Tim Benz: What the Steelers will do — and what they should do — in the 2025 NFL Draft
We’ve finally reached the 2025 draft for the Pittsburgh Steelers and the rest of the NFL. Here’s our “Breakfast With Benz” analysis of what the Steelers should do — and what they will do — this weekend. First round: Pick No. 21 What the Steelers should do: Draft a defensive...
U mad, bro?: Aaron Rodgers agitation, putrid Pirates offense fill venomous pre-draft void
By this time next week, everyone will be mad about the Pittsburgh Steelers’ 2025 draft class. If they take Shedeur Sanders, then they should’ve taken Jaxson Dart. If they take Jaxson Dart, then they should’ve taken a defensive lineman. If they take a defensive lineman, then you can bet that...
First Call: Aaron Rodgers reportedly wants ‘red carpet’ treatment; Ben Roethlisberger mulls scouting for Steelers
Wednesday’s “First Call” features some future plans for former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. He also gives us some personal favorites among the draft crop of quarterbacks. We get a glance behind the curtain at what Aaron Rodgers might be thinking. The Steelers are looking at a complicated draft prospect...
Tim Benz: As Steelers smother George Pickens trade talk, others give it oxygen
As the NFL draft approaches Thursday, the Pittsburgh Steelers are tamping down any conversation about attempting to trade George Pickens so that the club may be able to move into the second round. Last month, the Steelers gave their 2025 second-round pick to Seattle in exchange for fellow wide receiver...
Breakfast with Benz NFL Draft preview: Little reason to think secondary will be primary target for Steelers
For the finale of our pre-NFL Draft podcasts with former pro and college scout Matt Williamson, we didn’t exactly save the best for last by waiting until Wednesday to discuss the secondary. That’s true both in terms of the depth of talent available at the position and the likelihood of...
First Call: Steelers reportedly ‘interested in moving back’ in 1st round of draft; Shedeur Sanders speculation continues
The Pittsburgh Steelers may be attempting to trade down in the NFL Draft. We also get a scope of what might be going on with their interest in Shedeur Sanders. A former Steeler opens eyes in the UFL, and the Pirates will try their fortunes in California. All that in...
Breakfast With Benz NFL Draft preview: When Steelers should select a RB — and who they might get when they do
The Pittsburgh Steelers have Jaylen Warren, Kenneth Gainwell and Cordarrelle Patterson ready to replace Najee Harris at running back. But all three of those players totaled 1,442 yards from scrimmage last year. Harris racked up 1,326 by himself. Now he is a Los Angeles Charger, so the Steelers may be...
Tim Benz: Kyle Dubas must heed his own warning about having ‘hope in 1 hand’
During his season-ending press conference Monday, Pittsburgh Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas busted out a tried-and-true, grandpappy-approved cliche to describe the big-picture view of attempting to improve a franchise. “You can hope in one hand and (defecate) in the other and see which one fills up first,” Dubas said. Well,...
First Call: Ex-Steeler unhappy with Colorado jersey decision; Jets staying silent on the Aaron Rodgers accusations
In Monday’s “First Call,” the Jets are staying quiet about Aaron Rodgers’ characterization of their franchise. Former Colorado players with Pittsburgh Steelers ties are not quiet about Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter getting their numbers retired. Also, Rodgers’ potential signing with the Steelers is getting a thumbs-up from another New...
Breakfast With Benz NFL Draft preview: Multiple reasons Steelers may go TE before WR
As our series of pre-NFL Draft podcasts shifts to the pass catchers, our former NFL and college scout, Matt Williamson, has a very different opinion of the talent available at wide receiver and tight end. After Colorado’s two-way star Travis Hunter — who Williamson thinks is by far the best...
Madden Monday: Aaron Rodgers ‘lost credibility’ during recent ‘Pat McAfee Show’ appearance
If potential Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers was attempting to turn himself into a sympathetic figure during his appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show” on Thursday, it backfired. That’s the opinion of Mark Madden during this week’s “Madden Monday” podcast. “I don’t know that it did him harm. But it...
Breakfast With Benz NFL Draft preview: Bet on 1 of these 3 defensive linemen to be the Steelers’ 1st-round pick
In this year’s NFL Draft, two pools of talent that are particularly deep appear to be along the defensive line and at running back. That’s good because the Pittsburgh Steelers need help at both positions. We’ll get to the running backs next week during our series of NFL Draft preview...
First Call: Ravens were reportedly mocking the Steelers after playoff game; Aaron Rodgers remains noncommittal
Thursday’s “First Call” has a story regarding the Baltimore Ravens chirping about the Pittsburgh Steelers’ defensive game plan. Aaron Rodgers continues to be noncommittal toward the Steelers. A former Pitt football star is dealing with an alleged stalker. And the Panthers basketball team is trying to land a talent from...
Breakfast With Benz NFL Draft preview: Not enough ‘superhero’ in Shedeur Sanders, Jaxson Dart for Steelers
In the first podcast episode of our annual NFL Draft preview series, we focus on the quarterback position. As recently as a few weeks ago, with the 21st pick in the first round, the Pittsburgh Steelers weren’t expected to swim in those waters. However, with the draft a week away,...
U mad, bro?: Steelers, Pirates and Penguins fans are disgusted, dismayed and disenfranchised
The Pittsburgh Penguins are plodding toward the end of the season. The Pirates are limping out of the gate. And the Steelers’ situation continues to be the butt of jokes across the NFL. So, yeah. People are mad. That’s why we post “U mad, bro?” every week. Where would you...
Tim Benz: Of all the Steelers’ QB options, this idea is the worst of the bunch
There are many options for what the Pittsburgh Steelers should do at quarterback this year. One of them is to draft a potential starter — most likely Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders or Mississippi’s Jaxson Dart — in the first round. Another idea is to continue the free-agent pursuit of Aaron Rodgers....
First Call: Mike Tomlin reportedly buying in on Shedeur Sanders; Browns ‘really high’ on Kenny Pickett
Mike Tomlin is reportedly a fan of Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders. Plus, he may be a fit for Arthur Smith’s offense. In Wednesday’s “First Call,” we investigate both of those angles to the Steelers’ ongoing quarterback search. Plus, we get some good news about Kenny Pickett from Cleveland. College hockey...
Aaron Rodgers ‘entering critical stretch’ for his decision to sign with Steelers, says Adam Schefter
The Aaron Rodgers saga may finally be getting to a pivotal point. That’s according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter on his own podcast. “I think we are entering the critical stretch for Aaron Rodgers’ final decision about whether or not to sign,” Schefter said. “The Pittsburgh Steelers’ voluntary offseason workout program...
Tim Benz: Forget slow starts. Slow recognition of larger problems is Penguins’ real offseason concern
In the aftermath of a 4-1 loss to the Boston Bruins on Sunday, Pittsburgh Penguins head coach Mike Sullivan sounded like a guy who was at the end of his rope. Sullivan was asked about the team’s slow start in that game. “Slow start? It was a slow game. Period,”...
First Call: Details of Aaron Rodgers pitching himself to Vikings; Shedeur Sanders working out for Giants
Tuesday’s “First Call” has an interesting angle to Aaron Rodgers’ attempt at latching on with the Minnesota Vikings. A new team may be in the running for Rodgers’ services in 2025. We know Rodgers is losing something of importance before next year, regardless of where he winds up. And Shedeur...
Dylan Crews says former LSU teammate Paul Skenes is ‘on another planet’
When Dylan Crews spoke about Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes before Monday night’s game at PNC Park, the Washington Nationals outfielder referred to his former LSU teammate as “on another planet.” Once the game began, for a change, Skenes didn’t have to be intergalactically good to get a win for...
Tim Benz: If T.J. Watt really is upset about his contract negotiations, that’s not a bad thing
No one knows what Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt really meant by his now infamous “peace sign” Instagram post. Many think that Watt was saying “peace out” because his contract negotiations are going poorly. That was roughly the interpretation of both “Pat McAfee Show” Steelers’ correspondent Mark Kaboly and the...
First Call: Report says Steelers have WR target if George Pickens trade happens; see goal of the year from future No. 1 NHL pick
Are the Pittsburgh Steelers quietly planning to trade George Pickens? If so, they may also have a plan to replace him. Support is growing for Shedeur Sanders after an initial slip down the draft board. We look at the Pirates’ next opponent as they return home for a full week...
Tim Benz: Pirates offense tells us Bob Nutting is either lying, or he believes his own baloney
Pittsburgh Pirates owner Bob Nutting is either a liar, or he believes his own line of B.S. I’m not sure which is worse, but his team’s impotent offensive lineup would suggest he’s guilty of the latter. Prior to last week’s home opener at PNC Park, Nutting had the temerity to...
First Call: New theory about T.J. Watt’s cryptic social media post; Shedeur Sanders calls Steelers’ visit ‘a 10’
The football world is trying to figure out what T.J. Watt meant by his recent social media post. We will try to ascertain if it’s connected to his contract negotiations during Friday’s “First Call.” Also, the Pittsburgh Steelers just hosted Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders on a pre-draft visit. Now, another...
