On the Wednesday episode of the North Shore Drive podcast, presented by Edgar Snyder & Associates, Steelers insiders Christopher Carter and Ray Fittipaldo of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette break down all things Day 3 of NFL free agency. Has waiting on the quarterback position caused GM Omar Khan to miss on other potentially big free-agent signings? Is Darius Slay Jr. the right fit at CB for the Steelers' defense heading into 2025? Also, how will Tuesday night's signing of Kenneth Gainwell affect Pittsburgh's RB room heading into training camp? For more sports, visit post-gazette.com.
Post-Gazette sports columnist Paul Zeise reacts to the day in Pittsburgh sports news live around 5 p.m. Eastern.
How much should Aaron Rodgers be worth to the Steelers in NFL free agency? Is he worth $40 million or more per year? How much would be too much to pay him as negotiations drag on, with Russell Wilson still available in the market? And should GM Omar Khan, coach Mike Tomlin and Co. consider seeking a trade for the Patriots' Joe Milton III?
Paul tackles those topics, then gives his thoughts on the Kenneth Gainwell signing. Is the former Philadelphia Eagle an adequate replacement for Najee Harris? Or just a placeholder next to Jaylen Warren for now? And should the Steelers still pursue an NFL draft running back like Ashton Jeanty, Omarion Hampton or Quinshon Judkins in later rounds if they're available?
On their weekly Pirates mailbag video, Post-Gazette insiders Noah Hiles and Andrew Destin answer reader questions from spring training in Bradenton, Fla.
With a plethora of young arms that need worked into the major league fold, could manager Derek Shelton and the Pirates opt for a six-man rotation? Does DJ Stewart have a chance to make the opening day roster after a strong spring? Is there any chance the oft-injured Ke'Bryan Hayes could be traded? Have there been any discussions with Endy Rodriguez about potentially playing first base, given the logjam the Pirates have at catcher? Our duo answers those questions, plus gives a few names they think could be surprise picks to make the opening day roster.
Steelers insider Brian Batko of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette is joined by 93.7 The Fan's Austin Bechtold on the latest episode of Chipped Ham & Football to break down all things NFL free agency. Has GM Omar Khan made enough moves as of Tuesday, and is it now Aaron Rodgers or bust for Pittsburgh's starting QB spot in 2025? The guys discuss the new-look Steelers defense with Monday's signings of Malik Harrison and Darius Slay Jr., as well as the departure of veteran Elandon Roberts. They also touch on a possible Russell Wilson reunion and analyze the decisions of both trading for DK Metcalf from the Seattle Seahawks and letting Justin Fields go to the New York Jets for a reported $30 million guaranteed and $40 million overall. For more sports, visit post-gazette.com.
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 Post-Gazette colleague Gerry Dulac's report that the Steelers have not ruled out a reunion with Russell Wilson at quarterback after NFL free agency targets including Justin Fields signed elsewhere? Where does Aaron Rodgers belong in the presently fluid quarterback situation? Should general manager Omar Khan and coach Mike Tomlin have matched the $9.25 million asking price that Najee Harris ultimately agreed to with the Los Angeles Chargers? And what are the remaining free agency moves the Steelers should consider? Paul tackles those questions and more.
Post-Gazette Pirates insider Noah Hiles discusses his key takeaways from the team's 9-1 win vs. the Yankees on Tuesday afternoon at LECOM Park in Bradenton, Fla. How did Paul Skenes look in another spring training tune-up? Is he getting closer to the form we can expect in the regular season following a National League Rookie of the Year award-winning first campaign? Oneil Cruz hit another home run today, this one with an exit velocity clocked at 114.9 mph. How can Cruz translate his impressive power numbers from spring training into regular season success? Billy Cook also hit a round tripper Tuesday. Where might he find a spot in the lineup? And Ji Hwan Bae continued his strong spring with two doubles and two runs scored. Is Bae poised for a breakout? Noah answers those questions and more.
On the Monday episode of the North Shore Drive podcast, presented by Edgar Snyder & Associates, Steelers insiders Christopher Carter and Ray Fittipaldo of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette react to a lackluster opening day of free agency in which the team still doesn't have a franchise starting QB on its roster. Did the Steelers simply miss out on a viable QB after Justin Fields left for the Jets and Sam Darnold signed with the Seahawks? Or did Omar Khan and company just avoid overpaying Fields after he received $30 million in guaranteed money from New York? How are comp picks lining up for Pittsburgh ahead of April's NFL draft? Also, the guys discuss Monday's signings of Darius Slay Jr. and Malik Harrison, as well as the possible signing of Aaron Rodgers. For more sports, visit post-gazette.com.
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 agreeing to a two-year contract with the New York Jets instead of the Steelers? Did Omar Khan and coach Mike Tomlin make the right choice to let them go? Or should the Steelers have pushed harder to match the Jets' offer? What's next at quarterback? Do all signs point to Aaron Rodgers? Or should Russell Wilson still be an option?
Paul gives his thoughts on those questions, then reacts to the trade for DK Metcalf and the signing of Darius Slay. How will Metcalf fit in the existing receivers room that includes George Pickens, Calvin Austin III and Roman Wilson? And how much can Slay help the secondary alongside Joey Porter Jr. and Minkah Fitzpatrick?
The Post-Gazette Christopher Carter and Adam Bittner react live to news that the team has traded for Seattle Seahawks star DK Metcalf and signed him to a reported 5-year $150-million extension.
How will he fit into the receiving corps with George Pickens, Calvin Austin III and Roman Wilson? Did GM Omar Khan and coach Mike Tomlin pay the right price of a second-round draft pick and a huge contract for the 27-year-old? And what does this mean for the QB choice of Russell Wilson, Justin Fields, Aaron Rodgers or someone else?
On their weekly Steelers mock draft tracker recap, host Adam Bittner and Post-Gazette Steelers insider Ray Fittipaldo recap the week in projected NFL draft picks for the team from around the Internet.
-Why are Alfred Collins and Darius Alexander desirable as possible Day 2 picks at DT, even if GM Omar Khan and coach Mike Tomlin opt to select projected Day 1 guys like Kenneth Grant, Derrick Harmon and Walter Nolen in the first round?
-Should the Steelers consider QB Shedeur Sanders if he drops down draft boards, as leading mock drafters including Dan Brugler and Lance Zierlein have predicted this past week?
-How does Ray rank the receiver trio of Matthew Golden, Emeka Egbuka and Luther Burden III, which continues to dominate the projections for the Steelers nationally?
-How closely should the Steelers be watching corners including Will Johnson, Maxwell Hairston and Jacob Parrish as options to pair with Joey Porter Jr.?
-And is the fourth round the right range for the Steelers to take a QB like Will Howard to pair with Justin Fields, Russell Wilson, Aaron Rodgers or whomever they sign to be the starter?