• Steelers preseason: Derrick Harmon injury scare, but Yahya Black, Kaleb Johnson show out again?
    Aug 22 2025

    In this clip from the Wednesday episode of the North Shore Drive podcast, presented by Edgar Snyder & Associates, Post-Gazette Steelers insiders Christopher Carter and Brian Batko react to the highs and lows of the NFL preseason finale against the Carolina Panthers.

    How much should fans worry about Derrick Harmon after his injury? How Cam Heyward, Keeanu Benton and the defensive line group function without him if he's forced to miss time? Could Daniel Ekuale play a more prominent role than expected? And what is Yahya Black's upside if he draws and increased workload?

    They also weigh in on Kaleb Johnson's efforts this preseason and how he fits into the backfield with names like Jaylen Warren and Kenneth Gainwell moving forward.

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    11 mins
  • Steelers preseason: Has Skylar Thompson EARNED a roster spot? Pushing Mason Rudolph, Will Howard?
    Aug 22 2025

    In this clip from the Friday episode of the North Shore Drive podcast, presented by Edgar Snyder & Associates, Post-Gazette Steelers insiders Christopher Carter and Brian Batko react to the NFL preseason finale victory against the Carolina Panthers. Specifically, they focus on the QBs.

    Have Skylar Thompson's stellar efforts given coach Mike Tomlin and GM Omar Khan a lot to think about as they make their final 53-man roster decisions? Is there a place for him on this roster behind Aaron Rodgers as the starter? Should Will Howard be heading to injured reserve after missing a good chunk of training camp and the preseason? Or could even Mason Rudolph's role as the No. 2 be in some jeopardy as he and Thompson both learn OC Arthur Smith's offense? Our duo tackles those questions and more.

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    10 mins
  • Ex-Steeler Breiden Fehoko loves what he's seeing from Derrick Harmon, Yahya Black & Nick Herbig
    Aug 21 2025

    On his weekly Chipped Ham & Football podcast, Post-Gazette Steelers insider Brian Batko welcomes former defensive lineman Breiden Fehoko to talk about training camp and the preseason, after his bid to make the team fell short.

    He explains his feelings about leaving the team and what he was seeing from former teammates. How are defensive line rookies Derrick Harmon and Yahya Black looking up close? And how quickly can they find their way alongside Cam Heyward and Keeanu Benton? Why should fans not sleep on Nick Herbig as a key piece of the defense, even as he sits behind T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith on the depth chart? And which QBs does Breiden like in the 2026 NFL draft in Pittsburgh? Our duo tackles those questions and more.

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    24 mins
  • Pirates mailbag: Bubba Chandler starting in bullpen? Andrew Heaney demoted because of innings bonus?
    Aug 21 2025

    In his weekly Pirates mailbag podcast, Post-Gazette insider Noah Hiles answers reader questions. Among them: Why is Bubba Chandler, whom the Pirates will call up this weekend, starting in a long-relief role out of the bullpen rather than as a starting pitcher? Did the team move pitcher Andrew Heaney to the bullpen so he wouldn't reach his contract's innings bonus? Would the Pirates really be better if owner Bob Nutting had hired now-Milwaukee Brewers general manager Matt Arnold instead of Ben Cherington? Could Andrew McCutchen see some action at first base? And should the Pirates approach Konnor Griffin with a long-term deal offer before he gets too expensive? Noah answers those questions and more.

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    18 mins
  • BREAKING NEWS: Pirates FINALLY call up Bubba Chandler ... but as a reliever?
    Aug 20 2025

    Post-Gazette Pirates insider Noah Hiles reacts to news that top pitching prospect Bubba Chandler is set to be promoted to the MLB club this weekend for a series against the Colorado Rockies.

    Why was now the right time for Chandler in the eyes of GM Ben Cherington and manager Don Kelly? Are they making the right move in using him out of the bullpen to start? Or should he be in the rotation alongside names like Paul Skenes, Mitch Keller and Braxton Ashcraft? And what doe this promotion mean for 2026 rotation spot, with competition including Mike Burrows, Johan Oviedo and others? Noah tackles those questions and more.

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    11 mins
  • Steelers preseason: Jonnu Smith, Jalen Ramsey the starters under biggest spotlight vs. Panthers?
    Aug 20 2025

    In this clip from the Wednesday episode of the North Shore Drive podcast, presented by Edgar Snyder & Associates, host Adam Bittner welcomes Post-Gazette insider Christopher Carter to ponder the starters he's most interested to see in the NFL preseason finale against the Carolina Panthers.

    How much of Jonnu Smith will we see? And where will he line up in comparison to his tight end teammates including Pat Freiermuth and Darnell Washington? How will coach Mike Tomlin deploy veteran DBs Jalen Ramsey, Darius Slay Jr. and Joey Porter Jr.? And how will those guys communicate after the breakdowns in the secondary at the end of last season? How will RB Jaylen Warren look running behind offensive linemen Broderick Jones, Mason McCormick, Troy Fautanu and Zach Frazier? And how will DC Teryl Austin split the snaps among LBs Patrick Queen, Payton Wilson and Cole Holcomb? Our duo tackles those questions and more.

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    15 mins
  • Steelers preseason: Aaron Rodgers defying 'circus' label? Drawing praise from Skylar Thompson?
    Aug 20 2025

    In this clip from the Wednesday edition of the North Shore Drive podcast, presented by Edgar Snyder & Associates, host Adam Bittner welcomes Post-Gazette insider Christopher Carter to analyze the leadership and locker room presence Aaron Rodgers is bringing to the Steelers.

    What do Skylar Thompson's glowing remarks about Rodgers tell us about how his new teammates are receiving him? To what degree is he defying the "circus" label that accompanied him from the New York Jets? Has he humbled himself because of that experience? Does he see value in just being one of the guys in coach Mike Tomlin's locker room alongside other veterans like T.J. Watt, DK Metcalf, Cam Heyward and Jalen Ramsey? And how does his leadership style compare to that of Russell Wilson last year? Our guys tackles those questions and more.

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    13 mins
  • Steelers practice report: Cam Heyward returns amid contract dispute? Starters to play in Carolina?
    Aug 19 2025

    Post-Gazette insiders Brian Batko and Ray Fittipaldo recap Tuesday's Steelers practice at UPMC Rooney Sports Complex on the South Side.

    What should we make of All-Pro defensive lineman and team captain Cam Heyward returning to practice amid news of a contract dispute? What went into coach Mike Tomlin's decision to NOT play Heyward, T.J. Watt, DK Metcalf and Aaron Rodgers in the final preseason game Thursday against the Carolina Panthers? Will Rodgers struggle to adjust when the regular season comes because he hasn't thrown in a game with his group of wide receivers including Metcalf, Roman Wilson and the injured Calvin Austin III? Besides that group of four, Tomlin said all other players are in consideration to play. Should he give his new-look secondary some run together and give new faces like Jalen Ramsey and Darius Slay Jr. time to mesh with Joey Porter Jr.? Our duo tackles those questions and more.

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    9 mins