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...
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...
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 cross-checks 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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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,...
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...
Kenneth Walker headed to Kansas City, Malik Willis starts QB reset in Miami, AP sources say
Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III is the new running back for Patrick Mahomes in Kansas City, Miami settled on Malik Willis for a reset at quarterback and receiver Mike Evans is headed to San Francisco after 12 years in Tampa Bay. People with knowledge of the agreements told the...
Westmoreland County campus clips: 1st-year Saint Vincent coach earns conference honors
Kam Gissendanner was the AMCC women’s basketball coach of the year five times in 12 years when she led LaRoche. She’s 1 for 1 at Saint Vincent. The first-year leader of the Bearcat women was named PAC coach of the year after guiding Saint Vincent to a conference runner-up season....
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...
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. The winner receives an automatic berth to the NCAA Tournament. Here’s a look at the 14 teams from top to bottom. No. 1 Saint Louis First game: Double-bye; plays at...
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...
Man who helped recruit players into a sprawling NCAA basketball point-shaving scheme pleads guilty
One of the so-called fixers in a sprawling betting scheme to cash in on big bets on rigged NCAA basketball games pleaded guilty Monday, according to the federal prosecutors’ office in Philadelphia. Jalen Smith appeared in federal court in Philadelphia and pleaded guilty to wire fraud and bribery charges, becoming...
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...
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....
Former Steelers cornerback James Pierre signing with Vikings
The Pittsburgh Steelers are losing one cornerback to free agency. James Pierre will capitalize on his breakout 2025 season and sign as a free agent with the Minnesota Vikings, according to an NFL Network report Monday. Pierre agreed to a two-year, $8.5 million contract with $3.7 million guaranteed, according to...
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 re-sign veteran ILB Cole Holcomb, DT Esezi Otomewo
Less than two hours before the so-called “legal tampering period” for NFL free agency got underway, the Pittsburgh Steelers reportedly reached agreement with one of their own unrestricted free agents. Veteran inside linebacker Cole Holcomb is coming back on a two-year, $5 million contract, according to The 33rd Team. Holcomb,...
‘Striving for excellence’: How Cael Sanderson and Penn State continue to lap Big Ten foes
Cael Sanderson nodded his head as Mitchell Mesenbrink spoke. The Penn State head coach listened intently as his 165-pounder explained part of what makes the school’s wrestling program special. “Our coaches have set a foundation at Penn State that doesn’t change,” Mesenbrink said in a press conference following the 2026...
Jordan Harrison helps No. 15 West Virginia beat No. 10 TCU for women’s Big 12 Tournament crown
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — As the buzzer sounded on the Big 12 Tournament championship game, Jordan Harrison ran and leaped into the waiting arms of her West Virginia teammates, who squeezed her so hard it looked as if it hurt. It was just about the only time anyone corralled Harrison...
