First Call: Eagles GM discusses nabbing Makai Lemon from Steelers; coveted picks land in AFC North
Friday’s “First Call” has quotes from the Philadelphia Eagles’ general manager about stealing Makai Lemon from the Pittsburgh Steelers. We look at how moves within the AFC North impacted the Steelers. The Eagles took a little dig at the Penguins, and the Flyers did the same to the Steelers. And...
Tim Benz: I like Max Iheanachor but not what the Steelers did before or after drafting himVideo
It’s hard to evaluate the Pittsburgh Steelers’ first-round draft choice of Arizona State offensive tackle Max Iheanachor in the moment. That’s because I’m not quite sure the moment is over yet. Is it? I sure hope it’s not. It feels like the Steelers are working backward on this one. If...
First Call: Ty Simpson says he would ‘fit in great’ in Pittsburgh, praises Aaron Rodgers; Bill Cowher’s advice for Mike Tomlin
Thursday’s “First Call” has some quotes from Ty Simpson about the idea of playing in Pittsburgh. Ex-Steelers coach Bill Cowher discusses Mike Tomlin’s decision to join the TV broadcasting game. Dallas is done negotiating with George Pickens’ agent about an extension, and we look at the Pirates’ next series in...
U mad, bro: Penguins fans infuriated by 0-3 start vs. Flyers; pre-draft fretting from Steelers fansVideo
The Penguins’ surprisingly strong 2025-26 has meant that we have had much less of a hockey presence on a weekly basis here at “U mad, bro?” Based on how things have been going so far in the playoffs, you can be sure that is going to change this week. We...
New Steeler Michael Pittman Jr. endorses WRs Jordyn Tyson, Makai Lemon as potential draft choices
New Steeler wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. remembers his draft day experience. He was selected with the second pick in the second round by the Indianapolis Colts. “I was in my draft training apartment with my wife, my brother and my nephews. I got called, and then I went fishing,”...
Tim Benz: Flyers are playing WWE hockey, and the Penguins just got hit with a steel chair
The Pittsburgh Penguins have been outplayed so definitively in their best-of-seven playoff series against the Philadelphia Flyers that they could lose it in four games. Thanks to the officials hurting the cause, the Penguins have basically lost it in just three. The Pens are now down 0-3 after a 5-2...
First Call: Mike McCarthy ‘would love to have 4′ QBs; another potential Steelers trade partner; Pens’ history down 0-2
Wednesday’s “First Call” has an interesting quote from Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike McCarthy about quarterbacks. The Steelers may have another trade partner in the first round of the NFL Draft on Thursday night. NHL television ratings look good. The Penguins have some history on their side when it comes to...
Art Rooney II on waiting for Aaron Rodgers: ‘I wish I could tell you we’re at the end of the discussion’Video
For the first time, Pittsburgh Steelers owner Art Rooney II expressed a little fatigue with the Aaron Rodgers situation. Last year’s starting quarterback still hasn’t signed a contract for 2026 as he decides whether to play in Pittsburgh for a second year, retire or try to latch on elsewhere. Last...
First Call: Steelers pumping up USC WR Makai Lemon; Pirates face Andrew McCutchen in Texas
Tuesday’s “First Call” has high praise from the Pittsburgh Steelers for a potential first-round wide receiver. Kicker Chris Boswell was probably happy to hear some news from Dallas. While the Penguins and Flyers are slugging it out in one Metropolitan Division matchup, the other is now up 2-0. And the...
Tim Benz: Want the Steelers to make a splash at the draft? Here’s a way to do it that makes sense
Perhaps the most overcooked angle surrounding what the Steelers should do at the NFL Draft is whether the team should make a splashy pick to satisfy the masses in the live audience outside of Acrisure Stadium. Of course, the answer is no. They shouldn’t. And my sincere hope is that...
NFL Draft offers a stage for visitors to understand the depth of Steelers fandomVideo
On Super Bowl Sunday 2006, I was entering my final hour of broadcasting for the week on ESPN Radio 1250. I had done multiple shows per day, every day, plus phone hits, television hits and interviews all over Detroit in advance of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ showdown against Seattle for Super...
Tim Benz: Penguins’ power play was the biggest villain in Game 2 loss to Flyers
After the Pittsburgh Penguins’ 3-0 loss to the Philadelphia Flyers on Monday night, goaltender Stuart Skinner channeled the musical “Annie.” “When the sun comes up tomorrow, it’s a new day. A new opportunity for us to get better and become tighter as a group,” Skinner said after the Pens fell...
First Call: How Steelers could deal with Broderick Jones’ ‘setback’; Will Howard to get QB1 reps if Aaron Rodgers doesn’t signVideo
After a busy weekend, we wrap up a lot of what’s going on in Monday’s “First Call.” Broderick Jones might be dealing with a neck setback. Art Rooney II spoke about the prospect of drafting a quarterback. We also discuss the crowded National League Central, check in on a former...
Tim Benz: As Acrisure Stadium hosts NFL Draft week, here are the top 25 Steelers picks since the building opened
The Pittsburgh Steelers have drafted 25 rookie classes since Acrisure Stadium replaced Three Rivers Stadium in 2001. Last week at “Breakfast With Benz,” we tried to determine the best player from each of those draft classes. With draft week upon us at Acrisure, we conclude our retrospective by ranking the...
Madden Monday: About the Pens-Flyers Game 1 — ‘If we want to point fingers, I don’t have enough hands’
Not only did the Pittsburgh Penguins lose their 2026 playoff opener to the Philadelphia Flyers on Saturday night at PPG Paints Arena, they also did so in concerning fashion. The team managed just 17 shots on goal during the 3-2 loss. The power play was feckless on both of its...
Tim Benz: Forget ‘Flip the Script.’ After Game 1 loss, the Penguins need a playoff rewriteVideo
The Penguins “Flip the Script” rallying cry for the playoffs is quickly taking on a different tone. Because after the team’s 3-2 loss to the Philadelphia Flyers in the postseason opener Saturday night, that script is going to need a total rewrite. “We were just off in a lot of...
Tim Benz: The Flyers’ identity is still intact — and the Penguins must be ready for it
If there are two things we know about the Pittsburgh Steelers, it’s that the organization is all about playing defense and running the football. We know this because every time a national broadcast comes to Acrisure Stadium, the announcers say so four or five times a game. Even at times...
Beyond the Bylines: NFL Draft trade talk; Penguins-Flyers predictions; Pirates problems vs. Nationals
After a short absence, “Beyond the Bylines” is back with Joe Starkey and Tim Benz. In this week’s edition, they have predictions on the Penguins-Flyers series. They also have plenty of opinions on the Pirates after their spotty series against the Washington Nationals and on what the Steelers should do...
25 years of Heinz Field/Acrisure Stadium drafts: The best Steelers pick from every class (2021-25)Video
The NFL Draft will take place outside Acrisure Stadium on April 23-25. In advance of the event, we have spent this week looking back at each of the 25 Pittsburgh Steelers’ drafts in the history of the building. Every day this week, we have examined each of those draft classes...
First Call: Possible partner if Steelers want to move up in draft; NFL GM predicts many trades; Sidney Crosby on Pat McAfee
Lots of trade talk is swirling around the NFL Draft. In Friday’s “First Call,” we try to determine if the Pittsburgh Steelers could be a part of that action Thursday night in Pittsburgh. Sidney Crosby made a pre-playoff appearance on the “Pat McAfee Show.” And we preview the upcoming Pirates-Rays...
First Call: James Conner returns to Pittsburgh for NFL Draft; Kevin Colbert’s new Ohio State job; George Pickens update
Thursday’s “First Call” has word about a Pittsburgh reunion of sorts for Pitt alum and ex-Steeler James Conner. Kevin Colbert has a new job in the football sphere. George Pickens news appears to be stalling in Dallas. And there are some new headlines from the transfer portal surrounding local college...
U mad, bro?: Fans already fretting over Don Kelly’s decisions, Pirates’ bullpen, Pens-Flyers playoff hostility
We’ve got to remember that Pittsburgh Pirates manager Don Kelly is only 142 games into his managerial career. That’s not an excuse for his ridiculous decision to pinch-hit for Brandon Lowe on Tuesday night during a 5-4 loss to Washington. A trained chimpanzee using an AI chatbot could’ve told Kelly...
25 years of Heinz Field/Acrisure Stadium drafts: The best Steelers pick from every class (2016-20)
The NFL Draft will take place outside Acrisure Stadium on April 23-25. In advance of the event, we will look back at each of the 25 Pittsburgh Steelers drafts in the building’s history. Every day this week, we will examine each of those draft classes and pick the best player...
First Call: Hines Ward will attend NFL Draft; Patrick Queen says Mike Tomlin’s exit ‘sucked the energy out of the entire place’Video
Wednesday’s “First Call” has some interesting quotes from Patrick Queen about Mike Tomlin’s exit as Steelers head coach. Some former Steelers greats are going to be at the NFL Draft in various roles. We’ll let you know where former Pitt basketball player Brandin Cummings is transferring, and we’ll tell you...
Tim Benz: Penguins versus Flyers. Let the cross-state hate beginVideo
The Pittsburgh Penguins are in the playoffs for the first time since 2022. The Philadelphia Flyers are in the playoffs for the first time since 2020. Naturally, they are celebrating those accomplishments by facing each other in Round 1 of the 2026 NHL postseason. Bring on the cross-state hate! I’m...
