U mad, bro?: Perpetual position problems, Tony Award-level QB drama fatigues fans in Pittsburgh

It’s Final Four week. But we’ve got many more entries than that for this week’s “U mad, bro?”

None of them reference college basketball, though. With so much going on surrounding the Pittsburgh Steelers’ QB hunt, Penguins goaltending uncertainty and early Pirates woes, our blind rage over Duke making another championship weekend will just have to wait.

Although, those emotions are totally valid.

Let’s start with Mikey. He might need some clarification about how “U mad, bro?” works before we move on with this week’s edition.

Who is resisting criticism of Aaron Rodgers? Lots of Steelers fans I've seen on here have been very critical of signing him including me.

— Mikey Aces (@Mikey5Aces) March 27, 2025

Who? The very first guy who responded in the column. Hence … the headline.

It’s a weekly reader Q&A. That’s sorta the point, Mikey.

Mike in St. Louis is tired of the Aaron Rodgers saga.

”Mr. Benz, remember when Geraldo Rivera was gonna reveal what was in Al Capone’s safe and it turned into a giant nothing burger? That’s what we have with the Aaron Rodgers saga now…he ain’t coming to Pittsburgh…We hear all the jive about how Rodgers is very ‘thoughtful’ and deliberate about his decisions…but it truly is getting ridiculous…Cam Heyward was right to be fed up…fish or cut bait, ARod.”

Mike, 30 years after that special bombed, Geraldo told Fox News that as soon as the broadcast ended, he “went across the street and got ‘tequila drunk.’” Then he went back to his hotel room and put a “Do Not Disturb” sign on the door.

That’s exactly what I plan to do if Rodgers isn’t signed before the draft.

Here is a question I posed on social media.

Of these three options, the position you consider to be the most screwed up right now:

— Tim Benz (@TimBenzPGH) April 2, 2025

It got a lot of responses, including this one.

Now put out a pole asking about which front office is screwed up the most, and then another one about which head coach situation is screwed up the most

— ProPitFan! (@PilotPITFanTN) April 2, 2025

Sir, haven’t I spread enough gloom for one week?

It appears Dan wants to be all-inclusive with his response to that question.

All of thee above!

— Dan Cunningham (@pittace22) April 2, 2025

Dan, if I had offered that as an option, none of the other choices would’ve gotten a vote.

Brendan had a well-thought-out response.

Love this question. Guess it depends what you mean by "screwed up", but if you mean "botched" I think the answer has to be that Jarry contract.

Pirates have only "botched" in the sense that "they don't try to do anything".

— Brendan Berkley (@TallBlondeGuy) April 2, 2025

As for the Steelers, I just don't see the past few years as completely out of step with how other franchises handle the loss of a HOF QB.

And say what you will about their process, but at no point have they hamstrung their future

— Brendan Berkley (@TallBlondeGuy) April 2, 2025

No. They haven’t. Not against the salary cap anyway. But swinging and missing on a first-round pick like Kenny Pickett certainly set back the timetable — and the direction — of a rebuild.

This guy is not optimistic about the Pirates.

After bullpen ace Rowdy Tellez was DFA'd to avoid a well-deserved bonus and no serious off-season moves to build around Skenes, it is no surprise this season will be worse than last.

Yet every Pirates season is a good season for Bob Nutting. He profits from our misery. pic.twitter.com/VSCLA0lKm4

— P⭕tentialHuman (@PotentialHuman2) April 1, 2025

Let me guess: That sad-looking little bunny just bought a brand new David Bednar jersey, didn’t he?

More sports

• Tim Benz: There's 1 clear benefit to Aaron Rodgers' prolonged decision process
• Robert Morris' Andy Toole agrees to contract extension after leading Colonials to NCAA Tournament
• Injured Penguins forward Evgeni Malkin to travel for upcoming road trip

Finally, it sounds like Mary Lou’s patience with the Steelers is running low. But at least she liked my column that vented about the state of the quarterback situation.

“Your column linking our QB drama with ‘Les Miserables’ was just great! Even the sewer reference calling forth Jean Valjean! I have a friend who has no use for professional sports. He looks down on those of us ‘adding to the family wealth of the Rooneys, etc.’ I always tell him you cannot beat sports for high drama.”

Mary Lou, I appreciate that. That’s very kind of you. All I can say in response is:

“I dreamed a dream in time gone by,

When hope was high and games, worth watching.

I dreamed the zone blitz would never die,

I dreamed that instant replay would be forgiving.

Big Ben was young and unafraid.

Challenge flags were thrown and used, and wasted

There was no dead cap charge to be paid,

Renegade unsung. Iron City, untasted.

But the Ravens come at night,

With Lamar as soft as thunder,

As they tear yinz hope apart,

And they turn our ‘D’ to shame.”

Listen: Tim Benz and Chris Adamski discuss the winding road of the Steelers’ offseason