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

Live around 5 p.m. Post-Gazette Steelers insider Paul Zeise ponders what the Steelers should do with linebacker Nick Herbig now that the dust has mostly settled on their NFL free agency moves. Should GM Omar Khan, coach Mike McCarthy and DC Patrick Graham look to give the four-year veteran a contract extension? Or are outside linebackers already taking up too big a piece of the salary cap with T.J...

Post-Gazette Penguins insider King Jemison breaks down Sidney Crosby's return to the lineup, Erik Karlsson's success as of late and the team's very real Kris Letang problem. This show is presented by FanDuel. How did Sidney Crosby look in his return to the lineup after missing 11 games with a lower-body injury? Did the Penguins show anything in their crazy 6-5 OT loss to the Carolina Hurricanes? O...

On his weekly Chipped Ham & Football podcast, presented by FanDuel, Post-Gazette Steelers insider Brian Batko welcomes PennLive Penn State reporter Johnny McGonigal to discuss some Nittany Lion NFL Draft options. Will offensive lineman Olaivavega Ioane still be available by the time the Steelers' pick comes around at No. 21? Or could they trade up to get him? Is Ioane the kind of player who wo...

Live around 5 p.m., Post-Gazette sports columnist Paul Zeise explains why he feels the Steelers are in a no-win situation with regard to the 2026 NFL draft QB class. He compares his doubts about names like Ty Simpson, Drew Allar, Carson Beck and Garrett Nussmeier to feelings about 2022 QB class members including Kenny Pickett, Sam Howell, Desmond Ridder and others who, failed to make their mark in...

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 which NFL draft prospects they'd like to see the team bring in for Top 30 visits of their 2026 selections next month. Is Carson Beck a serious candidate to join the QB room after already making a vis...

Live around 5 p.m., Post-Gazette sports columnist Paul Zeise reacts to the pre-NFL draft visit of Miami Hurricanes QB Carson Beck to the Steelers' facility. Should GM Omar Khan and coach Mike McCarthy be legitimately interested in the college veteran? How does he compare to internal options Mason Rudolph and Will Howard? Could he be a viable starter if Aaron Rodgers doesn't return? One who could g...

Post-Gazette Pirates insider Colin Beazley offers his thoughts on Pittsburgh connections to the World Baseball Classic as in winds down in Miami. He weighs in on the performances of ace starter Paul Skenes as well as area natives David Bednar and Mason Miller as they've pitched in key roles out of the bullpen for Team USA. He also checks in on former catcher Francisco Cervelli after his magical ru...

Post-Gazette Penguins insider King Jemison breaks down the team's 7-2 win over the league-leading Colorado Avalanche on Monday night amid massive performances from Erik Karlsson and Evgeni Malkin, playing his first game since being suspended for a slash to Rasmus Dahlin's upper body. This show is presented by FanDuel. How good was Malkin in his first game back? Did his two first-period goals set t...

On the Tuesday episode of the North Shore Drive podcast, presented by FanDuel, host Adam Bittner welcomes Post-Gazette Steelers insider Ray Fittipaldo to react to the Steelers' lack of moves at the QB position during NFL free agency. Is this a sign from GM Omar Khan and coach Mike McCarthy that they have faith in Aaron Rodgers' return and Mason Rudolph and Will Howard as his backups? Would Howard...

Now that Post-Gazette Pitt insiders Stephen Thompson and Abby Schnable don't have a coaching search to worry about, they dive into what next season's roster could look like for Jeff Capel's Panthers. This show is presented by FanDuel. How will Pitt fill out its roster? Who will return and who will transfer? Who should be the staff's top retention priority — Roman Siulepa, Omari Witherspoon or Noju...

We're down to the Final Four in PIAA basketball, and our award-winning Post-Gazette dynamic duo of high school sports editor Keith Barnes and Mike White break down the boys and girls games involving WPIAL teams and which ones they believe will be playing this weekend in Hershey! They also take a look at the recently released conferences for the 2026 and 2027 football seasons and give their opinion...

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 analyze the team's moves in NFL free agency last week. Is physicality a point of emphasis for new coach Mike McCarthy with Michael Pittman Jr. and Rico Dowdle joining names like DK Metcalf, Jaylen Warren, Darnell Washin...

Post-Gazette Steelers insiders Gerry Dulac and Ray Fittipaldo react to the introductory news conferences for newly signed NFL free agents Michael Pittman Jr., Jamel Dean and Rico Dowdle. Why was Pittman impressive as he described his career to this point an his aspirations to work alongside names like DK Metcalf, Mike McCarthy, Aaron Rodgers and others within the Steelers offense? Why does Dean fe...

Post-Gazette Pitt insiders Stephen Thompson and Abby Schnable react to the unexpected news that men's basketball coach Jeff Capel will be retained for the 2026-27 season. This show is presented by FanDuel. What went into the decision by athletic director Allen Greene? Did anybody see this coming? Was Capel's reportedly eight-figure buyout prohibitive? Or was this strictly a basketball decision? Wa...

Post-Gazette Penguins insider King Jemison takes a look at where the team stands without Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin after an ugly 6-2 road loss to the Vegas Golden Knights on Thursday. This show is presented by FanDuel. What went wrong for the Penguins in Sin City? Why were they so prone to silly mistakes that they've been able to avoid for the most part this season? Are they trending downwar...

On the Friday episode of the North Shore Drive podcast, presented by FanDuel and Edgar Snyder & Associates, Post-Gazette Steelers insiders Christopher Carter and Brian Batko react to the signing of safety Jaquan Brisker. Is the local product the team's answer at safety this offseason? How will he fit alongside other secondary members including Joey Porter Jr., Jalen Ramsey and Jamel Dean? And...

On his weekly Chipped Ham & Football podcast, Post-Gazette Steelers insider Brian Batko welcomes ESPN's Brooke Pryor to react to the team's moves in NFL free agency so far. What are the pros and cons for GM Omar Khan's moves for players including Michael Pittman Jr., Jamel Dean, Rico Dowdle, Darnell Savage and others? Did the Steelers mess up in 2022 in selecting Kenny Pickett in the NFL draft...

Live around 5 p.m., Post-Gazette sports columnist Paul Zeise reacts to the Steelers' AFC North rival Baltimore Ravens pulling out of a trade to acquire star pass rusher Maxx Crosby from the Las Vegas Raiders then subsequently signing Trey Hendrickson from the division rival Cincinnati Bengals. Did the dramatic turn of events help or hurt the Steelers in the long run? Should the Ravens be under scr...

Post-Gazette Pirates insider Colin Beazley and Noah Hiles report from the team's 7-2 loss to the Orioles on Wednesday and break down the latest news and notes from the team. With Konnor Griffin still in the mix at spring training, has he moved himself any closer to securing a spot on the opening day roster? When should we be worried about the collective slump of the Pirates' two catchers, Joey Bar...

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 react to the latest news from NFL free agency. What does Darnell Savage -- the Steelers' latest signing -- add to the secondary next to names like Joey Porter Jr., Jamel Dean and Jalen Ramsey? Does he fill...

Live around 5 p.m., Post-Gazette sports columnist Paul Zeise reacts to a quiet Day 2 of the "legal tampering" period before NFL free agency begins Wednesday. Has Steelers GM Omar Khan done enough to make his roster better with the additions of Michael Pittman Jr., Rico Dowdle and Jamel Dean? Or are clearer answers at the quarterback and guard positions still needed? Is Kirk Cousins a rea...

On the Tuesday episode of the North Shore Drive podcast, presented by FanDuel, host Adam Bittner welcomes Post-Gazette Steelers insider Ray Fittipaldo to analyze the team's move on Day 1 of the "legal tampering" period ahead of NFL free agency. What kind of replacement will Rico Dowdle be for Kenneth Gainwell within coach Mike McCarthy's offense? Will he be the No. 1 running back over Ja...

Live around 5 p.m., Post-Gazette sports columnist Paul Zeise welcomes Steelers insider Christopher Carter to react to the first day of the so-called "legal tampering" period ahead of NFL free agency. Specifically, they offer thoughts on major moves for Jamel Dean and Michael Pittman Jr. from GM Omar Khan and new coach Mike McCarthy. How much can Dean help the secondary across from Joey P...

With the PIAA basketball playoffs in full swing, our award-winning Post-Gazette dynamic duo of high school sports editor Keith Barnes and the venerable Mike White have a little fun with school and mascot names, look at who might be the frontrunners for boys and girls coaches of the year and make predictions on the second round of the tournament. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.ad...

Host Adam Bittner welcomes Post-Gazette Steelers insider Brian Batko to react to the Steelers big trade for Indianapolis Colts receiver Michael Pittman Jr. Is he exactly the type of player they needed as a No. 2 wideout opposite DK Metcalf? Did GM Omar Khan and coach Mike McCarthy do the right thing in giving Pittman a rich contract worth close to $20 million per season? What impact will this deal...