Sorting out the media fumble of Gov. Shapiro’s quotes on publicly funded NFL stadiums in Pa.
The media kerfuffle over what Gov. Josh Shapiro said — or didn’t say — about public funding for football stadiums in Pennsylvania is just the beginning of what will undoubtedly be a hair-pulling, mind-numbing process until the Steelers and Eagles work out their new leases. That’s whether they play in...
Tim Benz: An All-Quarter-Century team for the Pittsburgh Penguins
Since it is 2025, it seems like every sports outlet under the sun is putting together some sort of quarter-century list. ESPN did one for the NFL. The NHL released one of its own and The Athletic pieced together a 40-man Major League Baseball list. At “Breakfast With Benz,” you...
First Call: Steelers sign a long snapper; Russell Wilson on why he joined the Giants
Tuesday’s “First Call” features a Pittsburgh Steelers special teams acquisition. A former Steelers coach shares one big regret, while an ex-Steelers quarterback talks about his new favorite target. We also preview an important start for Pirates pitcher Andrew Heaney. Special teams signing It appears the Steelers are signing a long...
Tim Benz: 2 factors may provide leverage, negotiating shift for T.J. Watt
Reporting day for Pittsburgh Steelers training camp is exactly one month away. Aaron Rodgers has finally signed to become the team’s starting quarterback. So the biggest stories hanging in the balance between now and then are: • Is linebacker T.J. Watt going to sign a contract extension? • If he...
First Call: Pa. governor on prospect of state funds for Steelers’ and Eagles’ stadiums; T.J. McConnell’s ups and downs in Game 7
Monday’s “First Call” recaps T.J. McConnell’s ups and downs from last night’s Game 7 of the NBA Finals. We remember the life of Arthur Smith’s father, Fred Smith, and his NFL influence. Plus, we get into Jaire Alexander’s arrival in Baltimore and the prospect of public funds for new football...
Madden Monday: Even with Aaron Rodgers, ‘Steelers haven’t really changed as much as we like to pretend they have’
In this week’s “Madden Monday” podcast, Mark Madden of TribLive and 105.9 The X raises an interesting question about the Pittsburgh Steelers. Has the team on the field really changed as much as some outsiders seem to believe that it has? Madden doesn’t think so, especially when it comes to...
A ‘prahd’ Pittsburgh dad: T.J. McConnell’s father steals the show after being pulled into postgame interview
Chartiers Valley alum T.J. McConnell was one of the stars of Game 6 of the NBA Finals for the Indiana Pacers. But it was his father who stole the show during a postgame interview. McConnell scored 12 points off the bench. The one-time Duquesne Duke shot 6 of 12 from...
First Call: Seahawks GM adds background to the DK Metcalf trade; Shedeur Sanders
speeding violation was 2nd since NFL Draft
Friday’s “First Call” provides a backdrop on the DK Metcalf trade to the Pittsburgh Steelers from a Seattle perspective. We also have some more background to the Shedeur Sanders traffic issues in Cleveland and the results from Game 6 of the NBA Finals. Plus, an achievement for a Duquesne women’s...
Pirates face familiar type of test to open series against Rangers
After facing last year’s American League Cy Young winner in Detroit, the Pittsburgh Pirates will get a two-time National League Cy Young winner on Friday. The Bucs lost 9-2 to Tarik Skubal and the Tigers in Game 1 of their series-ending doubleheader Thursday (yet salvaged the second game with a...
Tim Benz: ESPN crew misses the mark on Steelers analysis
For an outlet that spends as much time talking about the Pittsburgh Steelers as ESPN does, they sure don’t seem to have a firm handle on where the franchise really is. Whether it was trying to manufacture a quarterback debate that didn’t exist last year until Russell Wilson got hurt,...
First Call: Rangers still deciding what to do with potential Penguins’ draft pick; promising prediction for Derrick Harmon
Wednesday’s “First Call” has a promising prediction for the Pittsburgh Steelers’ first-round draft choice. The Florida Panthers Stanley Cup celebrations are already off to a rough start. We are still trying to figure out plans for the New York Rangers and the draft choice they owe the Penguins. Plus, we...
U mad, bro?: Steelers and Penguins fans have much to vent about when it comes to Aaron Rodgers, Evgeni Malkin
After a week off from “U mad, bro,” I certainly wasn’t surprised to see what an extra seven days did for your pent-up rage. I needed to use the slow-release valve on my email and social media interactions for this week’s post. Let’s get to a much-needed venting process for...
First Call: Over 600K in queue to get Steelers-Vikings tickets in Ireland; ESPN contract projection for T.J Watt
“First Call” on Wednesday has some inflammatory comments from a former Steeler about Mike Tomlin and Aaron Rodgers. It’s not easy getting Steelers tickets for the Ireland game. We’ve got some T.J. Watt contract projections. And we look at Tarik Skubal’s daunting numbers in advance of his start against the...
Tim Benz: Leak of Evgeni Malkin info feels like it was done with a purpose
On Monday, The Athletic reported that the Pittsburgh Penguins are not going to offer Evgeni Malkin a new contract after his current deal expires at the end of this upcoming season. Given that Malkin is turning 39 next month and only posted 16 goals in 68 games last season, that...
Pitching prowess on display as Pirates try to keep up with MLB’s best in Detroit
The Pittsburgh Pirates are in the basement of the National League Central at 29-44. They just dropped three of four to the division-leading Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field over the weekend. All four contests were one-run games settled by final scores of 3-2 or 2-1. Two of those results went...
First Call: Antonio Brown overseas as attempted murder charges loom; Sean Casey needs surgery after Savannah Bananas injury
Tuesday’s “First Call” sorts out Antonio Brown’s latest legal drama. Sean Casey needs significant surgery after an injury suffered during a Savannah Bananas game. We get an update on Jonnu Smith’s status. And Penn State’s hockey team just landed a big recruit who could hear his name called in the...
Tim Benz: Looking forward to how Aaron Rodgers’ role as ‘servant leader’ plays out
I’m not quite sure what Aaron Rodgers meant last week when he reported to Pittsburgh Steelers’ minicamp and said that he wants to be a “servant leader.” I think I know what he means. I just wonder if he truly understands the message he is conveying by sending it. “I...
First Call: Helmet manufacturer responds to Aaron Rodgers’ complaints; potential progress on Trey Hendrickson’s contract
“First Call” returns Monday with reaction to Aaron Rodgers’ complaints about his new helmet at Pittsburgh Steelers’ minicamp. Nick Chubb bids a gracious goodbye to Cleveland. There is some Pitt football recruiting news. Plus, an AFC North pass rusher may be making headway on his contract conversations. And it’s not...
Tim Benz: Bubbling opinions on Aaron Rodgers’ arrival, T.J. Watt’s absence, Paul Skenes’ dominance and Penguins’ future
My honeymoon in Italy was great. But I’ve had enough pasta, pizza, wine and marble statues for a while. After two weeks away, it’s time to get “Breakfast With Benz” rolling again. So, let me get caught up on a few things I missed while I was away and didn’t...
Madden Monday: ‘Extremely slim’ chances of selling Penguins back to Mario Lemieux are ‘a tempest in a teapot’
After a week off, the “Madden Monday” podcast is back at “Breakfast With Benz.” One topic of discussion that cropped up while we were gone was the potential sale of the Pittsburgh Penguins. On Wednesday, TSN’s Pierre LeBrun mentioned he was hearing that former Penguins owners Ron Burkle and Mario...
Breakfast With Benz U.S. Open at Oakmont retrospective: Dustin Johnson claims 2016 title in style
Next week, Oakmont Country Club will host its 10th U.S. Open championship. This week at “Breakfast with Benz,” we are flashing back to memories of each of the last five U.S. Opens that have been held at the course in our podcast series with David Moore, a golf historian and...
Tim Benz: Aaron Rodgers better be worth the wait
Now that Aaron Rodgers has agreed to sign with the Pittsburgh Steelers, he has one job. Make this whole agonizing, prolonged exercise worthwhile. Does another nine- or 10-win season with another curb-stomp loss in the postseason constitute “worthwhile?” I don’t think so. That’d just be maintaining mediocrity. Going with Mason...
U mad, bro?: Roaring opinions about Aaron Rodgers; idea of trading Paul Skenes within the division
If I know my audience (and sometimes, I’m not entirely sure that I do), I know that you will be mad if there is no “U mad, bro?” without fair warning. With that being said, here is that warning: No “U mad, bro?” next week. I’m off. So someone else...
Breakfast With Benz U.S. Open at Oakmont retrospective: ‘The Duck’ holds off the Tiger in 2007
Next week, Oakmont Country Club will host its 10th U.S. Open championship. This week at “Breakfast with Benz,” we are flashing back to memories of each of the last five U.S. Opens that have been held at the course in our podcast series with David Moore, a golf historian and...
Breakfast With Benz U.S. Open at Oakmont retrospective: Goodbye Arnold Palmer, hello Ernie Els in 1994
Next week, Oakmont Country Club will host its 10th U.S. Open championship. This week at “Breakfast with Benz,” we are flashing back to memories of each of the last five U.S. Opens that have been held at the course in our podcast series with David Moore, a golf historian and...
