Joe Starkey’s Cup of Joe: Evgeni Malkin’s suspension was a joke compared to Brandon Hagel’s free ride
CUP OF JOE: Starkey on sports in 350 words or less (or more, in this case) Silly question, but might there be reasons why people keep attacking Buffalo Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin? And might one of those reasons be that Dahlin specializes in sneak-attack crosschecks from behind? Nah. It’s probably...
First Call: Kenny Pickett leaves Raiders; Patrick Queen may go to an NFC team
Tuesday’s “First Call” has the latest destination for former Pittsburgh Steeler Kenny Pickett. Some NFC East teams are showing interest in Patrick Queen. The Penguins face the best in the Metropolitan Division. And we look at the odds for Pitt and Duquesne to stay alive in the postseason. Pickett on...
Joe Starkey’s Mailbag: How would you grade the Steelers’ 1st day of free agency?
You ask. I answer. It’s time for “Mailing It In,” a weekly Q&A that appears Tuesdays at TribLive.com. Most of the questions come via X, but you can also hit me up at jraystarkey@gmail.com. Let’s gooooooo … J, @Crossland895: Hello Joe! If you would, please grade day 1 of the...
A-10 tourney returns to Pittsburgh: ‘The city is the roots of the Atlantic 10’
It’s true some Pittsburgh Penguins players were donning Duquesne jerseys before a recent game at PPG Paints Arena. After all, what’s wrong with a little neighborly love? The Atlantic 10 is hoping to see a host of team jerseys this week when the annual A-10 men’s basketball tournament returns to...
Tim Benz: Acquiring Michael Pittman Jr. won’t erase the Steelers’ WR depth issue. But he’s a good 1st step toward solving itVideo
In order to fix the Pittsburgh Steelers’ wide receiver problem, general manager Omar Khan needed to admit it actually existed. That’s something he was unwilling to do over the last two years. At least trading for Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. acknowledges that. According to a report from...
Steelers replace Kenneth Gainwell with 1,000-yard rusher Rico Dowdle
Hours after adding a two-time 1,000-yard receiver to their offense, the Pittsburgh Steelers added a two-time 1,000-yard rusher in free agency. The Steelers agreed to terms with running back Rico Dowdle on Monday, according to The Schultz Report. Dowdle, who will turn 28 this summer, has 2,155 rushing yards over...
Isaac Mattson seeks to sharpen slider, changeup to complement his invisible fastball
BRADENTON, Fla. — Isaac Mattson has heard his disappearing four-seam fastball described as a unicorn fastball, invisible fastball or even the invisi-ball, but the Pittsburgh Pirates right-handed reliever has his own name for it. “I just call it a heater,” Mattson said, with a smile. It’s a heater delivered with...
NFL QB market, impacted by a thin draft class, features Kirk Cousins, Kyler Murray and not much else
The Atlanta Falcons have declared Kirk Cousins will be a salary-cap cut. Kyler Murray has been informed of his impending release by the Arizona Cardinals. Geno Smith is widely expected to join them this week once the Las Vegas Raiders let him go. Beyond them, well, the landscape of available...
Still no QB – but trade for Michael Pittman Jr. highlights opening of free agency for Steelers
There was no word from Aaron Rodgers, and (again) no concrete plans for the Pittsburgh Steelers at quarterback a day into free agency. But that doesn’t mean the Steelers weren’t busy in the hours after the so-called “legal tampering period” opened Monday. And amid a flurry of comings and goings,...
Robert Morris dumped by Detroit Mercy in Horizon League semifinals
Robert Morris’ bid for a second consecutive Horizon League Tournament championship screeched to a halt Monday night in Indianapolis. Orlando Lovejoy combined for 21 points and six assists, and No. 3 Detroit Mercy upset defending champion No. 2 Robert Morris, 70-64, in the semifinals at Corteva Coliseum in Indianapolis. Despite...
Konnor Griffin delivers key hit as Pirates beat Yankees
Keyed by a run-scoring double by top prospect Konnor Griffin, the Pittsburgh Pirates defeated the New York Yankees, 5-3, in spring training baseball Monday night in Tampa, Fla. With the Pirates trailing 3-1 and the bases loaded in the top of the fifth, Griffin hit a two-run, two-out, two-strike double...
Paul Skenes shines, Aaron Judge homers as U.S. tops Mexico in World Baseball Classic
Aaron Judge hit a two-run homer and Roman Anthony added a three-run drive in a big third inning to lead the United States over Mexico, 5-3, in the World Baseball Classic at Houston’s Daikin Park on Monday night. The U.S. improved to 3-0 and will meet Italy (2-0) on Tuesday...
The Penguins see big potential in forward Elmer Soderblom
It wasn’t the most detailed scouting report ever issued. But it was highly accurate. When asked what he knew about his new teammate with the Pittsburgh Penguins, Erik Karlsson was precise. “He’s a very big guy,” the defenseman said Sunday. “I know that.” At 6-foot-8 and 252 pounds, forward Elmer...
Steelers trade for 2-time 1,000-yard WR Michael Pittman Jr., per report
For the second consecutive March, the Pittsburgh Steelers acquired a high-profile name on the veteran wide receiver market — just not so via free agency. For the second year in a row, too, this target is a big one — literally. The Steelers acquired 6-foot-4 Michael Pittman Jr. from the...
Steelers awarded league high-tying 4 compensatory picks in draft
The NFL officially awarded four extra selections to the draft’s hosts. The league on Monday announced its list of compensatory selections for the April 23-25 draft to be held in Pittsburgh, and no team was given more than the Steelers. The Baltimore Ravens and Philadelphia Eagles joined the Steelers with...
Free agent lineman Isaac Seumalo leaving Steelers for Cardinals
The Pittsburgh Steelers need a new starter at left guard after Isaac Seumalo agreed Monday to sign as a free agent with the Arizona Cardinals. The 32-year-old offensive lineman played the past three seasons for the Steelers and earned Pro Bowl honors in 2024. Seumalo received a three-year, $31.5 million...
Pitt gears up for rematch with Stanford, Ebuka Okorie in ACC TournamentVideo
On the last day of the regular season, by the skin of its nose, Pitt kept its men’s basketball season going and qualified for the ACC Tournament. That came via topping Syracuse on the road in overtime, 71-69, on Saturday. Following the game, coach Jeff Capel commended his team’s effort....
Steelers MVP Kenneth Gainwell joining Buccaneers as free agent
The Pittsburgh Steelers team MVP is headed elsewhere as a free agent. Running back Kenneth Gainwell, who led the Steelers in receptions last season, agreed to a two-year, $14 million contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, according to reports. He was the second former Steelers player lost to free agency...
Mark Madden: Penguins’ gutsy comeback felt like a season-saver and more sports notes
Spring ahead, fall back, but it’s always time for refreshing sports notes! (I have no idea what time it is.) • The Pittsburgh Penguins’ 5-4 overtime win over Boston at PPG Paints Arena on Sunday felt like a season-saver. The Penguins showed maximum guts after trailing 3-0, igniting a furious...
Atlantic 10 Tournament primer: Get to know the 14 teams playing at PPG Paints Arena
The Atlantic 10 Conference Tournament returns to PPG Paints Arena this week, with games beginning Wednesday through Sunday afternoon’s championship. With a men’s basketball conference tournament title up for grabs and, along with it, an automatic berth to the NCAA Tournament, the league’s 14 teams arrive in Pittsburgh looking to...
Madden Monday: Evgeni Malkin’s slash and suspension is among the ‘most selfish acts in the history of Penguins’Video
The Pittsburgh Penguins managed to get three of a possible four points over the weekend at PPG Paints Arena. The Pens beat the Boston Bruins, 5-4, on Sunday, a day after they picked up a point for a 4-3 shootout loss to Philadelphia. The last Battle of PA this season...
First Call: Browns meet with potential Steelers draft target; UFA wide receiver may already be gone
Monday’s “First Call” has eyes on wide receivers in the news when it comes to both the NFL Draft and free agency. The Robert Morris basketball team hopes to take another step toward the NCAA Tournament. And the school’s hockey team took another leap back toward the level of success...
Steelers add top-rated free agent cornerback Jamel Dean
Cornerback was an obvious position of need for the Pittsburgh Steelers this offseason, so they quickly addressed those concerns twice on Monday. Hours after re-signing one of their own cornerbacks, the Steelers added another in former Tampa Bay starter Jamel Dean, who Pro Football Focus rated as the fifth-best free...
Chiefs, tight end Travis Kelce nearing a deal for his 14th season, AP source says
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Kansas City Chiefs and Travis Kelce are nearing a deal to bring the four-time All-Pro tight end back for a 14th season, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press on Monday. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because a contract had...
Report: Steelers re-sign cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. to 1-year deal
The Pittsburgh Steelers made their first move of free agency by re-signing cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. to a one-year deal, according to reports. The move to bring back the five-year veteran came hours before the NFL’s legal tampering period began at noon Monday, when pending free agents can negotiate with...
