Tim Benz Columns category, Page 14
A 6-pack of questions about the Penguins’ draft approach with NHL.com’s Adam Kimelman
The 2025 NHL Draft begins Friday night. NHL.com draft expert Adam Kimelman joined the “Breakfast With Benz” podcast this week to talk about what the Pittsburgh Penguins might do with their back-to-back picks at No. 11 and No. 12 (via the New York Rangers). 1. There’s some belief that the...
First Call: Pat Freiermuth replaces George Pickens after youth camp mess; Penguins reportedly want to move up in draftVideo
Thursday’s “First Call” looks at how Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth is stepping in to fill a void created by George Pickens. A former Steelers’ rival is spinning a positive picture about Aaron Rodgers’ final season in Pittsburgh. The Penguins are reportedly sniffing to move up the draft board....
Tim Benz: Rounding out our All-Quarter-Century teams with the Pirates
Over the past two days, our All-Quarter-Century teams almost wrote themselves for the Steelers and Penguins. It’s not quite as clear with the Pittsburgh Pirates. What else is new? It’s not easy to construct a team that appeals to every fan and their specific preferences — especially when 21 of...
U mad, bro?: Pirates fans are fed up with Oneil Cruz, Steelers fans miffed at coverage of T.J. Watt and Aaron Rodgers
It’s one thing to stink. It’s something else to stink and be lazy in the process. Pittsburgh Pirates fans are fed up with Oneil Cruz, as he reinforced that notion this week. Meanwhile, I seemed to agitate Steelers fans with my All-Quarter-Century team, my thoughts on Aaron Rodgers and my...
First Call: Steelers reportedly ‘checked in’ on Jalen Ramsey; Diontae Johnson thinks Kenny Pickett will start for BrownsVideo
Wednesday’s “First Call” has Adam Schefter’s update on the Pittsburgh Steelers’ level of interest in Jalen Ramsey. An ex-Steeler thinks Kenny Pickett is going to win the Browns starting QB job. We examine some struggling Pirates. We also advance a highlight moment for the Penn State women’s hockey program. Ramsey...
1 big debate on our All-Quarter-Century Steelers team
We’ve already given you our All-Quarter-Century Penguins team. Now, it’s the Pittsburgh Steelers’ turn. With the way this century started for the franchise, who would’ve thought that playoff wins would become so scarce? And who would’ve thought that the replacement for a Hall of Famer at quarterback would’ve been so...
Tim Benz: Aaron Rodgers’ public acknowledgment about his future is exactly what the Steelers needed to hear
During Tuesday’s “Pat McAfee Show,” new Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers announced that his first season in Pittsburgh is likely to be his last in the NFL. “I’m pretty sure this is it,” Rodgers said. “That’s why we did a one-year deal. The Steelers didn’t need to put any extra years...
Sorting out the media fumble of Gov. Shapiro’s quotes on publicly funded NFL stadiums in Pa.
The media kerfuffle over what Gov. Josh Shapiro said — or didn’t say — about public funding for football stadiums in Pennsylvania is just the beginning of what will undoubtedly be a hair-pulling, mind-numbing process until the Steelers and Eagles work out their new leases. That’s whether they play in...
Tim Benz: An All-Quarter-Century team for the Pittsburgh Penguins
Since it is 2025, it seems like every sports outlet under the sun is putting together some sort of quarter-century list. ESPN did one for the NFL. The NHL released one of its own and The Athletic pieced together a 40-man Major League Baseball list. At “Breakfast With Benz,” you...
First Call: Steelers sign a long snapper; Russell Wilson on why he joined the Giants
Tuesday’s “First Call” features a Pittsburgh Steelers special teams acquisition. A former Steelers coach shares one big regret, while an ex-Steelers quarterback talks about his new favorite target. We also preview an important start for Pirates pitcher Andrew Heaney. Special teams signing It appears the Steelers are signing a long...
Tim Benz: 2 factors may provide leverage, negotiating shift for T.J. Watt
Reporting day for Pittsburgh Steelers training camp is exactly one month away. Aaron Rodgers has finally signed to become the team’s starting quarterback. So the biggest stories hanging in the balance between now and then are: • Is linebacker T.J. Watt going to sign a contract extension? • If he...
First Call: Pa. governor on prospect of state funds for Steelers’ and Eagles’ stadiums; T.J. McConnell’s ups and downs in Game 7Video
Monday’s “First Call” recaps T.J. McConnell’s ups and downs from last night’s Game 7 of the NBA Finals. We remember the life of Arthur Smith’s father, Fred Smith, and his NFL influence. Plus, we get into Jaire Alexander’s arrival in Baltimore and the prospect of public funds for new football...
Madden Monday: Even with Aaron Rodgers, ‘Steelers haven’t really changed as much as we like to pretend they have’
In this week’s “Madden Monday” podcast, Mark Madden of TribLive and 105.9 The X raises an interesting question about the Pittsburgh Steelers. Has the team on the field really changed as much as some outsiders seem to believe that it has? Madden doesn’t think so, especially when it comes to...
A ‘prahd’ Pittsburgh dad: T.J. McConnell’s father steals the show after being pulled into postgame interviewVideo
Chartiers Valley alum T.J. McConnell was one of the stars of Game 6 of the NBA Finals for the Indiana Pacers. But it was his father who stole the show during a postgame interview. McConnell scored 12 points off the bench. The one-time Duquesne Duke shot 6 of 12 from...
First Call: Seahawks GM adds background to the DK Metcalf trade; Shedeur Sanders speeding violation was 2nd since NFL Draft
Friday’s “First Call” provides a backdrop on the DK Metcalf trade to the Pittsburgh Steelers from a Seattle perspective. We also have some more background to the Shedeur Sanders traffic issues in Cleveland and the results from Game 6 of the NBA Finals. Plus, an achievement for a Duquesne women’s...
Pirates face familiar type of test to open series against Rangers
After facing last year’s American League Cy Young winner in Detroit, the Pittsburgh Pirates will get a two-time National League Cy Young winner on Friday. The Bucs lost 9-2 to Tarik Skubal and the Tigers in Game 1 of their series-ending doubleheader Thursday (yet salvaged the second game with a...
Tim Benz: ESPN crew misses the mark on Steelers analysis
For an outlet that spends as much time talking about the Pittsburgh Steelers as ESPN does, they sure don’t seem to have a firm handle on where the franchise really is. Whether it was trying to manufacture a quarterback debate that didn’t exist last year until Russell Wilson got hurt,...
First Call: Rangers still deciding what to do with potential Penguins’ draft pick; promising prediction for Derrick Harmon
Wednesday’s “First Call” has a promising prediction for the Pittsburgh Steelers’ first-round draft choice. The Florida Panthers Stanley Cup celebrations are already off to a rough start. We are still trying to figure out plans for the New York Rangers and the draft choice they owe the Penguins. Plus, we...
U mad, bro?: Steelers and Penguins fans have much to vent about when it comes to Aaron Rodgers, Evgeni Malkin
After a week off from “U mad, bro,” I certainly wasn’t surprised to see what an extra seven days did for your pent-up rage. I needed to use the slow-release valve on my email and social media interactions for this week’s post. Let’s get to a much-needed venting process for...
Tim Benz: Leak of Evgeni Malkin info feels like it was done with a purpose
On Monday, The Athletic reported that the Pittsburgh Penguins are not going to offer Evgeni Malkin a new contract after his current deal expires at the end of this upcoming season. Given that Malkin is turning 39 next month and only posted 16 goals in 68 games last season, that...
Pitching prowess on display as Pirates try to keep up with MLB’s best in Detroit
The Pittsburgh Pirates are in the basement of the National League Central at 29-44. They just dropped three of four to the division-leading Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field over the weekend. All four contests were one-run games settled by final scores of 3-2 or 2-1. Two of those results went...
First Call: Antonio Brown overseas as attempted murder charges loom; Sean Casey needs surgery after Savannah Bananas injury
Tuesday’s “First Call” sorts out Antonio Brown’s latest legal drama. Sean Casey needs significant surgery after an injury suffered during a Savannah Bananas game. We get an update on Jonnu Smith’s status. And Penn State’s hockey team just landed a big recruit who could hear his name called in the...
Tim Benz: Looking forward to how Aaron Rodgers’ role as ‘servant leader’ plays out
I’m not quite sure what Aaron Rodgers meant last week when he reported to Pittsburgh Steelers’ minicamp and said that he wants to be a “servant leader.” I think I know what he means. I just wonder if he truly understands the message he is conveying by sending it. “I...
First Call: Helmet manufacturer responds to Aaron Rodgers’ complaints; potential progress on Trey Hendrickson’s contract
“First Call” returns Monday with reaction to Aaron Rodgers’ complaints about his new helmet at Pittsburgh Steelers’ minicamp. Nick Chubb bids a gracious goodbye to Cleveland. There is some Pitt football recruiting news. Plus, an AFC North pass rusher may be making headway on his contract conversations. And it’s not...
Tim Benz: Bubbling opinions on Aaron Rodgers’ arrival, T.J. Watt’s absence, Paul Skenes’ dominance and Penguins’ future
My honeymoon in Italy was great. But I’ve had enough pasta, pizza, wine and marble statues for a while. After two weeks away, it’s time to get “Breakfast With Benz” rolling again. So, let me get caught up on a few things I missed while I was away and didn’t...
