Post-Gazette Sports Network: Pittsburgh Steelers, Pirates, Penguins and more

Post-Gazette Steelers insiders Gerry Dulac and Ray Fittipaldo report from the team's rookie minicamp, where NFL draft selections including Max Iheanachor, Germie Bernard, Drew Allar, Gennings Dunker and Daylen Everette made their first appearances in uniform.

How did Allar look as he looks to compete with last year's rookie QB, Will Howard? How will Bernard fill out the receiving corps next to DK Metcalf, Michael Pittman Jr. and Roman Wilson? And what impressions did Iheanachor and Dunker make as they look to find playing time next to established veterans Troy Fautanu, Mason McCormick and Zach Frazier on the offensive line?

Our duo tackles those questions, plus the latest on QB Aaron Rodgers, who still has not signed with the team despite reportedly meeting with team brass including GM Omar Khan and coach Mike McCarthy.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On the Friday episode of the North Shore Drive podcast, presented by FanDuel and Edgar Snyder & Associates, host Christopher Carter welcomes Post-Gazette Steelers insider Ray Fittipaldo to react to the news that Aaron Rodgers is expected to be in Pittsburgh this weekend to possibly sign with the team for the 2026 season.

Was Rodgers' return as inevitable as it has seemed at times? Or have GM Omar Khan and coach Mike McCarthy had doubts that Rodgers may retire or sign with another team? How excited will Rodgers be to work with new receiving options like Germie Bernard and Michael Pittman Jr. alongside returning names like Jaylen Warren, DK Metcalf, Roman Wilson and Pat Freiermuth? And how will Rodgers help rookies like Gennings Dunker, Max Iheanachor, Drew Allar and others along in their development? Our duo tackles those questions and more.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On his weekly mailbag show, Post-Gazette Pirates insider Colin Beazley answers reader questions. Among them: How aggressively should we expect GM Ben Cherington to promote top draft choice Seth Hernandez through the minor leagues? How should manager Don Kelly juggle outfield and DH duties for Bryan Reynolds, Marcell Ozuna, Oneil Cruz and Ryan O'Hearn to limit defensive gaffes as much as possible? Why has Joey Bart caught for Bubba Chandler lately? And could Jared Jones be the sixth man in the rotation when he returns from injury? Colin tackles those questions and more. This show is presented by FanDuel.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On the Wednesday edition of the North Shore Drive podcast, presented by FanDuel and Edger Snyder & Associates, host Adam Bittner and guest Christopher Carter ponder lessons the Steelers can learn from past competitions between young QBs.

They reference colleague Ray Fittipaldo's story in which he looked back on battles between Brian Brohm and Matt Flynn with the packers; Kirk Cousins and Robert Griffin III with the Commanders; and Brock Purdy and Trey Lance with the 49ers. Can Drew Allar and/or Will Howard replicate the success Flynn, Cousins and Purdy had as later round QBs? Does Howard have the historical edge as the player drafted lower? And what does Allar need to show at rookie minicamp alongside names like Max Iheanachor, Germie Bernard and Gennings Dunker?

Our duo tackles those questions, then talks Aaron Rodgers future after colleague Gerry Dulac reported this week that the patience of Steelers brass including GM Omar Khan and coach Mike McCarthy is wearing thin with the former MVP.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On the Friday episode of the North Shore Drive podcast, presented by FanDuel, Post-Gazette Steelers insiders Christopher Carter and Brian Batko break down the team's offensive line after the news that Broderick Jones didn't have his fifth-year option picked up.

What does this decision mean for Jones' future with the team? What does it signal about Jones' neck injury? Does the Max Iheanachor pick in the first round of the NFL Draft make more sense now? And how should coach Mike McCarthy and GM Omar Khan build their offensive line now? Our duo tackles those topics and more, including whether the Steelers' 1-2 NFL Draft punch of Iheanachor and Germie Bernard ended up better than the Philadelphia Eagles' duo of Makai Lemon and Miami tackle Markel Bell after a draft-night heist.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On his weekly Chipped Ham & Football podcast, presented by FanDuel, Post-Gazette Steelers insider Brian Batko welcomes former league executive Andrew Brandt to react to a busy week of NFL draft news from a local perspective.

What should fans make of GM Omar Khan and coach Mike McCarthy missing out on primary target Makai Lemon before settling for Max Iheanachor in the first round? How does he see the future of the QB position with Aaron Rodgers' 2026 status still uncertain and Drew Allar, Will Howard and Mason Rudolph waiting in the wings? And what are Andrew's thoughts on his former colleague with the Green Bay Packers McCarthy returning home while former Steelers coach Mike Tomlin moves into a television career at NBC? Our duo tackles those questions and more.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Post-Gazette Penguins insider King Jemison and sports columnist Noah Hiles break down the team's season-ending Game 6 loss to the Philadelphia Flyers from Xfinity Mobile Arena and look at where the team goes from here. This show is presented by FanDuel.

Why didn't the Penguins emerge victorious in a game when they played well? Did Arturs Silovs cement himself as the Penguins' goalie of the future? Were they undone by resting key players down the stretch? Would the series have turned out differently if they played like that the whole time? And what is next for the team's Big Three of Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang? Our duo tackles those topics and more.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On the Wednesday edition of the North Shore Drive podcast, presented by FanDuel and Edgar Snyder & Associates, host Adam Bittner welcomes Post-Gazette Steelers insider Christopher Carter to analyze the team's receiving options following the NFL draft.

Does the selection of Germie Bernard, following the trade for Michael Pittman Jr., make GM Omar Khan and coach Mike McCarthy's team good at the position relative to the rest of the NFL? Or does the unit led by DK Metcalf still lag behind? How well will this group be able to work with young QBs Drew Allar and Will Howard? And is depth a concern behind the top three amid uncertainty about Roman Wilson's future?

Our duo tackles those topics, then ponders the specialist role the team leaned into with its Day 3 picks. Is there room for Kaden Wetjen, Robert Spears-Jennings, Eli Heidenreich and Riley Nowakowski to all make the team? Or could it be a struggle with special teams aces Ben Skowronek and Carson Bruener already on the roster?

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Post-Gazette Penguins insider King Jemison and sports columnist Noah Hiles break down the team's Game 5 win over the Philadelphia Flyers and wonder if a reverse sweep might actually be a possibility. This show is presented by FanDuel.

What has changed between the Penguins' first three losses and their two subsequent wins? Are they just now finding their feet after resting through the final few games of the regular season? Is Sidney Crosby taking over this series despite being banged up? And what are the keys to a Game 6 win back in Philly? Our duo tackles those topics and more.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Post-Gazette Pirates insider Colin Beazley recaps a busy week for the club on the road, plus a frustrating home loss to the St. Louis Cardinals on Monday.

Is there any reason for manager Don Kelly to worry about Dennis Santana after his blown save? Or do the numbers suggest it might have just been a bad night? Should GM Ben Cherington consider sending young shortstop Konnor Griffin to the minors amid his early career struggles? How much credit does Kelly deserve for his recent gameplans? And what should the team do with catchers Joey Bart and Henry Davis as both struggle at the plate? Colin tackles those questions and more.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.