Steelers Nation was devastated to hear of the passing of Craig Wolfey on March 10, 2025. Wolfley, a former fifth-round pick by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 1980 NFL Draft, played 10 seasons with the Steelers and was the color commentator for the Steelers since taking over for the late Tunch Ilkin in 2021. On Tuesday, the team announced Max Starks as Wolfley's replacement in the broadcast booth.
Starks will step into the booth as the Steelers' new color commentator for game day broadcasts. Starks has been a member of the Steelers' Audio Network broadcast team since 2021. Before that, he was a sideline analyst.
Now, Starks will join play-by-play analyst Rob King in the broadcast booth to call Steelers games. Missi Matthews will continue her role as the team's sideline reporter.
Starks and King will also co-host the "In The Locker Room" show, which airs from 10 a.m. to noon, Monday through Friday, on Steelers Nation Radio and Fox Sports Pittsburgh (970 AM).
Starks thanked owner and team president Art Rooney II for this special opportunity to follow in the footsteps of Wolfley as the team's color analyst.
"I am honored to move from the sidelines into the booth for our game day broadcasts. Thanks to Art Rooney II, the Steelers organization and iHeartMedia for the opportunity," Starks said via Steelers.com. "There is a long and proud history that I look forward to continuing. I have a tremendous amount of respect and admiration for the men who preceded me, and I hope to bring the same level of excitement and insight that Steelers fans have come to expect from game day broadcasts."
From Pittsburgh Steelers offensive lineman to color commentator, Max Starks follows in the footsteps of Craig Wolfley
Max Starks shares incredible similarities to the late Craig Wolfley, and Starks' career path now mirrors Wolfley's in nearly every way.
Wolfley played nine seasons with the Steelers, Starks played 10. Wolfley played in 129 games and made 102 starts for Pittsburgh, Starks played in 123 games and made 96 starts with the Steelers. Wolfley played left guard guard and even left tackle late in his Steelers career, Starks was a long-time left tackle in Pittsburgh.
Thirteen years after Wolfley retired from the NFL, Starks joined the league. Now the ex-Steelers offensive lineman gets to honor his former mentor by taking over in the booth.
Just like Tunch Ilkin, who had same career path from Steelers offensive lineman to commentator, Craig Wolfley will be missed. The Pittsburgh Steelers are in good hands with Max Starks in the booth.