Post-Gazette sports columnist Paul Zeise reacts to the day in Pittsburgh sports news live around 5 p.m. Eastern. Are GM Omar Khan, coach Mike Tomlin and the Steelers having a better or worse NFL offseason than their AFC North rivals? How do the Steelers acquisitions of names including DK Metcalf, Darius Slay, Kenneth Gainwell and -- potentially -- Aaron Rodgers stack up with what the Browns have done in extending star pass rusher Myles Garrett? What about the Bengals and their key extensions for receivers Tee Higgins and Ja'Marr Chase? Or the Baltimore Ravens with WR DeAndre Hopkins? Paul tackles those topics, the reacts to the latest from Pirates spring training as they prepare to open their season Thursday.
On his weekly Chipped Ham & Football podcast, Post-Gazette Steelers insider Brian Batko welcomes New York Post Jets beat writer Brian Costello to figure out what's true and what's not about Aaron Rodgers' tenure with that team, as Steelers GM Omar Khan and coach Mike Tomlin pursue the QB in NFL free agency.
Was Rodgers really a distraction for the Jets, as many believe because of his outspoken views beyond football? Or was he a better teammate than he's given credit for in a locker room with names like Davante Adams, Garrett Wilson, Breece Hall and others? And how might he fit in a Steelers locker room that includes stars such as George Pickens, DK Metcalf, Cam Heyward, T.J. Watt and others?
Our duo tackles those questions, then ponders the future of former Steelers QB Justin Fields in New York.
Post-Gazette sports columnist Paul Zeise reacts to the day in Pittsburgh sports news live around 5 p.m. Eastern.
Is Aaron Rodgers a good potential fit with Steelers OC Arthur Smith's offense? How would it change compared to what we saw last season with Russell Wilson and Justin Fields behind center? And what impact will the acquisition of DK Metcalf to play across from George Pickens at receiver have on what Smith would like to do?
Paul tackles those questions and more from around the sports world. What are his thoughts on the first weekend of March Madness, with mostly major-conference teams advancing? And what should we make of the Pirates' roster decisions announced so far -- including Endy Rodriguez making the team --ahead of Opening Day on Thursday?
Post-Gazette Pirates insider Noah Hiles briefly discusses the team's 5-1 loss to the Twins in their final spring training contest Monday then gives his key takeaways as the team's opening day roster starts to take shape. Manager Derek Shelton informed reporters Monday morning that Carmen Mlodzinski will start the season as part of the Pirates' starting rotation. Is this just a quick fix in Jared Jones' absence or will Mlodzinski make the jump to being a starter full time? Speaking of Jones, how will his absence affect the team in the short term and — if necessary — the long term? Finally, who has the easiest path to the final roster spots, as six players — Peter Strzelecki, Hunter Stratton, Justin Lawrence, Joey Wentz, Ryan Borucki and Tanner Rainey — vie for three bullpen spots and three players — Jack Suwinski, Ji Hwan Bae and DJ Stewart — compete for the last two position-player spots? Noah answers those questions and more.
On the Monday episode of the North Shore Drive podcast, presented by Edgar Snyder & Associates, Post-Gazette Steelers insiders Christopher Carter and Ray Fittipaldo weigh in on the team's continuing pursuit of QB Aaron Rodgers in NFL free agency.
Have GM Omar Khan, coach Mike Tomlin and top brass for team reached desperation for Rodgers to sign? Or is that need overstated? With Mason Rudolph already under contract and other free agent and trade options remaining, including Russell Wilson, Joe Flacco, Kirk Cousins and Joe Milton III? And with the likelihood of adding Rodgers eventually already fairly high, given his lack of other options?
Our duo tackles those questions, then ponders the upside of NFL draft QBs. Will names including Shedeur Sanders, Jaxson Dart, Will Howard and Jalen Milroe ever be stars in the NFL? Or are they poised to be career backups? And how should that distinction figure into the Steelers' decision making?
Then Chris and Ray end the show by talking safeties. How good will the Steelers' group -- led by Minkah Fitzpatrick and DeShon Elliott -- be after the signing of free agent Juan Thornhill?
Pirates insider Noah Hiles analyzes a couple opening day roster decisions, leading with Endy Rodriguez making the team as both a catcher and first baseman. Where will the once-top prospect ultimately fit in? Why did hard-throwing Kyle Nicolas NOT make the opening day roster? And does Jared Triolo have a new position to work with in center field?
To read more about the roster moves, check out Noah's story here: https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/pirates/2025/03/23/pittsburgh-vs-blue-jays-rodriguez-nicolas/stories/202503230103
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On their weekly Steelers NFL mock draft tracker podcast, host Adam Bittner and Post-Gazette Steelers insider Brian Batko recap the week in projected picks for the team from around the Internet.
-Is Derrick Harmon of Oregon emerging as the new consensus first-round choice, as receivers like Emeka Egbuka, Matthew Golden and Luther Burden III fade following the DK Metcalf trade? And how does Harmon compare to other possible Day 1 options like Michigan's Kenneth Grant?
-Why do RB Omarion Hampton and CB Jahdae Brown remain popular choices despite the Steelers signing Kenneth Gainwell and Darius Slay at their respective positions via NFL free agency?
-What should we make of the volatile draft stock of QBs like Shedeur Sanders and Jaxson Dart? How realistic are they as Day 1 options for the Steelers as the drama swirling around Aaron Rodgers and Russell Wilson persists?
-Will Alfred Collins be available as a potential late Day 2 option on the defensive line?
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?