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

Steelers insiders Brian Batko and Ray Fittipaldo give their first impressions from the introduction of the Steelers' new acquisitions, highlighted be DK Metcalf. The new star wide receiver says the Steelers have assured him they are making the right call at quarterback, but who will it be? Plus, what did Metcalf say about the reports he wanted to play in a warm-weather city? And will cornerback Da...

Steelers receiver DK Metcalf is introduced by the team after it acquired him from the Seattle Seahawks in a trade this week. Metcalf explains how he intends to work with George Pickens and other receivers including Roman Wilson and Calvin Austin III; his read on the quarterback situation, with the team reportedly considering names including Russell Wilson and Aaron Rodgers in NFL free agency; and...

Post-Gazette sports columnist Jason Mackey discusses his key takeaways from the team's 15-3 loss to the Twins on Thursday afternoon at Hammond Stadium in Fort Myers, Fla. The final score may not show it, but Pirates starter Jared Jones looked solid Thursday, giving up one earned run in 4⅓ innings. What did his pitch mix tell us about what we'll see from Jones in his second regular season with the...

On the Wednesday episode of the North Shore Drive podcast, presented by Edgar Snyder & Associates, Steelers insiders Christopher Carter and Ray Fittipaldo of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette break down all things Day 3 of NFL free agency. Has waiting on the quarterback position caused GM Omar Khan to miss on other potentially big free-agent signings? Is Darius Slay Jr. the right fit at CB for the S...

Post-Gazette sports columnist Paul Zeise reacts to the day in Pittsburgh sports news live around 5 p.m. Eastern. How much should Aaron Rodgers be worth to the Steelers in NFL free agency? Is he worth $40 million or more per year? How much would be too much to pay him as negotiations drag on, with Russell Wilson still available in the market? And should GM Omar Khan, coach Mike Tomlin and Co. consi...

On their weekly Pirates mailbag video, Post-Gazette insiders Noah Hiles and Andrew Destin answer reader questions from spring training in Bradenton, Fla. With a plethora of young arms that need worked into the major league fold, could manager Derek Shelton and the Pirates opt for a six-man rotation? Does DJ Stewart have a chance to make the opening day roster after a strong spring? Is there any ch...

Steelers insider Brian Batko of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette is joined by 93.7 The Fan's Austin Bechtold on the latest episode of Chipped Ham & Football to break down all things NFL free agency. Has GM Omar Khan made enough moves as of Tuesday, and is it now Aaron Rodgers or bust for Pittsburgh's starting QB spot in 2025? The guys discuss the new-look Steelers defense with Monday's signings of...

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 Post-Gazette colleague Gerry Dulac's report that the Steelers have not ruled out a reunion with Russell Wilson at quarterback after NFL free agency targets including Justin Fields signed elsewhere? Where does Aaron Rodgers belong in the presently fluid quarterback...

Post-Gazette Pirates insider Noah Hiles discusses his key takeaways from the team's 9-1 win vs. the Yankees on Tuesday afternoon at LECOM Park in Bradenton, Fla. How did Paul Skenes look in another spring training tune-up? Is he getting closer to the form we can expect in the regular season following a National League Rookie of the Year award-winning first campaign? Oneil Cruz hit another home run...

On the Monday episode of the North Shore Drive podcast, presented by Edgar Snyder & Associates, Steelers insiders Christopher Carter and Ray Fittipaldo of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette react to a lackluster opening day of free agency in which the team still doesn't have a franchise starting QB on its roster. Did the Steelers simply miss out on a viable QB after Justin Fields left for the Jets an...

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 agreeing to a two-year contract with the New York Jets instead of the Steelers? Did Omar Khan and coach Mike Tomlin make the right choice to let them go? Or should the Steelers have pushed harder to match the Jets' offer? What's next at quarterback?...

The Post-Gazette Christopher Carter and Adam Bittner react live to news that the team has traded for Seattle Seahawks star DK Metcalf and signed him to a reported 5-year $150-million extension. How will he fit into the receiving corps with George Pickens, Calvin Austin III and Roman Wilson? Did GM Omar Khan and coach Mike Tomlin pay the right price of a second-round draft pick and a huge contract...

On their weekly Steelers mock draft tracker recap, host Adam Bittner and Post-Gazette Steelers insider Ray Fittipaldo recap the week in projected NFL draft picks for the team from around the Internet. -Why are Alfred Collins and Darius Alexander desirable as possible Day 2 picks at DT, even if GM Omar Khan and coach Mike Tomlin opt to select projected Day 1 guys like Kenneth Grant, Derrick Harmon...

Post-Gazette Pirates insider Andrew Destin recaps the team's 6-5 exhibition loss to the Atlanta Braves on Saturday as MLB spring training continues in Florida. How did pitcher Mike Burrows look in his brief outing? And is he a candidate to crack the rotation alongside names like Paul Skenes, Jared Jones and Mitch Keller? What does Jared Triolo's recent hot stream mean for his spot on the roster? A...

On his weekly Saturday Conversations podcast, Post-Gazette sports columnist Jason Mackey welcomes for Penguins forward and current broadcaster Colby Armstrong to talk NHL trade deadlines past and present. What does Colby remember from being traded to the Atlanta Thrashers in a 2008 blockbuster that brought Marian Hossa and Pascal Dupuis back to Pittsburgh? What were Sidney Crosby's feelings about...

Post-Gazette Pirates insiders Noah Hiles and Andrew Destin recap a 3-2 exhibition victory against the Philadelphia Phillies during spring training in Bradenton, Fla. Is Jared Jones Opening Day ready after flashing his slider in an efficient outing? How did Adam Frazier look in his return to action? And is Eddy Yean proving he belongs in the bullpen after registering a two-inning save? Our duo tack...

On the Friday episode of the North Shore Drive podcast, presented by Edgar Snyder & Associates, Post-Gazette Steelers insiders Christopher Carter and Brian Batko analyze the reasons the team has not yet reached a deal with Russell Wilson, Justin Fields or both as the NFL free agency legal tampering period looms next week. Are GM Omar Khan and Mike Tomlin playing hard ball with Fields? Or is he...

Post-Gazette sports columnist Paul Zeise reacts to the day in Pittsburgh sports news live around 5 p.m. Eastern. Should the Steelers seek a long-term deal with Justin Fields to be their quarterback this season and beyond? Or should they make him prove his worth on another one- or two-year type of deal? And what should we make of the latest reports surrounding alternative options including Russell...

Post-Gazette sports columnist Jason Mackey joins host Adam Bittner to react to news that WR D.K. Metcalf has requested a trade from the Seattle Seahawks. Could he be a viable fit for GM Omar Khan, coach Mike Tomlin and the Steelers? Are his skills too similar to those of George Pickens? Could a deal for Metcalf give Khan the latitude to move Pickens for a haul of draft picks? And which quarterback...

On their weekly Pirates mailbag video, Post-Gazette insiders Noah Hiles and Andrew Destin answer reader questions from spring training in Bradenton, Fla. Are there any prime candidates for a contract extension this spring, given that the Pirates have handed one out to a key piece in each of the last three years? With Matt Gorski producing well during spring training, could we see him lock up a spo...

Post-Gazette Pirates insiders Noah Hiles and Andrew Destin discuss their key takeaways from the team's 7-6 win vs. the Blue Jays on Wednesday afternoon — after a lengthy rain delay — at LECOM Park in Bradenton, Fla. After hitting another home run Wednesday, what kind of power numbers can we expect from Oneil Cruz now that he is fully recovered from the leg injury that hampered him through the earl...

Post-Gazette sports columnist Paul Zeise reacts to the day in Pittsburgh sports news live around 5 p.m. Eastern. Should general manager Omar Khan, coach Mike Tomlin and the Steelers trade up to get a defensive tackle they like in this year's NFL draft? Are prospects including Kenneth Grant, Derrick Harmon and Walter Nolen worth the possibly high cost? What does Maxx Crosby's contract extension wit...

On the Wednesday episode of the North Shore Drive podcast, presented by Edgar Snyder & Associates, host Christopher Carter welcomes Post-Gazette Steelers insider Ray Fittipaldo to react to two new big-name NFL free agency options hitting the open market this week. Should GM Oma Khan and coach Mike Tomlin consider bringing in WR Davante Adams, who was cut by the New York Jets, or CB Darius Slay...

Post-Gazette Pirates insiders Noah Hiles and Andrew Destin discuss their key takeaways from the team's 12-4 loss to the Red Sox on Tuesday afternoon at LECOM Park in Bradenton, Fla. Newly signed left-hander Andrew Heaney made his Pirates spring training debut, and it didn't go well. What caused Heaney to give up four earned runs and three walks in 1.2 innings? Should we be concerned about that? Pl...

Could QB Shedeur Sanders really fall to he Steelers at No. 21 in the NFL draft, as a new mock draft from the Athletic's Dane Brugler suggested this week? Would that be the right pick for GM Omar Khan, Mike Tomlin and Co. as they weigh other QB options including Justin Fields, Russell Wilson and Aaron Rodgers? Especially given the spotlight father Deion Sanders brings to his son's career? And how m...