On his weekly Chipped Ham & Football podcast, Post-Gazette Steelers insider Brian Batko welcomes ESPN's Brooke Pryor to react to the team's moves in NFL free agency so far.
What are the pros and cons for GM Omar Khan's moves for players including Michael Pittman Jr., Jamel Dean, Rico Dowdle, Darnell Savage and others? Did the Steelers mess up in 2022 in selecting Kenny Pickett in the NFL draft instead of top free agents this year including Alec Pierce and Malik Willis? And to what degree have Khan and coach Mike McCarthy centered their offseason on an expectation of Aaron Rodgers returning at QB? Our duo tackles those questions and more.
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Live around 5 p.m., Post-Gazette sports columnist Paul Zeise reacts to the Steelers' AFC North rival Baltimore Ravens pulling out of a trade to acquire star pass rusher Maxx Crosby from the Las Vegas Raiders then subsequently signing Trey Hendrickson from the division rival Cincinnati Bengals.
Did the dramatic turn of events help or hurt the Steelers in the long run? Should the Ravens be under scrutiny from the league for the way the ill-fated trade played out? Does the Ravens' roster depletion — which included names like Tyler Linderbaum and Isaiah Likely — make them vulnerable as the perceived 2026 frontrunners in the division? Or will star QB Lamar Jackson and running back Derrick Henry always make that team dangerous?
Paul tackles those questions, plus gives his thoughts on the Cam Heyward extension and Darnell Savage signing from the Steelers.
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Post-Gazette Pirates insider Colin Beazley and Noah Hiles report from the team's 7-2 loss to the Orioles on Wednesday and break down the latest news and notes from the team.
With Konnor Griffin still in the mix at spring training, has he moved himself any closer to securing a spot on the opening day roster? When should we be worried about the collective slump of the Pirates' two catchers, Joey Bart and Henry Davis? And what is the likelihood Paul Skenes' trip to the World Baseball Classic with Team USA gets cut short after manager Mark DeRosa's gaffe leaves them teetering on the edge of being eliminated? Our duo tackles those topics and more.
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On the Wednesday episode of the North Shore Drive podcast, presented by FanDuel and Edgar Snyder & Associates, host Adam Bittner welcomes Post-Gazette Steelers insider Christopher Carter to react to the latest news from NFL free agency.
What does Darnell Savage -- the Steelers' latest signing -- add to the secondary next to names like Joey Porter Jr., Jamel Dean and Jalen Ramsey? Does he fill the team's need there? Or do GM Omar Khan and coach Mike McCarthy need to be looking closely at prospects like Caleb Downs, Dillion Thieneman and Emmanuel McNeil-Warren in the NFL draft? What should we make of Cam Heyward's contract extensions? And does the Steelers' lack of moves beyond him on the defensive line highlight a draft need there for names like Kayden McDonald or Peter Woods to join Yahya Black, Derrick Harmon and Keeanu Benton?
Our duo tackles those questions, then ponders the Ravens' decision to back out of the trade involving Maxx Crosby and sign Trey Hendrickson instead. How does the drama shape the balance of power in the AFC North? And are the Steelers currently the most improved team in the division following the additions of names like Rico Dowdle and Michael Pittman Jr.?
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Live around 5 p.m., Post-Gazette sports columnist Paul Zeise reacts to a quiet Day 2 of the "legal tampering" period before NFL free agency begins Wednesday.
Has Steelers GM Omar Khan done enough to make his roster better with the additions of Michael Pittman Jr., Rico Dowdle and Jamel Dean? Or are clearer answers at the quarterback and guard positions still needed? Is Kirk Cousins a reasonable solution at QB if Aaron Rodgers decides to retire? Or should new coach Mike McCarthy focus on developing backup Will Howard? And what should we make of trade rumors swirling around linebacker Patrick Queen?
Paul tackles those question, plus all the the action around the AFC North.
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On the Tuesday episode of the North Shore Drive podcast, presented by FanDuel, host Adam Bittner welcomes Post-Gazette Steelers insider Ray Fittipaldo to analyze the team's move on Day 1 of the "legal tampering" period ahead of NFL free agency.
What kind of replacement will Rico Dowdle be for Kenneth Gainwell within coach Mike McCarthy's offense? Will he be the No. 1 running back over Jaylen Warren? Or will they split carries? What does the signing mean for Kaleb Johnson following a disappointing rookie years? What will Michael Pittman Jr. add to the receiver group across from DK Metcalf? And how does Jamel Dean bolster the secondary next to Joey Porter Jr., Asante Samuel Jr. and Jalen Ramsey?
Our duo tackles those question, then ponders widespread trade rumors involving Patrick Queen. Could GM Omar Khan really be looking to move on from him after he showed improvement in 2025? What could the Steelers reasonably use Queen's cap space on if they moved on from him at this stage? And where would Queen's potential departure leave the middle linebacker group that includes names like Cole Holcomb, Payton Wilson and Malik Harrison?
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Live around 5 p.m., Post-Gazette sports columnist Paul Zeise welcomes Steelers insider Christopher Carter to react to the first day of the so-called "legal tampering" period ahead of NFL free agency. Specifically, they offer thoughts on major moves for Jamel Dean and Michael Pittman Jr. from GM Omar Khan and new coach Mike McCarthy.
How much can Dean help the secondary across from Joey Porter Jr. at cornerback? What's next for Jalen Ramsey if Dean gets most reps outside? Where does Asante Samuel Jr. fit into the picture after re-signing earlier in the day? And could the Steelers still select a cornerback in the NFL draft next month.
On the receiver front, how complete is the Steelers' group with Pittman joining Metcalf? Do they still need to land a big draft name like Denzel Boston, Jordyn Tyson, Makai Lemon or Carnell Tate? Or is Roman Wilson enough?
Our duo tackles those questions, plus departures from names including Kenneth Gainwell and James Pierre.
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With the PIAA basketball playoffs in full swing, our award-winning Post-Gazette dynamic duo of high school sports editor Keith Barnes and the venerable Mike White have a little fun with school and mascot names, look at who might be the frontrunners for boys and girls coaches of the year and make predictions on the second round of the tournament.
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Host Adam Bittner welcomes Post-Gazette Steelers insider Brian Batko to react to the Steelers big trade for Indianapolis Colts receiver Michael Pittman Jr. Is he exactly the type of player they needed as a No. 2 wideout opposite DK Metcalf? Did GM Omar Khan and coach Mike McCarthy do the right thing in giving Pittman a rich contract worth close to $20 million per season? What impact will this deal make on Khan's draft plans? Specifically as it pertains to selecting a receiver from a loaded class that includes names like Carnell Tate, Jordyn Tyson, Denzel Boston, Makai Lemon and Omar Cooper Jr.? Should we make anything of the Colts choosing the younger Alec Pierce for an extension over Pittman? And what impact might this move make on Aaron Rodgers' willingness to return?
Our duo tackles those questions and offers thoughts on other moves around the NFL involving James Pierre, Kenneth Gainwell, Malik Willis and others.
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On the Monday episode of the North Shore Drive podcast, presented by FanDuel and Edgar Snyder & Associates, Post-Gazette Steelers insiders Christopher Carter and Ray Fittipaldo react to the start of the so-called "legal tampering" period of NFL free agency.
Did GM Omar Khan and coach Mike McCarthy make the right move in bringing back Asante Samuel Jr. at cornerback alongside other secondary options including Joey Porter Jr. and Jalen Ramsey? Could James Pierre be the next player to return to the defensive back group? And what will happen with names like Aaron Rodgers, Kenneth Gainwell, Calvin Austin III, Isaac Seumalo and others?
Our duo tackles those questions, then ponders moves on the trade market. Are the Miami Dolphins set on rebuilding after cutting Tua Tagovailoa and trading former Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick? And if so, could Jaylen Waddle be a potential trade target for the Steelers?
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