Breakfast With Benz category
Tim Benz: A tweak to the Mike McCarthy conversation
It would just be more “Mediocre Mike.” Except it would be a different Mike. That’s been the most common reaction to the notion of the Steelers hiring Mike McCarthy as the successor to former head coach Mike Tomlin. It’s hard to argue with that characterization. Since McCarthy’s Green Bay Packers...
U mad, bro?: Steelers fans express wide range of heated emotions after Mike Tomlin’s resignationVideo
NFL coaching changes are never easy. They bring out a lot of acrimony and frustration. Especially when you only do them every two decades or so. That is the case with the Pittsburgh Steelers and their fans in the wake of Mike Tomlin’s resignation last week. But fret not! PiratesFest...
First Call: Another team showing interest in Steelers coaching candidate Anthony Weaver; new Brian Flores developments
Thursday’s “First Call” has a newsworthy twist on the potential courtship of Brian Flores back to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Another team is in the mix for Anthony Weaver. Andy Weidl has lots of competition to get the Atlanta Falcons general manager job. And we find out if any teams in...
Tim Benz: Concern over Mike Tomlin’s Steelers legacy is unnecessary … and James Harrison’s story shows why
In the wake of his resignation as Steelers coach last week, there was much discussion about Mike Tomlin’s legacy. How should it be viewed? How much was it damaged by the lack of postseason success over much of the last 15 years? Will the 19 years of nonlosing football ever...
First Call: Overlap in coaching search for Steelers and Ravens; ex-Penguin involved in goalie fight
In Tuesday’s “First Call,” we attempt to organize and update the Pittsburgh Steelers’ coaching search. We also discuss some overlap with the Baltimore Ravens’ hunt to replace John Harbaugh. Sean McDermott’s dismissal in Buffalo creates questions. And a former Penguin was part of a goalie fight. Pulling from the pack?...
Duquesne looks to defend home court against 1st ranked foe to visit UPMC Cooper Fieldhouse
When the Duquesne Dukes take the floor for Tuesday night’s game at the UPMC Cooper Fieldhouse, they’ll be doing so under unique conditions. It’ll be the first time Duquesne hosts a basketball game on that court against a ranked opponent. That’s because the Saint Louis Billikens are coming to town...
Tim Benz: Steelers are reportedly ‘open to an Aaron Rodgers return.’ Here’s why they shouldn’t be
Aaron Rodgers’ reported reaction to the resignation of Steelers coach Mike Tomlin tells a lot. According to a post in “The Athletic,” the Steelers’ quarterback was heard “through sobs” telling his coach, “I’m sorry” after Tomlin’s announcement to the team. The reason for that is clear. Rodgers knows his presence...
Madden Monday: Art Rooney II ‘wasted a decade,’ so expect the Steelers to ‘hire the wrong guy’
Conventional thinking is that the Pittsburgh Steelers will attempt to hire a head coach who is in his mid-30s, has never held an NFL coaching job and is a current defensive coordinator. Their previous three coaches — Chuck Noll, Bill Cowher and Mike Tomlin — all won Super Bowls. They...
First Call: Brian Flores to have in-person coaching interview; Steelers must wait on Rams candidates
Monday’s “First Call” has some updates on the Pittsburgh Steelers’ coaching situation. New England has tied a noteworthy Steelers’ historical mark. And we lay out the Penguins’ western road trip, which gets underway Monday evening in Seattle. Return trip Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores is coming to Pittsburgh this...
Football Footnotes: Steelers complaining about coordinators; an immediate challenge for the new coach; playoff predictions
Former Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin still hasn’t spoken about his resignation from the team, but the players sure are saying a lot. Even if they aren’t putting their names on their own quotes. We talk about those topics and provide some playoff predictions in this Friday’s “Football Footnotes.”...
First Call: Close Mike Tomlin friend thinks he is ‘done’ coaching; Ravens LB still fuming about losses to Steelers
Friday’s “First Call” has a look at Mike Tomlin’s future from a trusted confidant. A Baltimore Ravens linebacker is still fuming about the team’s losses to the Pittsburgh Steelers. We examine the Penguins’ next intra-divisional clash. The Pitt hoops team has a high-profile game Saturday. And Duquesne goes on the...
Tim Benz: The Steelers should be looking for the right coach, not advancing their long-held traditions
The Pittsburgh Steelers need a head coach. The right coach. Not someone who just looks like a good fit for the family photo. No, that’s not a nepo-baby shot at Los Angeles’ Chris Shula. Physically, Chuck Noll, Bill Cowher and Mike Tomlin look nothing like one another. But their coaching...
Rod Woodson advances NFL Alumni cancer fighting initiative, talks Steelers-Ravens rivalry, John Harbaugh firing
Steelers legend Rod Woodson sounded like he was talking about executing a successful NFL defense. Recognition. Accurate diagnosis. Self-awareness. Knowing where your help is. Decisive action. But the NFL Hall of Famer wasn’t talking about how to execute a zone blitz, or the concepts of the 3-4. He was talking...
First Call: Jerome Bettis endorses Kevin Stefanski for Steelers’ job; a major college name to consider as well
Thursday’s “First Call” has a significant update on John Harbaugh’s future. A college football coaching name is being thrown out as a possible replacement for Mike Tomlin, while Jerome Bettis is endorsing a former AFC North coach. And the Pittsburgh Penguins welcome the Philadelphia Flyers, with both teams looking to...
U mad, bro?: Mike Tomlin’s departure and Steelers’ playoff dud fan the flames of discontent from readers
The Pittsburgh Steelers lost a playoff game in humiliating fashion. Again. It was so bad that Mike Tomlin resigned after 19 years. Fans are sniping at each other and angry at the media. In other words, “U mad, Bro” is off to a roaring start in 2026. ______________________________ Let’s start...
30 years later, Steelers DBs remember fighting for ‘Harbaugh’s Hail Mary’ in AFC Championship game
How much can happen in 6.28 seconds? That’s about as long as it takes to get to “…dawn’s early light” in the Star Spangled Banner. Unless you are talking really fast, you can get to “…for which it stands” in the Pledge of Allegiance, and the letter “I” in the...
‘Dry January’: Steelers’ drought of playoff wins eventually pushes Mike Tomlin away
After the holidays end, I know a lot of people who try to do “dry January.” Unfortunately, the Pittsburgh Steelers seem committed to really going dry in January every year. After Monday night’s 30-6 defeat at the hand of the Houston Texans, the Steelers have now failed to win a...
Tim Benz: Mike Tomlin’s immediate change of course raises questions about his departure
Less than a day after a playoff loss to the Houston Texans, Mike Tomlin ended his tenure as coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers. “After much thought and reflection, I have decided to step down as head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers,” Tomlin said via a statement issued by the organization....
First Call: Texans hijack ‘Renegade’; Houston DB wants Aaron Rodgers to sign pick-6 ball
The Houston Texans stole “Renegade” after their playoff win over the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium. We have a favored candidate for the Baltimore Ravens head coaching job. The hottest hockey team on the planet is coming to PPG Paints Arena. And the Duquesne Dukes host a conference rival. All...
Airing of Grievances: ‘Same story’ Steelers can’t stop run, can’t score TDs during latest lopsided playoff loss
The Pittsburgh Steelers were only up 3-0 after the first quarter against the Houston Texans on Monday night, but based on how the previous six playoff games had gone, it felt like 300-0. In the first quarters of those six most recent playoff games (all losses) the Steelers gave up...
First Call: Talk of Aaron Rodgers staying in Pittsburgh next year; George Pickens is not happy about the All-Pro vote
In Monday’s “First Call,” we examine the prospect of an Aaron Rodgers reboot in Pittsburgh in 2026-27. We look at the odds for next week’s games in the NFL Divisional Round. George Pickens feels like he got snubbed in All-Pro voting. And the Patriots left the Chargers baffled Sunday night....
Madden Monday: ‘Not that optimistic’ about Steelers’ chances to upset Houston
I think the Pittsburgh Steelers have plenty of reason for hope when it comes to beating the Houston Texans in their first-round playoff game Monday night. Houston is a three-point favorite. I’m picking the Texans to win 23-20 in overtime. But I’m not going to be stunned if the Steelers...
Tim Benz: Steelers’ defense must meet standard set by Texans
Comparing the Pittsburgh Steelers’ offensive and defensive units against those of the Houston Texans, there’s no doubt which bunch has had the best season. It’s Houston’s defense. That group allowed the fewest yards (4,713) in the NFL during the regular season, as well as the second fewest points (17.4). It...
Tim Benz: Suddenly for Dan Muse and the Penguins, the only struggle is to find complaintsVideo
After his first win as a Pittsburgh Steeler in Week 1 of this NFL season, quarterback Aaron Rodgers spun this quote about the nature of his team’s 34-32 victory over the New York Jets. “It’s like a coach’s dream journal,” Rodgers said. “To win but also have some correctable moments.”...
Football Footnotes: Refuting recent Chris Boswell concerns; noteworthy Steelers-Texans stats; Mike Tomlin mind games
We were going to post our weekly Friday “Football Footnotes” whether the Pittsburgh Steelers were in the playoffs or not. But since they are, it sure makes things a lot more fun. Here’s a look at a few interesting leftovers from Mike Tomlin’s Tuesday press conference, some potentially misplaced concerns...
