaron Rodgers? She was surprised by how high everyone was on Will Howard in the press conference. She thought it was a little odd that the entire staff got told to go home after Mike Tomlin stepped down before the decision was even made on a new coach. Aditi would have loved Jim Schwartz getting a call from the St

BREAKING NEWS: The Steelers and Mike McCarthy are close to hiring Patrick Graham as the team’s DC. The guys think it’s ‘uninspiring’ as McCarthy’s first big move. Graham seemingly did more with less with the Raiders in the last few years, so what will he do with the league’s highest-paid unit? The guys thought we’d see a former head coach become the DC. A caller mentioned Al Harris. How do others feel about Patrick Graham? Poni also doesn’t like that the Steelers are retaining multiple guys from last year’s staff and one makes him feel like Aaron Rodgers will be back. Mike Florio from Pro Football Talk joined the show. Mike said there was reason for Mike McCarthy speaking highly of Aaron Rodgers yesterday and it wasn’t just about wanting the QB back – it still, ultimately, comes down to Rodgers wanting to play. Mike said Rodgers coming back doesn’t make sense because he’s not close to the same player as he was when he worked with McCarthy. Mike expected the Steelers to get a coach that was wanted and soug

A big announcement from Mullsy to start today’s show that he is changing his Mike McCarthy grade from an F- to F+ after yesterday’s intro presser. Are fans ready to change their view on the big guy? The press conference just felt like a big welcome home party. Can McCarthy get the Steelers over the playoff hump? Some calls to see if Mike McCarthy and the Steelers are bathing themselves in glory after the hire. Former Penguin Tyler Kennedy joined the show. Tyler gave his take on Bryan Rust getting a 3-game suspension. He questioned how the NHL disciplinary crew got in their positions in the first place – pointing out that a few of them were goons when they played.

93.7 The Fan Sports Director Jeff Hathhorn joined the show. Jeff told us Patrick Graham as DC is likely, but not official just yet. Jeff said Lunda Wells as OC has some smoke to it, but again, nothing official. Jeff told us the Steelers are ‘setting the table’ for an Aaron Rodgers return and if he wants to come back, it will happen. Jeff described Will Howard as the ‘in-house’ option and would rather them just run him out on the field next season and let the chips fall. Is Jonnu Smith on his way out the door? Jeff thinks this change sets up well for Pat Freiermuth. He would be surprised if Kenneth Gainwell isn’t viewed as a priority this offseason. Jeff reported to us that the Steelers front office told Rodgers they need to know ‘within a month’ if he will return. Jeff likes the foundation on the defense that the next coordinator will be able to play around with.

ALL ACCESS w/ Aditi – Aditi had a breakdown on Patrick Graham, who is expected to be hired as the Steelers next defensive coordinator. The guys asked Aditi about the hiring of Mike McCarthy and what the staff and team could look like next season. She thinks McCarthy’s main goal is to figure out the quarterback. Are the Steelers going to run it back with Aaron Rodgers? She was surprised by how high everyone was on Will Howard in the press conference. She thought it was a little odd that the entire staff got told to go home after Mike Tomlin stepped down before the decision was even made on a new coach. Aditi would have loved Jim Schwartz getting a call from the Steelers and thinks it’s an ‘insult’ to assume Schwartz, who is known to run a 4-3 defense, can’t adapt to a 3-4. Aditi predicted that Howard will be the Steelers QB in Week 1 next season.

Mark Kaboly said ‘absolutely yes’ when asked on the midday show if Aaron Rodgers will be back in 2026 for a Steelers reunion with Mike McCarthy. Yuck. Why would that be a good idea? The guys are looking for good reasons, if there are any, for Rodgers to return next season. We discussed Kaboly’s admiration of the Steelers always being the same team.

Mike Florio from Pro Football Talk joined the show. Mike said there was reason for Mike McCarthy speaking highly of Aaron Rodgers yesterday and it wasn’t just about wanting the QB back – it still, ultimately, comes down to Rodgers wanting to play. Mike said Rodgers coming back doesn’t make sense because he’s not close to the same player as he was when he worked with McCarthy. Mike expected the Steelers to get a coach that was wanted and sought after by multiple teams – they did the opposite with McCarthy, who only really had one option. Mike talked about the Steelers zigging in the coaching process when they are used to zagging and going with a young, up-and-coming assistant coach. Mike said the ‘QB whisperer’ stuff with McCarthy is very over-blown and often walked into situations that already had great QBs.

BREAKING NEWS: The Steelers and Mike McCarthy are close to hiring Patrick Graham as the team’s DC. The guys think it’s ‘uninspiring’ as McCarthy’s first big move. Graham seemingly did more with less with the Raiders in the last few years, so what will he do with the league’s highest-paid unit?

Former Penguin Tyler Kennedy joined the show. Tyler gave his take on Bryan Rust getting a 3-game suspension. He questioned how the NHL disciplinary crew got in their positions in the first place – pointing out that a few of them were goons when they played.

A big announcement from Mullsy to start today’s show that he is changing his Mike McCarthy grade from an F- to F+ after yesterday’s intro presser. Are fans ready to change their view on the big guy? The press conference just felt like a big welcome home party. Can McCarthy get the Steelers over the playoff hump?

From 'Baseball Isn't Boring' (subscribe here): While there have been bigger contracts given out this offseason, that doesn't mean any of those high-profile free agents will be guaranteeing a bang for their buck. But we at Baseball Isn't Boring believe one shrewd signing deserves some recognition: Ryan O'Hearn going to the Pirates on a two-year deal. Ryan joins Bradfo for a wildly entertaining look at the offseason, his unforgettable path, why he chose Pittsburgh, and his overall evolution. It's the kind of conversation you can only get on BIB. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

PM Team FULL Show 1-27-26

Mike McCarthy said he wants Aaron Rodgers back in 2026. A big no thanks from the three of us. Why does McCarthy want to just run it back so badly? He said Mike Tomlin ‘left him a lot,’ but that is far from the truth – maybe it was just one Mike being nice to another. Rodgers still has the arm and the mind, but those are just two parts of the game. Look at every great QB in the league right now and you will find that almost all of them use their legs effectively. Is Will Howard going to get a real shot the be the man in Pittsburgh? Poni knows he might be insane with QB takes, but he is surprised by the amount of love he is getting from Mike McCarthy and Omar Khan already. It is giving off the vibe that the Steelers think they got a steal with Howard. Or is this all a front? Donny Football Debrief – The Steelers have interviews booked for their OC & DC search. Lunda Wells, the Cowboys TE Coach, who coached under Mike McCarthy for 5 seasons in Dallas, will interview for the OC spot. Jason Simmons, the cu

Further reaction to Mike McCarthy after his introduction as Steelers head coach. Big Mike choking up was a cool moment. Do we feel better about the hire after hearing him for the first time entrenched in black & gold? The guys don’t understand how McCarthy was in love with the roster and wasn’t yet into the draft process, but maybe he was flustered and finding things to say. More calls. Social media is telling us people feel better about Mike McCarthy, but the callers are telling us a different story. McCarthy’s Morsel – How long does Mike McCarthy plan on coaching? Does he make it to the end of his 5-year contract?

The Mike McCarthy introductory press conference as the Steelers new head coach. The guys reacted to what they heard from Mike McCarthy at his opening press conference as Steelers head coach. It didn’t have them feeling any better – in fact, it had Poni, who was relatively high on the hire, feel worse. They went into the answers about Aaron Rodgers, the QB position, the defense, along with his ties to Pittsburgh, which were aplenty. First cracks from fans following the Mike McCarthy intro presser.

Is Will Howard going to get a real shot the be the man in Pittsburgh? Poni knows he might be insane with QB takes, but he is surprised by the amount of love he is getting from Mike McCarthy and Omar Khan already. It is giving off the vibe that the Steelers think they got a steal with Howard. Or is this all a front?

Mike McCarthy said he wants Aaron Rodgers back in 2026. A big no thanks from the three of us. Why does McCarthy want to just run it back so badly? He said Mike Tomlin ‘left him a lot,’ but that is far from the truth – maybe it was just one Mike being nice to another. Rodgers still has the arm and the mind, but those are just two parts of the game. Look at every great QB in the league right now and you will find that almost all of them use their legs effectively.

McCarthy’s Morsel – How long does Mike McCarthy plan on coaching? Does he make it to the end of his 5-year contract?