In Friday’s “On Sports,” the Steelers are bringing in an FCS standout quarterback for a visit fresh off of his pro day, while the Pirates, despite most recently losing to the Orioles, continue a strong spring training.

Speaking of strong springs, Andrew McCutchen is tearing it up in a prove-it situation with the Texas Rangers, with whom he inked a late minor-league deal after going unsigned as spring training got underway.

Steelers QB interest

For the second straight offseason, the Steelers are anticipating Aaron Rodgers to be their quarterback but awaiting word on the veteran’s intentions.

In the meantime, with the NFL Draft approaching, the club is working out a strategy, including how to approach the quarterback position.

Per Ryan Bowlin of KVRR in Fargo, N.D., the Steelers are preparing to host North Dakota State signal caller Cole Payton for a workout Friday.

Payton, 23, was at NDSU for five seasons (2021-25), enjoying a versatile role with the Bison.

He started at quarterback only last year as a redshirt senior, passing for 2,719 yards, 16 touchdowns and four picks while completing 72% (162 of 225) of his passes.

On the ground, he added 777 yards and 13 touchdowns, averaging 5.7 yards per carry.

Payton suffered a season-ending injury in 2024 and the prior season, was utilized primarily on the ground, as he threw only 27 passes but ran 84 times for 615 yards and 13 scores.

A two-time (2021, 2024) FCS national champion, Payton partook in NDSU’s pro day on Thursday.

Strong spring for Pirates

The Pirates fell to Baltimore, 5-2, Thursday, but at 16-10 thus far into Grapefruit League play, the club has already won its most spring training games since 2017, when it won 19.

However, as evidenced by the Pirates’ eventual 75-87 record that year, spring training success is hardly a bellwether for how the regular season will go.

Still, this spring has offered an opportunity to get a glance at several of the Pirates’ new additions.

Outfielder Jhostynxon Garcia, acquired in December from Boston for pitcher Johan Oviedo, has had a strong spring to date, batting .441 with 15 hits, two homers and five RBIs over 16 games.

Major free-agent acquisition Ryan O’Hearn has hit .323, tying for the team lead in RBIs (nine), while projected designated hitter Marcel Ozuna is batting .286 through 12 games.

On the hill, Mason Montgomery, whom the Pirates traded for in December via Tampa Bay, has a 3.00 ERA with nine strikeouts and three walks over six appearances.

Cutch showing out

Andrew McCutchen waited a long time to find a home after the Pirates declined to bring back the franchise legend for a fourth straight season following a reunion from 2023-25.

Taking to social media to voice his frustration while showing off his readiness for the 2026 campaign, McCutchen eventually signed a minor-league contract with the Texas Rangers, receiving an invite to spring training.

McCutchen cracking the Rangers’ Opening Day roster is far from a given, but through six appearances, he’s undoubtedly giving manager Skip Schumaker something to think about.

The 39-year-old McCutchen is batting a torrid .533 with eight hits, a homer, three doubles and seven RBIs to date.

Cutch went yard Wednesday against the Royals for his first homer of spring, a three-run shot.

If McCutchen does earn a role with the Rangers this upcoming season, a notable milestone he’ll be closing in on will be 2,300 career hits, as he sits at 2,266 for his 17-year career.

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