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Jason Mackey's sports chat: 07.10.25
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Jason Mackey
12:29
I don't, either. Wrote a bunch of my thoughts this morning here: https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/jason-mackey/2025/07/10/mlb-trade-...
I don't think they should or need to blow it up. Obviously deal guys on expiring deals but little else outside of Hayes. Chart a new path this offseason.
Gene
12:29
I think the key to a successful season for the Steelers will be the OL and protecting AR so he can throw. Do you think they will add to the line before September?
Jason Mackey
12:30
I do, too, Gene. Hugely important part. I'm really curious to see how the tackles look. Troy Fautanu was really, really good -- we forget -- before he was lost for the season. They might add a bit part. But I think their primary 5 is pretty much set.
epiballo
12:30
Coaching gets blame for the woes of the Steelers and Pirates, but too much? Tomlin isn't on the field when an interception is thrown of a called third strike is taken. Isn't it more the execution or the lack thereof of the players?
Jason Mackey
12:31
It's a combination. I don't think it's a consistent rank. But I agree in general we overblame coaches and underblame players executing.
Just The Truth
12:31
Jason, of all the moves the Steelers made this off-season,  which do you think will work out best and which do you think has the highest chance of failure?
Jason Mackey
12:32
I think the highest chance of failure is Aaron Rodgers. Just because of his age and what happens if he gets hurt, etc. The one I think could work out best: DK Metcalf. I'm tempted to say Ramsey/Smith. But Metcalf is big and physical. Really impressed watching him at minicamp. Can be an absolute stud.
epiballo
12:32
While he was interesting the short time he played for the Pirates, but what in the world does Daniel Vogelbach, a career .219 hitter with a 29% strikeout rate, bring to the Pirates as a 'special assistant?"
Jason Mackey
12:33
Vogelbach actually understood a lot about hitting. Now, they're hitting program stinks, so this isn't an endorsement. But what he can bring is thinking through at-bats, how to use mechanics, make changes, etc. Think about Vogelbach's body type. You think a guy like that makes it as far as he did relying on pure athleticism? I think not.
Guest
12:33
Jason, you’ve written great articles on a variety of sports. Have you ever done any on golf - I think you’d bring a fresh viewpoint.
Jason Mackey
12:34
I covered the U.S. Open. That was my first real foray into it, and I love it. It has quickly become maybe my second favorite behind baseball, neck and neck with the NFL. Ha. I would love to write about it more, believe me.
Guest
12:34
it’s been 30 years since Jerry Garcia passed away. I know you’re a young dude, but did you ever have a chance to see him perform live?
Jason Mackey
12:34
Never. Sadly. I got into the Dead around age 16. Jerry was unfortunately gone by then.
Coach T
12:34
At the end of the 2025 regular season, who will have the most all-purpose yards from my spectacular stable of RBs?  Kenny Gain(yards)well, The Juggernaut Jaylen Warren or Caleb 'The Crusher' Johnson?
Jason Mackey
12:35
Gain(yards)well. I like it. I think Warren winds up with the most yards. But I think it's tight with Johnson. I think young Kaleb will be utilized a lot.
Sunner in Orlando from Lebo
12:35
Zeise was saying the other day that this is the Steelers best opportunity to win a playoff game since Ben left. Do you agree with him, or will they be the same 9-8 team with a first round flameout?
Jason Mackey
12:36
I agree with that take -- not the Pirates needing to blow it up. I think they will win a playoff game. Not two, mind you. And it might be more harmful than helpful when considering their 2026 draft position. But I do think they can win a postseason game.
epiballo
12:36
How much should post-career relationships affect an organization's decision to retire a great player's number? I am thinking of Terry Bradshaw. Shouldn't it be based on his accomplishments alone?
Jason Mackey
12:37
Umm ... I wouldn't treat all cases equally. Now, I think Terry's number should be retired. I don't know how it's not. But I wouldn't fault the Steelers -- or any org -- for also weighing post-playing days issues. What if the guy got in seriously trouble in his 50s? You're gonna ignore that?
Sunner in Orlando from Lebo
12:37
Do you know how far apart the Steelers and Watt are? Does Watt want to be the highest paid defensive players in the league, or does he want more guaranteed money than Garrett? Have you heard numbers leaked from either party?
Jason Mackey
12:39
Have not. Few have. But I think you're on target here. And it's probably some of both. Watt wants, most of all, the guaranteed money to be taken care of. That's often the most important part of a deal. How you get there, not sure that matters as much. But I would have to imagine T.J. wants a deal that represents his value.
TVC15
12:39
Year after year Drew Allar always seems to play small in big games. Penn State had the most favorable playoff schedule of any team last year first facing middling SMU and Boise State but against a top team like Notre Dame, Allar was 12 of 24 for 135 yards  / 5.9 avg. /  ZERO touchdowns and 1 pick and probably would have done even worse against Ohio State (he went 12 of 20 for 146 yards  / 7.3 avg. /  ZERO touchdowns and 1 pick against them in the regular season) . Can Penn State realistically win a National Championship with him? I do not think he is that good.
Jason Mackey
12:40
He's a college kid. I promise you, it is possible for him to fare a lot better in that department this year. They obviously need that to happen. Penn State won't win a national title unless it does. But to answer your question, yes, I think the Nittany Lions can realistically win a national championship with Drew Allar as QB.
Sunner in Orlando from Lebo
12:40
Pens look like the Pirates 2.0. I don't see them sniffing the playoffs and the draft won't produce any players that will contribute for many years.  How long do you see the Pens rebuilding before they will be a serious playoff contender?
Jason Mackey
12:41
Too long at this point. Seems every time Kyle Dubas talks, they move the goal posts back more. If it's gonna be this far out, I'd trade Rust and Rakell. We might be looking at 3+ years, sadly. I hope I'm wrong.
Andy Carnegie
12:41
Do you think Rodgers will be better about not throwing 500 times and padding his stats, and being more of a game type manager and lean on the running game and short passes?
Jason Mackey
12:42
Interesting topic. I think we need a middle ground here. I don't want Aaron Rodgers to be Trent Dilfer. Instead of 50, how about 30 attempts? I agree the offense doesn't have to -- and probably shouldn't -- depend 100% on Rodgers. But if I'm Arthur Smith, I'm trying to design an offense that accentuates his strengths at the same time.
epiballo
12:43
Has a decision been made yet on where the 2026 NFL draft will be staged? Is the Point able to handle it, or will it be at Acrisure?
Jason Mackey
12:43
I'm not sure the exact location of the stage has been communicated. One of those two, I believe. But I don't know which one.
Sunner in Orlando from Lebo
12:43
We all know the Pirate players on expiring contracts that will probably be moved at the deadline, but do you try to trade Keller, Bednar, Santana, Reynolds and Hayes as well? The old saying is they can lose 100 games with or without them.
Jason Mackey
12:44
I would trade Hayes if I could. Not the other ones. I don't trust the GM.
Gene
12:44
You are given 1,000 grapes. One of them is poisonous and will instantly kill you and there is no way to tell which one. How many grapes are you eating if you get $50,000 for each one you eat?
Jason Mackey
12:44
Zero grapes. I'm a Grateful Dead fan, Gene. Not someone who values money the way the rest of the world might. I'd rather stay alive.
epiballo
12:47
Will the Penguins get worse before they get better? Do you hold any hope that they could possibly squeak into the playoffs? If they play better defense and the 'good' Jarry shows up in net more often than not ...
Jason Mackey
12:47
See above. Yes, I think they probably get worse before they get better. Sadly. I think they could get in the playoffs in 2025-26 if they wanted to. Just doesn't seem like they want to.
JBird
12:47
Great article on the Pirates standing as is and not selling at trade deadline. I agree 100% but for different reasons. Their pitching is some of the best in the league, why not build around that.  If they were to keep their pitching as is (which I think they should) they will have to be willing to spend money in the off season to acquire legitimate bats. Do you think that is something they will be willing to do?
Jason Mackey
12:49
Thanks, JBird. Appreciate that. Your question: Do I think the Pirates will be willing to spend to buy bats? Some. But it won't be as much as everyone wants. The easier method is to deal from a position of strength. Again, I don't trust the current GM to make the right deals, and I would rather see them give the next guy something to work with.
Ben Cherington
12:49
Jason, what have u heard I will be doing at the deadline? And should people believe I will commit to winning in the upcoming offseason?
Jason Mackey
12:49
I think you will trade the guys on expiring deals and not much more. Commit to whatever you want, but it shouldn't be here.
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