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

Post-Gazette sports columnist Jason Mackey joins host Adam Bittner to talk about Paul Skenes' future in Pittsburgh. Is a contract extension with the National League Cy Young candidate a legit possibility? Or does he have little incentive to sign unless GM Ben Cherington can prove an ability to put a winning roster around him? And would owner Bob Nutting even approve such an expenditure if Skenes was interested?

Our duo tackles thos...

In this clip from the Friday episode of the North Shore Drive podcast, presented by Edgar Snyder & Associates, host Adam Bittner and Post-Gazette sports columnist Jason Mackey wonder whether the Steelers defense can live up to the hype that's grown for the unit throughout training camp.

Has the unit made enough changes to be elite? From adding veterans like Darius Slay Jr. and Jalen Ramsey to drafting rookies including Derrick ...

In this clip from the Friday episode of the North Shore Drive podcast, presented by Edgar Snyder & Associates, host Adam Bittner and Post-Gazette sports columnist Jason Mackey react to coach Mike Tomlin's long list of 15 Steelers veterans who are being held out of the NFL preseason opener against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Is it smart to rest names like Aaron Rodgers, DK Metcalf, Jonnu Smith, Jalen Ramsey, T.J. Watt, Cam Heyward...

Live around 5 p.m., Post-Gazette sports columnist Paul Zeise reacts to a report that DL Cam Heyward is holding in at Steelers training camp in pursuit of a restructured contract.

Does the defensive captain deserve a new deal after signing an extension just a year ago? Especially at his advanced age for his position of 36? Should GM Omar Khan and coach Mike Tomlin be devoting even more resources to their defense, which also includes...

Post-Gazette insiders Christopher Carter and Brian Batko recap practice at Steelers training camp at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe.

They detail notable veterans who will miss the NFL preseason opener Saturday against the Jacksonville Jaguars, including T.J. Watt, Jalen Ramsey, Jaylen Warren, DK Metcalf and others, according to coach Mike Tomlin.

They also note the progress of the offense in practice, particularly in attacking th...

In his weekly Pirates mailbag podcast, Post-Gazette insider Noah Hiles answers reader questions. Among them: Why haven't top prospects Bubba Chandler and Hunter Barco been called up already, and will they be soon? Is the front office not as high on Billy Cook and Nick Yorke as we may have thought? Is there anything for fans to buy into heading into next season? Are the Pirates discussing a contract extension with Paul Skenes? And i...

Post-Gazette sports columnist Paul Zeise gives his thoughts on the Steelers preseason opener against the Jacksonville Jaguars this weekend live around 5 p.m. Eastern.

Will Broderick Jones prove he's ready for left tackle duties, as the the young offensive line that also includes Zach Frazier, Mason McCormick & Troy Fautanu seeks to find its way? How will Kaleb Johnson run the ball as he jockeys for playing time in a backfield t...

Pirates insiders Noah Hiles and Colin Beazley discuss the state of the club's starting pitching staff and bullpen after their series loss to the San Francisco Giants at PNC Park. With the rotation showing signs of fatigue after short starts by Johan Oviedo, Mike Burrows and Andrew Heaney, plus a few key arms like Dennis Santana and Isaac Mattson taking on new roles in the bullpen, Noah and Colin debate if adding more young arms int...

Post-Gazette insiders Gerry Dulac and Ray Fittipaldo recap practice at Steelers training camp at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe.

They break down the latest Will Howard injury news, which is that the rookie QB is expected to miss the entire NFL preseason with a broken hand, opening up reps for names like Mason Rudolph and Skyler Thompson. They also analyze the punting battle between Cameron Johnston and Corliss Waitman. And react ...

Quarterback Aaron Rodgers speaks with assembled media ahead of practice at Steelers training camp at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe. He speaks on his growing chemistry with receiver Roman Wilson as he looks to find his place in the receivers room alongside Calvin Austin III and DK Metcalf; his relationship with OC Arthur Smith that's included long meetings in the evening; his thoughts on backup QB Will Howard amid his recent inju...

On the Wednesday episode of the North Shore Drive podcast, presented by Edgar Snyder & Associates, host Adam Bittner welcomes Post-Gazette insider Christopher Carter to analyze the team's increasing volume of injuries during Steelers training camp.

How much will Will Howard's hand injury -- which reportedly will keep him out at least three weeks -- stymie his progress in challenging Mason Rudolph for the No. 2 QB job? How much ...

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 whether Steelers GM Omar Khan and coach Mike Tomlin have cultivated enough depth this offseason. Yes, they made aggressive moves for big veteran names like Aaron Rodgers, Jalen Ramsey, Jonnu Smith and DK Metcalf to surround existing stars like T.J. Watt, Cam Heyward and Joey Porter Jr. But is the...

Post-Gazette Steelers insiders Christopher Carter and Ray Fittipaldo break down Tuesday's training camp practice, which, for the first time since they arrived in Latrobe, was dominated by the offense. Is this a sign of things to come from Aaron Rodgers and his unit after performing well during the "seven shots" drill? What does it mean for the wide receiver corps that Rodgers formed a connection with Roman Wilson, who had...

Post-Gazette Pirates insider Colin Beazley recaps the last week in Pirates minor league baseball, including where the nine MLB trade deadline acquisitions made by GM Ben Cherington slotted in in the Pirates' top-30 prospects list. Former Reds farmhand Sammy Stafura made a strong debut in Bradenton after the Ke'Bryan Hayes trade, earning a promotion to Greensboro. While former New York Yankees prospect and prize of the David Bednar ...

On the Tuesday episode of the North Shore Drive podcast, Post-Gazette sports columnist Jason Mackey and insider Ray Fittipaldo react to the first full week of Steelers training camp.

Why does coach Mike Tomlin seem more upbeat that usual? And what does it signal for his plans as he welcomes new veterans including Aaron Rodgers, Jalen Ramsey, Jonnu Smith and DK Metcalf to his lineup this coming season?

Our duo tackles those question...

Post-Gazette Pirates insider Colin Beazley discusses Paul Skenes' recent comments to the Post-Gazette on the Pirates' MLB 2025 trade deadline, in which they dealt away names including David Bednar, Bailey Falter and Ke'Bryan Hayes and shifted their focus towards 2026. Skenes is hopeful that the moves will allow the Pirates to make some acquisitions and add to the offense in the offseason. Beazley then compares this with comments ma...

On the Monday episode of the North Shore Drive podcast, presented by Edgar Snyder & Associates, Post-Gazette insiders Christopher Carter and Ray Fittipaldo analyze the offensive line struggles at Steelers training camp at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe.

They ponder whether coach Mike Tomlin and OC Arthur Smith can get the inconsistency turned around ahead of the first NFL preseason game this week; whether Broderick Jones is i...

On the Friday episode of the North Shore Drive podcast, presented by Edgar Snyder & Associates, Post-Gazette insiders Christopher Carter and Brian Batko preview the "Friday Night Lights" practice of Steelers training camp at Latrobe Memorial Stadium.

The explain why patience is still warrented for Aaron Rodgers amid inconsistency in practices so far, as he works to get on the same page as OC Arthur Smith and teammates...

Post-Gazette Pirates insiders Noah Hiles and Colin Beazley analyze the Pirates' six trades at the 2025 deadline, as the team traded stalwarts David Bednar, Ke'Bryan Hayes, Bailey Falter and others for prospects. Beazley and Hiles discuss each return and whether the Pirates got enough in return or not, before flipping to the greater issue: that the Pirates were unable to trade several veterans on expiring deals. And what about the f...