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First Call: 49ers staying out of Brandon Aiyuk trade talks; Steelers looking at CB with Pitt ties | TribLIVE.com
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First Call: 49ers staying out of Brandon Aiyuk trade talks; Steelers looking at CB with Pitt ties

Tim Benz
Tim Benz

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San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk celebrates a touchdown with teammate fullback Kyle Juszczyk in a Dec. 31 game against the Washington Commanders in Landover, Md.

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.”

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 Central Catholic 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.

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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.

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.

Charlie Lindgren only had to make 16 saves en route to the shutout. 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 tiebreaker (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.

Tim Benz is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Tim at tbenz@triblive.com or via X. All tweets could be reposted. All emails are subject to publication unless specified otherwise.

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