Tim Benz Columns category, Page 3
First Call: ESPN reports ‘concerns’ about Aaron Rodgers’ wrist; NFL will investigate Ja’Marr Chase spit accusations
Monday’s “First Call” has a health update on Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers. We also provide some fallout from the Jalen Ramsey-Ja’Marr Chase spitting incident from Sunday. Shedeur Sanders had an underwhelming debut in Cleveland. The Ravens won again. An ex-Steelers linebacker made a big play. And the Steelers are...
Madden Monday: Jalen Ramsey can’t allow himself to get ejected even if Ja’Marr Chase spat on him
Despite his protests to the contrary, video indicates that Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase spat on Pittsburgh Steelers defensive back Jalen Ramsey during their on-field confrontation Sunday. Field-level view of the second altercation between Ja'Marr Chase and Jalen Ramsey. Chase said "I didn't spit on nobody."The video clearly shows he...
Feats of Strength: Defensive patience, Mason Rudolph’s solid relief lead to Steelers’ rebound against Bengals
The first Steelers-Bengals game of 2025 made the Steelers’ fanbase spit angry hot takes. The second game just resulted in the Bengals spitting. It also resulted in Mason Rudolph’s return, injuries to Aaron Rodgers and Jaylen Warren, two defensive touchdowns and one of the angriest runs you’ll ever see. Most...
Football Footnotes: More ‘Muuuth? Aaron Rodgers wants ‘more opportunities’ for Pat Freiermuth
The 2025 season opened up with the concept that the Pittsburgh Steelers really didn’t need to acquire a high-profile replacement for George Pickens at wide receiver. The tight ends were supposed to handle the job of being the second pass-catching option to DK Metcalf. If you add up the totals...
First Call: Ja’Marr Chase calls Joey Porter Jr. ‘handsy’; Pat McAfee not a fan of Pat Narduzzi’s Notre Dame comments
In Friday’s “First Call,” Bengals receiver Ja’Marr Chase gives a blunt assessment of Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. Pat McAfee isn’t wild about Pat Narduzzi’s comments in advance of the Pitt-Notre Dame game. The Penguins get ready for some odd start times in Sweden. Duquesne has an interesting challenge...
Tim Benz: Don’t let Yankees trade chatter ruin the celebration of Paul Skenes’ Cy Young award
Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes had a slightly more animated reaction to winning the National League Cy Young award Wednesday night than he did when he won the Rookie of the Year in 2024. Slightly. Paul Skenes winning Rookie of the Year: ????Paul Skenes winning Cy Young: ???? pic.twitter.com/hAymCO5Qxs—...
First Call: Asante Samuel Sr. gives opinions on Steelers after son signs; DK Metcalf wants rematch with Bengals’ DJ Turner
Thursday’s “First Call” has a Lamar Jackson health update from Baltimore. DK Metcalf talks about his looming matchup with Cincinnati’s DJ Turner. Asante Samuel Sr. had some interesting quotes about the Pittsburgh Steelers’ offense after the franchise signed his son. And Jameis Winston is replacing Russell Wilson as the quarterback...
U mad, bro?: Steelers fans don’t hold back on Art Rooney II, Mike Tomlin, Aaron Rodgers
Despair about the Pittsburgh Steelers’ recent 1-3 stretch knows no limits. The frustration is pulsating with our readers when it comes to Art Rooney II, Mike Tomlin, Aaron Rodgers, the offense and even our coverage of the team. In this week’s “U mad, bro?,” fans express their displeasure with help...
First Call: Ben Roethlisberger apologizes to former teammate; Ben Cherington dismisses Paul Skenes trade talk
Ben Roethlisberger issues an apology to a former teammate. Ben Cherington addresses trade conversations about Paul Skenes. Gerrit Cole gives a health update. Plus, the Pittsburgh Steelers are getting a different CBS broadcast team this week. All that in Wednesday’s “First Call.” My bad Former Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger began...
Tim Benz: Steelers’ use of Jaylen Warren is confusing, and Mike Tomlin’s explanations are confounding
During his Tuesday press conference, Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin was asked why Jaylen Warren doesn’t get more snaps. Particularly on third downs. “Not taking anything away from Jaylen, he plays a lot on first and second down. You’ve got to give him opportunities to catch a break. Sometimes...
Tim Benz: 1st test of Aaron Rodgers’ harmony in Pittsburgh is underway
After the Steelers plodded to a 25-10 loss against the Los Angeles Chargers Sunday night, coach Mike Tomlin was asked to assess the performance of his quarterback, Aaron Rodgers. “How would you?” Tomlin replied. “Next.” OK. Not exactly Tommy Lasorda talking about Dave Kingman. But we get the point. Anyone...
First Call: N.Y. Post suggests Mike Tomlin should be on Giants’ radar; Bengals, Ravens injury news
Tuesday’s “First Call” has a connection between Mike Tomlin and the New York Giants coaching vacancy. We have injury news from the Cincinnati Bengals and Baltimore Ravens. There are some gambling trends to track in the Steelers-Bengals game on Sunday. And we look at a busy start to the week...
Madden Monday: Steelers are ‘a bunch of bad players. They’re inconsistent. They’re poorly coached’
It’s easy for 105.9 The X’s Mark Madden to explain how the Pittsburgh Steelers regressed so dramatically Sunday night in Los Angeles, following their big win over Indianapolis last week. “I could drive a truck down Main Street, U.S.A., and come back with 11 guys who could stop that Steelers...
First Call: Aaron Rodgers, Mike Tomlin have different takes on running more; Ravens pull within a game of Steelers
In Monday’s “First Call,” Aaron Rodgers and Mike Tomlin are singing different tunes about the run game. Justin Fields and the Jets beat the Browns. The Ravens get another win. Russell Wilson is quarterbacking the Giants again. Plus, we have lots to discuss on the local college basketball front. Different...
Airing of Grievances: Lousy night for Aaron Rodgers, butterfingers in all 3 phases sink Steelers in L.A.
The evening started badly and just kept getting worse for the Pittsburgh Steelers on “Sunday Night Football” in Los Angeles. Prior to kickoff, NBC aired a hacky, courtroom-themed pre-game show vignette with Judge Judy. Little did I know she was a Chargers fan. Little did I know she was still...
Tim Benz: Star players help stars align in latest edition of Penguins-Capitals
Bryan Rust saved the game. The other star players saved the storyline. As of Wednesday afternoon, Thursday night’s Pittsburgh Penguins versus Capitals matchup had all the makings of a showdown jam-packed with celebration and sentiment. Capitals legend Alex Ovechkin had the potential to score his 900th goal in Pittsburgh while...
Football Footnotes: Sorting through variables to predict ‘good on good’ Steelers-Chargers matchup
A lot of Pittsburgh Steelers fans and media members looked at the team’s current three-game stretch between Cincinnati Bengals contests as a real measuring stick. Especially after that gut-punch of a loss in Cincy on “Thursday Night Football” last month. At that point, the Packers, Colts and Chargers were all...
First Call: Kendrick Green responds to Ben Roethlisberger’s jab; big early season upset for RMU hoops
In Friday’s “First Call,” Kendrick Green responds to Ben Roethlisberger’s podcast shot, the Pittsburgh Penguins look to hold onto first place in the Metropolitan Division, and we check out what is on the college football slate while Pitt is off. Robert Morris’ basketball team makes a big early season splash....
Tim Benz: Steelers’ ‘ball searchers’ defense better be on the hunt again vs. Chargers
Turnovers are fickle. The Pittsburgh Steelers’ dedication to creating them can’t be. If we’ve learned anything about the Steelers’ defense, it’s that. In their five wins this season, the Steelers have 14 takeaways. In their three losses, they have two. The Steelers have truly been feast-or-famine when it comes to...
First Call: Steelers slated to work out CB Asante Samuel Jr.; Alex Ovechkin scores No. 900Video
Thursday’s “First Call” tells us that the Pittsburgh Steelers are working out an interesting free agent cornerback. There is a notable nugget about this week’s officiating crew for Steelers-Chargers. Los Angeles has another injury to track. This one is on special teams. And Alex Ovechkin gets goal No. 900 before...
U mad, bro?: Steelers fans irate over lack of trade acquisitions, Joey Porter Jr.’s penalties
The Steelers stopped a losing streak last week and beat a team that came to Pittsburgh with the best record in the NFL. You didn’t think that would stop the irresistible force that is “U mad, bro?” did you? This week’s edition includes a quiet trade deadline, continued excuse-making for...
Pirates legend Steve Blass stirs colorful comps to Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s World Series heroics
Former Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Steve Blass vividly recalls the efficiency with which he commanded his nine-pitch bottom of the ninth inning in Game 7 of the 1971 World Series in Baltimore. “It’s not hard to throw strikes when you’re (urinating) your pants,” Blass said. “I’m glad we had the gray...
First Call: Steelers reportedly outbid for Jakobi Meyers; Chargers get offensive line help
We’re getting details on what it would’ve cost the Steelers to land a pair of wide receivers before Tuesday’s trade deadline. The Los Angeles Chargers helped themselves in advance of Sunday’s game against the Steelers, and a pair of local college hockey players are getting some well-deserved recognition. All that...
Tim Benz: Reasons the ‘all-in’ Steelers stayed out of NFL trades — none of which I like
The allegedly “all-in” Pittsburgh Steelers stayed out of NFL trade deadline moves. Tuesday’s 4 p.m. deadline came and went. The Steelers did nothing. How come? Well, there are a few explanations — none of which I really like. • It’s possible the Steelers feel that their 27-20 upset of the...
First Call: Steelers release Beanie Bishop; Minkah Fitzpatrick trade rumors; Marquez Valdes-Scantling signing still possible
It’s time to say goodbye to Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Beanie Bishop. We’re still awaiting Marquez Valdes-Scantling’s arrival. The Chargers and Packers suffer blows to their rosters. And could a pair of former defensive backs with the Steelers both be heading elsewhere? All that in Tuesday’s “First Call.” Bye, Bye Beanie...
