Tuesday’s “First Call” looks at a contract extension for a new Steeler. The national media is all over Kenny Pickett’s move to Philadelphia.
We also examine the Penguins’ next opponent, and Josh Dobbs’ new team.
Signed, sealed, delivered
One of the newest Pittsburgh Steelers has a new, one-year contract. It is defensive back Donte Jackson.
Recently acquired during the Diontae Johnson trade to Carolina, the former Panther will be getting $4.75 million guaranteed (according to OverTheCap.com).
The #Steelers and Donte Jackson agreed on a new one year contract with $4.75 million guaranteedhttps://t.co/FKWyo3OpZ6
— Jason_OTC (@Jason_OTC) March 18, 2024
Jackson’s cap hit of $10,522,500 was hefty at the time of his arrival. However, this extension will dilute Jackson’s cap hit and give the Steelers some additional cap space.
With a release looming in Carolina, this move ends up helping both Jackson and his new club.
Damien is done
Former NFL lineman Damien Woody ripped Kenny Pickett on ESPN as the Pitt grad is leaving Pittsburgh.
The ex-Steelers quarterback is now heading to Philadelphia via a trade between the NFL’s two Pennsylvania franchises last Friday. As ESPN’s Brooke Pryor advanced on the program, Pickett wanted out of Pittsburgh as soon as the club signed Russell Wilson last week.
“You didn’t want to compete with Russell Wilson,” Woody said while voicing criticism of Pickett. “Russell Wilson went from the Seahawks to the Broncos and now to the Pittsburgh Steelers in a matter of a few years? And you’re running away from competition? That tells me more about you than anything. So the Pittsburgh Steelers are probably looking at the situation like, ‘Good, I’m glad you expressed that to us because now we can move on to guys who not only want to be here, but want to compete and upgrade our quarterback room.’”
Wilson had 26 touchdowns last year. Pickett has 13 in his whole career.
Related:
• Madden Monday: Steelers ‘did themselves a favor’ by trading Kenny Pickett to Philadelphia
• First Call: Steelers have interest in veteran receiver; Kenny Pickett posts farewell to Pittsburgh
• Prior to retirement, Duquesne’s Keith Dambrot praises Pitt’s Jeff Capel, rebukes Panthers’ NCAA snub
Now with the Niners
Former Steelers quarterback Josh Dobbs has yet another new team. It’s the San Francisco 49ers.
That’s according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. He says Dobbs is signing a one-year deal with the reigning NFC Champs.
49ers reached agreement on a one-year deal with veteran QB Josh Dobbs, per his agent @MikeMcCartney7.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 18, 2024
Via the NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo, Dobbs is getting $2.25 million at signing, plus has $750k in incentives.
The 49ers will be Dobbs’ eighth NFL franchise. He has been in the NFL eight years. His career passer rating is 77.3.
With Sam Darnold now in Minnesota, Dobbs could become Brock Purdy’s top backup in San Francisco.
BeDeviled
When it comes to the next opponent for the Pittsburgh Penguins, they are struggling as much as the Penguins are.
The New Jersey Devils host the Penguins Tuesday night. The Pens come in having won two in a row but have dropped five of seven. Meanwhile, the Devils have lost seven of nine contests.
Tuesday’s game is the second meeting between the teams this season. The Devils won 5-2 in the previous contest.
The Penguins are 30-28-9, good for sixth in the Metropolitan Division with 69 points. New Jersey is 32-32-4. That’s seventh in the Metropolitan Division and just one point behind the Penguins.
So this one is big when it comes to the conference standings. The Penguins are six points behind the Washington Capitals for the Eastern Conference’s last wild-card playoff spot.
The Pens are trying to snap a five-game road losing streak. They also have a 7-9-7 record in games decided by one goal.
