Pittsburgh Steelers fans are keeping their eyes on some big-name NFL wide receivers dealing with contract issues. A former Pitt and WPIAL player is sticking with a Steelers rival in the AFC North. The cousin of a former Pitt standout is getting a look from the Steelers.
And we try to surf through the NHL’s Eastern Conference playoff picture. All that in Tuesday’s “First Call.”
San Francisco semantics
San Francisco 49ers receiver Brandon Aiyuk may not have formally asked for a trade, but that doesn’t mean he wouldn’t entertain the thought of one.
Nor is it stopping teams from inquiring.
On Sunday, Aiyuk’s agent refuted a report that his client demanded a trade. However, as the NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport said Monday, teams may be reaching out, but the Niners aren’t discussing any deals.
“As far as the trade request, I would agree with his agent. There has been no trade request,” Rapoport said on “NFL Total Access” on Monday. “Obviously, there have been some teams, though, who know that all is not well, and know that he wants a contract extension. Some receiver-needy teams have inquired over the last several months. … To my knowledge, the 49ers have not entertained any of those talks.”
From @NFLTotalAccess: What's going on with #49ers WR Brandon Aiyuk? pic.twitter.com/f56QHvMNSy
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 15, 2024
If the 49ers do move Aiyuk, Pittsburgh has long been discussed as a potential destination. Aiyuk wants a new contract instead of the team’s $14.1 million fifth-year option. He totaled 75 receptions, 1,342 yards and seven touchdowns in 2023.
The Philadelphia Eagles just gave DeVonta Smith a three-year $75 million extension. Aiyuk would likely demand and get more than that.
Adomitis adds on
On Monday, the Cincinnati Bengals re-signed former Pitt long snapper Cal Adomitis. He was an exclusive rights player.
A Pittsburgh Central Catholic High School grad, Adomitis is a third-year player in Cincy. Via the Bengals website, he has yet to deliver an unplayable snap on 288 attempts over 35 games for Cincinnati (regular season and postseason).
The franchise also signed unrestricted free-agent linebacker Joe Bachie. He has played in 35 regular-season games (two starts) for Cincinnati over the past three seasons, recording 32 tackles along with 11 more on special teams.
Zero from Zac
Tee Higgins is willing to speculate on his own future. But his coach will not.
On Sunday, the franchise-tagged wide receiver said that he “anticipates” being in Cincinnati for the 2024 season, but he did not reveal any specifics of his offseason plans.
Head coach Zac Taylor did little to provide any further insight.
“I won’t speculate who’s going to be here for the voluntary program,” Taylor said to Kelsey Conway of the Cincinnati Enquirer.
Higgins requested a trade after the Bengals used a franchise tag on him this offseason. He has yet to sign the tag.
Via ProFootballTalk.com, Taylor said Monday that he would “keep everything internal” regarding communications with Higgins. Along those lines, he didn’t advance any level of expectation when it comes to seeing Higgins at the team’s facility during their offseason program.
Higgins gets $21.8 million if he plays on the franchise tag. He and the organization have until 4 p.m. July 15 to negotiate a new deal. If Higgins doesn’t sign the tag, technically, he won’t be under contract, so he would not be subject to fines if he skips the mandatory minicamp after the voluntary workouts.
Higgins was limited to 12 games last season because of injuries. He caught 42 passes for 656 yards and five touchdowns. Those marks were all career lows.
Famous football name
The Steelers have interviewed a draft-eligible defensive back with some Pitt football ties. It’s Duke corner Al Blades Jr.
The Miami transfer is a cousin of Panthers product H.B. Blades, who went on to play in the NFL with Washington. He has plenty of other family connections to the NFL and big-time college football.
NFL reporter Aaron Wilson of KRPC2-TV in Houston posted the story.
Duke @DukeFOOTBALL defensive back Al Blades Jr., @CanesFootball transfer, son of late former #NFL player Al Blades, nephew of Brian Blades, Bennie Blades and cousin of H.B. Blades, visited #Dolphins interviews with #Giants #Titans #Steelers interest from #Ravens #Packers #Jaguars…
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) April 15, 2024
Blades played parts of six years with the Hurricanes and Blue Devils, totaling 87 total tackles.
Now it gets complicated
Certainly Penguins fans are happy with the team’s 4-2 win over the Nashville Predators on Monday night. But not much else in the Eastern Conference went their way during the course of the evening.
The New York Islanders sewed up a playoff spot by clinching third place in the Metropolitan Division with a 4-1 road win in New Jersey. At least now, though, the Islanders have nothing to play for Wednesday when they host the Penguins.
The Washington Capitals blanked the Boston Bruins 2-0. John Carlson scored for the Caps.
Johnny called winner for a second straight game#ALLCAPS | @Verizon pic.twitter.com/BZEpP9FsZG
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) April 16, 2024
Charlie Lindgren only had to make 16 saves en route to the shoutout. So that victory means Washington still commands the Eastern Conference’s last playoff spot with 89 points. If they win over the Philadelphia Flyers on Tuesday, they are in the postseason.
Complicating matters for the Penguins, the Detroit Red Wings came back from 4-1 down to beat the Montreal Canadiens 5-4 in overtime. So they have 89 points, just like the Caps. But they would lose out on a tie breaker (regulation wins) to Washington (31-27 right now).
Behind those two teams it’s the Pens in 10th place with 88 points, and the Philadelphia Flyers in 11th with 87. All four teams have one game left to play. The Capitals are in Philly on Tuesday with both teams still alive.
The Red Wings rematch with the Canadiens in Montreal on Tuesday. So the Pens will absolutely know the specifics of their fate, if they are still alive, on Wednesday against New York.
In short, if both the Wings and Caps fail to win Tuesday, and the Pens win against the Islanders on Wednesday, Pittsburgh qualifies. Or, if the Wings and Caps both lose in regulation Tuesday, the Pens can still make it by registering a single point Wednesday versus the Islanders.
If the Pens lose in regulation to the Islanders on Wednesday, they are out.
Scenarios for final East playoff spot with all four teams at 81 GP:#allcaps:
-Any win vs. PHI
OR
-One point vs. PHI AND any #LGRW loss vs. MTL
AND
-One point vs. PHI AND any #pens loss vs. NYI
(Simplest path in East: Win and Caps are in) #LGRW:
-Any win vs. MTL AND #allcaps…— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) April 16, 2024
49ers’ Brock Purdy Sends Message to Brandon Aiyuk
GettyBrock Purdy and Brandon Aiyuk teaming up again remains in doubt.
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy confirmed he’s “talked” with Brandon Aiyuk amid the star wide receiver’s uncertain future.
“I just told him I’ll always have his back and support him in whatever he does,” Purdy told Cam Inman of the Mercury News during a youth football camp on Sunday at Levi’s Stadium. “It’s a business thing, so for me to say anything about that, that’s out of my pay grade.”
Aiyuk has been seeking a new contract all offseason instead of playing on his fifth-year option of $14.12 million this year. For Purdy and company, Aiyuk had a big impact on the offense with 75 catches for 1,342 yards and seven touchdowns.
“He and I talk through things and I hear him out. At the end of the day, what he’s done for me, giving me an opportunity to come in and throw him the ball, I’ll always be thankful for that,” Purdy added.
Aiyuk’s agent, Ryan Williams, denied that his client requested a trade on Sunday. However, the 49ers could be mulling over a trade with Aiyuk as Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio points out.
Ian Rapport confirmed that the Brandon Aiyuk did not request a trade from the team.
Additionally, multiple “receiver needy” teams have reached out to the #49ers to see if Brandon Aiyuk is available, however no trade or any of those talks have been entertained pic.twitter.com/6YsHGXjPC0
— OurSF49ers (@OurSf49ers) April 15, 2024
“Several weeks ago, such calls were met [we’re told] with a response that Aiyuk isn’t available,” Florio wrote. “At this point, with the draft 10 days ago and the situation still unresolved, why not make the call again?”
For now, Purdy will re-focus on getting ready for the 2024 season with or without Aiyuk. Players reported for the 49ers voluntary offseason workouts on Monday.
Brock Purdy: ‘Still Stinging’
Getting back on the field doesn’t put February’s Super Bowl loss 100% in the rearview mirror though Purdy said he’s “excited” about the 2024 season.
“Obviously it’s still stinging about how we ended the year. We were right there,” Purdy said.
Purdy also said he’s reviewed the film from the Super Bowl “a couple of times” since the 25-22 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. He threw for 255 yards and a touchdown in the loss.
“It still just stinks, because there were plays out there that could have been made. I feel there were a couple plays, where I’m like, ‘Dude, that could have been the difference.’ But that’s across the board. It’s four quarters of every play matters,” Purdy said.
“But watching it gives me some hope, because we have a lot of guys coming back. It’s like, alright, we were there, in the moment, so we can learn from it and run with that next year,” Purdy said.
THE KIDS WENT WILD… after Brock Purdy threw a dime into the garbage on his 1st try
🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/lgCvwC7AH0
— MLFootball (@_MLFootball) April 15, 2024
Despite Aiyuk’s status in doubt, the 49ers look poised to return most of the same offense from 2023. That unit put up 28.9 points per game en route to the Super Bowl.
“I know guys like Christian [McCaffrey], George [Kittle], and Deebo [Samuel] are all thinking like that. The fact we’ve all played together for a year and a half, that gives us a lot of confidence,” Purdy said.
Brock Purdy Focused on Offensive Mastery & Physical Skills in Workouts
To start with workouts, Purdy wants to improve his mastery of the offense and playbook. He also wants to take in how head coach Kyle Shanahan and quarterbacks coach Brian Griese envision things with the offense.
“I feel it’s a language, in a sense, so how can I get even more familiar with it?,” Purdy said.
“Physically, I think about my mobility in general,” Purdy continued. “Obviously with my arm, and then translating that to my hips and running and becoming a better athlete. There’s another level to that. You look at guys when they enter the NFL, and they evolve as their career goes on. For me, it’s taking that serious.”
