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

Pirates insiders Noah Hiles and Andrew Destin analyze a win over the Twins as Pittsburgh starts spring training 2-0. Mitch Keller came out with high velocity, which is a stark difference from a year ago. What does it mean for the former All-Star moving forward? Plus some first impressions from Caleb Ferguson's time on the mound, and an impressive appearance from first-round pick Konnor Griffin at...

Host Adam Bittner and Post-Gazette Steelers insider Brian Batko react to the week in Steelers NFL mock draft picks from around the Internet. Is Ashton Jeanty a running back too good to pass up on if he's available to GM Omar Khan and coach Mike Tomlin at No. 21 overall? Is the roster ready to help him thrive? Or would his production be limited by the pieces around him like Saquon Barkley's was wit...

In the first recap of 2025 spring training games, Pirates insiders Noah Hiles and Andrew Destin analyze Saturday's win over the Orioles. Should we keep eyes on Matt Gorski and DJ Stewart as power options after their statements against Baltimore? And is Carmen Mlodzinski, who got the start, a legitimate option in the rotation? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for inform...

On the Friday episode of the North Shore Drive podcast, presented by Edgar Snyder & Associates, host Christopher Carter welcomes Post-Gazette Steelers insider Brian Batko to consider what the NFL's growing salary cap could mean for the team in NFL free agency and the trade market. Will it help GM Omar Khan, coach Mike Tomlin and the Steelers keep members of the 2024 roster like Najee Harris, R...

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 the latest reports surrounding Steelers quarterback Justin Fields? Does it seem more likely that he ends up back in Pittsburgh via NFL free agency or with another team, potentially including the New York Jets? And is Ben Roethlisberger right in saying the Steelers...

Post-Gazette sports columnist Jason Mackey joins host Adam Bittner to react to the passing of legendary Penguins broadcaster Mike Lange late Wednesday night at the age of 76. What legacy does he leave the team, NHL and hockey community at large? What are some of Jason's best memories of getting to know Mike on a personal level over the years? What were some of his best moments on the mic? And why...

Post-Gazette sports columnist Paul Zeise reacts to the day in Pittsburgh sports news live at a special time, around 4 p.m. Eastern. Is the "Steelers Way" of leadership, locker room standards and physical football dying, as former QB Ben Roethlisberger fears in comments on his "Footbahlin" podcast this week? Can homegrown Steelers including T.J. Watt and Cam Heyward preserve it...

Post-Gazette insiders Noah Hiles and Andrew Destin report on everything happening from Pirates spring training in Bradenton, Fla., on Wednesday. How did Oneil Cruz sound heading into his first full season as the Pirates center fielder? And why is he so excited for new free agent acquisition Tommy Pham to join him in the outfield? How did reliever Ryan Borucki look in his first live at-bats of spri...

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 grade GM Omar Khan on his first two seasons of NFL draft picks and free agency signings. How much credit does he deserve for adding contributors including Joey Porter Jr., Zach Frazier, Keeanu Benton, Payton Wilson a...

Post-Gazette sports columnist Paul Zeise reacts to the day in Pittsburgh sports news around 5 p.m. Eastern. What should we think of George Pickens calling Aaron Rodgers — not Justin Fields or Russell Wilson — his "dream" teammate in an interview? Should coach Mike Tomlin and general manager Omar Khan care what their No. 1 receiver thinks during NFL free agency? Or does he have to do more...

Post-Gazette insiders Noah Hiles and Andrew Destin report on everything happening from Pirates spring training in Bradenton, Fla., on Tuesday. Noah and Andrew spoke with Pirates All-Star Bryan Reynolds on Tuesday, and he said the plan is for him to stick in right field, with no plans of appearing at first base. Is this smart, especially considering Spencer Horwitz's injury there? On the other hand...

On his weekly Chipped Ham & Football podcast, Post-Gazette Steelers insider Brian Batko welcomes media personality and former Philadelphia Eagles scout John Middlekauff to analyze the Steelers' QB situation with NFL free agency looming. Should the Steelers beware of veteran QB options like Russell Wilson, Aaron Rodgers and Matthew Stafford? Given their uneven results this season? How should re...

On their weekly Pitt basketball mailbag video, Post-Gazette insiders Christopher Carter and Stephen Thompson answer reader questions. Among them: Does the Panthers offense move the ball more effectively without Jaland Lowe in the lineup like Saturday vs. Miami? Why aren't Amsal Delalic and Brandin Cummings receiving more playing time from coach Jeff Capel? Did Pitt really gain anything from its wi...

Post-Gazette sports columnist Paul Zeise tackles the hottest topics in Pittsburgh sports live around 5 p.m. Eastern. How should the Steelers use their more than $50 million in salary cap space in NFL free agency this spring? Should they grab defensive line depth from top options including Milton Williams and Osa Odighizuwa? What about corners like D.J. Reed or Carlton Davis? Would QB Sam Darnold m...

Post-Gazette insiders Noah Hiles and Andrew Destin report from Pirates spring training in Bradenton, Fla., where position players reported for the first time Monday. Why did free agent signing Tommy Pham make a good first impression, as he looks to take over in left field while new teammate Bryan Reynolds moves to right? What new pitch has Jared Jones developed over the MLB offseason? And how migh...

On the Monday episode of the North Shore Drive podcast, presented by Edgar Snyder & Associates, host Christopher Carter welcomes Post-Gazette Steelers insider Ray Fittipaldo to ponder GM Omar Khan's next moves to trim players from his roster to free up salary cap space ahead of NFL free agency next month. Who will join Preston Smith as a cap casualty as the pass rusher was cut late last week?...

On his weekly Saturday Conversations podcast, Post-Gazette sports columnist Jason Mackey welcomes Acrisure Stadium public address announcer Larry Richert to get his take on the team's offseason and a range of other topics. Will Larry be announcing the name of Russell Wison or Justin Fields at QB this coming season? What does he think of offseason angst over things like Mike Tomlin's future, NFL fr...

Pirates insiders Noah Hiles and Andrew Destin share their first impressions of David Bednar and Henry Davis, two players who seem to be in better shape coming into 2025 spring training. How did Bednar look in his first live batting practice? And will Davis' added muscle and a swing adjustment lead to more power? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about ou...

Pirates insiders Noah Hiles and Andrew Destin recap another day of spring training, with Rookie of the Year Paul Skenes speaking to the media for the first time in 2025. Will the Pirates' ace have some new tools to work with this season? And how does Year 2 compare to his first camp? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of perso...

Post-Gazette sports columnist Paul Zeise reacts to the day in Pittsburgh sports news live around 5 p.m. Eastern. He gives his thoughts on an analysis post by colleague Brian Batko on the rare examples of QBs like Justin Fields finding success with different teams than they were drafted by. Is Fields capable of following in the footsteps of names like Sam Darnold or Baker Mayfield in getting the St...

Post-Gazette Pirates insiders Noah Hiles and Andrew Destin report from the third day of spring training in Bradenton, Fla. Noah and Andrew watched Endy Rodriguez make throws down to second base today. How does Rodriguez's surgically repaired elbow look, and where does he fit into the Pirates' catching situation? How will the bullpen be affected by the news that reliever Dauri Moreta still needs mo...

Is Jaxson Dart of Ole Miss a QB who should be on GM Omar Khan and coach Mike Tomlin's first-round radar? Or would he be a reach in that spot? And where do other QBs including Jalen Milroe of Alabama and Quinn Ewers of Texas belong in the conversation, as the team also weighs free agents including Justin Fields, Russell Wilson and Aaron Rodgers? Is Ohio State running back Quinshon Judkins worthy of...

On the Friday episode of the North Shore Drive podcast, presented by Edgar Snyder & Associates, host Christopher Carter welcomes Post-Gazette Steelers insider Brian Batko to rank the Steelers' QB options. Is Justin Fields in pole position because of his potential upside? Who's the next best option behind him? Would the choice be between Russell Wilson and Aaron Rodgers? Could Sam Darnold, Dani...

Post-Gazette sports columnist Paul Zeise reacts to the day in Pittsburgh sports news live around 5 p.m. Eastern. Specifically, he gives his thoughts on trade rumors -- quickly shot down -- that the Steelers had engaged the Jacksonville Jaguars in trade conversations regarding QB Trevor Lawrence. Did those rumors ever make sense? Would Lawrence have really been an upgrade more plausible options lik...

Post-Gazette Pirates insiders Andrew Destin and Noah Hiles report from the second day of spring training in Bradenton, Fla. What's the latest on Johan Oviedo a year removed from his Tommy John surgery after holding down the 2023 rotation with Mitch Keller? Is he on the fast track for the last rotation spot over names like Bubba Chandler, Mike Burrows and Braxton Ashcraft? What should fans expect f...