Post-Gazette sports columnist Jason Mackey joins host Adam Bittner to talk about Paul Skenes' future in Pittsburgh. Is a contract extension with the National League Cy Young candidate a legit possibility? Or does he have little incentive to sign unless GM Ben Cherington can prove an ability to put a winning roster around him? And would owner Bob Nutting even approve such an expenditure if Skenes was interested?

Our duo tackles those topics and more including Ke'Bryan Hayes' return to Pittsburgh with the Cincinnati Reds; they delayed callups of top pitching prospects Bubba Chandler and Hunter Barco amid the continued presence of Andrew Heaney on the roster; and Dennis Santana's early struggles in the closer role after inheriting it from the departed David Bednar.

In this clip from the Friday episode of the North Shore Drive podcast, presented by Edgar Snyder & Associates, host Adam Bittner and Post-Gazette sports columnist Jason Mackey wonder whether the Steelers defense can live up to the hype that's grown for the unit throughout training camp.

Has the unit made enough changes to be elite? From adding veterans like Darius Slay Jr. and Jalen Ramsey to drafting rookies including Derrick Harmon, Jack Sawyer and Yahya Black? Can Payton Wilson live up to lofty expectations some have built for him? How immediately can Harmon and Black be difference makers? And what kind of pressure is on Joey Porter Jr. to excel after a relative sophomore slump in 2024? Our duo tackles those questions and more.

In this clip from the Friday episode of the North Shore Drive podcast, presented by Edgar Snyder & Associates, host Adam Bittner and Post-Gazette sports columnist Jason Mackey react to coach Mike Tomlin's long list of 15 Steelers veterans who are being held out of the NFL preseason opener against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Is it smart to rest names like Aaron Rodgers, DK Metcalf, Jonnu Smith, Jalen Ramsey, T.J. Watt, Cam Heyward and Joey Porter Jr.? Or would it be nice to see some of these players as both the offense and defense look to integrate numerous additions?

They also ponder what they'd like to see from the guys who will play. How important is it that Broderick Jones show some life at left tackle, as he looks to prove that he's not the weak link in a unit that includes Mason McCormick, Zach Frazier and Troy Fautanu? Can Roman Wilson take advantage of reps as the possible No. 1 receiver in this game? And what can we expect from rookies including Derrick Harmon, Yahya Black, Jack Sawyer and Kaleb Johnson?

Live around 5 p.m., Post-Gazette sports columnist Paul Zeise reacts to a report that DL Cam Heyward is holding in at Steelers training camp in pursuit of a restructured contract.

Does the defensive captain deserve a new deal after signing an extension just a year ago? Especially at his advanced age for his position of 36? Should GM Omar Khan and coach Mike Tomlin be devoting even more resources to their defense, which also includes highly paid stars like Jalen Ramsey and T.J. Watt? And how should other deals signed around the NFL factor into these conversations?

Paul weighs in on those questions, plus Tomlin's list of players that will be held out of the preseason opener Saturday against the Jaguars. Should younger names like Joey Porter Jr. and Nick Herbig be available? What about newer veterans like Aaron Rodgers, DK Metcalf and Jonnu Smith? And when should we see those players this preseason, if at all?

Post-Gazette insiders Christopher Carter and Brian Batko recap practice at Steelers training camp at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe.

They detail notable veterans who will miss the NFL preseason opener Saturday against the Jacksonville Jaguars, including T.J. Watt, Jalen Ramsey, Jaylen Warren, DK Metcalf and others, according to coach Mike Tomlin.

They also note the progress of the offense in practice, particularly in attacking the middle of the field with QB Aaron Rodgers and WR Scotty Miller. Will Rodgers have more success there than predecessors Russell Wilson and Justin Fields did in OC Arthur Smith's offense? And could Miller have a bigger role than expected alongside names like Calvin Austin III and Roman Wilson?

Then later, the guys explain why Yahya Black has continued to impress on the defensive line and offer their thoughts on Cam Heyward's hold-in as he reportedly seeks another new contract after signing a lucrative extension just one year ago.

In his weekly Pirates mailbag podcast, Post-Gazette insider Noah Hiles answers reader questions. Among them: Why haven't top prospects Bubba Chandler and Hunter Barco been called up already, and will they be soon? Is the front office not as high on Billy Cook and Nick Yorke as we may have thought? Is there anything for fans to buy into heading into next season? Are the Pirates discussing a contract extension with Paul Skenes? And is the 2026 opening day third baseman in the organization already? Or will it an outside acquisition? Noah answers those questions and more.

Post-Gazette sports columnist Paul Zeise gives his thoughts on the Steelers preseason opener against the Jacksonville Jaguars this weekend live around 5 p.m. Eastern.

Will Broderick Jones prove he's ready for left tackle duties, as the the young offensive line that also includes Zach Frazier, Mason McCormick & Troy Fautanu seeks to find its way? How will Kaleb Johnson run the ball as he jockeys for playing time in a backfield that also includes Jaylen Warren and Kenneth Gainwell? And how will Derrick Harmon perform in his first extended action as a starter among veterans like Cam Heyward and Keeanu Benton? Paul tackles those questions and the Pirates' series against the San Francisco Giants at PNC Park.

Post-Gazette insiders Gerry Dulac and Ray Fittipaldo recap practice at Steelers training camp at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe.

They break down the latest Will Howard injury news, which is that the rookie QB is expected to miss the entire NFL preseason with a broken hand, opening up reps for names like Mason Rudolph and Skyler Thompson. They also analyze the punting battle between Cameron Johnston and Corliss Waitman. And react to QB Aaron Rodgers' comments indicating that he does not expect to play in the preseason opener this weekend. Is coach Mike Tomlin making the right move to protect his QB? Or should Rodgers see some action as he looks to build chemistry with weapons like DK Metcalf, Roman Wilson, Calvin Austin III, Jonnu Smith and Pat Freiermuth.

Our guys tackle those questions and more.

Pirates insiders Noah Hiles and Colin Beazley discuss the state of the club's starting pitching staff and bullpen after their series loss to the San Francisco Giants at PNC Park. With the rotation showing signs of fatigue after short starts by Johan Oviedo, Mike Burrows and Andrew Heaney, plus a few key arms like Dennis Santana and Isaac Mattson taking on new roles in the bullpen, Noah and Colin debate if adding more young arms into the mix could help solve both problems. What about highly touted prospects in Triple-A like Bubba Chandler or Hunter Barco? What should the rest of the season look like for young arms like Carmen Mlodzinski, Braxton Ashcraft and Kyle Nicolas? What about veterans like Dauri Moreta and Ryan Borucki? Noah and Colin answer those questions and more.

Quarterback Aaron Rodgers speaks with assembled media ahead of practice at Steelers training camp at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe. He speaks on his growing chemistry with receiver Roman Wilson as he looks to find his place in the receivers room alongside Calvin Austin III and DK Metcalf; his relationship with OC Arthur Smith that's included long meetings in the evening; his thoughts on backup QB Will Howard amid his recent injury; and his belief in the value of NFL preseason games.