Starkey & Mueller

Hour 4: Dan Zangrilli joins the guys from PNC Park to go through the latest Pirates news and rumors. Dom reveals he is a 76ers fan, but is it a real fandom? And the guys play another round of the Name Game!

DK Metcalf said that people just say things to say them sometimes, and Aaron Rodgers might want to play another season after this one. Aaron Rodgers said that this offense is different from the one he played for, and that “we need to be under center”. One of Austin Bechtold’s whiffle ball league mates, and playoff opponents, joins the show to talk about Bechtold’s rescheduling scandal. Cody says that Austin is trying to delay the game by 3 weeks so that his best player can play. Mike McCarthy said that the team will not tackle in practice, at least yet. How will the Steelers’ training camp be different now that the head coach is an offensive guy? Aaron Rodgers said that training camp is way easier now than it was during his rookie season. He referred to it as a mental grind, not a physical grind. Donny Football Debrief – Plaxico Burress compared his tine with the Jets to his time in prison, due to the fact that he felt like a loser walking into both places.

Mike McCarthy said that Mason Rudolph is QB2 today, at least as of right now. McCarthy also emphasized that they need to get the young QBs a ton of reps this offseason. Apparently, Starkey is getting a tattoo, and this news has left Mullsy in complete shock and awe. Poni believes that Mike McCarthy’s words have truth behind them and that Mason Rudolph is going to be the team’s backup QB going into the season. KDKA TV’s Rich Walsh joined the show. Apparently, Joey Porter Jr has a back injury that has landed him on the PUP list to start training camp. Conveniently, he is mid contract extension negotiations with the team. Rich thinks that Porter landing on the PUP list is crazy, and came out of nowhere. He also says that nothing is imminent in terms of a contract between the Steelers Porter. Rich does not think that Broderick Jones is the odds-on favorite to start at right tackle, considering that he has not practiced in forever. PM Team Draft – Build a team of teams with the best chance to win the Super Bow

The Steelers reported to Saint Vincent College today as another training camp is set to begin, with the first practice tomorrow. The first person to speak to reporters was DK Metcalf. The big takeaway from that chat was Metcalf saying a lot of the work offensively in 2025 was like ‘walking on egg shells.’ What does this say about Mike Tomlin? The guys wondered how much power Aaron Rodgers really had – or any QBs after Ben Roethlisberger for that matter. Joey Porter Jr. and Jalen Ramsey among players placed on PUP list as the Steelers arrived to training camp. Porter is awaiting a new deal, so his situation isn’t likely to be a ‘real’ injury. What is Porter envisioning for his new deal? If it’s $31M/year, that would be up there with the highest in football. Do the Steelers value Porter as much as other teams value corner? PG columnist Noah Hiles joined the show. Noah confirmed the good news we were already aware of – that Esmerlyn Valdez is OK after being hit on the hand last night. What will this lineup l

Pirates pre-post game host Dan Zangrilli joined the show. Dan described the scene of Esmerlyn Valdez letting us know he would be good to go, as early as tonight. Spencer Horwitz reportedly has a concussion even though we saw him paling around in the dugout last night. Dan doesn’t think Horwitz will have too much more time added to his IL stint. Why was Horwitz playing A ball in his rehab to begin with? Dan thinks Mason Montgomery took a step forward as the team’s future closer in the last 2 games. What affords Marcell Ozuna back-to-back starts? Tonight is his first start against a righty in 3 weeks. What will the trade deadline look like for the Buccos?

Donny Football Debrief – Plaxico Burress compared his tine with the Jets to his time in prison, due to the fact that he felt like a loser walking into both places.

Mike McCarthy said that the team will not tackle in practice, at least yet. DK Metcalf said that people just say things to say them sometimes, and Aaron Rodgers might want to play another season after this one. Aaron Rodgers said that this offense is different from the one he played for, and that “we need to be under center”. One of Austin Bechtold’s whiffle ball league mates, and playoff opponents, joins the show to talk about Bechtold’s rescheduling scandal. Cody says that Austin is trying to delay the game by 3 weeks so that his best player can play.

PM Team Draft – Build a team of teams with the best chance to win the Super Bowl this year.

KDKA TV’s Rich Walsh joined the show. Apparently, Joey Porter Jr has a back injury that has landed him on the PUP list to start training camp. Conveniently, he is mid contract extension negotiations with the team. Rich thinks that Porter landing on the PUP list is crazy, and came out of nowhere. He also says that nothing is imminent in terms of a contract between the Steelers Porter. Rich does not think that Broderick Jones is the odds-on favorite to start at right tackle, considering that he has not practiced in forever.

PG columnist Noah Hiles joined the show. Noah confirmed the good news we were already aware of – that Esmerlyn Valdez is OK after being hit on the hand last night. What will this lineup look like when Oneil Cruz returns? Are the Pirates in need of another right-handed bat? Noah dove into the possibility of getting rid of Marcell Ozuna by next week’s trade deadline. Noah’s expectation is for the Pirates to only part with prospects and nobody from the Major League club. Noah said this needs to be a year in which the Pirates are aggressive. How much do owners have to look to 2028 because of a potential work stoppage next season? Noah thinks the Pirates will make 4 trades by Monday at 6 pm.

The Steelers reported to Saint Vincent College today as another training camp is set to begin, with the first practice tomorrow. The first person to speak to reporters was DK Metcalf. The big takeaway from that chat was Metcalf saying a lot of the work offensively in 2025 was like ‘walking on egg shells.’ What does this say about Mike Tomlin? The guys wondered how much power Aaron Rodgers really had – or any QBs after Ben Roethlisberger for that matter.

PM Team FULL Show 7-27-26

How should Ben Cherington approach the trade deadline? He said yesterday that you should do everything in your power to win games if you have the chance to compete. This leads the listener to believe that Pirates will be heavy buyers at the trade deadline. Mullsy believes that this quote from Ben Cherington is a straight up statement of his intentions for this trade deadline. Donny Football Debrief – It has truly been a very wacky last week around the NFL. Pirates reporter Colin Beazley from the PG joined the show. Colin confirms that the Pirates want to add players at the deadline that will help them win games this year. Colin also says that he has had multiple people come to him and say they would love to have Mason Miller, but he highly doubts the Pirates actually make a move for him. Colin is not sure that the Pirates will actually get an opportunity to trade Marcell Ozuna.

Ben Cherington said yesterday that the Pirates have the resources to be playing games in October this year. He also said that it is clear what they want to do at the deadline. Both of these things would certainly make somebody think that the Pirates are going to be buyers at the trade deadline. Mullsy thinks that Mason Montgomery is the Pirates closer at this point, but they need to surround him with other bullpen arms if they want to compete. Mullsy thinks that the Pirates should really only think about trying to win games this year, as there might not even be a season next year. Callers chime in on the Pirates deadline plans. Bucco Auction House – Bids on Braxton Ashcraft, Mason Montgomery, and Ryan O’Hearn ensue.

The Pirates salvaged the series against the Cubs with a win yesterday, crushing former Bucco Jameson Taillon. Do they have another need when it comes to a right-handed bat? The only power bat they have from the right side (that isn’t a switch hitter) is Esmerlyn Valdez. It would be a lot different if Marcell Ozuna got it going, but we have waited long enough for that. After being dominated by lefties on back-to-back nights this weekend, is a right-handed bat in their future? Just how good has Esmerlyn Valdez been against lefties this year in comparison to the rest of the team? Cherington Chatter – What were some big takeaways from Ben Cherington yesterday?

Pirates reporter Colin Beazley from the PG joined the show. Colin confirms that the Pirates want to add players at the deadline that will help them win games this year. Colin also says that he has had multiple people come to him and say they would love to have Mason Miller, but he highly doubts the Pirates actually make a move for him. Colin is not sure that the Pirates will actually get an opportunity to trade Marcell Ozuna.

Donny Football Debrief – It has truly been a very wacky last week around the NFL.

Bucco Auction House – Bids on Braxton Ashcraft, Mason Montgomery, and Ryan O’Hearn ensue.

Ben Cherington said yesterday that the Pirates have the resources to be playing games in October this year. He also said that it is clear what they want to do at the deadline. Both of these things would certainly make somebody think that the Pirates are going to be buyers at the trade deadline. Mullsy thinks that Mason Montgomery is the Pirates closer at this point, but they need to surround him with other bullpen arms if they want to compete. Mullsy thinks that the Pirates should really only think about trying to win games this year, as there might not even be a season next year.

Just how good has Esmerlyn Valdez been against lefties this year in comparison to the rest of the team?