Post-Gazette sports columnist Paul Zeise reacts to the day in Pittsburgh sports news live around 5 p.m. Eastern.

Are the Pirates heading toward yet another five-year rebuild following the firing of Derek Shelton as manager and the continued lack of results from general manager Ben Cherington? Or should owner Bob Nutting consider other options if he makes front-office changes at some point in the coming weeks and months? Could a rebuild lead to a trade of star pitcher Paul Skenes sooner rather than later as national MLB insiders including ESPN's Jeff Passan have speculated recently? Or should they keep him in their rotation alongside names like Mitch Keller for as long as possible? And when will it finally be time for the team to promote star pitching prospect Bubba Chandler? Paul ponders those questions and more.

On his weekly Chipped Ham & Football podcast, Post-Gazette Steelers insider Brian Batko ranks the team's 2025 schedule by degree of difficulty.

Will Myles Garrett and the Browns be the easiest foe coach Mike Tomlin's team sees? Or will they still be able to challenge the offense that's been re-tooled with names including DK Metcalf, Kenneth Gainwell and -- possibly -- QB Aaron Rodgers? How much pressure will offensive juggernauts like the Bills and Lions put on T.J. Watt, Cam Heyward, first-round pick Derrick Harmon and the team's new-look defense? Can they slow down stars like Josh Allen, Jahmyr Gibbs and Amon-Ra St. Brown? Or will those guys find success like Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry of the division rival Ravens did in the playoffs last season? And how do Joe Burrow and the Bengals plus J.J. McCarthy and the Vikings factor into all of this? Brian tackles those questions and more.

Post-Gazette sports columnist Paul Zeise reacts to the day in Pittsburgh sports news live around 5 p.m. Eastern.

Will Aaron Rodgers sign with the Steelers before OTAs, scheduled for next week? How much will it hurt preparation for coach Mike Tomlin's team if he doesn't? What could it mean for quarterbacks already under contract, including Mason Rudolph and Will Howard, or the chemistry with wide receivers including DK Metcalf, Robert Woods, Calvin Austin III and Roman Wilson? And what should we make of comments Rodgers' biographer made last week?

Paul tackles those questions, then gives his thoughts on a disastrous Pirates weekend series that included a brilliant Paul Skenes start wasted by a lack of offense.

Post-Gazette Pirates insider Noah Hiles previews the team's upcoming series with the Cincinnati Reds at PNC Park.

Can Mitch Keller, Andrew Heaney and Bailey Falter keep the struggling offense in the game against this relatively average NL Central rival? Will Oneil Cruz, Andrew McCutchen and the offense get an opportunity to turn things around against this pitching staff, including starters like Nick Lodolo, Nick Martinez and Brady Singer? And why is Austin Hayes the bat Pirates pitching will most need to look out for? Noah tackles 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 analyze the advantages DK Metcalf gives the team as its No. 1 WR in place of George Pickens, who was traded to the Dallas Cowboys earlier this month.

What does Metcalf do better than Pickens? Will he be a better fit in a WRs room with names including Calvin Austin III, Robert Woods and Roman Wilson? And how quickly can he generate chemistry with QBs including Mason Rudolph and -- possibly -- Aaron Rodgers?

Our duo tackles those questions, plus lessons GM Omar Khan and coach Mike Tomlin should take from the ill-fated 2022 NFL draft in which they selected Pickens, Austin, Kenny Pickett, DeMarvin Leal and others.

Then in the third segment, the guys ponder whether Aaron Rodgers or the offensive line -- including young players like Broderick Jones, Troy Fautanu, Zach Frazier and Mason McCormick -- are more important to the team for its upcoming late-season grind.

On his weekly Saturday Conversations podcast, Post-Gazette sports columnist Jason Mackey welcomes former Pirates first-round draft pick Cole Tucker to get his perspective on the Pirates' managerial change from Derek Shelton to Don Kelly.

What does Tucker remember about playing for Kelly? Why does he believe the club and former teammates including Ke'Bryan Hayes, Bryan Reynolds and Jack Suwinski are struggling so mightily? And what does he remember about his promotion to MLB that included a home run?

Then later, our duo discusses Tucker's transition into broadcasting and how he hopes to use his gregarious personality to make TV gold.

On the Friday episode of the North Shore Drive podcast, presented by Edgar Snyder & Associates, Post-Gazette Steelers insiders Christopher Carter and Brian Batko ponder WR2 options for GM Omar Khan and coach Mike Tomlin following the George Pickens trade to the Dallas Cowboys.

Should the team sign a big name like Keenan Allen, Amari Cooper or Gabe Davis to line up across from DK Metcalf this season? Should they make a trade for a name like Allen Lazard if Aaron Rodgers follows through on signing to play QB? Or should they look internally to names like Calvin Austin III, Roman Wilson and Robert Woods?

Our duo tackles those questions, then offers reactions to the team's 2025 schedule -- released this week -- that includes a tough late-season stretch against the Bills, Ravens and Lions.

On his weekly Pirates mailbag video, Post-Gazette Pirates insider Noah Hiles answers reader questions. Among them: What are the reasons the Pirates' offense is struggling so profoundly. Is it a problem with GM Ben Cherington's development regime? Why does Henry Davis instead of Joey Bart catch for Paul Skenes starts? Could hitting coach Matt Hague be in trouble after manager Derek Shelton's firing? What should we expect from Spencer Horwitz when he returns from injury? Are there any updates on the search for a bench coach? Could Francisco Cervelli be a candidate? And how has Don Kelly performed in his first week as manager?

Host Adam Bittner welcomes Post-Gazette sports columnist Jason Maceky to react to a busy week in Pittsburgh sports news, which included the release of the Steelers' schedule on Wednesday night.

Is the NFL signaling that it expects Aaron Rodgers will ultimately sign with the team by creating a Week 1 matchup with the New York Jets, his former squad? How intrigued should we be by an early meeting with former Steelers QB Justin Fields? And is it a good thing or a bad thing that coach Mike Tomlin and Co. will face another late-season gauntlet with games against the Super Bowl-contending Bills, Ravens and Lions?

Our duo tackles those questions, plus Jason's reaction to what we saw from names including Derrick Harmon, Will Howad, Kaleb Johnson and Jack Sawyer at rookie minicamp. Then on other fronts, they discuss the Penguins coaching search and College Football Playoff expansion. Is Washington Capitals assistant Mitch Love a name that should be high on fans' list? And is the ACC right in fighting the Big Ten and SEC proposals for how the playoff will look moving forward?

Then in the third segment, airing on the PG's Pirates YouTube channel, Adam and Jason react to Jason's interview with Pirates owner Bob Nutting following the firing of manager Derek Shelton last week.

Does Nutting have any actual power to improve the Pirates' economic disadvantage against teams like the Dodgers, Mets and Yankees? Why did he fire Shelton but not GM Ben Cherington, who's also struggled in his role? Has Nutting oversold the impact of injuries to names like Spencer Horwitz and Jared Jones on the team's slow start? What can be done to get names like Bryan Reynolds back on track? And is it past time that Bubba Chandler was promoted to the big leagues?

On the Wednesday episode of the North Shore Drive podcast, presented by Edgar Snyder & Associates, Post-Gazette Steelers insiders Christopher Carter and Ray Fittipaldo eye potential remaining moves for GM Omar Khan this offseason.

Why do trades of high-priced veterans including T.J. Watt and Minkah Fitzpatrick seem unlikely? Even after George Pickens was dealt to the Dallas Cowboys with one year remaining on his contract last week? And how does Watt's contract negotiation fit into that conversation?

Our duo ponders those questions, then the future of the Steelers backfield. How quickly will third-round pick Kaleb Johnson eat into Jaylen Warren's workload? Is he a realistic threat to start? And where do other options including Kenneth Gainwell and Trey Sermon fit into the situation.

Then in the third segment, the guys preview the NFL schedule release Wednesday night and possible primetime matchups for coach Mike Tomlin's team.