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

On his weekly Saturday Conversations podcast, Post-Gazette sports columnist Jason Mackey welcomes fellow Post-Gazette columnist Gene Collier to talk through his career and all things Pittsburgh sports. What does Gene think of the Steelers' current waiting game with the enigmatic Aaron Rodgers? Would Russell Wilson or even Mason Rudolph be a better choice? And what about Justin Fields? Jason and Ge...

Post-Gazette sports columnist Paul Zeise reacts to the day in Pittsburgh sports news live around 5 p.m. Eastern. What is a realistic ceiling for the Steelers with QB Aaron Rodgers, should they sign him via NFL free agency after his visit to the team facility Friday? Could his take weapons including DK Metcalf and George Pickens to a playoff win? Or more? What is the worst-case scenario with Rodger...

On the Friday episode of the North Shore Drive, presented by Edgar Snyder & Associates, Post-Gazette Steelers insiders Christopher Carter and Brian Batko react to a report from colleague Gerry Dulac that Aaron Rodgers is meeting with top brass including coach Mike Tomlin, GM Omar Khan and owner Art Rooney II at the team's facility. Is a deal with the free agent QB imminent? Could he still take...

On their weekly Pirates mailbag video, Post-Gazette insiders Noah Hiles and Andrew Destin answer reader questions from spring training in Bradenton, Fla. If David Bednar continues to struggle, who could be the closer for manager Derek Shelton and the Pirates? Dennis Santana? Colin Holderman? Some combination of multiple bullpen arms? Do Noah and Andrew see the Pirates making any last-minute additi...

Post-Gazette sports columnist Paul Zeise reacts to the day in Pittsburgh sports news live around 5 p.m. Eastern. What should we make of Justin Fields' first public comments since choosing the New York Jets over the Steelers in NFL free agency? Is it a problem that he preferred the Jets' Aaron Glenn to the Steelers' Mike Tomlin as his coach? Did the Steelers miss an opportunity to build around Fiel...

On their weekly podcast, host Adam Bittner and Post-Gazette sports columnist Jason Mackey react to repeated criticism of the Steelers by former RB Najee Harris. Should we be surprised at his bitterness toward Mike Tomlin, Arthur Smith and the team he leaves behind? Or is he right about the culture and facilities being an impediment toward team success? On the QB front, should GM Omar Khan really w...

Post-Gazette sports columnist Paul Zeise reacts LIVE to a busy day of Pittsburgh sports news around 5 p.m. Eastern. Should coach Mike Tomlin, GM Omar Khan and the Steelers’ brain trust pivot in their quarterback plans, as Aaron Rodgers is reportedly not close to an NFL free agency decision despite the Minnesota Vikings deciding against pursuing him? If so, should they consider other free agent opt...

On the Wednesday episode of the North Shore Drive podcast, presented by Edgar Snyder & Associates, Post-Gazette Steelers insiders Christopher Carter and Ray Fittipaldo react to news that the team dined with Alabama QB Jalen Milroe at the Crimson Tide's pro day this week. Are GM Omar Khan and coach Mike Tomlin genuinely interested in adding Milroe to their QB room? Why might his skill set be on...

Post-Gazette insider Noah Hiles reports on MLB breaking news that SP Jared Jones has been sidelined for the rest of Pirates spring training with elbow discomfort. Manager Derek Shelton made the announcement early Wednesday. What details do we know about the injury so far? What could it mean for the makeup of the rotating with Opening Day just eight days away? If Jones is forced to miss significant...

Post-Gazette sports columnist Paul Zeise reacts to the day in Pittsburgh sports news live around 5 p.m. Eastern. What should we make of Steelers defensive lineman Cam Heyward's fiery comments on his podcast, referring to the Aaron Rodgers NFL free agency drama? Is it true that "You either want to be a Pittsburgh Steeler or you don't"? Or is the situation more complicated than that? Shoul...

Post-Gazette Pirates insider Noah Hiles reacts to the team's 3-2 victory against the Philadelphia Phillies on Tuesday in Grapefruit League MLB spring training action. What has prospect Thomas Harrington shown this spring that could translate to the regular season? Could we see him with the big club sooner than later, even if he doesn't make the Opening Day roster? Is reliever David Bednar starting...

On his weekly Chipped Ham & Football podcast, Post-Gazette Steelers insider Brian Batko welcomes NFL Network's Judy Battista to react to the team's moves -- or lack thereof -- in NFL free agency. Did GM Omar Khan and coach Mike Tomlin do enough to improve the roster beyond the big trade for WR DK Metcalf? Is it impossible to grade the team's moves until we know how the QB drama will resolve, w...

Post-Gazette sports columnist Paul Zeise reacts to the day in Pittsburgh sports news live around 5 p.m. Eastern. Are general manager Omar Khan, coach Mike Tomlin and the Steelers getting used for leverage with other teams by players including Aaron Rodgers, Justin Fields, Kyle Juszczyk and even Brandon Aiyuk last offseason? Or are they just getting unlucky in NFL free agency? What should we make o...

Post-Gazette Pirates insider Noah Hiles discusses his key takeaways from the team's split-squad day Monday, which included a 4-2 win over the Twins at LECOM Park in Bradenton, Fla., and a 9-6 loss to the Tigers at Joker Marchant Stadium in Lakeland, Fla. Noah was on site in Bradenton and starts off by discussing Paul Skenes' outing vs. Minnesota. Why did Skenes struggle with his command at times M...

On the Monday episode of the North Shore Drive podcast, presented by Edgar Snyder & Associates, Post-Gazette Steelers insiders Christopher Carter and Ray Fittipaldo react to a slow weekend of news on the QB front. Could coach Mike Tomlin and GM Omar Khan actually consider Mason Rudolph for the starting job after he signed last week? And not simply a backup role to either Russell Wilson or Aaro...

Post-Gazette Pirates beat writer Noah Hiles recaps his chat with manager Derek Shelton on Sunday as well an a spring training win against the New York Yankees in Tampa, Fla. Why isn't Shelton prepared to name a closer? And why isn't David Bednar the default choice for that role after holding the job for most of the last few years? How is Henry Davis looking defensively behind the plate as he compe...

On their weekly Steelers NFL mock draft tracker video, host Adam Bittner and Post-Gazette Steelers insider Christopher Carter analyze the week in projected picks for the team from around the Internet and the impact NFL free agency is having on them. -Should the Steelers still be considering Day 1 WR targets including Emeka Egbuka, Luther Burden III and Matthew Golden? Or did the DK Metcalf trade f...

New Steelers CB Brandin Echols speaks to reporters at his introduction. He explains how he hopes to fit in a defensive backfield that includes names like Joey Porter Jr., Darius Slay, Cory Trice Jr. and Beanie Bishop; the versatility he hopes to show to coaches including Mike Tomlin and DC Teryl Austin; and his hopes to start after joining the team via the New York Jets in NFL free agency. Hosted...

Pirates insider Noah Hiles and columnist Jason Mackey react to Saturday's news that Paul Skenes will start opening day against the Miami Marlins. What kind of new history is Skenes making with this honor? Was there really any other choice? And how will the rest of the rotation come together after Skenes? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collec...

On his weekly Saturday Conversations podcast, Post-Gazette sports columnist Jason Mackey welcomes former Pirates manager Clint Hurdel to discuss an array of topics. What was Clint's inspiration to write his new book, "Hurdle-isms: Wit and Wisdom from a Lifetime in Baseball"? What were his favorite chapters of the book to write? And why has he come to enjoy social media since his recent r...

New Steelers linebacker Malik Harrison speaks to reporters at his introduction. He explains his relationships with Patrick Queen and DeShon Elliott, two former Ravens who themselves left Baltimore in NFL free agency last season. He also lists his reasons for wanting to join coach Mike Tomlin and DC Teryl Austin this offseason. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for infor...

Post-Gazette Pirates insider Noah Hiles discusses his key takeaways from the team's 5-3 loss to the Phillies on Friday afternoon at BayCare Ballpark in Clearwater, Fla., in the annual "spring breakout" prospects game. The main story Friday was Bubba Chandler. What did Noah see from Chandler, and what could that mean for his season as the young right-hander pushes his way to the big leagu...

New Steelers running back Kenneth Gainwell speaks to reporters at his introduction Thursday. He explains why he wanted to play for coach Mike Tomlin after winning the Super Bowl with the Philadelphia Eagles last season; his level of excitement to work with Jaylen Warren in the Steelers' two-back system following the departure of Najee Harris in NFL free agency; and how he sees his fit in coordinat...

On the Friday episode of the North Shore Drive podcast, presented by Edgar Snyder & Associates, Post-Gazette Steelers insiders Christopher Carter and Brian Batko react to the continuing fallout from the team's moves in NFL free agency. Can DK Metcalf and George Pickens coexist in the receivers room, considering their similar skillsets? Can any QB -- be it Aaron Rodgers, Russell Wilson or Mason...

New Steelers cornerback Darius Slay speaks to reporters at his introduction Thursday. He explains why the Steelers were a top destination for him in NFL free agency after leaving the Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles. Specifically, he credits Steelers past and present including coach Mike Tomlin, Joe Haden, Cam Heyward and Patrick Peterson for making the team stand out to him as an option. H...