In Episode 17 of the Pittsburgh Football Podcast, I break down my biggest observations from Pitt's win, including a breakout performance from the running game, another dominant showing from the defense and some growing concerns surrounding Mason Heintschel and the passing attack.

Damon Ferguson and La'Vell Wright helped Pitt pile up nearly 250 rushing yards, while the offensive line answered some important questions and created running lanes throughout the night. Meanwhile, Pitt's defense continued its outstanding start to the season, forcing two interceptions and holding another opponent to 13 points or fewer.

But the passing game was a different story. We dig into Heintschel's 10-of-23 performance, missed opportunities in the passing game, what Syracuse may have done to make him uncomfortable and why the next few weeks could be important for both Heintschel and offensive coordinator Cade Bell.

We also discuss Pitt's penalty problems, another strong night from the special teams, the emergence of Corey Sanders' defense and why the upcoming Bucknell game could be an opportunity to get healthy and fine-tune the offense before a major road test at Virginia Tech.

Pitt is undefeated with plenty of room to improve — and that's not a bad place to be.

Subscribe to the Pittsburgh Football Podcast for Pitt and Steelers coverage throughout the season.

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TIME STAMPS:

00:00 - Intro
04:55 - Heintschel Struggles But Running Game Dominates
24:58 - Defense Continues to Dominate
30:58 - Special Teams, Penalties, & Looking Ahead to Virginia Tech

In this episode of the Pittsburgh Football Podcast, Chris breaks down everything you need to know about Pitt vs. Syracuse, including the biggest matchups, key players and what the Panthers need to do to start conference play with a win.

Syracuse enters the game coming off a frustrating 21-18 loss to Cal in which the Orange outgained the Bears but were undone by three Steve Angeli interceptions, 15 penalties and missed opportunities. Can Pitt's defense create similar problems for Angeli?

Chris breaks down Syracuse's offense and defense, why pressure on Angeli could be one of Pitt's biggest advantages, the importance of playing cleaner football than the Orange, and what we still need to learn about Mason Heintschel and the Pitt offense after last week's rain-soaked win over UCF.

Plus, Chris discusses the latest player availability news, including Ja'Kyrian Turner and Malik Knight, gives his Pitt-Syracuse prediction and takes a look at the biggest games around the ACC and college football this weekend.

Topics include:

• Pitt vs. Syracuse preview
• Steve Angeli and the Syracuse offense
• Pitt's defensive keys to victory
• Syracuse's penalty and turnover problems
• Mason Heintschel and the Pitt offense
• Syracuse's defense
• Ja'Kyrian Turner and Malik Knight injury updates
• Pitt-Syracuse prediction
• ACC and college football Week 3 games

Subscribe to the Pittsburgh Football Podcast for year-round Pitt Panthers and Pittsburgh Steelers coverage.

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TIME STAMPS:

00:00 - Intro
03:28 - In The News with Pitt and Syracuse
12:36 - Previewing Syracuse
21:13 - Keys to the Game for Pitt
29:33 - Predicting Pitt-Syracuse & Other Games of Interest

In this episode of the Pittsburgh Football Podcast, Chris breaks down the biggest takeaways from the Steelers' Week 1 victory, starting with a dominant defensive performance led by T.J. Watt. Watt looked like the game-changing force Steelers fans have grown accustomed to seeing, finishing with two sacks and a pick-six as Pittsburgh made life miserable for Falcons quarterback Cooper Rush.

We also dive into Patrick Graham's impressive defensive debut, Pittsburgh's success containing Bijan Robinson on the ground, and strong performances throughout the Steelers' defensive front.

On offense, there were considerably more questions. Aaron Rodgers showed flashes of what this passing game could become, but drops, missed opportunities and an offensive line that continues to look vulnerable kept Pittsburgh from turning several promising plays into touchdowns. We break down the encouraging signs from Rodgers, Pat Freiermuth and Michael Pittman Jr., the frustrating misses involving DK Metcalf and Roman Wilson, and why the right side of the offensive line could quickly become one of Pittsburgh's biggest problems.

Finally, we dig into the Joey Porter Jr. situation after he was inactive for Week 1. With no contract extension completed before the regular season, Mike McCarthy's postgame comments, continued questions about Porter's availability and trade speculation have created a fascinating situation to watch heading into Week 2.

The Steelers are 1-0. T.J. Watt looks like T.J. Watt again. But there's plenty this team needs to clean up before heading to New England.

Subscribe to the Pittsburgh Football Podcast for Steelers and Pitt football coverage throughout the 2026 season.

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TIME STAMPS:

00:00 - Intro
04:39 - TJ Watt and a Dominant Performance
10:48 - Steelers Dominant Front 7
16:44 - A Rough Performance Offensively
27:05 - Joey Porter Trade Talk

How much of the offense's struggles were due to playing football in a monsoon? Or does Pitt really have major problems to deal with on the offensive line and passing game?

How much of the defensive performance was due to UCF playing in the same monsoon? Or can we confidently conclude Pitt's defense is the real deal?

In today's episode, Chris breaks down his biggest observations of the game and explains what was real, what wasn't, and what to look for heading into Pitt's game against Syracuse on Thursday night.

Be sure to subscribe, like, and share the Pittsburgh Football Podcast with a friend if you enjoy this episode!

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TIME STAMPS:

00:00 - Intro
04:39 - How Much Did We Actually Learn About Pitt?
18:46 - Pitt's Impressive Defensive Performance
23:40 - Special Teams Might Have Been Pitt's MVP
26:10 - Questionable Timeouts and Clock Management
28:51 - We'll Probably Learn More on Thursday

In Episode 13 of the Pittsburgh Football Podcast, Chris previews Pittsburgh's Week 1 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons and breaks down the biggest storylines, matchups and keys to starting the 2026 season 1-0.

First, we catch up on the ongoing Joey Porter Jr. saga. Christian Gonzalez's new contract has further established the cornerback market, the Steelers have reportedly made Porter an offer, and yet the two sides still haven't reached an agreement. Add in Porter's limited practice participation and lingering back issue, and there's now a legitimate question about what role—if any—he'll have against Atlanta.

Then it's time to break down the matchup.

The Falcons have questions at starting quarterback, but Atlanta does have one of the most dangerous offensive weapons in football in Bijan Robinson. Can Pittsburgh's highly paid defensive front contain Robinson, force Atlanta into obvious passing situations and make Tua beat them?

On the other side, we'll finally get our first look at Aaron Rodgers, DK Metcalf and Michael Pittman Jr. together in Mike McCarthy's offense. Against an Atlanta defense dealing with significant turnover and questions in its front seven, this could be an ideal opportunity for the Steelers' new-look offense to find its footing.

Chris breaks down:

• The latest on Joey Porter Jr.'s contract and Week 1 status
• Why Tua starting could be a major advantage for Pittsburgh
• The challenge of containing Bijan Robinson
• How Pittsburgh's defensive front matches up with Atlanta's offense
• What to expect from Aaron Rodgers and the Steelers' passing game
• Why Michael Pittman Jr. is one of the players to watch
• Where Pittsburgh should have an advantage against Atlanta's defense
• The keys to victory for the Steelers
• A final score prediction

Subscribe to the Pittsburgh Football Podcast for Steelers and Pitt football coverage throughout the 2026 season, and visit PittsburghFootballPodcast.com for more.

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TIME STAMPS:

00:00 - Intro
04:33 - What’s “In The News” for the Steelers & Falcons
17:37 - Previewing the Steelers Offense Against the Falcons
20:26 - Previewing the Steelers Defense Against the Falcons
23:55 - Prediction Time!

After opening the year with a dominant 59-14 win over Miami (Ohio), the Panthers take a significant step up in competition against a UCF team coming off a 73-6 win of its own. In this episode of the Pittsburgh Football Podcast, Chris down the Knights, what Scott Frost has built in his second season back at UCF, and the matchups that could determine Saturday's game.

Can Pitt's defensive front shut down UCF's rushing attack and force quarterback Alonza Barnett III to beat the Panthers through the air? Can Pitt take advantage of UCF's turnover along both lines of scrimmage? And after throwing for 453 yards and seven touchdowns in Week 1, how will Mason Heintschel respond against an experienced UCF secondary that was one of the better pass defenses in the Big 12 last season?

Chris breaks down why the battle in the trenches could decide this game, what Pitt needs to do to create havoc defensively, why the Panthers' running game could become more important this week, and whether what we saw against Miami was a sign of what's to come.

Plus, a look around the ACC and some of the biggest games in college football this weekend before wrapping up with a Pitt-UCF prediction.

Can Pitt prove that its dominant Week 1 performance was more than just a product of the opponent?

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TIME STAMPS:

00:00 - Intro
03:02 - What’s “In the News” with Pitt?
09:00 - Overview of Scott Frost and the UCF Program
17:35 - Previewing UCF’s Offense & Pitt’s Defensive Matchup
27:06 - Previewing UCF’s Defense & Pitt’s Offensive Matchup
36:06 - Predictions and Other Games Around the ACC

In this episode of the Pittsburgh Football Podcast, Chris breaks down his biggest takeaways from Pitt’s blowout victory at Acrisure Stadium, starting with Heintschel’s monster performance: 453 passing yards, seven touchdowns, and another sign that the sophomore quarterback may be taking the leap Pitt hoped to see in Year 2.

Chris discusses what stood out about Heintschel beyond the box score, the early comparisons to Kenny Pickett, and an offense that showed off plenty of speed and a surprisingly deep group of playmakers. He also dives into Blue Hicks’ response to a brutal dropped touchdown, Pitt’s dominant run defense, some growing pains in the secondary, and why the offensive line concerns coming out of Week 1 may be a little overblown.

Plus, one of Pitt’s biggest preseason question marks delivered an encouraging first impression. Antonio Chadha drilled a 58-yard field goal, Gabe Russo impressed at punter, and the Panthers may have some answers in the kicking game — although the kick coverage unit has plenty to clean up.

And yes, we’ll talk about the tarps.

Finally, Chris runs through the biggest results from around the ACC and college football in a chaotic Week 1 before turning the page toward Pitt’s next test against UCF.

Subscribe to the Pittsburgh Football Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts and on YouTube, and visit PittsburghFootballPodcast.com for more Pitt and Steelers coverage.

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TIME STAMPS:

00:00 - Intro
05:48 - Mason Heintschel and the Pitt Offense
26:16 - Pitt’s Defensive Performance on Saturday
32:13 - A Surprising Special Teams Performance
37:17 - Things You Can Get Mad About (if you really want to)
42:28 - News Around the ACC and Country in Week 1

Miami isn’t your typical Week 1 MAC opponent. The RedHawks have invested heavily in their football program, built one of the more talented rosters in the Group of Six, and enter the season as one of the MAC’s top programs under longtime head coach Chuck Martin. But they’ll also come to Pittsburgh with major questions — including a new starting quarterback who has never taken a snap in a college football game.

We break down Miami’s roster, the matchups that could determine this game, why stopping the RedHawks’ running game should be priority No. 1 for Pitt’s defense, and why Pitt’s experienced offensive line and explosive playmakers could create major problems for a Miami defense replacing a lot of personnel.

Plus, we get into some Pitt and ACC news, including the new tarps going up at Acrisure Stadium, Kade Bell’s comments about the speed Pitt has assembled on offense, what we learned from the ACC in Week Zero, and the latest drama surrounding college football’s new eligibility rules.

Finally, it’s prediction time. I give my final score for Pitt vs. Miami (OH), take a look at the biggest games around the ACC this weekend, and make some picks as the 2026 college football season officially gets underway.

Topics include:

• Pitt vs. Miami (Ohio) preview
• Why Miami is a dangerous MAC opponent
• David McComb making his first college start
• Miami’s plan to run the football against Pitt
• Pitt’s rebuilt defense getting its first test
• Mason Heintschel and Pitt’s explosive offense
• Pitt’s speed at wide receiver and running back
• The new tarps at Acrisure Stadium
• ACC Week Zero takeaways
• Clemson vs. LSU and the biggest ACC games of Week 1
• Pitt vs. Miami (Ohio) predictions

Follow the Pittsburgh Football Podcast for year-round Pitt Panthers and Pittsburgh Steelers coverage!

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TIME STAMPS:

00:00 - Intro
03:15 - In the News for Pitt
12:18 - In the News Around the ACC
18:04 - The Disparity Between P4 and G6 Programs
24:58 - Previewing the Miami OH Redhawks
33:36 - Predicting The Game & Previewing Other ACC Matchups

In Episode 9 of the Pittsburgh Football Podcast, I break down the ongoing contract standoff between Joey Porter Jr. and the Steelers as the clock ticks toward the start of the regular season. With Porter activated from the PUP list and Pittsburgh expecting healthy players to practice, who actually has the leverage now? What happens if Porter continues to hold out and starts accumulating fines? And if he returns without a new contract, does that give the Steelers the upper hand?

More importantly: if the Steelers aren't willing to find a way to extend a young, homegrown player like Porter after successfully drafting and developing him, who exactly are they willing to pay?

Then, I dig into the trades of Broderick Jones to the Dallas Cowboys and Kaleb Johnson to the Green Bay Packers. While Pittsburgh managed to get draft capital in return for two players who may not have had significant roles this season, both trades highlight a troubling trend.

Jones was the No. 14 overall pick in 2023. Johnson was the No. 83 overall pick in 2025. Now both are gone — joining a growing list of premium Steelers draft picks who failed to become long-term building blocks for the franchise.

Topics include:

• The latest on Joey Porter Jr.'s contract negotiations
• The leverage Porter and the Steelers each have
• Why the start of the regular season creates a critical deadline
• What happens if Porter practices without a new contract
• Pittsburgh's win-now approach and why Porter should be part of it
• What the Broderick Jones trade says about his development
• Why the Kaleb Johnson trade is more concerning than it might appear
• The Steelers' troubling recent history with first-round draft picks
• Why drafting, developing AND retaining talent has become such an important issue

The regular season is almost here! Subscribe to the Pittsburgh Football Podcast for Steelers and Pitt football coverage throughout the 2026 season.

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TIME STAMPS:

00:00 - Intro
04:48 - Is Joey Porter Jr. Going to be a Steeler in 2026?
20:15 - Broderick Jones and Kaleb Johnson Traded

Pitt opens the 2026 season against Miami (Ohio) on Saturday, and if you haven’t been following every twist and turn of the offseason, this episode is designed to get you completely caught up before kickoff.

We go through the biggest developments since Pitt’s bowl loss to East Carolina, including the major roster departures, what Pitt did — and didn’t do — in the transfer portal, and the biggest questions that remain at positions like offensive line, wide receiver, tight end and special teams.

We also break down the chaos surrounding college football’s new 5-for-5 eligibility rule and what it has meant for the possibility of players like Desmond Reid returning to Pitt.

Then we turn our attention to what happened on the field this offseason. There’s been a lot of positive buzz coming out of spring practice and training camp, particularly surrounding Mason Heintschel and the Pitt offense. Pat Narduzzi has been unusually effusive in his praise of that group, while players like Ja'Kyrian “Boozie” Turner, Censere Lee and freshman running back Damon Ferguson have generated plenty of excitement.

On defense, Pitt has major production to replace after losing Kyle Louis and Rasheem Biles, but there are reasons to believe the Panthers can reload once again under new defensive coordinator Cory Sanders.

Plus, we discuss Pitt’s new UPMC jersey patch, changes coming to Acrisure Stadium, what stood out from the annual kickoff luncheon, Pitt’s health entering Week 1, and why I’m sticking with my prediction of a 9-3 season and a Pitt team that can contend for a spot in the ACC Championship Game.

If you tuned out after last season ended and are just getting back into Pitt football, this is your primer for the 2026 season.

The wait is over. Let’s play football!

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TIME STAMPS:

00:00 - Intro
04:48 - Comings and goings on Pitt’s roster
13:25 - The 5-for-5 rule and a crazy summer of legal rulings
23:15 - News and notes from spring ball and summer training camp
33:04 - What’s “In The News”

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In this episode of the Pittsburgh Football Podcast, I break down everything we’ve heard from Pitt training camp and what I think actually matters as the Panthers prepare for the season. 

The biggest story is Mason Heintschel. After bursting onto the scene as a freshman last season, Heintschel appears to have taken another significant step forward. Pitt’s offense has performed extremely well in camp, Heintschel has drawn rave reviews from both local and national media, and there’s growing reason to believe Pitt could have one of the better quarterbacks and offenses in the ACC. 

We also dive into Ja'Kyrian Turner’s development at running back, the emergence of true freshman Damon Ferguson, Censere Lee and Pitt’s speedy wide receiver room, why the offense winning Pitt’s training camp scrimmages is noteworthy, and why I’m not particularly concerned about Pat Narduzzi’s defense despite some significant personnel losses. 

Finally, we break down one of the strangest stories in college football: the new 5-for-5 eligibility rules and whether former Pitt players could return for another season. 

Could Desmond Reid actually return to Pitt after spending time with the Buffalo Bills? Is Justin Holmes a more realistic option? And if Pitt has an opportunity to bring back a player who can immediately make the team better, should they do it? 

We break it all down as Pitt gets ready to kick off the 2026 season. Subscribe to the Pittsburgh Football Podcast for more Pitt Panthers and Pittsburgh Steelers coverage throughout the football season. 

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TIME STAMPS: 

00:00 — Intro 
03:37 — Mason Heintschel’s impressive training camp 
13:57 — Other intel on the offense 
22:15 — intel on the defense 
26:02 — Could Desmond Reid & Justin Holmes be coming back to Pitt? 

In this episode of the Pittsburgh Football Podcast, Chris Gates breaks down the increasingly complicated quarterback situation after Will Howard and Drew Allar took a step backward in the Steelers' second preseason game. Did their performances solidify Mason Rudolph's spot as Aaron Rodgers' backup? Should Pittsburgh carry four quarterbacks? And how should the Steelers balance developing Howard and Allar for the future with building the best possible 53-man roster right now? 

Chris also dives into the growing Joey Porter Jr. contract saga after Mike McCarthy described negotiations between Porter and the Steelers as being at an "impasse." How concerned should Steelers fans be about Porter missing the start of the season? Is there a realistic middle ground on a new contract? And if the two sides truly can't reach an agreement, should Pittsburgh actually consider trading Porter for draft capital that could eventually help the franchise find its next quarterback? 

Plus, Chris explains why the emergence of Asante Samuel could change the equation, why Pittsburgh's quarterback decisions are as much about 2027 as 2026, and why NFL players' cryptic social media posts during contract negotiations need to stop. 

With the final preseason game approaching and the regular season less than three weeks away, it's time for the Steelers to start finding some answers. 

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TIME STAMPS: 

00:00 — Introduction 
03:22 — Will the Steelers Keep 3 or 4 QBs? 
14:52 — Joey Porter Jr. and the Steelers at an Impasse

Forget the preseason hype. In this episode, I break down the entire ACC and explain where I think every team truly belongs entering the year.

I walk through my ACC tier rankings, discuss why I believe Pitt is being underrated nationally, and explain why I have the Panthers as legitimate contenders to reach the ACC Championship Game. Along the way, I also examine the preseason media poll, Pitt's 7.5-win over/under, and why preseason projections should always be taken with a healthy dose of skepticism.

I also break down Pitt's best-case and worst-case scenarios for the season, identify the swing games that will define the year, and explain what has to happen for the Panthers to put themselves in the College Football Playoff conversation.

TIME STAMPS:

00:00 — Intro
04:16 — Preseason Projections for Pitt
07:36 — Ranking the ACC by Tiers
20:17 — Best-Case/Worst-Case Scenarios for Pitt

First, we do a complete game recap: evaluating the play-calling under Mike McCarthy, examining how young depth responded, and sorting out the "Good" and "Bad" from game one. From Will Howard and Drew Allar's QB play to standouts like Asante Samuel Jr., Germie Bernard, Robert Tonyan, and Kaden Wetjen, we look at who made a real case for themselves in August. Conversely, we address Troy Fautanu's left tackle struggles and Kaleb Johnson’s alarming lack of usage in the backfield hierarchy.

Then, we transition directly into front-office business: Keeanu Benton securing his new 4-year extension to stay alongside Nick Herbig long-term, Devon Witherspoon’s market-resetting $132M deal in Seattle, and what that means for Joey Porter Jr.'s high-stakes contract negotiations.

In this episode, I break down where my confidence level sits heading into the season and why my opinion of Mike McCarthy has changed dramatically since he was hired. What initially felt like an underwhelming move has slowly become one of the biggest reasons I'm optimistic about where this team is headed.

From there, we dive into the quarterback position. I explain why I think Aaron Rodgers is being underestimated, what a reunion with Mike McCarthy could mean for the offense, and why I believe the Steelers have done a much better job surrounding him with legitimate weapons. I also share my thoughts on the backup quarterback situation, including why I don't think the QB2 competition is quite what many people are making it out to be.

We also take a deep look at both sides of the ball, discussing the biggest reasons for optimism — and the biggest concerns — on offense and defense. From the upgraded receiving corps and offensive line depth to Patrick Graham's aggressive defensive philosophy and an improved secondary, there's plenty to like. At the same time, we discuss the areas that could ultimately determine whether this team reaches its ceiling or falls short.

Finally, I break down my best-case and worst-case scenarios for the season before making my official game-by-game predictions. I explain why I'm picking the Steelers to win the AFC North, finish 11-6, and finally end their playoff drought with a postseason victory.

If you're looking for an in-depth Steelers season preview before Week 1 kicks off, this episode has you covered!

Topics include:

• My evolving thoughts on Mike McCarthy as head coach
• Why I'm optimistic about Aaron Rodgers in 2026
• Breaking down the Steelers' quarterback room
• Offensive strengths and biggest question marks
• Defensive outlook under Patrick Graham
• Best-case vs. worst-case scenarios
• AFC North predictions
• Complete game-by-game schedule prediction
• Final record prediction and playoff outlook

Thanks for listening, and if you enjoy the show, be sure to subscribe, leave a rating and review, and follow along for weekly Steelers coverage all season long.

TIME STAMPS: 

00:00 - Introduction & Vibe Check
06:31 - Analyzing the Mike McCarthy Hire 
12:37 - Steelers QB Discussion
20:44 - Roster Upgrades in 2026
28:23 - Best Case vs. Worst Case Scenarios for the Season
32:44 - Season Prediction

In this episode, we discuss:

• My overall vibe check heading into training camp
• Why this feels like a pivotal season for Pat Narduzzi
• Whether the hot seat conversation is actually justified
• Why Mason Heintschel is the biggest key to Pitt's season
• Expectations for the offense, defense, and special teams
• The biggest strengths and question marks on the roster
• A complete game-by-game breakdown of the 2026 schedule
• My official season prediction and why I think Pitt has a real opportunity to win nine games

If the Panthers can stay healthy and their young core continues to develop, I think this team has every opportunity to be playing meaningful football in November again.

Do you agree with my predictions? Where do you think Pitt finishes this season? Let me know your thoughts!

If you enjoy the show, be sure to subscribe so you don't miss future episodes throughout the season. You can also visit PittsburghFootballPodcast.com to read articles, join the mailing list, and follow the show across social media.

TIME STAMPS:

00:00 - Introduction
04:59 - My overall Pitt Vibe Check
13:09 - Pat Narduzzi and “Hot Seat” Discussion
22:09 - Previewing Pitt’s offense
29:21 - Previewing Pitt’s defense
33:41 - Previewing Pitt’s special teams
36:36 - Prediction time

In this episode, I (Chris) dive into why I'm launching this show, what makes it distinctly different from traditional sports radio and podcasts, and what you can expect as we head into the upcoming football season and beyond.

If you’re tired of rushed hot takes, endless commercial breaks, and superficial sports talk, you’ve found the right home. This podcast is built for die-hard fans who want real, detailed, in-the-weeds discussions about Pitt and the Steelers. I'm obsessed with this stuff, and I can't get enough of it.

If it sounds like something you'd like to follow along with for the coming football season, please subscribe. Thanks for listening!