Post-Gazette Pirates insider Noah Hiles and sports columnist Jason Mackey break down the team's series loss to the Tampa Bay Rays this week. Did Wednesday's win, led by Paul Skenes, show this team can get on the right track? Or should Derek Shelton's club expect a chilly reaction from its fans when it returns to Pittsburgh for Friday's home opener on Friday? What is the state of the bullpen without David Bednar, who was optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis on Tuesday? What should the Pirates do with Colin Holderman, who struggled again Wednesday? Is Dennis Santana the club's de facto closer? And how concerned should we be with the team's underwhelming hitting through seven games from players like Tommy Pham and Jack Suwinski? Our duo answers those questions and more.

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

How closely should GM Omar Khan, coach Mike Tomlin and the Steelers consider drafting a RB in the first round to replace Najee Harris alongside Jaylen Warren and Kenneth Gainwell? Are names like Ashton Jeanty, Omarion Hampton and Kaleb Johnson worth forgoing other positions of need to select? Do they need a defensive lineman like Derrick Harmon, Walter Nolen or Kenneth Grant more? And what should we make of colleague Gerry Dulac's reporting that RB could be an option in "any" round?

Paul tackles those questions as well as the Pirates' series finale with the Tampa Bay Rays. Was Paul Skenes able to steady the ship after a 1-5 start to the season? And how hostile will fans be toward owner Bob Nutting, GM Ben Cherington and manager Shelton with the home opener looming Friday?

On the Wednesday episode of the North Shore Drive podcast, presented by Edgar Snyder & Associates, Post-Gazette Steelers insiders Christopher Carter and Ray Fittipaldo react to owner Art Rooney II's comments about the team's pursuit of QB Aaron Rodgers via NFL free agency.

Is Rodgers now on the clock to make a decision before the NFL draft? How much will his decision factor into the calls coach Mike Tomlin and GM Omar Khan make about who to select in the draft? And what will the consequences be in terms of perception if Rodgers decides not to sign, leaving the Steelers with either Mason Rudolph or other free agents including Drew Lock, Joe Flacco and Carson Wentz as their QB options for 2025?

Our duo tackles those topics, then gets into Ray's latest seven-round NFL mock draft. Why does he like Kenneth Grant from Michigan as the team's first-round pick? Could Louisville QB Tyler Shough make sense as a potential backup or even starter of the future? And why is Ray looking at names including Oklahoma State RB Ollie Gordon, Indiana DL CJ West, Florida WR Chimere Dike and Wisconsin OT Jack Nelson in later rounds?

Then in the third segment, Chris and Ray weigh NFL rule changes that were and were not approved at the owners meetings this week.

Post-Gazette Pirates insider Noah Hiles breaks down the team's decision Tuesday to option David Bednar to Triple-A Indianapolis. Where does the two-time All-Star closer go from here? What happened to Bednar in the first place, and how likely is it that he'll regain his form in the minor leagues? When could he potentially contribute again to the Pirates bullpen? And in his absence, who will step up to close out games for Derek Shelton's struggling team? Noah answers all those questions and more.

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 Steelers owner Art Rooney II telling reporters Tuesday he feels "pretty good" about the team signing Aaron Rodgers to be its starting quarterback? How long should Rooney, general manager Omar Khan and coach Mike Tomlin wait before moving on from Rodgers, either for internal candidate Mason Rudolph or external options like Joe Flacco, Drew Lock and Carson Wentz? And what does Paul think of some of the rule changes Rooney is voting for at the NFL owners meeting?

Paul tackles those topics; the demotion of the Pirates’ David Bednar to the minor leagues; and news that star guard Jaland Lowe will be transferring from Pitt basketball after Jeff Capel once again failed to get the Panthers into March Madness.

On his weekly Chipped Ham & Football podcast, Post-Gazette Steelers insider Brian Batko welcomes colleague Gerry Dulac with the latest from the NFL owners meetings in West Palm Beach, Fla.

Why are the Steelers the talk of the town amid their protracted pursuit of QB Aaron Rodgers via NFL free agency? What were Gerry's thoughts on comments made by coach Mike Tomlin and GM Omar Khan about the situation over the weekend? Are they still trying to compete for playoff wins while stars including T.J. Watt and Cam Heyward on the roster? Or how much are they looking toward taking a QB in the 2026 NFL draft?

Our duo tackles those questions as well as possible rules changes that could be passed Tuesday and the potential for the Steelers' schedule to include meetings with lots of familiar faces. Could they see former players Kenny Pickett, Najee Harris and Justin Fields in a short span of time next season? And who might they face in their Dublin, Ireland game?

Pirates insider Noah Hiles reacts to the news that the team is calling up top prospect Thomas Harrington to start against the Rays. Is this going to be a long-term move, or just a spot start? And what should fans expect to see out of Harrington on Tuesday night in Tampa Bay?

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 reports that Aaron Rodgers and Steelers WR DK Metcalf had a throwing session over the weekend? Does it signal that Rodgers may sign with the Steelers soon? What are Paul's thoughts on comments made by coach Mike Tomlin and GM Omar Khan at the NFL owners meetings over the weekend? Is his faith in QB Mason Rudolph warranted? Will young offensive linemen including Zach Frazier, Broderick Jones and Troy Fautanu heed his message? And should we take positive comments about George Pickens at face value?

Paul tackles those topics, then pivots to the Pirates, who lost three of four in their MLB season-opening series against the Miami Marlins. How much blame does manager Derek Shelton deserve for the sloppy play? Is it too soon to panic about relievers David Bednar and Colin Holderman? And which players need to be better starting Monday night against the Tampa Bay Rays?

On the Monday episode of the North Shore Drive podcast, presented by Edgar Snyder & Associates, Post-Gazette Steelers insiders Christopher Carter and Ray Fittipaldo react to comments from Steelers GM Omar Khan and coach Mike Tomlin at NFL owners meetings over the weekend.

Why do they not seem to be in any kind of rush to seal the deal with QB Aaron Rodgers in NFL free agency? Does Rodgers' reported workout with Steelers WR DK Metcalf signal that a deal may be imminent? Or at least inevitable? What does it all mean for QB Mason Rudolph now that he's back under contract in Pittsburgh? And do positive comments about George Pickens signal that they team really believes in him for 2025 and beyond?

Our duo tackles those topics, as well as the future of the running back position as the NFL draft looms. Should Khan pursue a marquee name to team with Jaylen Warren and Kenneth Gainwell in the backfield? Think an Ashton Jeanty or Omarion Hampton? Or are there depth options like Quinshon Judkins, Kaleb Johnson and others who could fit just as well?

Post-Gazette Pirates insider Noah Hiles reacts to the day in team news live around noon Eastern. Can manager Derek Shelton fix his team's sloppy mistakes from the season-opening series loss to the Miami Marlins over the weekend? What should he do about David Bednar and Colin Holderman, who've struggled in the bullpen early after issues in 2024? What should we make of Endy Rodriguez's first week at first base? And can Oneil Cruz correct some defensive gaffes in the outfield? Noah tackles those questions and more ahead of a series with the Tampa Bay Rays that begins Monday evening.