Tim Benz Columns category, Page 20
Madden Monday: Past Steelers heads ‘would have made the decision by now’ on Aaron Rodgers
On Sunday, Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said that he has yet to give Aaron Rodgers any sort of deadline as to when he would need an answer about playing quarterback for the franchise. During this week’s “Madden Monday” podcast, Mark Madden of TribLive and 105.9 The X said that’s...
Plenty of reasons why Cam Heyward is clarifying his remarks about Aaron Rodgers
Cameron Heyward sure sounds like he is walking back his comments about potential new teammate Aaron Rodgers. During his “Not Just Football” podcast last week, Heyward was asked about the drawn-out discussions regarding the Steelers’ vacant starting quarterback job. “I think, just (sigh) … I want to play football,” Heyward...
First Call: Vikings can’t ‘100%’ shut door on Aaron Rodgers; Adam Schefter won’t rule out Rodgers retiring
The Minnesota Vikings aren’t entirely giving up on the prospect of signing quarterback Aaron Rodgers. However, Rodgers may give up on football before signing with them or the Pittsburgh Steelers. Russell Wilson shows off the arm for his new fans in New York. The Steelers interviewed a successful college quarterback...
U mad, bro?: Steelers fans resist criticism of Aaron Rodgers; Pirates fans hate MLB economics
I’m heading to New Jersey for the Sweet 16 Thursday after this posts. So, I’m in a March Madness frame of mind. That said, here are our brackets for “U mad, bro?” this week. • Aaron Rodgers is the No. 1 seed in the “What are the Steelers doing at...
On Russ, Rodgers, Rudolph: A brief history of the Steelers’ recent QB tragic comedy
Bon voyage, Russell Wilson. We hardly knew ye! Oops, sorry. We hardly knew yinz. The veteran free-agent quarterback signed a one-year contract with the New York Giants on Tuesday. After just one season and 12 games as the Steelers starting quarterback, the Wilson era is over practically before it began....
First Call: Pat Freiermuth contacts Aaron Rodgers; Russell Wilson can still help Steelers from New York
In Wednesday’s “First Call,” Aaron Rodgers is making contact with at least one Pittsburgh Steelers target on offense. We investigate how Russell Wilson still may be able to help his now-former team. There is an update on the recovery of ex-Steeler James Daniels. We tell you if Alex Ovechkin is...
Tim Benz: A completely logical, totally achievable wish list for the 2025 Pirates
Last year, I ended up being a little too optimistic in my projection for the Pittsburgh Pirates. The BetRivers over-under win total was 78.5. I had them at 81 wins. They came in under with 76. I’m not going to allow myself to be disappointed again. This year BetRivers’ over-under...
Steelers’ QB waiting game highlights plenty of other roster issues
The football world is waiting with simmering impatience to see if the Pittsburgh Steelers sign Aaron Rodgers to be their next starting quarterback. But as “Ayahuasca Aaron” ruminates over the decision, by extension another truth has come to light. The Steelers have plenty of other issues besides quarterback — especially...
First Call: Aaron Rodgers’ decision expected ‘within the next few days’; Steelers talking with a college QBVideo
Tuesday’s “First Call” has an optimistic spin on the Aaron Rodgers watch for the Pittsburgh Steelers and New York Giants. In the meantime, the Steelers are talking to a college quarterback in advance of the NFL Draft. A depth defensive lineman may be on their wish list too. We’ll preview...
Tim Benz: Paul Skenes is right. The Pirates owe the city more. Time to pay up
I’m not exactly sure who Paul Skenes was talking about. Maybe Skenes doesn’t even know. But while the young Pittsburgh Pirates ace was speaking with Alex Stumpf for a recent feature on MLB.com in advance of Thursday’s 2025 season opener in Miami, Skenes made some noteworthy comments about the state...
Tim Benz: The unfortunate reality of the Steelers’ QB situation
For all the podcast downloads, talk show air time, column space and television segments that have been dedicated toward figuring out what the Pittsburgh Steelers are doing at quarterback, one unfortunate reality exists: None of the feasible candidates that have been discussed offer much hope that the team is going...
Madden Monday: Mike Tomlin’s ‘rep is fading,’ that’s why he wants Aaron Rodgers
On Friday, free agent quarterback Aaron Rodgers paid a visit to Pittsburgh. By Sunday night, ProFootballTalk.com was saying that Rodgers was a “safe bet” to become a Steeler. During this week’s “Madden Monday” podcast, Mark Madden of 105.9 The X, said that the Steelers would be making a shortsighted decision...
First Call: Aaron Rodgers called a ‘safe bet’ for Steelers; Russell Wilson still in the mix with Giants
Monday’s “First Call” passes along a pair of reports involving Aaron Rodgers and Russell Wilson. We look at two defensive linemen that may be on the Pittsburgh Steelers’ radar in the NFL Draft. And Megan McConnell put on another show as Duquesne stayed alive in the WNIT. Is there such...
Tim Benz: Pirates hopes of winning ‘in the margins’ is easier said than done
Pittsburgh Pirates manager Derek Shelton laid out the key to his team’s 2025 improvement on a 76-86 record a year ago. “I think you win in the margins, very much so,” Shelton told reporters in Bradenton, Fla. “We have to win those margins.” Exactly how wide are these “margins” we...
For ‘locked in’ Robert Morris vs. Alabama, the goal is to play like they’ve practiced
When coaches want to get more out of their players in between games they may implore them to practice like they play. For Robert Morris heading into their massive first-round NCAA Tournament challenge against No. 2 seed Alabama, head coach Andy Toole wants them to play like they’ve practiced. “We’ve...
First Call: ‘Ongoing dialogue’ between Steelers and Aaron Rodgers; team interested in college QBs
Thursday’s “First Call” has the latest spin on the Aaron Rodgers saga from a Pittsburgh perspective. There’s news about some potential college quarterbacks in the draft, as well. The Steelers are lobbying for some changes to free agency. And we have career updates regarding a pair of former Steelers. One...
U mad, bro?: Steelers fans want more heat on ownership and more optimism about QBs
What did I learn from “U mad, bro?” this week? Hmm. Well, let’s see. I learned that I am too hard on the Pittsburgh Steelers, but I’m not hard enough on the owner. I learned that Steelers fans are somewhere between irrational optimism and hopeless depression. And I learned that...
Penguins’ response to blown lead personifies changing view of Tristan Jarry’s improved playVideo
It used to be that a result like Tuesday’s would be the type that would get a Penguins goalie skewered in Pittsburgh. Particularly Tristan Jarry. Even if he had little to do with the collapse. The Penguins blew a 2-0 lead in the third period to the New York Islanders...
First Call: Steelers reportedly ‘getting closer’ on QB situation; Bill Cowher endorses Russell Wilson
We might have some movement on the Pittsburgh Steelers’ quarterback front, and it may be Aaron Rodgers-related. Bill Cowher has some thoughts on what the Steelers should do at quarterback. A little controversy is following a new Steeler out of Cleveland. And we have an update on Alex Ovechkin’s pursuit...
Tim Benz: On Steelers QB front, Cam Heyward speaks for all of us when he says, ‘Ugghh’
On his most recent “Not Just Football” podcast, Pittsburgh Steelers defensive captain Cameron Heyward had a lot to say about the team’s elongated quarterback search. When he ran out of words, he actually said a lot more. “I think, just (insert exasperated sigh here) … I want to play football,”...
First Call: Steelers have ‘checked in’ on Joe Flacco; Aaron Rodgers may drag decision until the draft
Tuesday’s “First Call” has the latest on the Pittsburgh Steelers’ quarterback quagmire. We’ve got fallout from Justin Fields, a potential future with Joe Flacco, plus a long timeline for an Aaron Rodgers decision. Alex Ovechkin takes another crack at climbing up the all-time goal scoring ladder. And, on the hoops...
Tim Benz: Most Steelers fans embrace Mason Rudolph’s return for the right reasonsVideo
It’s tough to come up with a sports relationship that’s analogous to the one between Mason Rudolph and the Pittsburgh Steelers. Billy Martin and the New York Yankees, perhaps? Not quite. Maybe I should go the television route. How about Ross and Rachel on “Friends”? “Sorry about hooking up with...
‘It’s Bobby Mo’ in O-hi-o’: RMU draws on past experiences in search of 1st-round NCAA upset in Cleveland
Robert Morris guard Kam Woods thought his Colonials would be one line higher when the NCAA bracket was unveiled Sunday. “I really thought we were going to be a 14-seed,” Woods said. “I really felt that some conferences who aren’t on our level got the 14-seed. But that goes to...
First Call: Baltimore DB takes a shot at new Steelers LB; Le’Veon Bell’s name removed from high school field
Monday’s “First Call” features a Baltimore Raven who is lashing out at new Pittsburgh Steeler Malik Harrison. The Steelers apparently have eyes for a pair of Ole Miss defensive linemen in the draft. Gambling odds are out for Robert Morris in the NCAA Tournament. The Duquesne women’s hoops team will...
Madden Monday: When it comes to Steelers’ QB quandary, ‘blowing it with (Kenny) Pickett set them back 4-5 years’
Debate continues to swirl regarding what the Pittsburgh Steelers will do for a starting quarterback in 2025. However, in this week’s “Madden Monday” podcast, Mark Madden of 105.9 The X and TribLive believes the franchise should have one singular agenda. “The only decision the Steelers need to make correctly in...
