Post-Gazette Sports Network: Pittsburgh Steelers, Pirates, Penguins and more

Post-Gazette Pirates insider Colin Beazley welcomes sports columnist Noah Hiles to talk about a busy week of news for the club. Did manager Don Kelly make the right call in moving Carmen Mlodzinski to the struggling bullpen? Despite his solid numbers as a starter this season? And what kind of impact can Jaren Jones make on the rotation next to names like Paul Skenes, Mitch Keller, Braxton Ashcraft...

On the Friday episode of the North Shore Drive podcast, presented by FanDuel and Edgar Snyder & Associates, host Christopher Carter welcomes Post-Gazette Steelers insider Ray Fittipaldo to react to a busy week at the team's OTAs. Is new coach Mike McCarthy's plan to get playmakers including DK Metcalf, Michael Pittman Jr., Jaylen Warren, Rico Dowdle, Germie Bernard, Roman Wilson and Pat Freier...

Post-Gazette Steelers insiders Gerry Dulac and Ray Fittipaldo report from OTAs practice at the team's South Side facility. They explain how QB Aaron Rodgers remains engaged in installing coach Mike McCarthy's offense despite veteran status that might otherwise allow him to sit out. And how the lure of one more run in the NFL seems to be inspiring him as he leads a unit dotted with stars like DK Me...

On the Wednesday episode of the North Shore Drive podcast, presented by FanDuel and Edgar Snyder & Associates, the Post-Gazette's Adam Bittner and Christopher Carter ponder the future for players who've either been marginalized in the past or overlooked by many since the start of the NFL offseason workout program. Can Kaleb Johnson overcome his special teams gaffe that landed him in former coa...

In his weekly mailbag video, Post-Gazette Pirates insider Colin Beazley answers reader questions. Among them: What can GM Ben Cherington realistically do to fix the bullpen internally as the trade deadline is still months away? How long can the Pirates live without production from Marcell Ozuna, and does Ryan O'Hearn's injury change that calculus? Is Oneil Cruz striking out too much? How will they...

On the Friday episode of the North Shore Drive podcast, presented by FanDuel and Edgar Snyder & Associates, the Post-Gazette's Christopher Carter welcomes sports columnist Noah Hiles to break down some hot topics from the week's OTAs. Can new defensive coordinator Patrick Graham fix the communication issues that have plagued the unit and annoyed fans? Or is that more of a problem with the play...

Post-Gazette Steelers insiders Gerry Dulac and Ray Fittipaldo report from the team's OTAs at its South Side facilities. They recap QB Aaron Rodgers' news conference in which he explained his decision to return, crediting conversations with GM Omar Khan and coach Mike McCarthy as well as significant additions to the roster. Rico Dowdle, Michael Pittman Jr. and Germie Bernard are among the names joi...

On the Wednesday episode of the North Shore Drive podcast, presented by FanDuel and Edgar Snyder & Associates, host Christopher Carter welcomes Post-Gazette Steelers insider Ray Fittipaldo to react to comments by new OC Brian Angelichio and DC Patrick Graham during the team's OTAs. Is Angelichio correct to focus on versatility for his receivers including Germie Bernard, DK Metcalf, Michael Pit...

Post-Gazette Steelers insiders Gerry Dulac and Ray Fittipaldo report from the first day of the team's OTA's at its South Side facility. How did Aaron Rodgers look working with the starters following his one-year deal to return to the team over the weekend? Can he mentor young QBs Will Howard and Drew Allar? What are the early differences we're seeing as Mike McCarthy's coaching staff takes the pla...

On the Monday episode of the North Shore Drive podcast, presented by FanDuel and Edgar Snyder & Associates, host Christopher Carter welcomes Post-Gazette Steelers insider Ray Fittipaldo to ponder Aaron Rodgers' official return to the team this weekend. What does it mean that he'll be back in time for OTAs this week, the first under new coach Mike McCarthy? And how will that benefit the team's...

On the Friday episode of the North Shore Drive podcast, presented by FanDuel and Edgar Snyder & Associates, the Post-Gazette's Adam Bittner and Christopher Carter preview OTAs for the team, which begin next week at its South Side facility for the first time under new coach Mike McCarthy. What will the QB dynamic be with Will Howard and Mason Rudolph joining Drew Allar after his time in the spo...

In his weekly Pirates mailbag video, Post-Gazette insider Colin Beazley answers reader questions. Among them: Will GM Ben Cherington and manager Don Kelly consider playing the recently promoted Endy Rodriguez often if he continues to hit? Especially with Henry Davis and Joey Bart struggling at the plate? Would Jhostynxon García be the first to get a call if an injury takes Ryan O'Hean, Oneil Cruz,...

On the Wednesday edition of the North Shore Drive podcast, presented by FanDuel and Edger Snyder & Associates, host Christopher Carter and Brian Batko react to the news of the Steelers being scheduled for a game against the New Orleans Saints in Paris next season and the release of cornerback Cory Trice Jr. Why were the Steelers picked to play overseas for a second straight season? What does i...

Post-Gazette Pirates insider Colin Beazley and columnist Noah Hiles break down the team's bullpen struggles and which pitchers' stock is rising and whose is falling. This show is presented by FanDuel. Which pitchers have been solid out of the 'pen? How can manager Don Kelly continue to maximize his three lefties — Gregory Soto, Mason Montgomery and Evan Sisk? How can they help get Dennis Santana b...

On the Monday edition of the North Shore Drive podcast, presented by FanDuel and Edger Snyder & Associates, host Christopher Carter and Post-Gazette Steelers insider Ray Fittipaldo break down the weekend's rookie minicamp. Where do NFL Draft picks Max Iheanachor and Gennings Dunker fit along the Steelers' offensive line? Will new offensive line coach James Campen need to do some reshuffling wi...

Post-Gazette Steelers insiders Gerry Dulac and Ray Fittipaldo report from the team's rookie minicamp, where NFL draft selections including Max Iheanachor, Germie Bernard, Drew Allar, Gennings Dunker and Daylen Everette made their first appearances in uniform. How did Allar look as he looks to compete with last year's rookie QB, Will Howard? How will Bernard fill out the receiving corps next to DK...

On the Friday episode of the North Shore Drive podcast, presented by FanDuel and Edgar Snyder & Associates, host Christopher Carter welcomes Post-Gazette Steelers insider Ray Fittipaldo to react to the news that Aaron Rodgers is expected to be in Pittsburgh this weekend to possibly sign with the team for the 2026 season. Was Rodgers' return as inevitable as it has seemed at times? Or have GM O...

On his weekly mailbag show, Post-Gazette Pirates insider Colin Beazley answers reader questions. Among them: How aggressively should we expect GM Ben Cherington to promote top draft choice Seth Hernandez through the minor leagues? How should manager Don Kelly juggle outfield and DH duties for Bryan Reynolds, Marcell Ozuna, Oneil Cruz and Ryan O'Hearn to limit defensive gaffes as much as possible?...

On the Wednesday edition of the North Shore Drive podcast, presented by FanDuel and Edger Snyder & Associates, host Adam Bittner and guest Christopher Carter ponder lessons the Steelers can learn from past competitions between young QBs. They reference colleague Ray Fittipaldo's story in which he looked back on battles between Brian Brohm and Matt Flynn with the packers; Kirk Cousins and Rober...

On the Friday episode of the North Shore Drive podcast, presented by FanDuel, Post-Gazette Steelers insiders Christopher Carter and Brian Batko break down the team's offensive line after the news that Broderick Jones didn't have his fifth-year option picked up. What does this decision mean for Jones' future with the team? What does it signal about Jones' neck injury? Does the Max Iheanachor pick i...

On his weekly Chipped Ham & Football podcast, presented by FanDuel, Post-Gazette Steelers insider Brian Batko welcomes former league executive Andrew Brandt to react to a busy week of NFL draft news from a local perspective. What should fans make of GM Omar Khan and coach Mike McCarthy missing out on primary target Makai Lemon before settling for Max Iheanachor in the first round? How does he...

Post-Gazette Penguins insider King Jemison and sports columnist Noah Hiles break down the team's season-ending Game 6 loss to the Philadelphia Flyers from Xfinity Mobile Arena and look at where the team goes from here. This show is presented by FanDuel. Why didn't the Penguins emerge victorious in a game when they played well? Did Arturs Silovs cement himself as the Penguins' goalie of the future?...

On the Wednesday edition of the North Shore Drive podcast, presented by FanDuel and Edgar Snyder & Associates, host Adam Bittner welcomes Post-Gazette Steelers insider Christopher Carter to analyze the team's receiving options following the NFL draft. Does the selection of Germie Bernard, following the trade for Michael Pittman Jr., make GM Omar Khan and coach Mike McCarthy's team good at the...

Post-Gazette Penguins insider King Jemison and sports columnist Noah Hiles break down the team's Game 5 win over the Philadelphia Flyers and wonder if a reverse sweep might actually be a possibility. This show is presented by FanDuel. What has changed between the Penguins' first three losses and their two subsequent wins? Are they just now finding their feet after resting through the final few gam...

Post-Gazette Pirates insider Colin Beazley recaps a busy week for the club on the road, plus a frustrating home loss to the St. Louis Cardinals on Monday. Is there any reason for manager Don Kelly to worry about Dennis Santana after his blown save? Or do the numbers suggest it might have just been a bad night? Should GM Ben Cherington consider sending young shortstop Konnor Griffin to the minors a...