Tim Benz stories
Tim Benz’s Steelers NFL Draft preview: Yes, it makes sense to consider tackle in Round 1 … againVideo
The 2026 NFL Draft takes place April 23-25, in Pittsburgh. “Breakfast with Benz” is previewing the Steelers’ potential selections at each position group with Matt Williamson, a former pro and college scout who has worked at Pitt and with the Cleveland Browns. Williamson is an on-air host at WDVE, Fox...
Tim Benz’s Steelers NFL Draft Preview: Debating the best wide receiver options
The 2026 NFL Draft takes place April 23-25, in Pittsburgh. “Breakfast with Benz” is previewing the Steelers’ potential selections at each position group with Matt Williamson, a former pro and college scout who has worked at Pitt and with the Cleveland Browns. Williamson is an on-air host at WDVE, Fox...
Tim Benz’s Steelers NFL Draft preview: Swing for the fences at quarterback, or don’t bother grabbing a batVideo
The 2026 NFL Draft takes place April 23-25, in Pittsburgh. “Breakfast with Benz” is previewing the Steelers’ potential selections at each position group with Matt Williamson, a former pro and college scout who has worked at Pitt and with the Cleveland Browns. Williamson is an on-air host at WDVE, Fox...
Tim Benz, Mike DeCourcy give 4 key storylines for this week’s Final FourVideo
Throughout the NCAA Tournament, Mike DeCourcy (Sporting News/Fox/Big Ten Network) and I have been breaking down the NCAA men’s basketball brackets region by region. Now we are down to the Final Four this Saturday in Indianapolis. Illinois plays UConn at 6:09 pm Saturday. Arizona and Michigan square off at 8:54...
Tim Benz: Now that Konnor Griffin is up, tomorrow needs to be todayVideo
In the 34 years since the Pittsburgh Pirates were eliminated from the 1992 National League Championship Series, the list of things that this franchise does better than other MLB clubs is very short. In fact, the list might simply be one entry: selling the future. Whatever semblance of a fan...
First Call: Ex-Steeler says Mike Tomlin ‘created dysfunction;’ Charlie Batch won’t waver on Aaron Rodgers
Friday’s “First Call” has an interesting critique of Mike Tomlin from a former Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker. Charlie Batch is sticking by his story as to what is going on with Aaron Rodgers. An ex-Steelers safety is heading to a division rival. We examine a busy night in the NHL’s Eastern...
First Call: Source refutes Denver’s rumored interest in Aaron Rodgers; Pirates, Konnor Griffin reportedly ‘deep into negotiations’Video
One of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ AFC rivals may have an interest in Aaron Rodgers. The Steelers may have an interest in a gigantic offensive tackle in the draft. And the Pirates may have an interest in giving $100 million to a 19-year-old. Also, we should all be interested in the...
U mad, bro?: Steelers fans doubting QB and WR, while Pirates fans already angry with Oneil Cruz
Oneil Cruz got off to a bad start, but he’s playing better. The Pittsburgh Steelers’ wide receiver group was in tatters, but it’s getting better. The Steelers’ quarterback situation is — well — that’s going to stay the same forever, I guess. But why focus on the hope for improvement...
Tim Benz: Penguins carry momentum from explosive win in New York to douse Detroit
Some in hockey feel that the concept of momentum is overrated. Maybe even nonexistent, or made up. They believe everything in sports is a singular moment. Any play or game that happens is the result of its own series of circumstances and is not related at all to anything that...
First Call: Steelers interviewing another QB, still looking at corners; NFL might add more Thanksgiving-week footballVideo
In Wednesday’s “First Call,” the Pittsburgh Steelers are interviewing another quarterback while scouting some Tennessee cornerbacks. Two former Steelers are in the mix to join the Detroit Lions. Get ready for some Thanksgiving Eve Football. And the Penguins have a perfect night in the playoff race. QB comin’ The Steelers...
First Call: If Steelers pass on Kirk Cousins, at least 1 team wants him; latest on George Pickens; Penguins’ next huge gameVideo
Tuesday’s “First Call” has a possible destination for Kirk Cousins — if it isn’t Pittsburgh. The Dallas Cowboys are dealing with George Pickens’ contract uncertainty. The Penguins are looking to build off of Monday’s exhilarating win over the New York Islanders. Some big-name Pittsburgh figures are involved in the NFL’s...
Tim Benz: Mike McCarthy appears to have right blueprint for Steelers’ receiver rebuild
I didn’t agree with the premise of the question, but I did agree with how Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike McCarthy answered it. On Monday’s “Pat McAfee Show,” McCarthy was asked what it is going to be like to have “two No. 1” wide receivers on the 2026 roster next season,...
First Call: Tensions rise between NFL and its officials; Flyers surging; Andrew McCutchen’s start with TexasVideo
Monday’s “First Call” has an update on increasing contract tensions between the NFL and its officials. Things are really getting muddy in the NHL’s Eastern Conference. The Pittsburgh Pirates are set for their second series of the season. Andrew McCutchen seems to be enjoying his time in Texas, and a...
Madden Monday: ‘It is just absurd that we’re still waiting for an answer’ to the Steelers’ Aaron Rodgers situation
Last week, former Pittsburgh Steeler Charlie Batch suggested that the hold-up surrounding Aaron Rodgers re-signing in Pittsburgh may be about his salary, more so than his desire to continue playing. “This decision is coming down to money,” Batch said on “The Snap Count” podcast with fellow ex-Steeler Trai Essex. “The...
Tim Benz: Penguins need a few more exclamation point wins before putting a period at the end of their playoff drought
A common writing tip is to avoid using the exclamation point too much. You know, save it for truly exclamatory moments. If you use it all the time, how can anyone tell which statements are really standing out? That goes for any type of writing: news, sports, advertising, books, fiction,...
Beyond the Bylines: Pirates’ Opening Day dud, Penguins thriller, Aaron Rodgers intrigue, Bill Murray moviesVideo
In this week’s “Beyond the Bylines,” Tim Benz and Joe Starkey debate the Pittsburgh Pirates’ season-opening loss to the Mets. They also dive into the Sweet 16, the Penguins’ crucial victory in Ottawa, and they kick around the theory that Aaron Rodgers’ latest contract delay may be about money. Tim...
First Call: Ex-NFL QB recalls odd draft interview with former Steelers staff; Pens get mixed results in playoff chaseVideo
Friday’s “First Call” has an odd story about an old pre-draft interview involving the Pittsburgh Steelers. A former Steeler has landed a new gig in an NFC secondary. The Penguins got some good — and some bad — results from Metropolitan Division outcomes Thursday night. And there were lots of...
Tim Benz: Pirates start 2026 by living up, and down, to many preseason expectations
The Pittsburgh Pirates’ 2026 season opener against the New York Mets went from “That couldn’t have started better” to “That couldn’t have started worse.” Real quick. It ended poorly, too, with an 11-7 defeat. Game No. 1 of 162 also crystallized a lot of the reasons to feel better about...
First Call: Ex-Steelers QB says Aaron Rodgers delay may be about money; Pens need to rebound in Ottawa
Thursday’s “First Call” has an interesting angle on the Aaron Rodgers watch from a former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback. A high-profile receiving target at Ohio State floats a theory about Will Howard. We preview the Penguins’ game in Canada on Thursday night. And Robert Morris’ top scorer is entering the transfer...
U mad, bro?: Steelers fans loathe the idea of signing Kirk Cousins if Aaron Rodgers doesn’t return
It’s clear that most Pittsburgh Steelers fans despise the notion of potentially waiting all the way through the draft for Aaron Rodgers to sign. The only idea the Steelers fans seem to hate more? Signing any of the other available veteran quarterbacks. Ick! What a list. I was reminded of...
Sweet 16/Elite 8 breakdown: Could we see an all-Pittsburgh coaching matchup in the Elite 8?
One week into March Madness, and there isn’t as much chaos within people’s brackets as we normally see. The transfer portal, NIL and sprawling power conferences have a lot to do with that. The two biggest surprises still alive are an SEC school in 11th-seeded Texas and a Big Ten...
‘It’s just too loud’: Penguins need to turn down the volume in their own endVideo
Pittsburgh Penguins coach Dan Muse wants to turn down the volume during Penguins games. Not the goal horn. Not the PA microphone. Not even the constant banging of Iceburgh’s “Let’s Go Pens” drum. Muse isn’t bothered by any of those things. It’s the constant buzzing of opposing players around the...
First Call: Mike Tomlin hires agents for potential TV work; Strong Steelers presence expected for Ohio State pro day
Mike Tomlin has hired representation for a future in television. The Steelers won’t get a look at a potential draft target at his pro day. A former Steelers coach is going to take on an important job in Las Vegas, and Omar Khan is making a crucial pro day stop....
Tim Benz: Some Pirates optimism is warranted but let’s not go overboardVideo
If there is a line of people ahead of me who are more cynical and jaded about the Pittsburgh Pirates, it’s a short one. Yet here I am — with Game 1 of the 2026 season approaching Thursday — predicting 81 wins. I’ve been hovering around that number for quite...
First Call: Linebacker appears on Steelers’ draft radar; Najee Harris’ comeback attemptVideo
Tuesday’s “First Call” shows us a potential position of interest for the Pittsburgh Steelers in the upcoming NFL Draft. A former Steeler is trying to prove he can still play. The Penguins are back at it against the NHL’s very best. And there is news from the ice and the...
