Starkey & Mueller

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?

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.

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.

PM Team FULL Show 1-26-26

Do you believe Mike McCarthy can lead the Steelers to another championship? Art Rooney II feels like the team is right there to make it happen and McCarthy is the guy to take them over the top. McCarthy brings a viewpoint from the offensive side of the field, which is nice, but how similar is it to Mike Tomlin? The guys went into the interview process and why it was a total sham. Poni said it gives off Kenny Pickett vibes because McCarthy is from Pittsburgh. Chris reiterated that his F grade isn’t in the direction of Mike McCarthy – it’s in the direction of the process. More calls on the Steelers’ hiring of Mike McCarthy. PM Team Professors.

Mike McCarthy is reportedly high on Will Howard. Was that the golden ticket to McCarthy getting the job – telling Art Rooney and Omar Khan he had a lot of intrigue in their 6th round, soon-to-be 2nd year QB? Chris still doesn’t think there is anything there with Howard. Poni said Howard is a free roll of the dice and either scenario can work out for the Steelers. Is it a better option than running things back with Aaron Rodgers at 43-years-old? Are we giving Mike McCarthy too much credit for his work with QBs? Donny Football Debrief – If the Pro Bowl accolade wasn’t dead already, it is now. Shedeur Sanders is a pro bowler.

Poni said he got some rationale on why the Steelers made the coaching search a total farce and neglected talking to candidates like Chris Shula and Nate Scheelhaase. Poni was told Shula ‘bombed’ his virtual interview with the Steelers. Poni added that Scheelhaase ‘impressed’ the Steelers, but the front office brass ‘didn’t think he was ready’ to be a head coach. Another mention from Poni included the nugget that Anthony Weaver brought up Kliff Kingsbury as his potential OC. Poni, who is still in NYC, was at a show on Saturday afternoon when the Mike McCarthy news came down. Poni is not 100% sure McCarthy will call plays. What do we think the rest of the staff could look like? McCarthy Minute – Bill Cowher loves the hire of Mike McCarthy.

The Steelers have hired Mike McCarthy as their next head coach. The news broke Saturday afternoon, which the guys thought had some meaning in and of itself. How do we feel about the hire? Poni is glad the team has finally come around to an offensive-minded guy. Chris continued to grade it an F – calling out the entire process, which seemed to be a farce from the jump and that the Steelers always wanted McCarthy. Are the Steelers any closer to a title than they were with Mike Tomlin? Is Mike McCarthy better than Mike Tomlin? The resume looks very similar. McCarthy has actually developed a coaching tree in his time as a head coach. Can McCarthy turn Will Howard into a good QB? Pro Football Minute – Super Bowl LX is set. Why didn’t the Steelers wait to interview any of these guys? Does the Steelers victory over the Patriots mean anything now? Did the Steelers make a mistake not signing Sam Darnold?

Do you believe Mike McCarthy can lead the Steelers to another championship? Art Rooney II feels like the team is right there to make it happen and McCarthy is the guy to take them over the top. McCarthy brings a viewpoint from the offensive side of the field, which is nice, but how similar is it to Mike Tomlin? The guys went into the interview process and why it was a total sham. Poni said it gives off Kenny Pickett vibes because McCarthy is from Pittsburgh. Chris reiterated that his F grade isn’t in the direction of Mike McCarthy – it’s in the direction of the process.

Donny Football Debrief – If the Pro Bowl accolade wasn’t dead already, it is now. Shedeur Sanders is a pro bowler.