Steelers Afternoon Drive

Alan Saunders and Zachary Smith discuss all things Pittsburgh Steelers. On today's episode, we discuss if the team is better equipped to beat Baltimore, Jalen Ramsey, scouting the 2026 QB class, the grind of covering the team, the playoff win drought and much more. Let's go for another Steelers Afternoon Drive and discuss all this! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to Steelers Morning Rush, our new daily short-form podcast with Alan Saunders, giving a longer perspective on a single news topic surrounding the Pittsburgh Steelers or the National Football League. Today, it's how the change from Russell Wilson to Aaron Rodgers will change the way offensive coordinator Arthur Smith goes about his business. The relationship between Smith and Wilson had famously deteriorated by the end of the 2024 season, with stories leaking in the media about Smith restricting his ability to make changes to plays at the line of scrimmage. Will things be different with Rodgers under center in 2025? Alan breaks it down. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Alan Saunders and Zachary Smith discuss all things Pittsburgh Steelers. On today's episode, we discuss the fans who simultaneously want to tank but also bring up the long playoff win drought, if CB is the team's biggest need, answer questions about Asante Samuel Jr. and much more. Let's go for another Steelers Afternoon Drive and discuss all this! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to Steelers Morning Rush, our new daily short-form podcast with Alan Saunders, giving a longer perspective on a single news topic surrounding the Pittsburgh Steelers or the National Football League. Today, it's whether the Steelers should pursue cornerback Jalen Ramsey as a trade option. The Miami Dolphins are trading Ramsey, the 30-year-old, seven-time Pro Bowler, in what is apparently a mutual decision. The Steelers are already set at outside corberback with Darius Slay and Joey Porter Jr. in the fold. They could use Ramsey as an option in the slot, where he would certainly be an upgrade over Beanie Bishop. But he is due $21.1 million over the rest of the 2025 season -- a hefty sum for any cornerback, let alone one playing in the slot -- and it's unlikely that a move to a more phyiscally demanding position at 30 years old would be the thing that would please the disgruntled Dolphins corner. Alan breaks it down. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Alan Saunders and Zachary Smith discuss all things Pittsburgh Steelers. On today's episode, we discuss if we think the team should've pursued Jaire Alexander more aggressively, if the fit would've made sense, what type of DB they should be in the market for if anyone and why there is such an overcorrection on player projections when it comes to players 30+ years old. We also discuss what we've seen from Brandin Echols, Daniel Ekuale and Kenny Gainwell so far and if Aaron Rodgers can still play at a high level. Let's go for another Steelers Afternoon Drive and discuss all this! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to Steelers Morning Rush, our new daily short-form podcast with Alan Saunders, giving a longer perspective on a single news topic surrounding the Pittsburgh Steelers or the National Football League. Today, it's a question about trading for cash or cap space in the NFL.Unlike baseball, where it's relatively common, you can't trade for cash in an NFL trade. You also can't trade for salary cap space in the NFL, which is much more valuable than cash. But there are ways for teams to make financial considerations in the midst of a trade.Alan breaks it down. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Alan Saunders and Zachary Smith discuss all things Pittsburgh Steelers. On today's episode, we discuss the team extending DeShon Elliott and the bigger picture of what it means. Could Calvin Austin III and/or Jaylen Warren be in line for extensions next? Should they be? The team needs to check as many boxes as they can to fill holes before the 2026 NFL Draft. Where do things stand with TJ? Has Omar Khan mastered finding value in middle-tier FA contracts? Let's go for another Steelers Afternoon Drive and discuss all this! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to Steelers Morning Rush, our new daily short-form podcast with Alan Saunders, giving a longer perspective on a single news topic surrounding the Pittsburgh Steelers or the National Football League. Today, it's the signing of strong safety DeShon Elliott to a two-year contract extension on Monday, and whether general manager Omar Khan made a good deal. Elliott has agreed to a two-year contract extension with $12.5 million in new money, which will make him just the 30th-highest-paid safety in the NFL, despite a strong season with the Steelers in 2024. So how did the Khan Artist work his magic this time? Alan breaks it down. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Alan Saunders and Zachary Smith discuss all things Pittsburgh Steelers. On today's episode, we discuss if the team is in a better spot going into 2025 than they were in 2024. What does Aaron Rodgers bring to the table that could go beyond his playing career here? Will the Ireland game be the pivot point in the season. Are the Colts a possible trade partner? Alan explains a little of the percentage of cap that must be spent. Let's go for another Steelers Afternoon Drive and discuss all this Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to Steelers Morning Rush, our new daily short-form podcast with Alan Saunders, giving a longer perspective on a single news topic surrounding the Pittsburgh Steelers or the National Football League. Today, it's how the three weeks of spring practices have set up 53-man roster battles to watch during training camp.  The Steelers just went through two weeks of OTAs and one week of mandatory minicamp, and now have five weeks off before the start of training camp 2025 at St. Vincent College. But the roster battles that will take place in the foothills of Latrobe have already begun to be identifiable, thanks to the performances this spring --or lack thereof. Alan breaks it down. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Alan Saunders and Zachary Smith discuss all things Pittsburgh Steelers. On today's episode, we reset where the Steelers stand from a salary cap perspective, explain how cash flow can help to manipulate the salary cap in a way, discuss if the Steelers are going all in for 2025 and much more. Let's go for another Steelers Afternoon Drive and discuss all this! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to Steelers Morning Rush, our new daily short-form podcast with Alan Saunders, giving a longer perspective on a single news topic surrounding the Pittsburgh Steelers or the National Football League. Today, it's how veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers looked at the team's three-day mandatory minicamp, which wrapped up on Thursday. Rodgers signed with the Steelers two weeks into the three-week offseason period, missing the first two weeks of optional OTAs before coming to town and signing for the mandatory minicamp. Rodgers didn't do much this week, with head coach Mike Tomlin choosing to hold him out of team periods while he gets up to speed with the offense. But we did get to see Rodgers throw this week, and even at 41 years old, one of the most talented quarterbacks in NFL history can still rip it. Alan breaks it down. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Alan Saunders and Zachary Smith discuss all things Pittsburgh Steelers. On today's episode, we go through each position group as we hit the reset button between minicamp and training camp. Who stood out? Who needs an impressive training camp to be on the right side of the roster bubble? Is Payton Wilson in for a larger role than we expected? What players should we be keeping an eye on at training camp for one reason or another? Let's go for another Steelers Afternoon Drive and discuss all this! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to Steelers Morning Rush, our new daily short-form podcast with Alan Saunders, giving a longer perspective on a single news topic surrounding the Pittsburgh Steelers or the National Football League. Today, it's how much of a hurry Omar Khan should be in when it comes to making an addition to his wide receivers room. The Steelers have reportedly not been aggressive in making offers on the few receivers that are available. Should Khan be in a hurry to make a move, or is he better off being patient and waiting until closer to cut-down day? Alan breaks it down. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Alan Saunders and Zachary Smith discuss all things Pittsburgh Steelers. On today's episode, we discuss if Will Howard's destiny is stamped as a backup following the arrival of Aaron Rodgers, which team has the greatest all-time roster, why fans are pressing the panic button over the TJ Watt contract discussions, Aaron Rodgers' fit with Arthur Smith and if the team is really in the market for Jaire Alexander or Jalen Ramsey. Let's go for another Steelers Afternoon Drive and discuss all this! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to Steelers Morning Rush, our new daily short-form podcast with Alan Saunders, giving a longer perspective on a single news topic surrounding the Pittsburgh Steelers or the National Football League. Today, it's what the objectives are and aren't for the Steelers in their three-day mandatory minicamp. Minicamp used to be about a mid-offseason check-in between the team and the players to see how far from condition they'd be entraining training camp. Now, it's all about learning for the newest players, expanding roles and opportunities for some returners, and pretty much a waste of time for elite veterans. Alan breaks it down. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Alan Saunders and Zachary Smith discuss all things Pittsburgh Steelers. On today's episode, we discuss what came out of Aaron Rodgers' first media availability as a member of the Steelers. What did he have to say about the process that led him to Pittsburgh, the already established connections, the ones he hopes to build and much more. We also discuss what Mike Tomlin had to say on that matter and TJ Watt not being with the team at mandatory camp. Let's go for another Steelers Afternoon Drive and discuss all this! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to Steelers Morning Rush, our new daily short-form podcast with Alan Saunders, giving a longer perspective on a single news topic surrounding the Pittsburgh Steelers or the National Football League. Today, it's whether the T.J. Watt holding out from mandatory minicamp is an issue for the Steelers. Watt will not be in attendance for the three-day mandatory minicamp, which starts Tuesday at UPMC Rooney Sports Complex, as he is seeking a contract extension. Is Watt's absence a big deal? Alan breaks it down. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Alan Saunders and Zachary Smith discuss all things Pittsburgh Steelers. On today's episode, we discuss the idea of the team pursuing soon to be FA CB Jaire Alexander following his release from the Green Bay Packers. Is he a fit after the team added Darius Slay? We also discuss how contract incentives work, how QB-QB matchups go head-to-head, if there is a WR to be had in the New England Patriots' room and much more. Let's go for another Steelers Afternoon Drive and discuss all this! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to Steelers Morning Rush, our new daily short-form podcast with Alan Saunders, giving a longer perspective on a single news topic surrounding the Pittsburgh Steelers or the National Football League. Today, it's whether the signing of Aaron Rodgers raises the Steelers' ceiling in 2025. Despite it being several days since the news broke that Rodgers will be joining the team for 2025, the Steelers' betting win total hasn't moved from over/under 8.5.  So has the Rodgers addition raised the team's ceiling? Alan breaks it down. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Alan Saunders and Zachary Smith discuss all things Pittsburgh Steelers. On today's episode, Derrick Bell joins the show to discuss what type of WRs you ideally need to build a room out, what the steelers are missing and if they can find what they are looking for in the form of a pass-catching TE? Is Darnell Washington underutilized? Does Aaron Rodgers move the needle for the team or just add entertainment value? Let's go for another Steelers Afternoon Drive and discuss all this! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to Steelers Morning Rush, our new daily short-form podcast with Alan Saunders, giving a longer perspective on a single news topic surrounding the Pittsburgh Steelers or the National Football League. Today, it's why some people are still salty about signing Aaron Rodgers. During Thursday's Afternoon Drive, Alan asked for questions about why fans that were upset about the team signing Rodgers felt that way, and he got them, with a couple great questions about the injury risk, team chemistry, and the inescapable scourge of tanking. Alan breaks it down. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Alan Saunders and Zachary Smith discuss all things Pittsburgh Steelers. On today's episode, we discuss the news that Aaron Rodgers will be coming to Pittsburgh on Friday to sign with the Pittsburgh Steelers. The long saga will finally come to an end, with the 4X NFL MVP joining Mike Tomlin's team as we all expected would ultimately happen. The timing of it is important as he will now be around for all of the mandatory portions of the off-season phase. We discuss the fit and fallout of this move and if this is the best path for 2025 and beyond. We then discuss if Gabe Davis could still be in play despite leaving his FA visit without a contract. Let's go for another Steelers Afternoon Drive and discuss all this! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to Steelers Morning Rush, our new daily short-form podcast with Alan Saunders, giving a longer perspective on a single news topic surrounding the Pittsburgh Steelers or the National Football League. Today, it's whether or not they should sign free agent wide receiver Gabe Davis. Davis is taking a visit to UPMC Rooney Sports Complex on Thursday, and the big question will be his health. He played through a knee injury last season before shutting it down and was expected to have surgery on his meniscus -- a minor procedure. But Davis was released by the Jaguars with a failed physical designation. He's taken two previous free agent visits and left without a contract. So the big question is whether or not Davis is healthy enough to pass a physical. But if he is, should the Steelers sign him? Alan breaks it down. https://youtu.be/QM496MYVhhQ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Alan Saunders and Zachary Smith discuss all things Pittsburgh Steelers. On today's episode, we discuss the team's renewed interest in acquiring a tight end whether it be Jonnu Smith or somebody else following Donald Parham's injury. Despite their global popularity, the team isn't the team with the most fans and is very much a small market. What does Alan think about the progress of the offensive line? Does the team have too many "but if' situations that they need to have go right in order to be good? Let's go for another Steelers Afternoon Drive and discuss all this! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to Steelers Morning Rush, our new daily short-form podcast with Alan Saunders, giving a longer perspective on a single news topic surrounding the Pittsburgh Steelers or the National Football League. Today, it's how presumptive starting quarterback Mason Rudolph has looked so far at OTAs. It's a reasonable question, with the quarterback returning to the Black and Gold after one year way in Tennessee, but coming to a new offensive scheme under Arthur Smith. But when talking about a player with as much NFL experience as Rudolph, especially one whose biggest issues in live NFL game-play have come when under the kind of pressure and duress that simply won't be replicated in the practice setting of OTAs, well his performance at UPMC Rooney Sports Complex doesn't really mean that much. Alan breaks it down. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aaron Becker and Zachary Smith discuss all things Pittsburgh Steelers. On today's episode, we discuss the team bringing in WR Gabe Davis for a FA visit, if TJ is a depreciating asset, if the team should consider trading for Kirk Cousins if Aaron Rodgers falls through, potential roles of Cole Holcomb and Darnell Washington and more. Let's go for another Steelers Afternoon Drive and discuss all this! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to Steelers Morning Rush, our new daily short-form podcast with Alan Saunders, giving a longer perspective on a single news topic surrounding the Pittsburgh Steelers or the National Football League. Today, it's whether the lack of talent on the team's roster is what's holding back Aaron Rodgers from signing a contract. As the calendar turns to June, the Steelers are not realistic Super Bowl contenders, with +4600 odds, according to Fan Duel Sportsbook on Tuesday morning. The lack of talent at the quarterback and wide receiver positions are chief among the reasons they're considered longshots. Is that what's holding Rodgers back from signing up? Alan breaks it down. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Alan Saunders and Zachary Smith discuss all things Pittsburgh Steelers. On today's episode, we answer questions about TJ Watt's contract and if he's worth what it'll cost to retain him, what Alan can and can't report on, how we got into the podcasting game and if the Steelers' ownership model and being a family business it outdated. Let's go for another Steelers Afternoon Drive and discuss all this and more! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to Steelers Morning Rush, our new daily short-form podcast with Alan Saunders, giving a longer perspective on a single news topic surrounding the Pittsburgh Steelers or the National Football League. Today, it's whether the Steelers' contract with DK Metcalf is causing issues in the Pittsburgh locker room. There was a report by Mike Florio last week that the issue between the Steelers and T.J. Watt is the contract that Omar Khan and company handed out to DK Metcalf earlier this offseason.  Is that really a problem for the team? Alan breaks it down. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Alan Saunders and Zachary Smith discuss all things Pittsburgh Steelers. On today's episode, we answer questions about the ongoing search for a pass-catcher, including if Kyle Pitts should be a name worth keeping an eye on. How much roster turnover could take place before the 2026 season? What would need to happen for the team to not take a QB in the 2026 NFL Draft? Let's go for another Steelers Afternoon Drive and discuss all this and more! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to Steelers Morning Rush, our new daily short-form podcast with Alan Saunders, giving a longer perspective on a single news topic surrounding the Pittsburgh Steelers or the National Football League. Today, it's when we should expect Omar Khan to make a move at receiver. The Steelers have been calling all around the NFL in an obvious attempt to upgrade their wide receiver position, after trading George Pickens to the Dallas Cowboys. Khan has been in touch with at least the Green Bay Packers, New Orleans Saints, Miami Dolphins and Tampa Bay Buccaneers -- and almost certainly a lot more than that. But does that mean that a move is at hand? Probably not. Alan breaks it down. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Alan Saunders and Zachary Smith discuss all things Pittsburgh Steelers. On today's episode, we wrap up the first week of OTAs with Alan telling him what stood out. We then discuss the team showing reported interest in Miami Dolphins TE Jonnu Smith and if our opinions have changed regarding TJ Watt's future with the messaging coming from his brother about the team not getting a deal done sooner. Let's go for another Steelers Afternoon Drive and discuss all this! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to Steelers Morning Rush, our new daily short-form podcast with Alan Saunders, giving a longer perspective on a single news topic surrounding the Pittsburgh Steelers or the National Football League. Today, it's whether the 2025 season is make or break for cornerback Joey Porter Jr. Porter has had a solid first two seasons as the Steelers' starting cornerback, and there's plenty of reason to be optimistic about the player that he's already become. But there's also nothing physically stopping him from being one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL. With his rookie contract set to expire after the 2026 season, this year will be the last chance for Porter to put down tape that he will get paid on. So is this a make-or-break season for the Penn State product? Alan breaks it down. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Alan Saunders and Zachary Smith discuss all things Pittsburgh Steelers. On today's episode, we discuss if the move to LT will be one that pays off for both the Steelers and Broderick Jones, what DeMarvin Leal needs to do to remain with the team following a couple of injury-filled seasons and the impact of Joey Porter Jr. switching glove colors. We also discuss the pressure for Malik Harrison to replace Elandon Roberts, how Cole Holcomb could work his way back into the ILB rotation and general thoughts following day 2 of OTAs. Let's go for another Steelers Afternoon Drive and discuss all this! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Alan Saunders and Zachary Smith discuss all things Pittsburgh Steelers. On today's episode, we discuss day one of Steelers' OTAs. What were Alan's takeaways from what he saw from the likes of Roman Wilson, Troy Fautanu, Will Howard, etc... Aaron Rodgers is yet to sign so he obviously wasn't in attendance but were any other absences noticeable. Should the team pivot to Kirk Cousins if Rodgers stiffs them? Could we see more 3 TE sets? Will the team acquire another WR before the season kicks off? Let's go for another Steelers Afternoon Drive and discuss all this! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to Steelers Morning Rush, our new daily short-form podcast with Alan Saunders, giving a longer perspective on a single news topic surrounding the Pittsburgh Steelers or the National Football League. Today, it's what we're watching for during the first day of OTAs at UPMC Rooney Sports Complex on Tuesday. It's football in shorts, but there's still a lot that can be learned from the six days of OTAs this year, starting with attendance, the reduced schedule, and including players with things to prove from 2024, and the first look at several new additions in black and gold.  So what are we watching for? Alan breaks it down. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Alan Saunders and Zachary Smith discuss all things Pittsburgh Steelers. On today's episode, Derrick Bell joins to discuss if Calvin Austin III should be an extension candidate, the latest surrounding Aaron Rodgers, his top 10 players on the team list, somebody who needs a bigger role in 2025 and much more. Let's go for another Steelers Afternoon Drive and discuss all this! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to Steelers Morning Rush, our new daily short-form podcast with Alan Saunders, giving a longer perspective on a single news topic surrounding the Pittsburgh Steelers or the National Football League. Today, it's the leadership of president Art Rooney II. Rooney is a behind-the-scenes presence for the most part, letting general manager Omar Khan and head coach Mike Tomlin do most to the talking for the team, but he's still an integral part of the team's decision-making process. So what kind of leader is Rooney for the Steelers organization? Alan breaks it down. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Alan Saunders and Zachary Smith discuss all things Pittsburgh Steelers. On today's episode, we discuss what the reason is that Aaron Rodgers has yet to sign with the team. Why is committing to the team different than doing podcast appearances, attending the Kentucky Derby and going to concerts? We also discuss roster construction, spending to the cap floor and how the conversations went during the tush push meeting. Let's go for another Steelers Afternoon Drive and discuss all this and more! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to Steelers Morning Rush, our new daily short-form podcast with Alan Saunders, giving a longer perspective on a single news topic surrounding the Pittsburgh Steelers or the National Football League. Today, it's offensive coordinator Arthur Smith, and his ability to mentor the team's next quarterback. The Steelers have a plan to trade up to draft a quarterback in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft, finally addressing the position after several missteps in the aftermath of the retirement of Ben Roethlisberger. But is Smith the right guy for the job to develop a rookie quarterback? It's not anything he's ever done before in his two seasons as Tennessee Titans offensive coordinator and three as Atlanta Falcons head coach, but there are some reasons to think that Smith will be capable of molding a talented passer, especially his success in resurrecting the careers of Ryan Tannehill and Justin Fields. So can Smith be the Steelers' quarterback whisperer? Alan breaks it down. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Alan Saunders and Zachary Smith discuss all things Pittsburgh Steelers. On today's episode, we discuss what came out of NFL owners' meetings. The tush push is here to stay (for now), the kickoff rule has been tweaked and a previously put on the table change that would impact how division winners are seeded in playoffs was nixed. We also discuss evaluating QB prospects and re-evaluate the Steelers cap space situation. Let's go for another Steelers Afternoon Drive and discuss all this and more! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to Steelers Morning Rush, our new daily short-form podcast with Alan Saunders, giving a longer perspective on a single news topic surrounding the Pittsburgh Steelers or the National Football League. Today, it's how new wide receiver DK Metcalf will handle being the top dog -- and maybe the only real threat at outside receiver. Metcalf has always been part of a deep group of wide receivers with the Seattle Seahawks, splitting targets with Tyler Lockett and Jaxon Smith-Njigba the last two seasons. With Pittsburgh right now, he looks like he's the whole show, as the Steelers appear to once again be set to enter the season with just one solid option at outside receiver. Veteran Robert Woods, special teamer Ben Skowronek and undrafted rookie Roc Taylor appear to be the best options to help ease the pressure on Metcalf at this point -- not exactly a threatening list. So how will Metcalf handle the pressure? Alan breaks it down. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Alan Saunders and Zachary Smith discuss all things Pittsburgh Steelers. On today's episode, Gareth Warren joins to discuss his path to signing with the Pittsburgh Steelers. After earning a contract following rookie camp, Gareth talks about what drives him, growing up a fan of the team because of Troy Polamalu, being versatile, the food scene differences between here and in Hawaii and much more! Let's go for another Steelers Afternoon Drive and discuss all this and more! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to Steelers Morning Rush, our new daily short-form podcast with Alan Saunders, giving a longer perspective on a single news topic surrounding the Pittsburgh Steelers or the National Football League. Today, it's how the pursuit of Aaron Rodgers fits into the Steelers' big-picture offseason plans. The Steelers came into the offseason without an answer at the quarterback position, which is largely what has held the team back compared to the best of the AFC over the last few season. After an early survey of the landscape, Steelers general manager Omar Khan correctly assessed that there was not a long-term franchise quarterback available to the team this offseason. So Khan turned to the future, using the team's rare situation with departing free agents to line up a haul of compensatory picks that will give Khan the ammunition he needs to trade up for a quarterback in the 2026 NFL Draft. So why the pursuit of Rodgers? Because the team is still trying to win. They were a good team in 2024, and had a great defense. They can probably be that or better with slightly better quarterback play in 2025, and while Rodgers is certainly not a long-term answer, he could possibly provide that for one season. The entire reason the team was selective about how they spent their free agent money this offseason was to maximize those 2026 comp picks and ensure that they'll be able to get the quarterback they want in 2026, no matter what happens on the field this year, and once that process was put in place, they're just trying to put the best team on the field they can for 2025. Alan breaks it down. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Alan Saunders and Zachary Smith discuss all things Pittsburgh Steelers. On today's episode, we discuss the role of a Z receiver, if it's likely the team will acquire another WR, teams that could make sense as trade partners or are teams to watch as cut down day gets closer, if Will Howard will get a shot and the process of getting scoops. Let's go for another Steelers Afternoon Drive and discuss all this and more! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aaron Becker and Zachary Smith discuss all things Pittsburgh Steelers. On today's episode, we discuss if the team needs Aaron Rodgers to be a participant at OTAs, if it makes sense to spend resources on acquiring a WR2, UDFAs who can push for a roster spot and much more. Let's go for another Steelers Afternoon Drive and discuss all this and more! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to Steelers Morning Rush, our new daily short-form podcast with Alan Saunders, giving a longer perspective on a single news topic surrounding the Pittsburgh Steelers or the National Football League. Today, it's the Steelers interest in a trade for New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave. The Steelers have checked in with the Saints about Olave, as they have done with the Green Bay Packers and likely other teams after trading George Pickens to the Dallas Cowboys earlier this offseason. Such a move does not seem imminent or likely to materialize at this point, and probably doesn't make any sense for the Saints. The Steelers have an obvious need to fill, and will likely be connected to many players in pursuit of a second wide receiver this offseason. Alan breaks it down. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Alan Saunders and Zachary Smith discuss all things Pittsburgh Steelers. On today's episode, we discuss if the team's trip to Ireland in Week 4 has a negative impact on the rest of the schedule due to the Bye week placement. How will the team prepare for the trip? What uniforms will the Steelers breakout when they unveil a throwback uniform and helmet against the Green Bay Packers. What do we make of the increasing price for consumers of the league due to having to have all the streaming services? What's the answer? Let's go for another Steelers Afternoon Drive and discuss all this and more! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to Steelers Morning Rush, our new daily short-form podcast with Alan Saunders, giving a longer perspective on a single news topic surrounding the Pittsburgh Steelers or the National Football League. Today, it's Alan's reaction to the Pittsburgh Steelers 2025 schedule -- from the perspective of a beat writer only, without consideration to the thoughts of team success. Check it out! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Alan Saunders and Zachary Smith discuss all things Pittsburgh Steelers. On today's episode, we discuss what to make of the leaks that have come out so far regarding the team's schedule. Let's go for another Steelers Afternoon Drive and discuss all this and more! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices