First Call: Jerome Bettis endorses Kevin Stefanski for Steelers’ job; a major college name to consider as well
Thursday’s “First Call” has a significant update on John Harbaugh’s future. A college football coaching name is being thrown out as a possible replacement for Mike Tomlin, while Jerome Bettis is endorsing a former AFC North coach. And the Pittsburgh Penguins welcome the Philadelphia Flyers, with both teams looking to...
U mad, bro?: Mike Tomlin’s departure and Steelers’ playoff dud fan the flames of discontent from readers
The Pittsburgh Steelers lost a playoff game in humiliating fashion. Again. It was so bad that Mike Tomlin resigned after 19 years. Fans are sniping at each other and angry at the media. In other words, “U mad, Bro” is off to a roaring start in 2026. ______________________________ Let’s start...
30 years later, Steelers DBs remember fighting for ‘Harbaugh’s Hail Mary’ in AFC Championship game
How much can happen in 6.28 seconds? That’s about as long as it takes to get to “…dawn’s early light” in the Star Spangled Banner. Unless you are talking really fast, you can get to “…for which it stands” in the Pledge of Allegiance, and the letter “I” in the...
‘Dry January’: Steelers’ drought of playoff wins eventually pushes Mike Tomlin away
After the holidays end, I know a lot of people who try to do “dry January.” Unfortunately, the Pittsburgh Steelers seem committed to really going dry in January every year. After Monday night’s 30-6 defeat at the hand of the Houston Texans, the Steelers have now failed to win a...
Tim Benz: Mike Tomlin’s immediate change of course raises questions about his departure
Less than a day after a playoff loss to the Houston Texans, Mike Tomlin ended his tenure as coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers. “After much thought and reflection, I have decided to step down as head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers,” Tomlin said via a statement issued by the organization....
First Call: Texans hijack ‘Renegade’; Houston DB wants Aaron Rodgers to sign pick-6 ball
The Houston Texans stole “Renegade” after their playoff win over the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium. We have a favored candidate for the Baltimore Ravens head coaching job. The hottest hockey team on the planet is coming to PPG Paints Arena. And the Duquesne Dukes host a conference rival. All...
Airing of Grievances: ‘Same story’ Steelers can’t stop run, can’t score TDs during latest lopsided playoff loss
The Pittsburgh Steelers were only up 3-0 after the first quarter against the Houston Texans on Monday night, but based on how the previous six playoff games had gone, it felt like 300-0. In the first quarters of those six most recent playoff games (all losses) the Steelers gave up...
First Call: Talk of Aaron Rodgers staying in Pittsburgh next year; George Pickens is not happy about the All-Pro vote
In Monday’s “First Call,” we examine the prospect of an Aaron Rodgers reboot in Pittsburgh in 2026-27. We look at the odds for next week’s games in the NFL Divisional Round. George Pickens feels like he got snubbed in All-Pro voting. And the Patriots left the Chargers baffled Sunday night....
Madden Monday: ‘Not that optimistic’ about Steelers’ chances to upset Houston
I think the Pittsburgh Steelers have plenty of reason for hope when it comes to beating the Houston Texans in their first-round playoff game Monday night. Houston is a three-point favorite. I’m picking the Texans to win 23-20 in overtime. But I’m not going to be stunned if the Steelers...
Tim Benz: Steelers’ defense must meet standard set by Texans
Comparing the Pittsburgh Steelers’ offensive and defensive units against those of the Houston Texans, there’s no doubt which bunch has had the best season. It’s Houston’s defense. That group allowed the fewest yards (4,713) in the NFL during the regular season, as well as the second fewest points (17.4). It...
Tim Benz: Suddenly for Dan Muse and the Penguins, the only struggle is to find complaintsVideo
After his first win as a Pittsburgh Steeler in Week 1 of this NFL season, quarterback Aaron Rodgers spun this quote about the nature of his team’s 34-32 victory over the New York Jets. “It’s like a coach’s dream journal,” Rodgers said. “To win but also have some correctable moments.”...
Football Footnotes: Refuting recent Chris Boswell concerns; noteworthy Steelers-Texans stats; Mike Tomlin mind games
We were going to post our weekly Friday “Football Footnotes” whether the Pittsburgh Steelers were in the playoffs or not. But since they are, it sure makes things a lot more fun. Here’s a look at a few interesting leftovers from Mike Tomlin’s Tuesday press conference, some potentially misplaced concerns...
First Call: Injury updates on key Houston CBs; assistant coach from Super ’70s Steelers retires at age 87Video
There is a significant injury update coming from Houston as the Texans prepare to play the Pittsburgh Steelers in the playoffs Monday night. A member of the Super ’70s Steelers coaching staff is finally retiring. We preview Pitt’s next basketball game against a longtime foe. Plus, we preview the upcoming...
Tim Benz: With spotlight on Texans’ defense, Steelers need improved effort with 2nd look at C.J. Stroud
In advance of the Steelers-Texans playoff game Monday night, a significant percentage of the attention has been paid to Houston’s defense. Rightfully so. It’s No. 1 in terms of fewest yards allowed (277.2 yards per game) and second when it comes to points allowed (17.4). The other side of the...
First Call: Jerome Bettis critical of Steelers’ home crowd vs. Ravens; big-name QB enters NFL Draft
Thursday’s “First Call” has some interesting comments from Pittsburgh Steelers legend Jerome Bettis about the crowd at Acrisure Stadium. The NFL Draft just got an interesting submission. Russell Wilson is making offseason headlines. And we get some praise for one of Robert Morris’s hockey captains. ______________________________ Ty time With the...
U mad, bro?: Media coverage of DK Metcalf, lack of faith in Steelers challenged by readers
The Steelers swept their arch rivals. They qualified for the playoffs. They won the AFC North. Yet they still somehow managed to do it while making us all a little crazy along the way. As a result, our first “U mad, bro?” of 2026 picks up where 2025 left off....
