Tim Benz Columns category, Page 14
U mad, bro?: Steelers fans find preseason useless, stick up for Mike Tomlin in the face of criticism
Steelers fans are still hammering Cam Heyward. They are torching my takes on Mike Tomlin. And they are pounding the NFL preseason. Then we punctuate by punishing the Pirates. All that and more in this week’s “U mad, bro?” Mark is complaining about sloppy regular-season football over the first few...
First Call: Miami GM ‘shocked’ to get Minkah Fitzpatrick; 2 rumored Steelers targets go elsewhere in AFC North
Thursday’s “First Call” has the Miami perspective on the Dolphins’ big offseason trade with the Steelers. A pair of potential Steelers are heading to Cleveland and Cincinnati. Ex-Pirate Ke’Bryan Hayes had a rough night against Shohei Ohtani. And T.J. McConnell’s popularity in Indianapolis knows no limits. Swimming with the Dolphins...
Tim Benz: Barring any late WR additions, concept must meet reality with Steelers’ tight ends
In concept, the Steelers have spoken it into making sense. Sure, there was no outside addition to replace George Pickens at the wide receiver position. But the collection of tight ends on the roster — Pat Freiermuth, Jonnu Smith, Darnell Washington and Connor Heyward — can make up for that....
Pitt players, coaches see added benefits of opening against Duquesne
The countdown clock in the Pitt practice facility hit exactly four days, zero minutes, zero seconds, just a few moments before linebacker Kyle Louis walked in for his interview session with local reporters on Tuesday. That’s all that remained before the Panthers’ long offseason ended and they would face Duquesne...
First Call: Steelers reportedly had trade interest in a punter; Aaron Rodgers curious about Packers WR
Wednesday’s “First Call” includes an interesting subplot to the Steelers’ punter decision. One of Aaron Rodgers’ former receivers just became available, while another did not. And an ex-Pirates pitcher is heading north of the border once more, while a recent Bucs’ farmhand had a huge night. Who wanted Waitman? Many...
First Call: Aaron Rodgers will ‘reassess’ retirement talk after season; another WR trade option to watch
Tuesday’s “First Call” has more evidence of Aaron Rodgers’ indecision on the notion of retirement following the 2025 campaign. There’s another wide receiver to monitor when it comes to trade rumors that may eventually get linked to the Pittsburgh Steelers. An ex-Steelers defensive back is looking for a new place...
Tim Benz: Ready or not, Steelers’ revamped secondary will get its true reveal in Week 1
Ready or not, here it comes. The starters in the Pittsburgh Steelers’ secondary didn’t have much of a chance to play together in August. Just a few snaps against Carolina early in the preseason finale last week, and that was it. Their time as a collective in training camp was...
Tim Benz: A layer of irony to the latest Kenny Pickett trade
Viva Las Vegas! Viva Kenny Pickett trades! The former Steelers quarterback is on the move again. This time he has been dealt to the Las Vegas Raiders from the Cleveland Browns in exchange for a 2026 fifth-round draft pick. Vegas was in need of a QB after Aidan O’Connell injured...
Tim Benz: No reason to alter your views on ‘September Steelers’ based on August previews
On the outside, this looks like a bit of a lull in the schedule for NFL teams. The preseason ended over the weekend. The regular season doesn’t get going until the Sept. 4 opener in Philadelphia. Within the walls of NFL clubs, though, a lot is getting done. The Steelers...
First Call: Potential trade partner if Steelers want to deal Skylar Thompson; Najee Harris could play Week 1 for L.A.
In Monday’s “First Call,” we consider a quarterback trade for the Pittsburgh Steelers. It looks like Najee Harris could play Week 1 for the Los Angeles Chargers after all. The Pirates prepare for a series against a familiar rival. And two local schools square off in early-season NCAA soccer. Possible...
Madden Monday: If the Hoffmann family buys the Penguins, it won’t immediately impact on-ice product
A theory I had about the Hoffmann Family of Companies potentially buying the Pittsburgh Penguins is that the story may have been leaked by Fenway Sports Group with the hope of prying a substantial offer out of Mario Lemieux, Ron Burkle and David Morehouse. That triumvirate ran the team during...
‘Weathered’ Duquesne football players balancing fun of playing at Acrisure Stadium with challenge of facing Pitt
Duquesne defensive lineman A.J. Ackerman remembers the first time we spoke about the topic. What’s the level of excitement surrounding the Dukes’ 2025 season opener at Acrisure Stadium against Pitt? “I think the last time you asked me that question, I gave you a much more muted answer,” Ackerman said....
First Call: Wondering about Beanie Bishop; Jerry Jones says Micah Parsons’ agent told him to ‘stick it’
Friday’s “First Call” examines an odd omission from the Pittsburgh Steelers’ preseason game in Carolina. Things are tense between Micah Parsons and the Cowboys. Ke’Bryan Hayes is heating up with the Reds. Also, the Pirates and Rockies clash in a meeting of … well, um, they are meeting. And there...
Feats of Strength/Airing of Grievances: Rookies, backups counter sloppy play in Steelers win
At the end of his club’s preseason-opening win in Jacksonville, Steelers coach Mike Tomlin applauded the fact that the players managed to avoid penalties, injuries and turnovers. Unfortunately, those matters all became concerns to various degrees over the last two preseason contests. The next one was a 17-14 loss at...
Tim Benz: Debate over playing veterans in preseason is actually a worthy conversation for Steelers this year
Some who cover or root for the Pittsburgh Steelers may call them explanations. Others may call them excuses. All are reasons why the Steelers haven’t won a playoff game since 2016. Last year’s daunting late-season schedule. T.J. Watt’s injury in 2022. Ben Roethlisberger’s injury in 2019. Missed field goals from...
First Call: Chiefs trade former WPIAL standout; Steelers reportedly looking at free agent guardVideo
The Pittsburgh Steelers apparently have interest in a free-agent veteran guard. A former WPIAL standout has been traded by the Kansas City Chiefs. Tommy Pham claims Toronto thought about acquiring him before the trade deadline. And a second Robert Morris hockey product is going to be part of the 2026...
U mad, bro?: Steelers fans fatigued of Cam Heyward’s hold-in, dubious of the defense’s hype
The NFL regular season is not yet upon us. Hence, the level of anger from Pittsburgh Steelers fans is still at a preseason level. The Steelers haven’t lost a real game yet. Mike Tomlin hasn’t had a questionable coaching move yet. Cameron Heyward hasn’t held himself out of a regular-season...
First Call: Tommy Pham chirps back at Toronto catcher on social media; Gabe Davis to visit Bills after Steelers
Tuesday’s “First Call” has some fallout from that Pirates-Blue Jays scrum Monday night. We have an update on Vlad Guerrero’s injury from that game. An ex-Pittsburgh Steelers defensive back is now a Baltimore Raven. And we continue to watch the developments in Cincinnati regarding Trey Hendrickson’s contract situation. Discussing the...
Tim Benz: Vibe around potential Penguins sale changes as a buyer not named Mario Lemieux emerges
According to Elliotte Friedman of SportsNet.ca, the Chicago-based Hoffmann Family of Companies “has emerged as a serious contender” to purchase the Pittsburgh Penguins from Fenway Sports Group. One of the businesses the Hoffmann Family owns is the ECHL’s Florida Everblades, winners of the Kelly Cup from 2022-24. Multiple stories emerged in recent...
Paul Skenes continues to be his own stopper after rare rough outings
As Paul Skenes began his outing against the American League East-leading Toronto Blue Jays on Monday night, he wasn’t wild about his four-seam fastball. “The first four-seamer I threw was terrible metrically,” Skenes said following the game. “After that, I threw one with a shape that I haven’t thrown at...
Tim Benz: ‘Not good. But better’ mentality is aiding Kaleb Johnson and Derrick HarmonVideo
If we can imagine the Pittsburgh Steelers’ 2025 preseason as a typical sports movie, we’re at the mandatory “improvement montage” scene for the rookies. Like Herb Brooks in “Miracle” coaching up goalie Jim Craig. ”Better. Not good. But better.” That appears to be especially true for this year’s top two...
First Call: Steelers work out 4 long snappers; Carolina won’t play starters vs. Pittsburgh in final preseason game
The Pittsburgh Steelers are checking out options at long snapper. We know Carolina’s playing-time strategy for the preseason finale against the Steelers on Thursday. Both Ohio teams in the AFC North were in the headlines over the weekend. And a wide receiver is on the move in the NFL, but...
Madden Monday: 2 things that will be the ‘undoing’ of Cameron Heyward’s hold-in
In this week’s “Madden Monday” podcast, Mark Madden shared two reasons why he thinks Cameron Heyward will eventually end his hold-in and will start practicing with the Pittsburgh Steelers in advance of their regular season opener on Sept. 7. The first is what Madden perceives as an inability on Heyward’s...
Feats of Strength/Airing of Grievances: Roman Wilson, rookies pop but miscues cost SteelersVideo
A lot happened early. Three first-quarter touchdowns, in fact. After that, not much. Not … much … at … all. Such is the result in a lot of preseason games. That was especially true between the Steelers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Saturday night at Acrisure Stadium. The biggest takeaway...
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...
