First Call: Ex-Steelers QB signs with Ravens; Chase Claypool’s tryout in Green Bay; Flyers down 0-2 to Carolina
In Tuesday’s “First Call,” an ex-Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback lands in Baltimore. Chase Claypool is still looking for work. Penguins fans can enjoy another Flyers loss in their current series against Carolina. And the Pirates look to stay hot in Arizona after their sweep to close out a homestand at PNC...
Tim Benz: The Pirates keep telling us who they are. Maybe it’s time we listen
The topic came up while I was on the desk Sunday night at WTAE: “Who are the real Pirates?” Are they the team that swept the Cincinnati Reds over the weekend? Or are they the team that got swept by the St. Louis Cardinals the previous four days? My response:...
Tim Benz: The Penguins’ Evgeni Malkin decision will be the ultimate test of Kyle Dubas’ conviction
At this point, we’ve heard every reason why the Penguins should let Evgeni Malkin retire this summer or walk away as an unrestricted free agent to play elsewhere in 2026-27. Malkin will turn 40 on July 31. He’s a wing now, not a center. He only played 56 games this...
First Call: Steelers QB Drew Allar has a hot-selling jersey; new video of Dallas’ role in Makai Lemon draft saga
Monday’s “First Call” has unearthed footage related to the Pittsburgh Steelers’ Round 1 NFL Draft drama. The NFL schedule release may be delayed. A Steelers rookie has a hot jersey on the market. And the Robert Morris lacrosse team is bound for the NCAA Tournament. Behind the scenes By now,...
Madden Monday: On Sidney Crosby’s future — ‘I don’t think he’s going anywhere. Period’
Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby is eligible for another contract extension this offseason. Based on his 74 points in 68 games this season, there’s no reason to believe the Penguins wouldn’t want to give him one. The question is, though, does he want to sign one? Given his age and...
‘I’m still kind of sick to my stomach’: Penguins’ Ben Kindel using last shift against Flyers as motivationVideo
Most Pittsburgh Penguins fans can’t tolerate rewatching Cam York’s series-ending overtime goal for the Philadelphia Flyers. Meanwhile, it sounds like Penguins rookie Ben Kindel can’t stop replaying it in his mind. “I’m still kind of sick to my stomach thinking about that last shift and how the season ended,” Kindel...
Beyond the Bylines: Steelers’ offensive tackle decisions, Penguins’ goalie plans, Pirates’ defense, 1980s board games
This week’s “Beyond the Bylines” covers lots of ground. Joe Starkey and I start off with the news about Broderick Jones failing to receive a fifth-year option from the Pittsburgh Steelers. Then we navigate the Steelers’ constant tinkering with the offensive tackle position, Mike McCarthy’s continued praise for Will Howard...
Tim Benz: On days when Paul Skenes is off, Pirates must learn to be their own stoppers
Maybe it was just the pall of the Pittsburgh Penguins’ season ending in Philadelphia on Wednesday night, but Thursday afternoon’s Pirates game against the St. Louis Cardinals certainly had a negative hockey feel to it. For instance, Paul Skenes appeared to be doing his best Tristan Jarry impersonation. Instead of...
First Call: Steelers reportedly declining Broderick Jones’ option; Mike McCarthy labels Will Howard an NFL ‘starter’
Broderick Jones isn’t getting a fifth-year option from the Pittsburgh Steelers. The player the Steelers wanted to pick in the 2026 draft has already signed a contract in Philadelphia. Mike McCarthy continues to throw flowers at the feet of Will Howard. The Penguins-Flyers rivalry drew big TV ratings. And the...
Tim Benz: Dreams of a Penguins comeback become a nightmare with 1 shot
Thursday night’s Penguins-Flyers Game 6 had a hypnotic effect after a while. It was nearly 80 minutes of 0-0 hockey, but with innumerable huge saves, gorgeous scoring chances, turnovers, odd-man rushes, clean looks, deflected shots, near misses, gasps, shrieks and groans. The constant flow of failed high-danger attempts lulled me...
U mad, bro?: Penguins’ playoff loss to Flyers, Steelers’ draft choices have fans on tilt
Losing to the Philadelphia Flyers always makes Pittsburgh fans mad. Losing in the playoffs makes Pittsburgh fans irate. Losing in the playoffs to the Flyers makes all of Pittsburgh enraged. That’s what happened Wednesday night, and it doesn’t appear that we are handling it well. At least everyone in the...
First Call: Mike Tomlin rumored as Patriots’ target if Mike Vrabel exits; Steelers ‘alerted’ Aaron Rodgers about UFA tag
Thursday’s “First Call” highlights a wild story about Mike Tomlin’s name coming up for a potential NFL coaching vacancy. There’s an update on that Aaron Rodgers UFA tag. George Pickens’ contract fate is known. And Robert Morris is going to be a lacrosse hotbed this weekend. Another Mike for Mike?...
Tim Benz: Aaron Rodgers’ UFA tender from the Steelers is just a paper move, but the words still mean something
The most expeditious way to sift through the cumbersome language surrounding the UFA tag the Steelers placed on quarterback Aaron Rodgers this week is to simply call it “a paper move.” It’s just procedural. It’s insurance so the Steelers can extend the compensation formula window. It has closed for any...
Tim Benz: 5 things the Penguins need to do in Philadelphia to win Game 6
The Pittsburgh Penguins have a chance to force a decisive Game 7 of their first-round playoff series against the Philadelphia Flyers with a win in Philly during Wednesday night’s Game 6. All the momentum is on Pittsburgh’s side after fending off elimination in each of the last two games. The...
First Call: Ben Roethlisberger isn’t wild about Drew Allar; Art Rooney II addresses Jerry Jones’ ‘bad side’ comments
Wednesday’s “First Call” has Ben Roethlisberger’s reaction to the Pittsburgh Steelers’ selection of Drew Allar. Art Rooney II responds to Jerry Jones’ draft day concerns. The Penguins hope some bad karma impacts the Philadelphia Flyers. And I need to say goodbye to a friend. The jury is out In his...
First Call: Art Rooney II discusses Makai Lemon mishap; Penn State coach says offense ‘wasn’t built’ for Drew AllarVideo
Tuesday’s “First Call” looks at Art Rooney II’s comments about the Makai Lemon fumble on draft night. One of Penn State’s coaches is backing the draft choice of Drew Allar by the Pittsburgh Steelers. A receiving target of Aaron Rodgers is heading to Dallas. A Duquesne men’s basketball player is...
Tim Benz: Steelers’ draft approach doesn’t mesh with attempts to retain Aaron Rodgers
If the Steelers truly want Aaron Rodgers to return as their quarterback in 2026, their approach to the NFL Draft didn’t make much sense. They are — presumably — holding out hope that a 42-year-old quarterback comes back for one more run to get a 10-7 team to a slightly...
Unlike 2012, Penguins need a few more strong starts to finish comeback vs. FlyersVideo
Penguins captain Sidney Crosby has been on this stretch of highway before. His team was down 3-0 in a dirty, nasty first-round playoff series against the Philadelphia Flyers in 2012. The club kept the series alive by winning Game 4. It headed back to Philly for Game 6 after a...
First Call: Mike Tomlin’s prediction on Aaron Rodgers; Cowboys address trading Makai Lemon pick to EaglesVideo
Mike Tomlin forecasts Aaron Rodgers’ future on NBC. The Cowboys address trading away their pick in front of the Pittsburgh Steelers during the first round of the NFL Draft. The Steelers are bringing back a familiar face. The Penguins look to stay alive against Philadelphia. And the Pirates need to...
Madden Monday: Steelers’ draft was ‘a 2-part screw up’
As days have passed since the Pittsburgh Steelers’ failed attempt to land USC wide receiver Makai Lemon in the first round of the NFL Draft, I’ve narrowed my focus on what truly bothered me from that night. I’m not upset that the Steelers ended up with Max Iheanachor as the...
Tim Benz: Sidney Crosby leads the way but isn’t alone in Penguins’ season-saving winVideo
Does the “Phans of Philly” group have any money left after they bought I-95 billboard space to mock Sidney Crosby? If they do, hopefully they buy similar billboard ad placement somewhere between Pittsburgh International Airport and PPG Paints Arena. Maybe the Penguins captain will see the signs on the way...
Tim Benz: What the Steelers didn’t get in the 2026 NFL Draft
The 2026 Pittsburgh Steelers draft won’t be remembered for who the franchise picked or who they left on the board. It’ll be remembered for who they missed. Here is the moment Makai Lemon thought he was getting drafted by #Steelers and realizing in real time that the #Eagles traded up,...
Tim Benz: What the selection of Drew Allar means for the Steelers’ quarterback roomVideo
During Monday’s pre-NFL Draft press conference, new Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike McCarthy made his thoughts known about the size of his quarterback room. “I believe in having three. Potentially, we’d love to have four if we can make one work on the practice squad,” McCarthy said. After drafting Penn State...
‘Everything happens for a reason’: Max Iheanachor’s unconventional path to Steelers started long before draft night
The manner in which Max Iheanachor wound up in Pittsburgh isn’t unique. At least not to him. The massive offensive tackle was discovered by the D-I college football world while he was attending East Los Angeles College. Fresno State offensive line coach Saga Tuitele went there to check out a...
Beyond the Bylines: Pittsburgh looked great on draft night. The Steelers did notVideo
The city of Pittsburgh couldn’t have looked better during draft night Thursday. Day 1. pic.twitter.com/k1OzHypVLb— City of Pittsburgh (@Pittsburgh) April 24, 2026 But the Steelers’ front office couldn’t have looked worse. They got punked by the Philadelphia Eagles before making their draft choice at No. 21. The Steelers were on...
