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Insider coverage of the Steelers, Penguins, Pirates, Pitt Panthers and Penn State Nittany Lions from the Post-Gazette sports reporters who know them best.
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Live around 5 p.m., Post-Gazette sports columnist Paul Zeise reacts to Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers appearing on the Pat McAfee show and offering little insight about his future.
Should GM Omar Khan, coach Mike McCarthy and the team be concerned about Rodgers retiring or joining up with another team for 2026? Or is this normal Rodgers gamesmanship? Why was Rodgers non-committal about his future less than a week after Khan said he expected an answer sooner than last year at the NFL combine? Is it time to start evaluating outside QB candidates like Kyler Murray, Daniel Jones, Malik Willis and others? What about internal options like Will Howard and Mason Rudolph? Paul tackles those questions and more. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
The WPIAL basketball finals are complete, with 12 champions being crowned last weekend.
But that's not the end of our coverage!
Post-Gazette high school sports editor Keith Barnes and the incomparable Mike White take a look back at the best players, performances and games from the WPIAL finals and look ahead to the state championships, which open on Friday.
All this and more on Varsity Xtra podcast! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
On the Wednesday episode of the North Shore Drive podcast, presented by FanDuel and Edgar Snyder & Associates, host Adam Bittner welcomes Post-Gazette Steelers insider Christopher Carter to talk through reports that the Arizona Cardinals plan to release QB Kyler Murray unless a trade for him can be found before NFL free agency next week.
Should the Steelers be interested in Murray? Or would the move be too similar to the one they made for Russell Wilson a couple of years ago? Is Murray the better QB than Aaron Rodgers at this stage of his career? Or does Rodgers still have the edge even at 42? And would Murray have been a better fit with the Mike Tomlin and Arthur Smith offensive staff than he is with Mike McCarthy's?
Our duo tackles those questions, then sorts through Chris's 32-round mock draft published on Post-Gazette.com this week. Why did he go with Ohio State DL Kayden McDonald for the Steelers when most of the industry is pointing toward receiver as the biggest first-round need? How does McDonald compare as a prospect to names like Carnell Tate, Makai Lemon, Jordyn Tyson and Denzel Boston? How would he fit alongside existing defensive line options like Cam Heyward, Yahya Black, Keeanu Benton and Derrick Harmon? Are any of those receivers worth potentially trading up to acquire for GM Omar Khan and coach Mike McCarthy as they look for a playmaking answer across from DK Metcalf? And could the Steelers potentially be just as happy with lower rated receiver prospects like Malachi Fields and Omar Cooper Jr. in later rounds after swiping McDonald in the first? Our duo tackles those questions and more. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Live around 5 p.m., Post-Gazette sports columnist Paul Zeise explains why he feels the Pirates are still one big bat away from having a dangerous lineup for 2026.
Is it too soon to rely on super prospect Konnor Griffin to be a reliable source of power? Can Marcell Ozuna really be counted on to return to his 2024 form? What's a reasonable expectation for an offense led by Oneil Cruz, Bryan Reynolds, Brandon Lowe and Ryan O'Hearn? And should manager Don Kelly and GM Ben Cherington make one more significant move before MLB opening day? Paul tackles those questions and more. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
On the Tuesday edition of the North Shore Drive podcast, presented by FanDuel, host Adam Bittner welcomes Post-Gazette Steelers insider Ray Fittipaldo to analyze which pending free agents GM Omar Khan and new coach Mike McCarthy may want to keep for 2026.
Will Kenneth Gainwell be the top priority? How much might it cost to keep him in the backfield next to Jaylen Warren and Kaleb Johnson? How closely aligned will he be with Aaron Rodgers' future? And what are the options at guard with Isaac Seumalo and the guard position? Is there still a chance he could return next to younger teammates like Broderick Jones, Mason McCormick, Zach Frazier and Troy Fautanu? Could he be replaced in free agency of the NFL draft? Or is Spencer Anderson the obvious heir to Seumalo's starting spot?
Our duo tackles those questions, then ponders the future of other noteworthy free agents including Kyle Dugger, Cole Holcomb, Daniel Ekuale, Dean Lowry, Isaiahh Loudermilk, Chuck Clark, Jabrill Peppers, James Pierre and Asante Samuel Jr. on defense. Andrus Peat, Scotty Miller, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Calvin Austin III and Connor Heyward on offense. And Miles Killebrew on special teams. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Live around 5 p.m., Post-Gazette sports columnist Paul Zeise ponders the success -- of lack thereof -- of some recent draft picks facing questions about their future.
Is it too soon to label names including Keeanu Benton, Broderick Jones, Roman Wilson as Kaleb Johnson as busts? Or is there still time for them to develop into long-term solutions? Will the transition from Mike Tomlin to Mike McCarthy help or hurt any of these players? And what does this group's lack of success say about GM Omar Khan? Does he deserve criticism for these picks? Or more praise for successes like Joey Porter Jr., Zach Frazier, Troy Polamalu, Mason McCormick, Nick Herbig, Darnell Washington and others? Paul tackles those questions and more. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Post-Gazette Pitt insiders Stephen Thompson and Abby Schnable identify five key questions coach Pat Narduzzi will have to answer during the Panthers' spring football practices. This show is presented by FanDuel.
After breaking onto the scene as an unknown freshman, how will QB Mason Heintschel evolve mentally and physically in his second year under center? Who of Malik Knight, Blue Hicks, C.J. Lee, Bryce Yates or Tony Kinsler will step up to fill the wide receiver roles left behind by Kenny Johnson and Poppi Williams?
How does a reloaded secondary shake out? Who of Raion Strader, Kanye Thompson or Shadarian Harrison ends up starting opposite Shawn Lee Jr. at corner? Are transfers Alex Sanford, DeMarco Ward, plus returners Cam Lindsey, Jeremiah Marcelin, enough to cover for losses of Rasheem Biles and Kyle Louis? And which freshmen could come out of nowhere to surprise us? Our duo tackles those topics and more. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
On the Monday episode of the North Shore Drive podcast, presented by FanDuel & Edgar Snyder & Associates, Post-Gazette Steelers insiders Christopher Carter and Ray Fittipaldo react to the NFL combine and what we may have learned about GM Omar Khan's plan for free agency, which begins next week.
Did the volume of meetings with receivers and defensive backs telegraph that the Steelers will focus heavily on those position groups in the NFL draft, as coach Mike McCarthy searches for answers across from established playmakers including DK Metcalf, Pat Freiermuth and Joey Porter Jr.? Are names like Jordyn Tyson, Denzel Boston, Makai Lemon and KC Concepcion the ones we need to watch most closely? Could extensions be coming for 2023 draft class members including Broderick Jones, Porter Jr., Nick Herbig and Darnell Washington? Or will that depend on what happens with free agency? And where will Khan focus his free agent spending? Will it also go to the receiver and defensive back positions, as it did with Darius Slay and Juan Thornhill last offseason? Or will it be used to addressed positions like guard, where Issac Seumalo is set to depart? And running back, where Kenneth Gainwell is a free agent? Our duo tackles those questions and more. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Post-Gazette Penguins insider King Jemison breaks down a busy weekend for the team, with a shootout loss to the New York Rangers on Saturday and a dominant, bounce-back win over the Vegas Golden Knights on Sunday. This show is presented by FanDuel.
Why did the Penguins' shootout woes continue Saturday at Madison Square Garden, and what can coach Dan Muse do to fix them? Will faceoffs keep being a problem with Sidney Crosby on the shelf for four weeks with an injury?
Then how were the Penguins able to bounce back Sunday against Vegas? How has Arturs Silovs been able to dominate over the past few weeks of games? Has he made Stuart Skinner expendable as the NHL trade deadline approaches on Friday? How have the power play and penalty kill continued to thrive? King tackles those topics, then takes a look at Ben Kindel. Could he be the Penguins' future 1C? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Post-Gazette Steelers insider Christopher Carter recaps the NFL combine from the team's perspective.
He explains that Alabama QB Ty Simpson impressed the team's front office, led by GM Omar Khan and coach Mike McCarthy. But that meetings focused most closely on receivers and defensive backs. Some are expected to be Day 1 picks, including Makai Lemon, Carnell Tate, Colton Hood, Jordyn Tyson and KC Concepcion. Others, however, included likely Day 2 picks including Dillon Thieneman, Ted Hurst, Antonio Williams and Bud Clark, signaling that the team could take a couple of players from both position groups with their five scheduled picks in the first three rounds. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
On the Saturday episode of the North Shore Drive podcast, presented by FanDuel, host Adam Bittner welcomes Post-Gazette Steelers insider Brian Batko to sort through the week in NFL mock draft picks for new coach Mike McCarthy's team.
Is USC's Makai Lemon a prospect who could fall to the Steelers at No. 21 overall, as he did in some mocks this week? Or is he still a prospect they'd need to trade up to select? And how does his game compare to that of larger receivers in this class, including Denzel Boston, Jordyn Tyson and Carnell Tate?
Our duo tackles those questions and more. Is Indiana's Omar Cooper Jr. a receiver fans need to put on their proverbial radar? Especially with an eye toward Day 2 of the NFL draft? Would Alabama QB Ty Simpson really have the luxury of learning behind a veteran were he drafted by the Steelers in the first round? Especially if the veteran is anyone other than Aaron Rodgers? Should we be looking more closely at tackle prospects including Spencer Fano, Caleb Lomu and Kadyn Proctor following GM Omar Khan's lukewarm assessment of Broderick Jones' long-term health? And should we be talking more about defensive line prospects than pundits have been nationally? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
On the Friday episode of the North Shore Drive podcast, presented by FanDuel and Edgar Snyder & Associates, host Adam Bittner welcomes Post-Gazette Steelers insider Brian Batko to react to the NFLPA's survey results and the latest from the NFL combine.
What should we make of the team's failing grades in the union's annual report card, the results of which were leaked to ESPN this week? Does owner Art Rooney II need to invest more in facilities and player support services? Why did GM Omar Khan get a low grade from players? Will the Steelers miss the fondness players have developed for Mike Tomlin over the years? And how much impact does any of this have on competitiveness and the ability to sign top free agents like Aaron Rodgers, Russell Wilson and DK Metcalf in recent years.
Our duo tackles those questions, then weighs in on news and notes from the combine in Indianapolis. Should we look more closely at Alabama QB Ty Simpson amid reports that he impressed the Steelers? Could LSU QB Garrett Nussmeier get a closer look because of his father's pre-existing relationship with new coach Mike McCarthy? And who intrigues Brian from the receiver meeting list that includes Jordyn Tyson, Carnell Tate, Makai Lemon, Elijah Sarratt, Ted Hurst, Antonio Williams and De’Zhaun Stribling? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Post-Gazette Penguins insider King Jemison takes a look at the team's trade of Tristan Jarry and how Kyle Dubas' return keeps looking better and better after their 4-1 win over the New Jersey Devils on Thursday night. This show is presented by FanDuel.
First, what does Sidney Crosby's injury mean moving forward? Can Evgeni Malkin and the rest of the team continue to put in solid performances like Thursday's? How was Dubas able to turn Jarry's "untradable" contract into Stuart Skinner, Sam Girard and multiple draft assets?
How good was Arturs Silovs against the Devils on Thursday? Can he stay dialed in? Is he the starting goaltender, or is Skinner? Does it matter? How important will the penalty kill led by guys like Blake Lizotte and Noel Acciari be for the rest of the season? King tackles those topics and more, plus tips his cap to some individual brilliance from Egor Chinakhov. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Post-Gazette Pitt insiders Stephen Thompson and Abby Schnable take a look at how coach Jeff Capel has been managing his bench and whether that might be contributing to the fatigue we've already seen on the team's West Coast road trip. This show is presented by FanDuel.
We saw the Panthers tired late against Stanford on Wednesday, so why isn't Capel playing his bench more? The coach said players like Kieran Mullen and Macari Moore would be key contributors, so why did they combine for just three minutes Wednesday night? What are the risks — and potential benefits — on giving them more playing time for the rest of the season? Our duo tackles those topics and more. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Post-Gazette Pirates insiders Jason Mackey and Colin Beazley report from spring training in Bradenton, Fla., and examine a couple of newcomers in Jake Mangum and Jose Urquidy.
How has Mangum been able to make a strong first impression since arriving from the Tampa Bay Rays with teammate Brandon Lowe? What's his role? Will he be able to find a spot in the outfield amongst Oneil Cruz, Bryan Reynolds and Ryan O'Hearn?
How did Urquidy look in his Pirates debut? Does his experience give him a leg up in the battle for the fifth spot in the starting rotation alongside Paul Skenes and Mitch Keller? Or does a younger pitcher like Carmen Mlodzinski or Hunter Barco have a better shot? Our duo tackles those topics, then discusses former Pirates manager Derek Shelton appearing in the opposing dugout on Thursday. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Live around 5 p.m., Post-Gazette sports columnist Paul Zeise ponders the San Francisco 49ers' Mac Jones as a potential trade target for GM Omar Khan and the Steelers this offseason.
Could he be the best option realistically available over veterans like Kyler Murray, Malik Willis or Daniel Jones? Or over NFL draft options like Ty Simpson, Cade Klubnik, Garrett Nussmeier and Drew Allar? How would he compare to Aaron Rodgers should last year's starter decide to return for 2026? What about other internal options like Mason Rudolph and Will Howard? And to what degree would Mike McCarthy be suited to getting more from Jones than he shown thus far in his NFL career?
Paul tackles those questions and offers more reactions to the latest news from the NFL combine in Indianapolis. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Post-Gazette Pitt insider Stephen Thompson breaks down the Panthers' 75-67 loss to Stanford on Wednesday night. This show is presented by FanDuel.
How did Pitt's turnovers diminish one of their best offensive performances of the season? Why did Roman Siulepa only play 15 minutes? Was it the right move? Could Panthers like Damarco Minor or Omari Witherspoon have done anything to contain Stanford's Ebuka Okorie, who scored 34 points? And how has Cam Corhen continued playing good basketball while battling an ankle injury? Stephen tackles those topics and more. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
On his weekly Chipped Ham & Football podcast, presented by FanDuel, Post-Gazette Steelers insider Brian Batko welcomes former Steelers receiver Miles Boykin to get his perspective on an array of hot topics facing the team.
Why did Boykin decide to retire in the past couple of weeks? What was his reaction to seeing former coaches Mike Tomlin and John Harbaugh leave the Steelers and Ravens, respectively? What was his view from afar of the offense led by Arthur Smith, Aaron Rodgers, Kenneth Gainwell, DK Metcalf and others this past season? What are his memories of showing what he could do at the NFL combine? And what are his memories of sharing a receivers room with big personalities Chase Claypool and George Pickens during his time in Pittsburgh? Our duo tackles those questions and more. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Post-Gazette Pirates insiders Jason Mackey and Colin Beazley recap the last few days of spring training and Grapefruit League play in Florida. This show is presented by FanDuel.
Should we worry about Paul Skenes amid his four walks in his final start before the World Baseball Classic? Is it possible he will have some trouble with MLB's new ABS system for challenging balls and strikes? Or will he adjust with a few weeks of exhibition games still to come? What should we make of Oneil Cruz dropping a ball in the outfield as he looks to show improvement defensively next to Bryan Reynolds, Jake Mangum and others? And will Konnor Griffin's two homer day against the Boston Red Sox enhance his chances to make the opening day roster? Especially after he appeared to avoid a significant injury earlier in the week? Our duo tackles those questions and more. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Live around 5 p.m., Post-Gazette sports columnist Paul Zeise weighs in on the Steelers' offensive line situation amid GM Omar Khan's ominous comments about the Broderick Jones injury at the NFL combine.
Does the team need to invest early round draft capital in the tackle position yet again if it believes Jones' injury will linger into training camp or longer? Is Dylan Cook a realistic long-term action after showing promise in a small sample size protecting Aaron Rodgers last season? How does the possible need at tackle compare to the need at guard, where Isaac Seumalo is set to depart and Penn State's Vega Ioane is a top draft option? And how should we feel about the overall future of the unit that also includes Zach Frazier, Mason McCormick and Troy Fautanu? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
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