Breakfast With Benz category, Page 5
Airing of Grievances: Another defensive disaster, 3rd-down deficiencies define Steelers’ loss to Green Bay
After the Pittsburgh Steelers (4-3) lost to the Green Bay Packers (5-1-1) by a final score of 35-25 Sunday night, a reporter asked Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin what his message was to the players. “Not a lot to talk about,” Tomlin replied. “We say little when we win, we...
The Parsons problem: Steelers must be versatile to slow Packers’ pass rush
One of the pleasant occurrences of the 2025 season for the Steelers has been the job that the offense did against Cleveland defensive lineman Myles Garrett. When the former Defensive Player of the Year came through Pittsburgh two weeks ago, he left with just two tackles, none for a loss,...
First Call: Steelers DC Teryl Austin discusses Nick Herbig’s low snap count vs. Bengals; Lamar Jackson health update
In Friday’s “First Call,” Pittsburgh Steelers defensive coordinator Teryl Austin discusses the lack of snaps for Nick Herbig last week. The Baltimore Ravens await clarity on Lamar Jackson’s status. The Penguins get back into divisional play Saturday. And there is an interesting family tie for Robert Morris hockey this weekend....
Football Footnotes: If Acrisure Stadium is truly haunted, who is doing the haunting?
As discussed Wednesday here at TribLive, Acrisure Stadium was ranked as the 10th most haunted stadium in the NFL. The rankings — as published by Pickwise.com — are apparently based on variables such as: • Distance to closest cemetery • Ghost stories about the stadium • The stadium’s age •...
Tim Benz: Aaron Rodgers vs. Green Bay is the main story, Steelers’ defense vs. itself is quite a subplot
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf hasn’t noticed anything all that different about quarterback Aaron Rodgers so far this week. That’s despite the fact that the Steelers are hosting the Green Bay Packers on Sunday night. That’s the franchise that Rodgers quarterbacked for the first 18 years of his NFL...
First Call: ESPN says Steelers may want to keep Aaron Rodgers in 2026; George Pickens could get an extension in Dallas
Thursday’s “First Call” has some theories about Aaron Rodgers’ future with the Pittsburgh Steelers. His successor in Green Bay, Jordan Love, has some kind words to say in advance of their showdown Sunday night. George Pickens could get a contract extension in Dallas, and we preview the Penguins game in...
U mad, bro?: Steelers fans go after the defense, Mike Tomlin, his assistants, the media
I’m getting the impression that Steelers fans have grown tired of ripping on an overpaid, underperforming defense. They’ve even grown fatigued of blasting the head coach, who hasn’t won a playoff game since 2016. So it’s time to hold a new villain accountable: the Pittsburgh sports media! Because if Mike...
Kris Letang: Penguins have a ‘different atmosphere,’ a ‘new voice,’ a ‘different vibe’
Critics of the Pittsburgh Steelers often say that the franchise should move on from head coach Mike Tomlin because “things have gotten stale.” Or they suggest that “it’s just time for a change” because “the message is getting old” and the organization “needs to hear a new voice.” After eight...
First Call: Jets owner pans Justin Fields’ play, dismisses Aaron Rodgers’ departure; Russell Wilson fires back at Sean Payton
Wednesday’s “First Call” features former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Justin Fields absorbing shots from the owner of his new team. That same owner, Woody Johnson, also comments on letting Aaron Rodgers leave for Pittsburgh. Meanwhile, Russell Wilson isn’t happy. We’ll tell you why. A former Steelers receiver is back on the...
Tim Benz: Failure to fix known problems will lead to more ‘catastrophic’ days for Steelers’ defense
If you were looking for answers from Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin on Tuesday regarding the state of his wobbling defense, you didn’t get any. That might be because he doesn’t have them. Or because he doesn’t want to say them out loud. Or because he doesn’t want to admit...
First Call: Broderick Jones’ thoughts on facing Micah Parsons; Justin Fields’ future in New York
In Tuesday’s “First Call,” Pittsburgh Steelers tackle Broderick Jones discusses his matchup with Micah Parsons when Green Bay visits Acrisure Stadium on Sunday night. An ex-Steeler made an impressive defensive play during “Monday Night Football.” Justin Fields is in limbo as the New York Jets’ starting quarterback. Plus, we have...
Tim Benz: Predicting the Steelers’ difficult 3-game stretch between AFC North games
After splitting back-to-back games in the AFC North, the Pittsburgh Steelers (4-2) are about to play three straight games out of the division before a rematch against the Cincinnati Bengals (3-4). Those games won’t be easy. On Sunday night, the Green Bay Packers come to town. Then the Steelers host...
First Call: Justin Fields benched; Kenny Pickett fumbles 1st Raiders’ snap; George Pickens shines
Monday’s “First Call” checks in on a pair of former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterbacks trying to find traction with their new teams. George Pickens shines in Dallas. The Packers scored a victory before coming to Pittsburgh next week. And a blowout win for Duquesne yields conference recognition. Failing with Fields Ex-Steelers...
Tim Benz: Steelers’ loss to Bengals a reality check in multiple ways
The Pittsburgh Steelers’ 33-31 loss in Cincinnati on Thursday night was a sobering reality check. In a lot of ways. There were obvious Xs & Os issues. Most pressing, the defense is far from fixed. After the way that side of the ball performed in consecutive weeks against the Minnesota...
Football Footnotes: Blame the Steelers’ defense — but don’t entirely absolve the offense — for loss to Bengals
Clearly, the Steelers’ defense was the biggest culprit in the club’s 33-31 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals Thursday night. It allowed 470 yards, including a ghastly 142 on the ground against the NFL’s worst rushing attack. Not to mention 258 yards on 22 receptions and two scores to Tee Higgins...
First Call: Ja’Marr Chase says Steelers ‘did exactly what we were expecting’; Tyler Glasnow delivers in NLCS start
In Friday’s “First Call,” Bengals receiver Ja’Marr Chase explains the predictability of the Steelers’ defense. An ex-Pirate shines on the mound during the NLCS. The Penguins prepare to close out their early West Coast road trip. And Robert Morris opened its men’s hockey season with a tough challenge against a...
Airing of Grievances: Lousy Steelers defense manifests Mike Tomlin’s fears about Joe Flacco
After the Cincinnati Bengals upset the Pittsburgh Steelers 33-31 on “Thursday Night Football,” Joe Flacco was conducting an interview on the field with the Prime Video network team. While Flacco was speaking, a large group of remaining fans started chanting “Thank-you, Cleve-land!” over and over again. As Steelers coach Mike...
First Call: Steelers, Browns took field complaints to NFLPA; injury questions for Steelers-Bengals Thursday night
The latest edition of “First Call” has the injury reports for Thursday night’s Steelers-Bengals game in Cincinnati. We also have an update on those complaints from players about the Acrisure Stadium playing surface. Plus, we talk some hockey as the Penguins get ready to play their next game in Los...
U mad, bro?: Readers get heated about a Pitt football stadium, Acrisure grass, Mike Tomlin’s press conference
The Steelers are 4-1. The Penguins are actually somewhat entertaining so far. Pitt may have found a quarterback, and Penn State satisfied its fan base by firing James Franklin. Most importantly, we don’t have to watch the Pirates lose until April. Times are good. Well … at least by Pittsburgh...
Ben Roethlisberger’s idea to fix the field at Acrisure Stadium? Evict Pitt!
Former Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has an idea to fix the issue of the playing surface at Acrisure Stadium. Evict Pitt. “You can’t have a professional football team — not just the Steelers, but the opponents — play on a surface like that. You’re paying them a lot of money,...
First Call: Joe Flacco downplays Mike Tomlin’s trade comments; Mike Sullivan’s Rangers shut out again
Wednesday’s “First Call” has Joe Flacco’s response to Mike Tomlin’s criticism of the Cleveland Browns trading him to Cincinnati. We have a health update on the Bengals heading into Thursday’s game against the Steelers. We also examine the officiating crew for that contest. And Mike Sullivan’s Rangers are off to...
Tim Benz: Mike Tomlin might have said even more about the Joe Flacco trade than he let on
For as much as Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin had to say about Cleveland Browns general manager Andrew Berry during his press conference this week, plenty more was expressed while remaining unsaid. Tomlin’s club faces the Cincinnati Bengals on Thursday night. They recently acquired veteran quarterback Joe Flacco from the...
First Call: Arthur Smith linked to Titans; reaction from Browns’ and Bengals’ coaches to Mike Tomlin’s Andrew Berry commentVideo
Tuesday’s “First Call” connects Pittsburgh Steelers assistant coach Arthur Smith to the Tennessee Titans coaching vacancy. We have reactions from Cleveland and Cincinnati to Mike Tomlin’s quotes about Browns general manager Andrew Berry. Monday night’s NFL results elevate the Steelers even more in the AFC. And the odds are out...
Tim Benz: If Mike Tomlin is annoyed by media questions, here’s 1 we’d gladly stop asking
Mike Tomlin told media members that he was annoyed by some of our questions during his weekly press conference on Monday. Eh, why should this week be any different? I’m not sure if any of my questions contributed to Tomlin’s level of agitation. If so, it certainly wouldn’t be the...
First Call: Myles Garrett vents after loss to Steelers; Trey Hendrickson hurt in Cincy; JuJu Smith-Schuster’s postgame fightVideo
Monday’s “First Call” has a pouty reaction from Myles Garrett after his Cleveland Browns lost in Pittsburgh on Sunday. The Steelers are going to face a Cincinnati Bengals team Thursday night that will be depleted by injuries on both sides of the ball. Baltimore Ravens coach John Harbaugh was asked...
