Tim Benz stories, Page 3

Tim Benz
Tim Benz
Pope Francis, first Latin American pontiff, dies at 88
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: 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: 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...
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...
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,...
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...
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: 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,...
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: 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: 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: 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: 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...
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...
U mad, bro?: April anger from Pirates fans is already boiling over
We are way beyond April Fools’ Day. But there are plenty of fools in Pittsburgh Pirates management. They seem to be proving that on a daily basis. Obtuse quotes from the owner. One public relations fumble after another. And the construction of an offense utterly incapable of extending a rally....
Tim Benz: Ray Shero’s sense for the moment served him, and the Penguins, quite well
When I heard about the untimely death of former Pittsburgh Penguins general manager Ray Shero Wednesday afternoon, a specific memory of interviewing him quickly came to mind. I think about it often, independent of hockey, the Penguins, or, up until Wednesday, even independent of Shero himself. In over 30 years...
First Call: No Aaron Rodgers reveal at ‘Big Night Aht,’ ‘Sell The Team’ chants with Paul Skenes on stage
Thursday’s “First Call” recaps an uncomfortable moment for Paul Skenes at Pat McAfee’s “Big Night Aht” event. Ben Roethlisberger gets candid about Arthur Smith. Justin Fields avoids specifics about his time in Pittsburgh. And an opponent for the Steelers’ trip to Ireland may not be set in stone just yet....
This weekend’s Frozen Four will have a heavy Western Pa. influence
As college hockey crowns a men’s national champion at this weekend’s Frozen Four in St. Louis, the event will have a significant Western Pa. influence. Nine skaters from the region will be on rosters from the four teams participating. Wexford’s Brian Kramer will be on defense for the Western Michigan...
Tim Benz: Paul Skenes’ rough outing continues typically dreary start for Pirates
On Tuesday night, Paul Skenes actually looked human. Fortunately, there was barely anyone in the ballpark to see it. Even the draw of seeing the Pittsburgh Pirates ace in his 2025 home debut wasn’t enough to lure more than 8,291 out to PNC Park on a 38-degree night against the...
First Call: Shedeur Sanders and Donovan McMillon to visit Steelers; Jaxson Dart meets with Browns
The Pittsburgh Steelers are expected to meet with Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders. Meanwhile, Jaxson Dart met with the Cleveland Browns on Tuesday. The Steelers are also trying to learn more about Pitt safety Donovan McMillon. One of Aaron Rodgers’ favorite targets is holding off on reworking his contract in New...


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