Podcast appearances and mentions of jason mackey

Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette thinks the reunion tour is over for Andrew McCutchen and the Pirates. Mackey thinks McCutchen could be looking for more of a full-time role in the lineup. Donny and Austin want McCutchen to come back. The Pirates have larger issues at third base, left field, and shortstop.

In this hour, Adam Crowley and Dorin Dickerson talk to Jason Mackey about the latest developments with the Pirates. Also, Lee Sterling from paramountsports.com comes on The Fan Hotline. October 3, 2025, 9:00 Hour

Jason Mackey, PG Pirates writer joined the show. He thinks the Pirates payroll will be around $90 million. He was surprised that Ben Cherington was retained. The Pirates want to get rid of Mitch Keller because he's not good enough to justify his salary. Jason reports Oscar Marin was fired because of what Pirates pitchers said about him in player exit interviews. Mackey believes Andrew McCutchen has played his last game with the Pirates.

-Poni is producing the show for the 1st time and doing a masterful job. He's making it look quite easy as a matter of fact. Donny is hosting and starts the show by talking about the #1 issue facing the Pirates this offseason: their need for hitting help. And why Mitch Keller is the player that needs traded to get hitting help. Mullsy pontificates about Keller going to a new team and becoming a star. "I need someone here who can hit." Mullsy he used the word "WAR" more than time in his life. -Calls are supposed to be on the Pirates but the show has already gone off the rails. -Jason Mackey, PG Pirates writer joined the show. He thinks the Pirates payroll will be around $90 million. He was surprised that Ben Cherington was retained. The Pirates want to get rid of Mitch Keller because he's not good enough to justify his salary. Jason reports Oscar Marin was fired because of what Pirates pitchers said about him in player exit interviews. Mackey believes Andrew McCutchen has played his last game with the Pirates.

On the Tuesday edition of the North Shore Drive podcast, Post-Gazette sports columnist Jason Mackey welcomes Steelers insider Ray Fittipaldo to ponder the sustainability of some standout performances from the NFL Week 4 win against the Minnesota Vikings in Dublin, Ireland. Can names like DK Metcalf, Kenneth Gainwell, Nick Herbig and Payton Wilson keep producing as they did Sunday? Why was OC Arthur Smith able to get the running game going with Gainwell and Kaleb Johnson? What will happen to the receiver group if Calvin Austin III is forced to miss time while injured? When will Pat Freiermuth and Jonnu Smith get more involved in the offense? Where is coach Mike Tomlin's team fitting into the AFC Noth race? And how impactful is DeShon Elliott within DC Teryl Austin's defense? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Insider coverage of the Pittsburgh Steelers from the Post-Gazette insiders who know them best: Gerry Dulac, Ray Fittipaldo, Brian Batko, Christopher Carter, Jason Mackey and Paul Zeise. From Aaron Rodgers, DK Metcalf, Jaylen Warren and the offense. To T.J. Watt, Jalen Ramsey, Cam Heyward and coach Mike Tomlin's defense. They have the up-close view of the team that you can only get from the Post-Gazette. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jason Mackey comes on The Fan Hotline from Ireland to share his experience so far since being their, and he also shares how he feels about the Steelers playing the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday.

In this hour, Dorin Dickerson reaches out to Adam Crowley and Jason Mackey individually on The Fan Hotline so they can share each of their experiences of traveling to Ireland for the weekend. Also, is it time for this former Steelers' QB to retire from the NFL? September 26, 2025, 7:00 Hour

On the Thursday episode of the North Shore Drive podcast, presented by FanDuel and Edgar Snyder & Associates, host Adam Bittner welcomes Post-Gazette sports columnist Jason Mackey to react to comments by former Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger fearing that Mike Tomlin, OC Arthur Smith and DC Teryl Austin could be outcoached in the NFL Week 4 matchup against the Minnesota Vikings in Dublin, Ireland. How much stock should fans put in Roethlisberger's comments as someone who knows the team well? Does he have a justified lack in faith in Tomlin and Co.? Or is he simply impressed by names like Kevin O'Connell and Brian Flores in Minnesota? And how much should his thoughts on Broderick Jones and the offensive line concern the fan base? Our duo tackles those questions. Then Jason gives his exclusive scoop on the scene in Dublin ahead of the game. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

PG columnist Jason Mackey joined the show. Jason has been in Ireland all week, so he gave a lay of the land of what is going on. He told the guys about some of the local vernacular he's picking up. Jason thinks this game does mean a little bit more to the Steelers. Jason thinks the Rooney family would like for this to not be the last time the Steelers play in Dublin. Jason said it could be close to a 50/50 crowd even though the Steelers are the home team.

The guys are at Studio B and Poni was late after being warned of that by Donny and Chris earlier today. So, we made fun of him for the first segment until he showed up around 2:12 pm. Does this game mean more to the Steelers? We know how much the trip means to the Rooney family and how much it would have meant to the late Dan Rooney. It seems like some players, Cam Heyward included, sounds like this game has some more juice. The guys think it also means a ton to Mike Tomlin, given how much it means for the family that hired him. Poni said he can't picture the Steelers coming out flat in this game. PG columnist Jason Mackey joined the show. Jason has been in Ireland all week, so he gave a lay of the land of what is going on. He told the guys about some of the local vernacular he's picking up. Jason thinks this game does mean a little bit more to the Steelers. Jason thinks the Rooney family would like for this to not be the last time the Steelers play in Dublin. Jason said it could be close to a 50/50 crowd even though the Steelers are the home team.

On the Tuesday edition of the North Shore Drive podcast, presented by Edgar Snyder & Associates, Post-Gazette sports columnist Jason Mackey and insider Ray Fittipaldo gauge the Steelers' growth through three games. Is coach Mike Tomlin's defense improving, even if it's still giving up too many yards? How encouraged should we be that T.J. Watt and Cam Heyward produced like the stars they're supposed to be in NFL Week 3 against the New England Patriots? Is RB Jaylen Warren's elevated role in the offense a good thing? Do he and fellow RB Kenneth Gainwell have any chance for success behind a struggling offensive line that includes Broderick Jones and Troy Fautanu? Have those guys shown progress themselves? And what did we learn about DBs Jaylen Ramsey and Jabrill Peppers in facing Drake Maye and the Patriots? Our duo tackles those questions and more. Try ZipRecruiter for FREE at ZipRecruiter.com/audio Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Post-Gazette sports columnist Jason Mackey joins host Adam Bittner to gauge the Cy Young Award chances of Pirates ace Paul Skenes. Does he have the award locked up on the National League side? With only Detroit's Tarik Skubal coming close to matching his production on the American League side? How badly would a Cy Young in a losing season for Skenes reflect on owner Bob Nutting, GM Ben Cherington and manager Don Kelly? Have the Pirates as a club taken Skenes' greatness for granted, in a strong rotation that also includes Mitch Keller? And what level of pressure is on Cherington and Kelly amid the team's latest losing skid? 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 sports columnist Jason Mackey joins host Adam Bittner to recap the non-conference portion of Penn State football's 2025 schedule and look ahead toward Big Ten Conference play. Did we learn anything about coach James Franklin's squad against outmatched Nevada, Florida International and Villanova teams? Would we have liked to see more from Drew Allar through three games? Is Dani Dennis-Sutton primed for an Abdul Carter-like season? And are receivers Kyron Hudson, Devonte Ross and Trebor Pena; tight end Luke Reynolds; and pass rusher Chaz Coleman the most encouraging surprises so far? 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 the Friday episode of the North Shore Drive podcast, presented by Edgar Snyder & Associates, host Adam Bittner welcomes Post-Gazette sports columnist Jason Mackey to analyze the Steelers' recurring communication issues. How much blame does coach Mike Tomlin deserve for them? Are they becoming a stale excuse for him? Is his scheme the problem considering they've persisted after names like Minkah Fitzpatrick and Donte Jackson were swapped out for guys like Jalen Ramsey, Juan Thornhill and Darius Slay Jr. this offseason? Or does Tomlin need another assistant to help sort these issues out? Our guys tackle those questions, as well as T.J. Watt's lack of sacks through two games. Are those excusing the production by citing his pressure rate using the same arguments they've dismissed about Myles Garrett's performance with the Cleveland Browns for years? Should those pressures eventually open up opportunities to Jack Sawyer, Alex Highsmith and Nick Herbig to finish plays? And how much should Watt's gaudy offseason contract be part of the conversation? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Post-Gazette sports columnist Jason Mackey joins host Adam Bittner to ponder the future of Pitt coach Pat Narduzzi after the Panthers' Backyard Brawl loss to West Virginia. Should Narduzzi's job be in jeopardy after dropping such a winnable rivalry game? What are AD Allen Greene's options realistic options considering Narduzzi's sizable buyout? And how much is Pitt's casual fan base a problem in terms of building a sustainable program? Our duo tackles those questions, the impact Desmond Reid's injury could have on QB Eli Holstein and OC Kade Bell's offense and the top storylines we're following with an eye toward ACC play next week. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this hour, Adam Crowley and Dorin Dickerson are joined by Jason Mackey to have more discussions about the Steelers. Also, Christopher Price from The Boston Globe comes on The Fan Hotline to give the perspective from a New England Patriots' reporter. September 19, 2025, 8:00 Hour

Jason Mackey shares with Adam Crowley and Dorin Dickerson why he believes sports journalism is becoming more and more clouded.

Is Aaron Rodgers already having buyer's remorse about choosing the Steelers? With injuries at QB in both Minnesota and Cincinnati, Rodgers could be stuck with a bad offense. Poni thinks the Week 2 performance and loss, filled with multiple gaffes, could already create some cracks in the armor. Can Mike Tomlin save this thing? HOCKEY TALK! Kyle Dubas responded to the rumors of Sidney Crosby – or his agent – tossing out the idea of a future trade. Dubas said if he placates Crosby right here and now, that doesn't help his team in the future. The guys think Dubas has already tried things ‘Sid's way' and they didn't work, so now they are facing a rebuild. PG columnist Jason Mackey joined the show. Jason feels more confident than ever that the Ben Cherington era will be over in Pittsburgh as the Pirates skid to the finish. What does the future look like for this team? Jason still thinks Paul Skenes wants to win here. Jason doesn't expect the payroll to go much higher in 2026 – maybe around $90M.

PG columnist Jason Mackey joined the show. Jason feels more confident than ever that the Ben Cherington era will be over in Pittsburgh as the Pirates skid to the finish. What does the future look like for this team? Jason still thinks Paul Skenes wants to win here. Jason doesn't expect the payroll to go much higher in 2026 – maybe around $90M.

In this hour, Adam Crowley and Jason Mackey react to many of the comments made by Steelers' head coach Mike Tomlin in his weekly press conference that was held on Tuesday. September 17, 2025, 6:00 Hour

In this hour, Adam Crowley and Jason Mackey search for anyone who can come up with a reasonable argument in support of Steelers' head coach Mike Tomlin. Also, is Steelers' owner Art Rooney II becoming complacent with the state of the team? And will RB Kaleb Johnson ever return kicks for the Steelers again? September 17, 2025, 7:00 Hour

In this hour, Adam Crowley and Jason Mackey assess how important and relevant kickoffs are now in the NFL with the new format. Also, why can't the Steelers pressure QBs adequately right now? And Ray Fittipaldo from The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette comes on The Fan Hotline. September 17, 2025, 8:00 Hour

Former NFL GM Doug Whaley comes on in this hour to give his unique perspective on the latest in sports with Adam Crowley and Jason Mackey. September 17, 2025, 9:00 Hour

Adam Crowley and Jason Mackey talk about the Steelers inability to put pressure on other teams early in the season.

After the decision was made to sit him, Adam Crowley and Jason Mackey wonder what made Mike Tomlin and the Steelers want to let RB Kaleb Johnson return kicks.

Adam Crowley and Jason Mackey wonder what would have to happen this season for the Steelers to finally make some serious changes.

Adam Crowley and Jason Mackey react to Steelers' head coach Mike Tomlin claiming that communication is one of the biggest barriers that is stopping the defense from being better.

On the Tuesday episode of the North Shore Drive podcast, Post-Gazette sports columnist Jason Mackey and insider Ray Fittipaldo sort through blame for the Steelers' defensive struggles through the first two games of 2025. Are coach Mike Tomlin and position assistant Karl Dunbar most to blame for the defensive line's ineffectiveness, particularly against the run? Or do Cam Heyward, Keeanu Benton, Isaiahh Loudermilk and Yahya Black need to step up amid the injury to Derrick Harmon? Our duo tackles those questions and more defensive issues. Are defenses picking on Jalen Ramsey? And should fans be worried about T.J. Watt's lack of stats? The guys also ponder some offensive topics. Are Broderick Jones and Troy Fautanu in an early-season slump? Or are the experiencing something worse? What should Tomlin do with Kaleb Johnson after his enormous kickoff gaffe? And does Arthur Smith's distribution of carries for Kenneth Gainwell and Jaylen Warren make any sense? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Post-Gazette sports columnist Jason Mackey joins host Adam Bittner to sort through the controversy surrounding the future of the Backyard Brawl rivalry between Pitt and West Virginia. Who shares more blame for the future for the series going on hiatus? Pat Narduzzi, Allen Greene and the Panthers? Or Rich Rodriguez, Wren Baker and the Mountaineers? Would both teams benefit from some non-conference scheduling flexibility? Or should this game be played every year? And how should College Football Playoff resume conversations influence the conversation? Our duo tackles those questions and more before the teams square off Saturday. How much pressure will Narduzzi be under if Pitt loses the game as a 7.5-point favorite? How encouraged should fans be by a possible 3-0 start for the Panthers? And who will prove to be the hero for Pitt on Saturday? Eli Holstein? Braylan Lovelace? Desmond Reid? Or someone else?

On the Friday episode of the North Shore Drive podcast, presented by Edgar Snyder & Associates, host Adam Bittner welcomes Post-Gazette sports columnist Jason Mackey to analyze which young Steelers are under the most pressure to prove themselves heading into NFL Week 2 against the Seattle Seahawks? Can Roman Wilson finally generate some production behind DK Metcalf and Calvin Austin III after a quiet Week 1 and a lost rookie season in 2024? Will Darnell Washington emerge as advertised next to Pat Freiermuth and Jonnu Smith at tight end? What's going on with Payton Wilson? And when will he live up to his self-proclaimed potential as the best cover linebacker in the NFL? And what are reasonable improvements Broderick Jones can make at left tackle after a disastrous Week 1? Our duo tackles those questions, then analyzes the differences Aaron Rodgers at QB and Jalen Ramsey at CB have made to their respective units. And whether Ramsey is bringing a different attitude to his defense than did Minkah Fitzpatrick, the guy who was traded for Ramsey before training camp.

Post-Gazette sports columnist Jason Mackey joins host Adam Bittner to analyze the future of Henry Davis and other young players with the Pirates. Is Henry Davis still a viable candidate to be the club's catcher of the future? Or are his struggles at the plate to profound to overcome in his time share with Joey Bart? Will any of Nick Yorke, Cam Devanney, Liover Peguero or Ji-Hwan Bae appear on the opening day roster next season? What should GM Ben Cherington and manager Don Kelly do with Oneil Cruz amid his continued underachievement? Where should Cherington be planning to allocate his free agent dollars for 2026? And where do names like Denis Santana, Braxton Ashcraft and Bubba Chandler fit into the future bullpen mix? Our duo tackles those questions and more.

Post-Gazette sports columnist Jason Mackey joins host Adam Bittner to ponder Penn State's progress through the first two weeks of the season. Have coach James Franklin's Nittany Lions proven anything yet? Is there anything they can show against Villanova that they haven't against Florida International and Nevada? Does Franklin deserve criticism for the soft schedule? And is Oregon in a few weeks the only test that matters? Our duo tackles those questions and more. Among them: Are Devonte Ross, Kyron Hudson and Trebor Pena the best trio of receivers the program has had in a while? Where does Drew Allar rank among NFL draft QB hopefuls like Clemson's Cade Klubnik, LSU's Garrett Nussmeier and LaNorris Sellers? Can we expect more dominance from Kaytron Allen and Nick Singleton? And how is Penn State figuring into the College Football Playoff national title conversation alongside names like Oregon, Ohio State and LSU?

In this hour, Adam Crowley, Dorin Dickerson and Jason Mackey preview the upcoming Backyard Brawl. Also, Lee Sterling from paramountsports.com and former Pitt Football player Scott McKillop each come on The Fan Hotline. September 12, 2025, 9:00 Hour

Former Pitt Football player and "13-9" participant Scott McKillop comes on The Fan Hotline to share his experience of the rivalry with Adam Crowley, Dorin Dickerson and Jason Mackey.

PG columnist Jason Mackey joined the show. Jason does not think the Penguins will be trading Sidney Crosby. Does he have any hold ups since Sid's agent made comments recently? Jason talked about the change in ownership that could be taking place down the road. Jason can't see a trade of that magnitude happening at the deadline, but reiterated that he doesn't ever see it happening.

How badly do the Steelers really want Tyreek Hill? The price tag is high, the trade return may not be too bad, but Hill has plenty of baggage. Is he worth all of that? The guys think it's pretty damming to Roman Wilson because the Steelers could be at the point where they don't think this guy has anything in his game. After the good day from Calvin Austin, should the Steelers be banging down the door for this to happen? We have a Monday Night Football doubleheader this week. Is a 10 pm start time on a weeknight a tough ask for fans? A few other WR rumors that are swirling. PG columnist Jason Mackey joined the show. Jason does not think the Penguins will be trading Sidney Crosby. Does he have any hold ups since Sid's agent made comments recently? Jason talked about the change in ownership that could be taking place down the road. Jason can't see a trade of that magnitude happening at the deadline, but reiterated that he doesn't ever see it happening.

On the Tuesday episode of the North Shore Drive podcast, Post-Gazette sports columnist Jason Mackey welcomes Steelers insider Ray Fittipaldo to analyze the Steelers' outlook after the NFL Week 1 victory against the New York Jets. Should Aaron Rodgers' performance cause us to adjust expectations for coach Mike Tomlin's team? How much of the production from receivers like DK Metcalf, Calvin Austin III and Jonnu Smith is sustainable in future weeks? Why did Broderick Jones struggle so much at OT and how will OC Arthur Smith respond if those struggles continue? Should we be surprised at the distribution of carries between Jaylen Warren and Kenneth Gainwell? And how could injuries to Joey Porter Jr. and DeShon Elliott impact the Week 2 game against Seattle? Our duo tackles those questions and more.

Post-Gazette sports columnist Jason Mackey joins host Adam Bittner to react to Pitt football's season-opening beating of Duquesne and look ahead to a Week 2 matchup with Central Michigan. Is Eli Holstein proving he belongs in the conversation with Miami's Carson Beck and Clemson's Cade Klubnik as the best QBs in the ACC? Should coach Pat Narduzzi and OC Kade Bell be concerned about the lack of rushing production beyond Desmond Reid? What does Duquesne receiver Joey Isabella's big day mean for the Pitt secondary? And why was Blue Hicks among the standouts at receiver for Jason? Our duo tackles those questions and more.

Post-Gazette sports columnist Jason Mackey joins host Adam Bittner to react to the Pirates' run of success over the past couple of weeks, culminating in a series win against the defending World Serie champion Los Angeles Dodgers on Thursday. Could this hot streak save GM Ben Cherington's job despite the ugly start to the year? Will Bob Nutting believe in the direction he's set, especially on the pitching side? And how does Don Kelly figure into the future? Our duo tackles those questions; analyzes reasons young pitchers like Paul Skenes, Bubba Chandler, Braxton Ashcraft and Mike Burrows are arriving MLB-ready after years of prospect underachievement; and ponder whether Jared Triolo can keep up his offensive numbers and be closer to the player the Pirates hoped Ke'Bryan Hayes would become.

On the Friday edition of the North Shore Drive podcast, presented by Edgar Snyder and Associates, host Adam Bittner welcomes Post-Gazette sports columnist Jason Mackey to take stock of DK Metcalf's role with the Steelers. Is he actually the most important player on the team? Despite the presence of Aaron Rodgers, Cam Heyward, T.J. Watt and Jaylen Ramsey? Should his contract elevate the pressure for him to post bigger numbers than George Pickens did? Or is it the lack of depth behind him, with Roman Wilson and Calvin Austin still finding their way? And what difference will his attitude make in this Steelers locker room? Our duo tackles those questions; what success looks like for Rodgers within OC Arthur Smith's offense; and Cam Heyward's handling of his contract dispute with GM Omar Khan's front office.

Post-Gazette sports columnist Jason Mackey joins host Adam Bittner to react to Penn State football's victory against Nevada and forward to a Week 2 matchup with Florida International. Are Dani Dennis-Sutton and DC Jim Knowles the pieces the Nittany Lions need to form a College Football Playoff national championship caliber defense? What did Drew Allar prove in distributing the ball to a bunch of receivers in the season opening win? Do Kyron Hudson, Devonte Ross and Trebor Pena give OC Andy Kotelnicki the depth necessary at receiver to challenge defenses? And is the running game's lack of explosiveness beyond Kaytron Allen and Nick Singleton a concern for coach James Franklin? Our duo tackles those questions and more.

In this hour, Adam Crowley, Dorin Dickerson, Jason Mackey and Nicholas "Harry" Callas give their final predictions ahead of the game between the Steelers and the New York Jets. Also, Lee Sterling from paramountsports.com comes on The Fan Hotline. September 5, 2025, 9:00 Hour

PG columnist Jason Mackey joined the show. Jason admitted he is wavering on his Ben Cherington claim that he would be gone at season's end, but he does believe the Pirates will still move on from their GM. Should the Pirates re-sign Andrew McCutchen? There is a good argument to bring back Tommy Pham, who has ended up being a pretty good offseason signing. Jason still has hopes Bob Nutting will look at the whole body of work and not just how the team played in the final month. Jason shared that Cherington is under contract through ‘at least' next season. Jason thinks Cherington stays if the Pirates finish this final month strong.

On the Tuesday episode of the North Shore Drive podcast, presented by Edgar Snyder & Associates, Post-Gazette sports columnist Jason Mackey welcomes insider Ray Fittipaldo to react to the team's new three-year contract with RB Jaylen Warren. Were coach Mike Tomlin and GM Omar Khan right to lock the veteran up through 2027? Especially on the heels of the third-round selection of Kaleb Johnson in the NFL draft? And how does this heighten expectations for Warren within OC Arthur Smith's offense next to backfield mates like Kenneth Gainwell? Our duo ponders those questions, then wonders whether Aaron Rodgers or Justin Fields have more to prove when the Steelers face the New York Jets in NFL Week 1 on Sunday; how close DC Teryl Austin's defense can come to the "historic" label coach Mike Tomlin gave it in the preseason; and which NFL draft QB hopefuls and possible Steelers draft picks -- from Drew Allar to Arch Manning, Cade Klubnik and Garrett Nussmeier -- impressed during a busy first week of action.

In this clip from the Friday episode of the North Shore Drive podcast, presented by Edgar Snyder & Associates, host Adam Bittner welcomes Post-Gazette sports columnist Jason Mackey to ponder the Steelers' worst-case scenarios in 2025 and what could lead to them. Is the quarterback room good enough as a whole? From Aaron Rodgers with question marks as a 41-year-old to Mason Rudolph as a backup in the event Rodgers is injured? Or could those two doom the team if they're not playing at their best? What happens if DK Metcalf is injured? Do coach Mike Tomlin, GM Omar Khan and OC Arthur Smith have enough depth there in the form of Calvin Austin III, Roman Wilson and Scotty Miller? Or do they still need to make a move at some point? And have the communication issues in the defensive backfield been rectified? Or will Jalen Ramsey, Darius Slay Jr. and Juan Thornhill fall into similar traps that Minkah Fitzpatrick did in leading the group last season? Our duo tackles those questions and more.

Post-Gazette sports columnist Jason Mackey joins host Adam Bittner analyze the Pirates' decision to wait until late August to promote top pitching prospect Bubba Chandler to MLB. Should GM Ben Cherington have had him here months ago, when he could have helped salvage the season for stalwarts like Paul Skenes and Mitch Keller in the rotation? Or was this team always doomed to fail because of its deficient offense? Were Chandler's struggles in the minor leagues legitimate concerns? Or a reflection of his frustration with his slow promotional route? And who are the prospects Jason would like to see next? From Nick Yorke to Hunter Barco? Our duo tackles those questions and more. Is Henry Davis starting to put things together at catcher, given the team has a winning record when he plays? Does the 2026 rotation need another veteran like Andrew Heaney? Or should the Pirates lean into homegrown options like Braxton Ashcraft? And should Skenes be a lock to win the Cy Young award at season's end?

Post-Gazette sports columnist Jason Mackey joins host Adam Bittner to give season predictions for the Pitt Panthers football team at the start of the 2025 season. How cool is it to see coach Pat Narduzzi's team facing crosstown rival Duquesne in the season opener? Is Eli Holstein capable of a season like Kenny Pickett had in 2021 en route to an ACC conference championship? Is Desmond Reid's health the most important factor for OC Kade Bell's offense? And is Pitt a top three or four team if it can follow through on linebacker Kyle Louis' vision of finishing games? 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 welcomes Post-Gazette sports columnist Jason Mackey to ponder best-case scenarios for the Steelers in 2025 and what needs to go right to attain them. Do T.J. Watt, Alex Smith, Nick Herbig and the pass rush need to be better than they were in 2024? And how much will a reloaded offensive line with Derrick Harmon and Yahya Black next to Cam Heyward and Keeanu Benton help in that pursuit? Can the entire quarterback room be good enough for OC Arthur Smith? From Aaron Rodgers, who's facing questions about how quickly he can find his stride, to Mason Rudolph in a backup role. And can coach Mike Tomlin get where he wants to go if Broderick Jones, and potentially also Troy Fautanu, aren't playing at close to a Pro Bowl level in protecting a largely immobile Rodgers behind center? Our duo tackles those questions and more.

Host Adam Bittner welcomes Post-Gazette sports columnist Jason Mackey to preview the season for coach James Franklin's Penn State Nittany Lions football team. Will we learn anything about Drew Allar, Kaytron Allen, Nick Singleton and others during an easy early-season schedule? Or will we need to wait until White Out night against the Oregon Ducks in late September? How much can the new Jim Knowles defense dominate Big Ten opponents? Can Penn State finally beat its nemesis Ohio State in Columbus? And what are Jason's picks in terms of record, the conference title race and College Football Playoff potential? Our duo tackles those questions and more.