The Pittsburgh Football Podcast by Chris Gates

Chris Gates
  • 5.0 (2)
  • Football
  • Updated Weekly

Pitt. Steelers. Football. A lifelong fan talking the game and building a community for people who love it.

Episodes

  1. 3d ago

    7. What's Going Well in Pitt Training Camp? + Is Desmond Reid Returning?

    The 2026 Pitt football season is almost here, and the reports coming out of training camp have been overwhelmingly positive — particularly on offense.  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.  --  Subscribe everywhere » https://pittsburghfootballpodcast.transistor.fm/subscribe  PFP Website » https://pittsburghfootballpodcast.com/  Join our Mailing List! » https://mailchi.mp/f0b2fd6460f5/pittsburgh-football-podcast-mailing-list-sign-up  --  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?

    7. What's Going Well in Pitt Training Camp? + Is Desmond Reid Returning?

  2. 4d ago

    6. Is Will Howard going to be cut? + Joey Porter Jr Contract Impasse

    The Pittsburgh Steelers are running out of time to answer some major questions before the 2026 regular season begins.  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.  --  Subscribe everywhere » https://pittsburghfootballpodcast.transistor.fm/subscribe  PFP Website » https://pittsburghfootballpodcast.com/  Join our Mailing List! » https://mailchi.mp/f0b2fd6460f5/pittsburgh-football-podcast-mailing-list-sign-up  --  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

    6. Is Will Howard going to be cut? + Joey Porter Jr Contract Impasse

  3. Aug 18

    5. Where Does Pitt Rank in the ACC? Plus Best-Case, Worst-Case Scenarios for 2026

    Where does Pitt actually rank in the ACC heading into the 2026 season? 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 — Intro04:16 — Preseason Projections for Pitt07:36 — Ranking the ACC by Tiers20:17 — Best-Case/Worst-Case Scenarios for Pitt

    5. Where Does Pitt Rank in the ACC? Plus Best-Case, Worst-Case Scenarios for 2026

  4. Aug 17

    4. Steelers' Big Extensions & Preseason Game 1 Takeaways

    In today's episode, I break down everything from the Pittsburgh Steelers' preseason opener against the Green Bay Packers to the major financial moves altering the landscape of the roster. 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.

    4. Steelers' Big Extensions & Preseason Game 1 Takeaways

  5. Aug 7

    3. 2026 Steelers Season Preview and Predictions

    The 2026 NFL season is almost here, and it's time to preview what could be one of the most fascinating Steelers teams we've seen in years. 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 coachWhy I'm optimistic about Aaron Rodgers in 2026Breaking down the Steelers' quarterback roomOffensive strengths and biggest question marksDefensive outlook under Patrick GrahamBest-case vs. worst-case scenariosAFC North predictionsComplete game-by-game schedule predictionFinal record prediction and playoff outlookThanks 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 Check06:31 - Analyzing the Mike McCarthy Hire 12:37 - Steelers QB Discussion20:44 - Roster Upgrades in 202628:23 - Best Case vs. Worst Case Scenarios for the Season32:44 - Season Prediction

    3. 2026 Steelers Season Preview and Predictions

  6. Aug 7

    2. Pitt Panthers 2026 Season Preview and Predictions

    The 2026 Pitt football season is almost here, and it's time to dive into what to expect from the Panthers this fall. In this episode, I break down my overall outlook for the team, why I'm entering the season with cautious optimism, and what has to happen for Pitt to take the next step after finishing 8-4 a year ago. In this episode, we discuss: My overall vibe check heading into training campWhy this feels like a pivotal season for Pat NarduzziWhether the hot seat conversation is actually justifiedWhy Mason Heintschel is the biggest key to Pitt's seasonExpectations for the offense, defense, and special teamsThe biggest strengths and question marks on the rosterA complete game-by-game breakdown of the 2026 scheduleMy official season prediction and why I think Pitt has a real opportunity to win nine gamesIf 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 - Introduction04:59 - My overall Pitt Vibe Check13:09 - Pat Narduzzi and “Hot Seat” Discussion22:09 - Previewing Pitt’s offense29:21 - Previewing Pitt’s defense33:41 - Previewing Pitt’s special teams36:36 - Prediction time

    2. Pitt Panthers 2026 Season Preview and Predictions

  7. Episode 1

    Welcome to the Pittsburgh Football Podcast

    Welcome to the inaugural episode of The Pittsburgh Football Podcast!  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!

    Welcome to the Pittsburgh Football Podcast

Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

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About

Pitt. Steelers. Football. A lifelong fan talking the game and building a community for people who love it.

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