Tim Benz Columns category, Page 10
First Call: Baker Mayfield, Mike Evans stand out in Buccaneers’ joint practice vs. Steelers, will sit for game
Friday’s “First Call” has an update on the Tampa Bay depth chart in advance of the Buccaneers’ visit Saturday to Acrisure Stadium to play the Pittsburgh Steelers in a preseason game. Also, assistant general manager Andy Weidl talks about next year’s quarterback draft class. We preview the Pirates’ trip to...
Former Steeler Larry Foote on hype of this year’s defense: ‘I’m always going to say we were the best’
You could see the attempt at diplomacy oozing through Larry Foote’s wry smile when he was posed with the question in the visitors’ tunnel at Acrisure Stadium: Could the 2025 Pittsburgh Steelers defense measure up to the great units you played on during the 2005, ‘08 and ‘10 Super Bowl...
‘Everybody Loves You Now’: Mason Rudolph returns to Acrisure Stadium for the 1st time since his 2023 heroics
The last time Mason Rudolph left the field at Acrisure Stadium, he did so to the sound of cheers and applause. “It’s a one-of-one sort of a stadium with the feel of the yinzers’ best,” Rudolph said after a recent training camp practice. That game was a 34-11 make-or-break win...
U mad, bro?: Even the broadcasters are bashing the Pirates, while Steelers fans are unhappy about Cam Heyward’s hold-in
Cameron Heyward and Chris Boswell were holding-in during Pittsburgh Steelers training camp. Mike Tomlin is talking tough about a Steelers’ defense that hasn’t been tough enough for years. And the Pirates continue to be extremely tough to watch at all. So in the dog days of August, all you pups...
First Call: A connect-the-dots game between the Steelers and Odell Beckham Jr.; updates on Najee Harris, Shedeur Sanders
Thursday’s “First Call” plays connect-the-dots between Odell Beckham Jr. and the Pittsburgh Steelers. Shedeur Sanders and a former Pitt wide receiver are dealing with training camp injuries. Plus, we check in on Najee Harris’ recovery from that scary eye injury in Los Angeles. OK with OBJ? A social media post...
Tim Benz: Steelers defense wants to be ‘historic.’ Here’s some recent history they better fix to make it happen
During training camp, new Pittsburgh Steeler Juan Thornhill said the team’s 2025 defense could be “one of the best of all time.” When that quote was presented to head coach Mike Tomlin during a radio interview Monday morning, he was asked if he wanted to “cushion it” at all. What...
‘Letters from Camp’ Q&A: Steelers O-line coach Pat Meyer on Broderick Jones’ move to LT, Troy Fautanu’s return
Our latest “Letters from Camp” Q&A with a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers coaching staff features offensive line coach Pat Meyer. He answers five questions about what I have deemed to be the most important position group on the 2025 Steelers. Why should we be confident that things will be...
First Call: ESPN cites Steelers’ minimal ‘appetite’ for Cam Heyward negotiations; Omar Khan declines comment
It doesn’t sound like contract negotiations are going great between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cameron Heyward. It doesn’t sound like Omar Khan thinks the Steelers need a wide receiver. It does sound like a former Steeler will have a big role in the preseason game against Tampa. And it also...
First Call: Chris Boswell declines to discuss his hold in; Myles Garrett gets yet another 100 mph speeding ticket
Pittsburgh Steelers kicker Chris Boswell doesn’t want to discuss his contract situation. A pair of former Steelers are on the move. Myles Garrett got busted for speeding yet again. And it’s “a Paul Skenes day” in Milwaukee. All that in Tuesday’s “First Call.” I’ll pass On Monday, Cameron Heyward spoke...
Steelers players, coaches notice specific improvements in Mason Rudolph since returning to Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Darnell Washington played with quarterback Mason Rudolph for one year in 2023. Then Rudolph went to Tennessee for a season. Now he’s back. And apparently better than he was before. “He’s just improved in the details from play-to-play. His steps. His drops. Whatever his coaching points...
Tim Benz: Cam Heyward sounds like he’s trying to live in 2 worlds at once
For most of his career, Cameron Heyward has been viewed as the consummate Pittsburgh Steelers good guy. A team captain. A Walter Payton Man of the Year. A good teammate. A leader. An All-Pro. Mr. Consistent. He’s also the guy who once famously said of Aaron Rodgers’ protracted decision-making process,...
First Call: Strong preseason debuts for Justin Fields, Russell Wilson, Mitch Trubisky; ex-Steeler DB now a Raider
Monday’s “First Call” has a roundup of how ex-Pittsburgh Steelers Justin Fields, Russell Wilson and Mitch Trubisky did quarterbacking their teams in the first week of the 2025 preseason. We also get you up to date on some player movement involving a few former Steelers, and the Pirates visit Milwaukee...
Madden Monday: Kaleb Johnson ‘would still be my guy’ despite underwhelming debut
There was a lot to like from the Pittsburgh Steelers’ first preseason game Saturday night. It was a 31-25 victory in Jacksonville. The most obvious positives were the two quarterbacks, as Mason Rudolph and Skylar Thompson threw a total of four touchdowns and posted a combined 135.5 passer rating. In...
Feats of Strength: Stellar QBs, kicking game, depth playmakers lead Steelers to preseason win
We all hoped that the Pittsburgh Steelers’ quarterback play would improve with Aaron Rodgers on the roster. I don’t think any of us expected that would happen on a night when he didn’t even play. That was the case, though, in the Steelers’ preseason opener in Jacksonville. They beat the...
Tim Benz: A 6-pack of players who need to shine in the Steelers preseason opener
Saturday night marks the preseason opener for the 2025 Pittsburgh Steelers. They are visiting the Jacksonville Jaguars. Here’s a six-pack of players to watch. 1 & 2. The two tackles: I’m not pretending to break new ground for myself or anyone else in the media or in the fanbase. Troy...
First Call: Jaguars will play starters vs. Steelers; Travis Hunter to play both WR and CB; Justin Fields starting for Jets
We know the Pittsburgh Steelers are sitting lots of players for Saturday’s preseason opener in Jacksonville. The Jaguars are not. In Friday’s “First Call,” we hear from Jags coach Liam Coen about why his team is putting its starters on the field. The Jets are doing the same thing in...
Tim Benz: Steelers need strong seasons from 2 ‘redshirt freshmen’
As Pittsburgh Steelers right tackle Troy Fautanu was walking into the players’ dorm at Saint Vincent College to start the team’s 2025 training camp, he vividly flashed back to a single snap during spring workouts. The first play of the “Seven Shots” red zone drill. Day 1 of organized team...
Tim Benz: Can’t get optimistic about Paul Skenes contract rumors? Embrace your own cynicism first
A lot of Pirates fans and media members have been quick to dismiss this week’s “rumor” via 93.7 The Fan that the Pirates have “tried to make some headway” on a contract extension with star pitcher Paul Skenes. Most folks have been dubious of that prospect for many reasons. •...
U mad, bro? Rotten trade deadline, monumental collapse in Colorado have Pirates fans seething
A comically bad loss in Denver. A tragically mangled trade deadline. And some remarkably ill-phrased quotes from a general manager grasping at straws. I’ll hand it to the Pirates. Even now that Steelers training camp has started, they keep finding ways to stay in the headlines. I’ll hand it to...
First Call: Watch David Bednar’s first save as a Yankee; Art Rooney II on Ireland travel plans
Thursday’s “First Call” features Art Rooney II’s travel plans for the Steelers when they head to Ireland. We look at the Browns quarterback situation for their preseason opener and Travis Hunter’s chances of playing on both sides of the ball against the Steelers on Saturday in Jacksonville. Plus, you can...
First Call: Ex-Steelers LB still ‘hurt’ over Pittsburgh exit; Justin Fields’ rough start in New York
In Wednesday’s “First Call,” one Steeler is “heartbroken” after getting a diagnosis on his injured knee. Another former Steeler is still unhappy about his departure from Pittsburgh. It’s been a bumpy ride for Justin Fields in New York so far. And three Robert Morris hockey players are continuing their careers...
What’s surprising, likely to change from the Steelers’ 1st preseason depth chart
The Pittsburgh Steelers published their first depth chart of training camp on Tuesday. You can reference it here. As preseason game No. 1 approaches on Saturday in Jacksonville, let’s examine any surprises or glaring omissions. We’ll also predict how this first template will look by the start of the regular...
Tim Benz: Steelers secondary has the ultimate ‘act now, answer questions later’ approach
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive back Brandin Echols was asked about the trade that sent Minkah Fitzpatrick to Miami in exchange for Jalen Ramsey and Jonnu Smith. “I just didn’t understand the trade. It was confusing. I was trying to understand it,” Echols said. “But it’s really not my place to understand....
First Call: Steelers may be scouting a 2026 college QB; Steelers sign another CB with Black and Gold bloodlinesVideo
The Pittsburgh Steelers have signed another cornerback named “Porter Jr.” with Black and Gold bloodlines. The team’s scouting department may be getting a jump start on watching one quarterback in particular. Hines Ward is getting a coaching promotion. The Penguins are being tied to a Toronto winger. Jaromir Jagr is...
Report: Lemieux-Burkle group ‘well below what Fenway would want’ to sell Penguins
If Mario Lemieux and Ron Burkle are going to reclaim the Pittsburgh Penguins, their bid is going to have to increase. That’s the word from Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet. During his most recent “32 Thoughts” podcast, Friedman said if Fenway Sports Group wants to sell majority ownership of the Pens...
