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

Live around 5 p.m., Post-Gazette sports columnist Paul Zeise reacts to news Steelers coach Mike McCarthy telling reporters at the NFL owners meetings that he valued QB Will Howard more highlight than the sixth-round pick he was chosen with in 2025. Is McCarthy right in making that statement? Or is he potentially too high on a player 32 teams -- including the Steelers -- who passed over Howard seve...

Post-Gazette Pirates insiders Colin Beazley and Noah Hiles react to the club's 1-3 start to the MLB season, which has included frustrating losses to the New York Mets and Cincinnati Reds. This show is presented by FanDuel. Can players including Oneil Cruz, Jared Triolo, Henry Davis, Bryan Reynolds and Marcell Ozuna get on track at the plate with the home opener looming Friday back at PNC Park? Can...

On the Tuesday episode of the North Shore Drive podcast, presented by FanDuel and Edgar Snyder & Associates, Post-Gazette Steelers insiders Christopher Carter and Ray Fittipaldo react to comments from new coach Mike McCarty and GM Omar Khan at the NFL owners meetings. What should we make of the duo's emphasis on finding both an offensive identity and quarterback to match the rugged nature of t...

Post-Gazette Penguins insider King Jemison breaks down the team's 8-3 win over the New York Islanders on Monday night, which puts the Penguins in the driver's seat for the Eastern Conference playoffs. This show is presented by FanDuel. How did the Penguins manage to earn their biggest win of the season without Evgeni Malkin? How did they turn a 3-1 deficit into an 8-3 win? How good has Anthony Man...

Live around 5 p.m., Post-Gazette sports columnist Paul Zeise reacts to former Steelers linebacker James Harrison saying on his podcast that he's had conversations with Bengals QB Joe Burrow about changing teams and heading to Pittsburgh. Is Harrison serious? Is there any world where the Bengals would give up their franchise QB to their division rival? Or is Harrison just manifesting a dream scenar...

Post-Gazette Pitt insiders Stephen Thompson and Abby Schnable break down the Panthers' offensive line situation heading into next season. This show is brought to you by FanDuel. Reports suggest an improved offensive line, but should we buy that after allowing the most sacks in the ACC last season? Why are Netinho Olivieri and Ryan Carretta names to watch? Will their additions as full-time starters...

On the Monday episode of the North Shore Drive podcast, presented by FanDuel and Edgar Snyder & Associates, host Adam Bittner welcomes Post-Gazette Steelers insider Ray Fittipaldo to grade the team's NFL free agency class in new coach Mike McCarthy's first year working with GM Omar Khan. Was Rico Dowdle replacing Kenneth Gainwell a good swap? Despite Gainwell's productive 2025 alongside Jaylen...

On the Saturday episode of the North Shore Drive podcast, presented by FanDuel, host Adam Bittner welcomes Post-Gazette Steelers insider Brian Batko to analyze the week in NFL mock draft picks for the team. Is Texas A&M receiver KC Concepcion one of the best fits for a roster that already includes DK Metcalf, Michael Pittman Jr. and Roman Wilson? What dimension would he add to coach Mike McCar...

Post-Gazette Pitt insiders Stephen Thompson and Abby Schnable check in on the men's basketball program after it was announced the Panthers were letting go of assistant coaches Jason Capel and Tim O'Toole. This show is presented by FanDuel. How much of an impact will these moves have? Is Pitt risking losing players and shaking up the program by letting go of two trusted assistants? Or is this a ste...

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 latest rumors casting uncertainty about Aaron Rodgers returning as QB in 2026. Do Charie Batch, Mike Garafolo, Andrew Siciliano and others have good reason to be skeptical of Rodgers' future in Pittsburg...

Post-Gazette Penguins insider King Jemison breaks down the team's 4-3 shootout win over the Ottawa Senators on Thursday night and what it means for the Eastern Conference playoff race. This show is presented by FanDuel. What do we know regarding Sidney Crosby's injury? Will he miss time? And if he does, how can the Penguins survive? How were they able to gut out Thursday's win in Ottawa? How good...

Post-Gazette Pirates insiders Colin Beazley and Noah Hiles react to the team's frustrating opening day loss against the New York Mets. What should we make of Paul Skenes' struggles on the mound? Is there reason for concern about the Cy Young winner? What's going on with Oneil Cruz in the outfield after back-to-back defensive gaffes cost the Pirates several runs? Did the bullpen prove to be weaknes...

Post-Gazette sports columnist Paul Zeise reacts live after the Pirates' opening day matchup against the New York Mets. How did starter Paul Skenes look in his first action of 2026? Could he be on his way to another Cy Young award? Was the new-look offense effective, with names like Marcell Ozuna, Ryan O'Hearn, Jake Mangum, Brandon Lowe and others joining Oneil Cruz and Bryan Reynolds? And were Isa...

On his weekly Chipped Ham & Football podcast, Post-Gazette Steelers insider Brian Batko welcomes Sports Illustrated's Noah Strackbein to answer viewer questions. They ponder whether GM Omar Khan and coach Mike McCarthy have futures mapped out for Kaleb Johnson and Keeanu Benton in Steelers uniforms. How does Johnson fit in the backfield with Jaylen Warren and Rico Dowdle ahead of him on the de...

Post-Gazette Penguins insider King Jemison takes a look at the team's struggles over the past two games against the Carolina Hurricanes and Colorado Avalanche but explains why they might still be in solid playoff position. This show is presented by FanDuel. What's gone wrong in two straight blowout losses? What are they doing (or not doing) now that is causing issues? What is causing the team's de...

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 ponder the team's options with its estimated $27 million in salary cap space. Will GM Omar Khan and coach Mike McCarthy use it to make any more significant moves before training camp? Beyond retaining Aaron...

On the Tuesday episode of the North Shore Drive podcast, presented by FanDuel, host Adam Bittner welcomes Post-Gazette Steelers insider Ray Fittipaldo to preview the NFL owners meetings from the team's perspective. How much would a proposed rule change allowing teams to trade picks up to five NFL drafts out help or hurt GM Omar Khan and coach Mike McCarthy in their pursuit of a franchise QB? Would...

Live around 5 p.m., Post-Gazette sports columnist Paul Zeise weighs in on news that Steelers coach Mike McCarthy personally attended the pro day of LSU QB Garrett Nussmeier this week. Is this a signal of genuine interest in Nussmeier on the part of McCarthy and GM Omar Khan? Or just a courtesy to Nussmeier's father, Doug, who worked under McCarthy with the Dallas Cowboys? How does Nussmeier compar...

Post-Gazette Pitt insiders Stephen Thompson and Abby Schnable break down the Panthers' first scrimmage of spring ball. This show is presented by FanDuel. After the offense won, is it safe to say the unit led by Mason Heintschel played well? Or are their defensive issues that played a bigger factor in the outcome? Is there any reason to be concerned at this point? Stephen and Abby tackle those topi...

Post-Gazette Pirates insiders Colin Beazley and Noah Hiles react to GM Ben Cherington and manager Don Kelly making roster cuts ahead of MLB opening day later this week. They give their thoughts on pitchers Carmen Mlodzinski, Hunter Barco and Jose Urquidy making the team while Mike Clevinger is demoted to the minors. They also ponder the state of the position player group with Billy Cook, Nick York...

Post-Gazette Penguins insider King Jemison takes a look at the team's busy weekend and analyzes their place in the standings as the Eastern Conference playoff race heats up. This show is presented by FanDuel. How important was the team's exhausting 5-4 shootout win over the Winnipeg Jets on Saturday? How did they lose ANOTHER controversial goaltender interference challenge? How were they able to g...

On the Monday episode of the North Shore Drive podcast, presented by FanDuel and Edgar Snyder & Associates, Post-Gazette Steelers insiders Christopher Carter and Ray Fittipaldo react to the signing of offensive lineman Brock Hoffman. Is the veteran the answer for GM Omar Khan and coach Mike McCarthy at the starting guard spot vacated by Isaac Seumalo? Or is he merely a candidate to compete wit...

On the Saturday episode of the North Shore Drive podcast, presented by FanDuel, host Adam Bittner welcomes Post-Gazette Steelers insider Christopher Carter to sort through the week in NFL mock draft picks for the team. How closely should GM Omar Khan and coach Mike McCarthy be looking at the middle linebacker spot with Patrick Queen's future uncertain? And is CJ Allen a prospect worth bringing in...

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 Christopher Carter to discuss the team's seemingly odd approach to its pre-draft visits so far. Why haven't GM Omar Khan and coach Mike McCarthy welcomes more top prospects, particularly at positions of need like safety, guard and...

Post-Gazette Pitt insiders Stephen Thompson and Abby Schnable give their impressions from the second week of the Panthers' spring practices. This show is presented by FanDuel. How much concern should there be in regards to the wide receiver room? Is Blue Hicks in Pat Narduzzi's doghouse after missing practice? Can Pitt rely on him, Malik Knight, Tony Kinsler and Bryce Yates to replace Kenny Johnso...