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...
First Call: Darnell Washington anticipates more targets; Pirates have ‘given the front office every reason’ to buy at trade deadline
Friday’s “First Call” features some optimism from Steelers tight end Darnell Washington. Major League Baseball analyst Eric Hosmer is bullish on the Pirates adding talent at the trade deadline. Paul Skenes and Hunter Greene square off in Cincinnati. And the Pirates got some help in the National League Wild Card...
Tim Benz: Moving T.J. Watt around the Steelers defense is now about conviction, not convincing
Outside linebacker T.J. Watt and wide receiver DK Metcalf are going to be the two most expensive players against the Pittsburgh Steelers’ salary cap this season. Their combined charge is slated to be $73 million, according to OvertheCap.com. Metcalf is coming off a career-low 850 receiving yards last year, his...
First Call: Plaxico Burress compares Jets stint to his time in prison; Pirates navigating tricky schedule
In Thursday’s “First Call,” we see that the schedule may finally give the Pirates a short break. There’s more shifting in the National League’s wild card standings. A broadcast move in the NHL is impacting some familiar names. And former Steeler Plaxico Burress doesn’t have great memories of his time...
U mad, bro?: Readers have doubts about Aaron Rodgers, Joey Porter Jr., rip Don Kelly, Nancy Armour
The 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence is an ongoing theme in 2026. With that in mind, as sports fans, there are certain truths we hold to be self-evident. • It’s never OK for athletes to ask for more money while they have a valid contract … even if...
Ex-Steeler Adam Thielen: ‘I’ve never been more stressed in my life than practices with Aaron Rodgers’
During Tuesday’s “NFL Live” on ESPN, former Pittsburgh Steeler Adam Thielen described how mentally taxing it can be for wide receivers to play with quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Keep in mind that the five games Thielen played in Pittsburgh occurred last year, when he was a 35-year-old veteran with 12 years...
Tim Benz: After Tuesday’s exhausting loss, Jared Jones is the best answer the Pirates could possibly giveVideo
It’s unfair to ask more of a guy who isn’t allowed to give it. But I’m going to do so anyway. More than ever, the Pittsburgh Pirates need Jared Jones to be great Wednesday afternoon. The 24-year-old right-hander will take the mound just a few hours after his team suffered...
First Call: Big money for Denzel Ward may impact Joey Porter Jr.’s contract; Ed Olczyk dials back his broadcast duties
Based on a recent signing in Cleveland, the asking price for Joey Porter Jr.’s contract might have just spiked for the Pittsburgh Steelers. We’ll tell you about it during Wednesday’s “First Call.” Also, the Steelers and Baltimore Ravens took different approaches to training camp arrivals Tuesday. Former Penguins coach Ed...
Tim Benz: After months of discussing every other Steelers WR, it’s time to talk about DK Metcalf
In March, we spoke at great length about how newly acquired wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. was going to help the Pittsburgh Steelers’ passing game. In April, we spent all month talking about every draft-eligible receiver under the sun in the same context. In May, we convinced ourselves that Germie...
Tim Benz: Steelers WR DK Metcalf shares reason to be excited about Roman Wilson
For Pittsburgh Steelers fans hoping that Year 3 will be a breakout season for Roman Wilson, one of his fellow wide receivers is providing some optimism on Day 1 of training camp. “I’ve seen ‘Rome’ step up quite a bit this offseason,” DK Metcalf said Tuesday morning. “I’m excited for...
First Call: Don Kelly discusses his ejection; national praise for Nick Herbig
The Pittsburgh Pirates are turning to Bubba Chandler in Game 2 of their crucial series against the Arizona Diamondbacks. He’ll be opposed by a pitcher on a hot streak. Monday’s walk-off victory for the Bucs came at a good time in the National League wild-card race. Manager Don Kelly discussed...
Tim Benz: Offense not alone when it comes to scrutiny as Steelers report to training camp
As the Pittsburgh Steelers report to training camp Tuesday, most of the focus from the fans and media will be on the offense. As it should be. • New head coach Mike McCarthy will be in charge of the offense. He’ll be working with Aaron Rodgers, a 42-year-old quarterback with...
