On the Friday episode of the North Shore Drive podcast, presented by Edgar Snyder & Associates, hosts Christopher Carter and Brian Batko evaluate the performance of rookies during OTAs and minicamps. Was Derrick Harmon the clear winner after claiming a starting spot early? Something names like Broderick Jones and Joey Porter Jr. have not been able to do early on? Why was RB Kaleb Johnson also worthy of praise? And what was noticeable about other NFL draft picks including Will Howard, Jack Sawyer and Yahya Black?

Later, the guys ponder which departed Steelers could have the best seasons elsewhere. Will QBs Russell Wilson and Justin Fields shine with the New York Giants and Jets, respectively? How will Najee Harris look with the Los Angeles Chargers? And will George Pickens be a difference maker for the Dallas Cowboys?

Then in the third segment, Brian and Chris explain why Patrick Queen's brutal self-evaluation process.

Post-Gazette sports columnist Paul Zeise reacts to reporting from Steelers insider Gerry Dulac that the Aaron Rodgers signing and George Pickens trade this offseason were unrelated events as far as coach Mike Tomlin, GM Omar Khan and the front office were concerned. Was it wise to think of the moves separately? Or would it have been interesting to see Pickens work with a veteran like Rodgers across from DK Metcalf? And what should we make of external evaluations that have the Steelers with one of the worst WR rooms in the NFL without Pickens? As Calvin Austin III, Roman Wilson and Robert Woods look to fill the void he left?

Post-Gazette sports columnist Jason Mackey joins host Adam Bittner to ponder some Steelers over/unders for the 2025 season. Will Aaron Rodgets surpass 3,200 yards and 22 touchdowns? Will either Jaylen Warren or Kaleb Johnson threaten the 1,000-yard mark? Can DK Metcalf get over the 1,000-yard threshold that's been a problem for Steelers receivers including George Pickens in recent years? And how many sacks will T.J. Watt record?

Our duo tackles those questions, plus some Penguins topics. Can GM Kyle Dubas and new coach Dan Muse return this club to Stanley Cup caliber in short order? Or is there too big a gap with the back-to-back champion Florida Panthers right now? What should we make of conflicting reports about Evgeni Malkin's future? Will this season definitely be his last in the NHL? Or could he come back for another chance to win next to Sidney Crosby and Kris Letang? And how seriously should we take a potential sale of the team back to Mario Lemieux and Ron Burkle?

Then in the third segment, airing on the PG's Pirates YouTube channel, the guys talk about malaise that has set in after an encouraging early run from manager Don Kelly's team following Derek Shelton's firing. Are fans beginning to tune out? Why hasn't Ben Cherington made a move to salvage the season, as owner Bob Nutting had suggested might be possible? Could Ke'Bryan Hayes and Mitch Keller be among names that are moved before the trade deadline? Why hasn't Tommy Pham been cut yet? And did the Pirates miss an opportunity to create some must-see TV by matching up Paul Skenes and Tarik Skubal during a double header against the Detroit Tigers?

On his weekly mailbag video, Post-Gazette Pirates insider Noah Hiles answers reader questions, including: Why is Tommy Pham still on the Pirates roster? Is it reasonable to expect GM Ben Cherington to make some "baseball trades" with teams that have a surplus of bats in exchange for one of the Pirates' many pitching prospects? With Mario Lemieux and Ron Burkle reportedly interested in buying the Penguins, could they potentially make an offer to purchase the Pirates from Bob Nutting? Is there a deal to be struck with the Arizona Diamondbacks for Jordan Lawlar? And who does Noah think the Pirates are looking to select in the upcoming MLB draft? Noah answers those questions and more.

Post-Gazette sports columnist Paul Zeise reacts to ESPN's NFL quarter-century team released this week, which included only two Steelers on the 53-man roster. Why were Alan Faneca and Troy Polamalu the only names to make the cut? Did T.J. Watt deserve a spot over the Browns' Myles Garrett? And were names including Aaron Rodgers, Ben Roethlisberger, Le'Veon Bell, Antonio Brown, Chris Boswell, Cam Heyward, Hines Ward, James Harrison and Maurkice Pouncey snubbed?

On the Wednesday episode of the North Shore Drive podcast, presented by Edgar Snyder and Associates, Post-Gazette Steelers insiders Christopher Carter and Brian Batko evaluate the team's secondary following the DeShon Elliott contract extension agreed to earlier this week.

How does Elliott solidify the secondary in the long-term next to Minkah Fitzpatrick at safety? What does Joey Porter have to prove at CB alongside new teammate Darius Slay Jr. in 2025? Will Beanie Bishop earning the starting spot at slot corner? Or will names like Cory Trice Jr. have something to say about that within coach Mike Tomlin's defense?

Our duo tackles those questions, then ponders whether Broderick Jones is an asset of liability at LT next fellow young players including Troy Fautanu, Zach Frazier and Mason McCormick as they look to protect an increasingly immobile Aaron Rodgers at QB.

Post-Gazette sports columnist Paul Zeise reacts to DeShon Elliott signing a three-year contract extension with the Steelers.

Was keeping Elliott long-term the right move for GM Omar Khan and coach Mike Tomlin? Can Elliott and Fitzpatrick be elite playmakers in a secondary that also includes Joey Porter Jr. and has added names like Darius Slay Jr., Juan Thornhill and Brandin Echols this offseason? And how much can an improved defensive line that includes Cam Heyward, Derrick Harmon, Keeanu Benton and Yahya Black help guys like Elliott with playmaking on the back end?

Paul offers thoughts on those questions; the Pirate starting a series with the Detroit Tigers; and the NBA and Stanley Cup finals nearing stellar finishes.

Post-Gazette Pirates insider Colin Beazley previews the Pirates' three-game series in Detroit against the current best team in baseball, the Detroit Tigers. Beazley starts with the statistics, then gives a run down of all three pitching matchups: Bailey Falter vs. Casey Mize, Andrew Heaney vs. Tarik Skubal, and Paul Skenes vs. TBA. The Tigers have many good players, but Beazley says the three to watch are Javy Baez, Gleyber Torres and Spencer Torkelson. He then finishes with a bold prediction.

On his weekly Chipped Ham & Football podcast, Post-Gazette Steelers insider Brian Batko welcomes QB Will Howard to talk about his transition from winning a championship with the Ohio State Buckeyes in college to life as a sixth-round NFL draft pick.

Howard explains how he's been getting involved in the community with other rookies this week; his rapport with new teammate Aaron Rodgers in the QB room; the importance of earning respect in the eyes of coach Mike Tomlin; and his growing relationship with receivers including DK Metcalf, Calvin Austin III, Roman Wilson, Robert Woods, Pat Freiermuth and Darnell Washington.

Then later, the guys take a look ahead to Howard's first Steelers training camp next month at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe.

Post-Gazette sports columnist Paul Zeise reacts to the day in Pittsburgh sports news.

He ponders how Steelers QB Aaron Rodgers matches up with his new AFC North division rivals including Joe Burrow of the Bengals, Lamar Jackson of the Ravens and Browns options including Kenny Pickett, Dillon Gabriel, Shedeur Sanders and Joe Flacco. Is he the clear No. 3 in the pecking order? Or could he offer coach Mike Tomlin and OC Arthur Smith advantages that Burrow and Jackson don't offer their teams?

Later, Paul gives his thoughts on J.J. Spaun's victory at the U.S. Open at Oakmont Country Club and the Pirates' frustrating weekend series against the Chicago Cubs in which they allowed just nine runs but still lost three out of four games.