Tim Benz: Pulling Paul Skenes after 65 pitches was a ‘white flag’ moment from Don KellyVideo
On Tuesday morning, I said it was time to start writing the postscript on the 2026 Pittsburgh Pirates’ season. Tuesday night, Don Kelly provided the final punctuation mark. I think it was a question mark. Certainly, I was left scratching my head. I imagine many other Pirates fans were as...
First Call: Minkah Fitzpatrick’s ‘regret’ over years with Steelers; Aaron Rodgers says offense is pacing ‘ahead’ of last yearVideo
Wednesday’s “First Call” has some self-reflection from former Pittsburgh Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick. Aaron Rodgers thinks the Steelers’ offense is on the right track. The Baltimore Ravens had a significant injury scare. And the Pirates are turning to Carmen Mlodzinski as a starter in Miami. Pacing ahead As the Steelers...
Camp Conversation: Steelers QB coach Tom Arth evaluates Will Howard, Drew Allar before preseason debuts
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterbacks coach Tom Arth is a holdover from Mike Tomlin’s staff. A former Green Bay QB for a short time during Mike McCarthy’s first year coaching the Packers, Arth has a background with Tomlin’s replacement. And with current Steelers starting quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Arth has one of the...
Tim Benz: Getting ahead of the annual Pirates postscript
I’ve heard it said that being a coroner is the only job where you can never get ahead on your work. I guess that’s true. I mean, you always need a body first. In the case of the 2026 Pirates, their season isn’t officially dead yet. However, at 58-62, it...
Tim Benz: Coaches insist Mason Rudolph is keeping himself in Steelers’ QB mixVideo
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback coach Tom Arth was effusive in his praise of Mason Rudolph on Friday afternoon at training camp. “He has performed very well. He’s having an outstanding camp. He had an outstanding offseason,” Arth said. “He’s playing as well as I’ve seen him play.” Keep in mind, Arth...
First Call: Paul Skenes must find his form vs. Marlins; costly mistake for Steelers rookie in practice
Tuesday’s “First Call” starts with the fading light of the 2026 Pittsburgh Pirates and how Paul Skenes needs to step up to keep it flickering. We examine some of the challenges facing the Pirates in Miami. We look at a costly mistake by a Steelers rookie. And a former Steeler...
First Call: Detroit solves backup QB issue with former Steeler; Mets broadcasters mock ugly Pirates mistake
Monday’s “First Call” quells speculation about a quarterback trade for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Several former Steelers are on the move. Aaron Donald is still in the decision-making process about his comeback. And even the New York Mets were laughing at the expense of the Pirates. Dobbs to Detroit Some speculation...
Tim Benz: How much work is needed to master Mike McCarthy’s 6 fundamentals of Steelers football?Video
During the first week of Pittsburgh Steelers training camp, coach Mike McCarthy introduced us to the “six fundamentals of Steeler football.” “We call it the ‘Steeler Six.’ We have six fundamentals of Steeler football that we emphasize,” McCarthy said. As McCarthy outlined them, they are: • Ball security • Blocking...
Madden Monday: ‘The secondary (stinks)’ without Joey Porter Jr.
There’s no doubt that the most intriguing storyline surrounding the Pittsburgh Steelers’ first preseason game on Thursday night will be the debuts of both Will Howard and Drew Allar. The two quarterbacks spark curiosity, at the very least, among even the most skeptical of Steelers fans, and unbridled optimism among...
Beyond the Bylines: ‘Nobody even knows if Ville Koivunen is an NHL player’Video
When Joe Starkey and I planned for “Beyond the Bylines” this week, there were a few things we weren’t prepared for: • The Pirates being in last place when they opened their series against the Mets. • Luke Weaver not being allowed to pitch in a game since being acquired....
First Call: Kenny Pickett starts, backup shines for Carolina; Akron fan-OC promo vs. Robert Morris paying off
Friday’s “First Call” reviews Kenny Pickett’s Hall of Fame Game debut for Carolina. We examine Pitt’s win-total odds in conference play. The Pirates try to get back on the winning track against the Mets. And Akron’s promotion to have a fan become the offensive coordinator for a series against Robert...
During NBC debut, Mike Tomlin gives opinions on Mike McCarthy, Saint Vincent College dormsVideo
Former Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin made his NBC debut during Thursday’s “Football Night in America” broadcast of the Hall of Fame game. His opening comments probably won’t make this year’s Saint Vincent College recruitment brochure. Mike Tomlin’s 1st TV appearance. And he throws shade at St Vincent College. We’re...
First Call: Anthony Fauci’s lawyer hits back at Aaron Rodgers; Akron stunt brings RMU into college football spotlightVideo
“First Call” for Thursday has a response to Aaron Rodgers from Anthony Fauci’s lawyer. Robert Morris is suddenly riding shotgun on one of college football’s most trending stories. The Pittsburgh Pirates need Braxton Ashcraft to step up in a big way. And Aaron Donald is advancing his comeback. Rapid response...
U mad, bro?: Paul Skenes has Pirates fans punching a wall; Sophie Cunningham’s latest comments touch a nerve
Watching the struggles of reigning Cy Young winner Paul Skenes this year has gone from making me concerned to baffled to mad to sad. Now I’m just … done. Wednesday night’s laboring five-inning effort en route to Skenes’ 10th loss of the year put a fork in me. Based on...
Tim Benz: Pirates’ latest loss in Milwaukee feels worse than the score indicatesVideo
Wednesday’s loss in Milwaukee felt like a bigger deal than it actually was for the Pittsburgh Pirates. The final box score says: Milwaukee 4, Pittsburgh 2. No shame in that, seeing as how the Brewers entered the game 70-43. That’s the best record in Major League Baseball. If the Pirates...
First Call: Jared Jones questions his velocity; Ravens give big money to a WR; Steelers-Falcons Week 1 Fox TV crew revealedVideo
Wednesday’s “First Call” lays out the television broadcast crew for the Pittsburgh Steelers’ home opener. Jared Jones is critical of his outing for the Pirates in Milwaukee. A Baltimore Raven is getting big money. And Ron Wolfley is thrilled about his brother, Craig, getting enshrined in the Steelers Hall of...
Falcons’ nest: Updates on the Steelers’ Week 1 opponent — injuries, QB status, RB Bijan Robinson’s huge contract
The Pittsburgh Steelers will open their season Sept. 13 at home against the Atlanta Falcons. That team made Tuesday a busy news day for everyone in the NFL business. According to the NFL’s social media feed, the franchise has signed superstar running back Bijan Robinson to a three-year, $75 million...
Camp Conversation: Troy Fautanu says Will Howard, Drew Allar ‘are just sponges’
It’s time for a “Camp Conversation” from Saint Vincent College as Pittsburgh Steelers training camp is entering its second week. Troy Fautanu is as approachable and thoughtful as they come in that locker room. Plus, he’s got a lot on his plate. Not only is the third-year tackle switching coaches...
Tim Benz: Kaleb Johnson looking to take advantage of ‘clean slate’ in Year 2Video
About this time a year ago, things were still looking up for Pittsburgh Steelers running back Kaleb Johnson. During the early stages of training camp, the rookie from Iowa actually broke off a few long runs. He appeared to be the steal many Steelers fans hoped he would be when...
Tim Benz: Ben Cherington addressed 1 huge hole on the Pirates’ roster. Everybody else has to fix the rest on their own
With the 2026 Pittsburgh Pirates at a tipping point, general manager Ben Cherington did a lot to address the team’s weakest aspect before the Major League Baseball trade deadline. We think. Now it’s time for everybody else to do their jobs to get the Pirates back into the playoffs for...
First Call: Kenny Pickett to start NFL preseason opener for Carolina; Joey Bart, Jack Suwinski among ex-Pirates tradedVideo
Former Pittsburgh Steeler Kenny Pickett will be in the NFL spotlight Thursday night. A Pittsburgh basketball legend was in attendance at Steelers practice Monday. Jared Jones looks to make it two in a row for the Pirates in Milwaukee. And some ex-Pirates have been moved around to new teams. All...
First Call: Steelers rookie Germie Bernard is learning Aaron Rodgers’ tendencies; ex-Pirate Jameson Taillon tradedVideo
Monday’s “First Call” examines the Pittsburgh Pirates’ upcoming series with the first-place Milwaukee Brewers. The National League wild card race is inching away from the Pirates. A former Pirates first-round pick has been traded. And a Steelers rookie is speaking about the perceived stresses of catching passes from Aaron Rodgers....
Madden Monday: ‘I wouldn’t blame (the Pirates) if they traded Brandon Lowe at this point’
As the Major League Baseball trade deadline arrives at 6 p.m. Monday, the Pittsburgh Pirates are 56-57. They have lost seven of their last 10. They are 3½ games back of the final wild card spot, with three teams to pass. It’s not exactly the state general manager Ben Cherington...
Tim Benz: Steelers using Nick Herbig in different ways. Now he has to pay it off
Midway through practice on Saturday, Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Nick Herbig was beaten in coverage on a completion. He clapped his hands and grumbled in frustration. “What was that, Herb?” quarterback Mason Rudolph yelled from behind the formation. “That’s why you rush, Herb,” QB Aaron Rodgers jabbed. Fellow linebacker Payton Wilson...
Beyond the Bylines: ‘There is no defending’ Don Kelly’s decision in Pirates’ latest lossVideo
After a brief hiatus, “Beyond the Bylines” is back. Joe Starkey returned Friday morning to join me for our weekly TribLive livestream. As was the case before Joe left on vacation, we are still opening the show talking about Don Kelly’s bullpen managerial decisions. The only difference is, now we...
