Can Steelers blame Kirk Cousins drama for Aaron Rodgers delay? Justin Fields resented benching?

Post-Gazette sports columnist Jason Mackey joins host Adam Bittner to react to the week in Pittsburgh sports news.

Is Aaron Rodgers delaying his deal with the Steelers out of fear of losing his job like Kirk Cousins did to Michael Penix Jr. with the Atlanta Falcons last season? As Fox Sports insider Jason McIntyre has speculated? What should we make of Justin Fields' comments to reporters, in which he said he didn't feel "comfortable" with Mike Tomlin and the Steelers following his midseason benching in favor of Russell Wilson? How seriously should the GM Omar Khan be taking Shedeur Sanders as a draft option? Whether or not Rodgers signs? And was T.J. Watt being cryptic in an Instagram post in which he gave a peace sign? Or are fans and observers looking too far into it and what it means for his future with the Steelers? Our duo tackles those questions and more.

In the second and third segments, airing on the Post-Gazette’s new Pirates YouTube channel, the guys give their thoughts on a busy week for the Pirates on and off the field.

How much criticism does team president Travis Williams deserve for the Bucco Bricks fiasco, the bungled tribute to Roberto Clemente, attendance issues and the state of PNC Park? Are the problems with the Pirates as a business eclipsing their shortcomings on the field? And how much is owner Bob Nutting paying attention to his club's issues amid relentless chants for him to "sell the team" that started at the home opener last weekend and have not subsided?

Our duo tackles those questions, then analyzes on-field performance in the second segment. Should we worry about a small dip in Paul Skenes' velocity in his worst start as a Pirates on Tuesday in a loss to the Cardinals? Are Justin Lawrence, Denis Santana and Caleb Ferguson the answers manager Derek Shelton has been looking for in the bullpen following struggles from David Bendar and Colin Holderman in high-leverage roles? Should we be more encouraged or discouraged by Ke'Bryan Hayes' start to the season offensively? How much grace will veterans Tommy Pham and Adam Frazier get amid their struggles? And how important does Andrew McCutchen remain to this lineup?

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