In his weekly Pirates mailbag, insider Noah Hiles answers readers questions while the team plays on the West Coast. Will hot-hitting Enmanuel Valdez have a spot when Spencer Horwitz and Nick Gonzales return from injuries? Will Henry Davis go back to Triple-A when Endy Rodriguez comes back? And was Andrew McCutchen forced on Ben Cherington and Derek Shelton?
Post-Gazette sports columnist Jason Mackey joins host Adam Bittner to give his thoughts on the Steelers, the NFL draft, the end of the Penguins’ season and the Pirates’ West Coast road trip.
On the football side, is Derrick Harmon the most uncomplicated pick for GM Omar Khan and coach Mike Tomlin? What about Kenneth Grant and Walter Nolen along the defensive line? And where do QBs Sheduer Sanders and Jaxson Dart fit into that conversation?
Later, the duo reacts to Penguins GM Kyle Dubas appearing to signal in post-season comments Tuesday that he's looking more toward 2026-27 than next season in terms of competing meaningfully in the Eastern Conference. Is he being too passive with Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang on the roster? How aggressively should he shop in NHL free agency this summer? Or move bad contracts owed to Tristan Jarry, Erik Karlsson and Ryan Graves? And where does coach Mike Sullivan figure into all of it?
Then finally, in a segment airing on the Post-Gazette’s Pirates YouTube channel, the guys react to Andrew McCutchen’s angst about his playing time. Does he deserve better from manager Derek Shelton and GM Ben Cherington? How much longer does McCutchen plan to play? And is Shelton’s lineup turnover an overall problem as well?
Our duo tackles those questions, then discusses the team’s mediocre record when Paul Skenes is on the mound and pressure on owner Bob Nutting after loud “sell the team” chants continued during the last homestand.
On a special Thursday edition of the North Shore Drive podcast, presented by Edgar Snyder & Associates, Post-Gazette Steelers insiders Ray Fittipaldo and Christopher Carter preview the first round of the NFL draft.
How closely is GM Omar Khan really eyeing QBs including Shedeur Sanders, Jaxson Dart and Jalen Milroe as he holds the No. 21 overall pick? Could he and coach Mike Tomlin really pull the trigger and take one of those guys? Or are they trying to keep other teams guessing?
If the Steelers don't go quarterback, is the eventual pick likely to come from the group of DLs Derrick Harmon, Kenneth Grant and Walter Nolen, or RBs Omarion Hampton and TreVeyon Henderson?
And what are the chances a trade happens? Could Khan to move back in the first round to add additional draft capital? Believing one of his top targets will still be available later? Could he move a T.J. Watt or George Pickens to make the night more interesting? And what should we make of comments by Tomlin and Khan about Aaron Rodgers? Our duo tackles all of that and more.
Post-Gazette sports columnist Paul Zeise reacts to the day in Pittsburgh sports news live around 5 p.m. Eastern. With the NFL draft looming, will Steelers GM Omar Khan and coach Mike Tomlin commit to George Pickens and T.J. Watt in the end? Or could one or both players still move on draft day if the team doesn't believe it will re-sign them for 2026 and beyond? What are Paul's final thoughts who the first-round pick will ultimately be? A defensive lineman like Kenneth Grant, Walter Nolen or Derrick Harmon? A QB like Shedeur Sanders of Jaxson Dart? Or someone from another position group like Omarion Hampton at RB or Jahdae Barron? And on the baseball front, what should we make of Andrew McCutchen's big night for the Pirates in a much-needed victory against the Los Angeles Angels on Tuesday night in Anaheim, Calif.?
Post-Gazette Pitt insiders Stephen Thompson and Abby Schnable preview the NFL draft, taking place Thursday through Saturday in Green Bay, Wis. Which Panthers are most likely to be selected this weekend? Is Konata Mumpfield a potential mid-round sleeper pick at wide receiver like Bub Means was a season ago? Will the 6-foot-6 Pitt captain Branson Taylor find a place on an NFL offensive line? Will Ben Sauls get the chance to prove himself as a kicker at the game's highest level? Will local product Donovan McMillon fulfill his NFL dreams? And what does this year's draft so about the overall state of Pat Narduzzi's program? Our duo answers those questions and more.
On his weekly Chipped Ham & Football podcast, Post-Gazette Steelers insider Brian Batko welcomes Wes Uhler of the Steelers Nation Radio for a seven-round NFL mock draft of possible picks for GM Omar Khan and coach Mike Tomlin. What's the best path for the first-round pick if defensive linemen like Derrick Harmon, Walter Nolen, Kenneth Grant, plus quarterbacks like Shedeur Sanders and Jaxson Dart are all available at pick No. 21 overall? Is CJ West a defensive line name worth knowing in the later rounds if the Steelers pass on DL in the first round? Is Trevor Eitenne the right guy to add to the RB room next to Kenneth Gainwell and Jaylen Warren? And why are Pat Bryant, Malachi Moore and Jalin Conyers among the names to watch in the later rounds? Our duo tackles those questions and more.
Post-Gazette columnist Paul Zeise reacts to the day in Pittsburgh sports news live around 5 p.m. Eastern.
What are the Steelers' biggest NFL draft needs beyond quarterback and defensive line? Assuming they take names like Derrick Harmon, Kenneth Grant, Walter Nolen, Shedeur Sanders or Jaxson Dart early, where should they look next? Is it cornerback and options including Shavon Revel Jr., Azareye'h Thomas or Trey Amos? What about running backs like TreVeyon Henderson, Dylan Sampson or Bhayshul Tuten? Or even receiver and players including Jayden Higgins, Jack Bech or Tre Harris?
Paul tackles those questions, then previews an important series for the Pirates against the Los Angeles Angels, in which Oneil Cruz, Andrew McCutchen and the offense hope to get on track.
Post-Gazette Pirates insider Noah Hiles previews the team's three-game series on the road against the Los Angeles Angels this week. With the team in a slide, will Derek Shelton seek to find more consistency with the lineups he puts out, eschewing the strategy of off days we've seen for players like Oneil Cruz and Andrew McCutchen already this season? What can we expect from the Pirates' probable starters in this series — Bailey Falter, Andrew Heaney and Carmen Mlodzinski? Is this Mlodzinski's last chance to prove he can be a viable option as a starting pitcher?
With the Angels likely to start former Pirate Tyler Anderson and former Pirates farmhand Jose Soriano this series, what does it say about the current state of the organization in Pittsburgh? Noah gives his scouting report of the Angels, who so far this season have showed power at the plate thanks to names like Mike Trout, Logan O'Hoppe, Kyren Paris and Taylor Ward but have struggled out of the bullpen. Noah answers those questions and more.
Post-Gazette Steelers insiders Gerry Dulac & Ray Fittipaldo react to the news conference held by GM Omar Khan and coach Mike Tomlin on Tuesday ahead of the NFL draft. What did the two have to say about the pursuit of Aaron Rodgers? And when might be the deadline for the star QB to sign? Was the praise Tomlin had for Colorado QB Shedeur Sanders a legit expression of interest? Or a smokescreen to throw other teams off the scent of what the Steelers may do? And which defensive linemen might they prefer between top options including Kenneth Grant, Derrick Harmon and Walter Nolen? Our duo tackles those questions and more.
Host Adam Bittner welcomes Post-Gazette/Daily Collegian insider Joel Haas to preview the NFL draft from a Penn State perspective.
Is Abdul Carter the best player available in this draft class? Or do names like Cam Ward and Travis Hunter deserve the title? Is Carter's best fit alongside Myles Garrett with the Cleveland Browns? Or as a face-of-the-franchise type for the New York Giants or Jacksonville Jaguars? How much should teams value TE Tyler Warren's diverse skill set? And how far could he slide down the order on Day 1 of the draft?
Later, the guys offer thoughts on names expected to go in later rounds. Can Kevin Winston Jr. slide into the late Day 2 range? How much has Kobe King helped his draft stock since a rough performance against Notre Dame in the College Football Playoff? And will Jaylen Reed's playmaking ability help him get selected?
Our duo tackles those topics, then pivots to spring football and NCAA transfer portal news for the Nittany Lions. Have Devonte Ross and Kyron Hudson proven they can help the receivers room in 2025? Will coach James Franklin add Syracuse WR Trebor Pena before the end of the spring transfer window? And are internal options like Tyseer Denmark, Kaden Saunders and Liam Clifford capable of stepping up to give QB Drew Allar more options in 2025?