Post-Gazette Pirates insider Noah Hiles reacts to Paul Skenes' final MLB spring training start, in which he looked sharp in a loss to the Orioles. Is he ready to dominate with Opening Day looming this week and an injury to Jared Jones leaving question marks hanging over the rotation? Why is D.J. Stewart looking more comfortable at first base? And what can we expect from Hunter Stratton amid his return?
On his weekly Saturday Conversations podcast, Post-Gazette sports columnist Jason Mackey welcomes fellow Post-Gazette columnist Gene Collier to talk through his career and all things Pittsburgh sports.
What does Gene think of the Steelers' current waiting game with the enigmatic Aaron Rodgers? Would Russell Wilson or even Mason Rudolph be a better choice? And what about Justin Fields? Jason and Gene also talk about the great T.J. Watt and whether the Steelers should trade the superstar — or if they would ever even consider it.
Gene and Jason also talk about their expectations for the Pirates as opening day quickly approaches and their differing opinions on how the season could go. The duo also talks about Gene's career; the difference in writing sports columns vs. political columns; his annual "Trite Trophy" column; how Gene developed his unique writing style; and more.
Post-Gazette sports columnist Paul Zeise reacts to the day in Pittsburgh sports news live around 5 p.m. Eastern.
What is a realistic ceiling for the Steelers with QB Aaron Rodgers, should they sign him via NFL free agency after his visit to the team facility Friday? Could his take weapons including DK Metcalf and George Pickens to a playoff win? Or more? What is the worst-case scenario with Rodgers for coach Mike Tomlin, GM Omar Khan and the team's top brass? Could Tomlin suffer his first losing season if Rodgers shows his age?
Paul tackles those topics, then reacts to Robert Morris putting a scare into Alabama in the NCAA Tournament. How proud should the Colonials be of their season after winning the Horizon League for the first time and returning to March Madness for the first time since 2015?
On the Friday episode of the North Shore Drive, presented by Edgar Snyder & Associates, Post-Gazette Steelers insiders Christopher Carter and Brian Batko react to a report from colleague Gerry Dulac that Aaron Rodgers is meeting with top brass including coach Mike Tomlin, GM Omar Khan and owner Art Rooney II at the team's facility.
Is a deal with the free agent QB imminent? Could he still take his time and ponder his options some more? And what could his potential move to Pittsburgh mean for the rest of the QB market, including names Russell Wilson, Jameis Winston, Joe Flacco and others?
Our duo tackles those questions and more, including: How could this year's NFL draft QB class of names like Shedeur Sanders, Jaxson Dart, Will Howard, Jalen Milroe and the others fit into the team's future? And what should we make of Najee Harris' criticism of the Steelers since signing with the Los Angeles Chargers last week?
On their weekly Pirates mailbag video, Post-Gazette insiders Noah Hiles and Andrew Destin answer reader questions from spring training in Bradenton, Fla.
If David Bednar continues to struggle, who could be the closer for manager Derek Shelton and the Pirates? Dennis Santana? Colin Holderman? Some combination of multiple bullpen arms? Do Noah and Andrew see the Pirates making any last-minute additions like they did with Michael A. Taylor last season? Who are some candidates to be cut or released before opening day? Are the Pirates in the market for another starting pitcher after the impending injury to Jared Jones? Noah and Andrew end by giving out some spring training awards.
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' first public comments since choosing the New York Jets over the Steelers in NFL free agency? Is it a problem that he preferred the Jets' Aaron Glenn to the Steelers' Mike Tomlin as his coach? Did the Steelers miss an opportunity to build around Fields by turning to Russell Wilson at midseason last year? And who will have the better 2025? Fields? Wilson? Or Aaron Rodgers?
Paul tackles those questions; reacts to Najee Harris' criticism of the Steelers culture and facilities; then weighs in with his expectations for March Madness as the NCAA tournament begins in earnest.
On their weekly podcast, host Adam Bittner and Post-Gazette sports columnist Jason Mackey react to repeated criticism of the Steelers by former RB Najee Harris. Should we be surprised at his bitterness toward Mike Tomlin, Arthur Smith and the team he leaves behind? Or is he right about the culture and facilities being an impediment toward team success?
On the QB front, should GM Omar Khan really want Aaron Rodgers as his protracted decision making process shows a lack of enthusiasm for joining the team via NFL free agency? And how fractured must the relationship with Russell Wilson be that the team still won't turn to him?
As March Madness begins without Pitt, Penn State and West Virginia, which program is in the best position to return next year? The worst? And what should the Penguins' goals be for the remainder of the season as their Stanley Cup playoff hopes look bleak?
Our duo tackles those question, then talks Pirates. Did GM Ben Cherington bet too hard on the team's rotation amid the potentially serious injury to Jared Jones? Will the rotation led by Paul Skenes and Mitch Keller manage without him? Who are the best options to fill out the rest of the group? Veterans like Bailey Falter and Andrew Heaney? Or youngsters like Thomas Harrington, Bubba Chandler and Carmen Mlodzinski? And why is Jason bullish on the Tommy Pham signing and how he could influence young players like Henry Davis, Jared Triolo and Jack Suwinski?
Post-Gazette sports columnist Paul Zeise reacts LIVE to a busy day of Pittsburgh sports news around 5 p.m. Eastern.
Should coach Mike Tomlin, GM Omar Khan and the Steelers’ brain trust pivot in their quarterback plans, as Aaron Rodgers is reportedly not close to an NFL free agency decision despite the Minnesota Vikings deciding against pursuing him? If so, should they consider other free agent options like Joe Flacco, Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston? What about potential trade targets such as Atlanta’s Kirk Cousins or New England’s Joe Milton III?
Paul tackles those questions, then reacts to news that Pirates starter Jared Jones is out for the rest of MLB spring training with elbow discomfort. Can the rotation led by Paul Skenes and Mitch Keller manage without him? And which backup options, including Thomas Harrington and Bubba Chandler, deserve the closest looks?
On the Wednesday episode of the North Shore Drive podcast, presented by Edgar Snyder & Associates, Post-Gazette Steelers insiders Christopher Carter and Ray Fittipaldo react to news that the team dined with Alabama QB Jalen Milroe at the Crimson Tide's pro day this week.
Are GM Omar Khan and coach Mike Tomlin genuinely interested in adding Milroe to their QB room? Why might his skill set be on their radar? How does he compare to other possible NFL draft QB options including Jaxson Dart and Will Howard?
In segment two, the guys give their thoughts on news that the Minnesota Vikings are out of the Aaron Rodgers sweepstakes. Does this mean he's more likely to join the Steelers over other possibilities including Russell Wilson? How much longer will this QB drama need to play out?
Then in the third segment, Ray and Chris analyze the signing of safety Juan Thornhill. What does he bring to the table alongside names including Minkah Fitzpatrick and DeShon Elliott?
Post-Gazette insider Noah Hiles reports on MLB breaking news that SP Jared Jones has been sidelined for the rest of Pirates spring training with elbow discomfort. Manager Derek Shelton made the announcement early Wednesday.
What details do we know about the injury so far? What could it mean for the makeup of the rotating with Opening Day just eight days away? If Jones is forced to miss significant time, who could take his spot in the rotation alongside names like Paul Skenes, Andrew Heaney and Mitch Keller? Could it be prospect Thomas Harrington? Or converted reliever Carmen Mlodzinski? Noah tackles those questions and more.