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First Call: Aaron Rodgers called a 'safe bet' for Steelers; Russell Wilson still in the mix with Giants | TribLIVE.com
Steelers/NFL

First Call: Aaron Rodgers called a 'safe bet' for Steelers; Russell Wilson still in the mix with Giants

Tim Benz
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AP
Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson greets New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers after their Oct. 20, 2024, game in Pittsburgh.

Monday’sFirst Callpasses along a pair of reports involving Aaron Rodgers and Russell Wilson. We look at two defensive linemen that may be on the Pittsburgh Steelers’ radar in the NFL Draft.

And Megan McConnell put on another show as Duquesne stayed alive in the WNIT.


Is there such a thing?

As many have discovered while gambling on the NCAA Basketball Tournament, there is really no such thing as asafe bet.”

But that’s a phrase Mike Florio used this weekend at Pro Football Talk when he posted an update on the Aaron Rodgers situation.

“One source in the general vicinity of those who would be in a position to know said Sunday, it’s asafe betthat quarterback Aaron Rodgers eventually will sign with the Steelers,Florio posted Sunday night.

As Florio himself acknowledged, when we are talking about the whims of Rodgers,safe betisn’t all that safe of a term. But his source seems pretty confident that Rodgers will eventually sign in Pittsburgh.

Rodgers visited the Steelers’ facility in Pittsburgh on Friday but left without a contract. Many are expecting some sort of announcement shortly before or during the “Pat McAfee Show” at PPG Paints Arena on April 9.


Not out of the picture

In an associated story, ProFootballTalk.com also published a report stating that Russell Wilson is still in the mix for the New York Giants.

“Per multiple sources, Wilson remains on the Giants’ radar screen — even after the signing of Jameis Winston,Florio posted. ‘They are as much/more looking for a veteran starter than the Browns, definitely more than the Vikings,the source said.”

Florio went on to say that Winston was signed to be the backup quarterback in New York last week and that Wilson should not be ruled outof contention to be the Giants’ starter.

Also, that person added that Rodgersseems unlikelyto sign with the Giants.


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Finding out about Farmer

The Steelers are expected to spend at least one draft choice on a defensive lineman. Don’t be surprised if it is in Round 1.

If they use another pick on Day 2, Florida State’s Josh Farmer is a possibility. During his Pro Day on Friday, Farmer told media members that he has a Top 30 pre-draft visit scheduled with the Steelers.

“I got nine top 30 visits,Farmer said via theNoles247YouTube channel.I’ve talked to Cleveland. I talk to the Bills and Kansas City every day. I talked to Philly (Thursday). I’ve got a visit with them. Houston, I gotta go to the Steelers. I’ve talked to mostly everybody who needs a defensive tackle.”

Farmer checks in at 6-foot-3, 305 pounds. According to SteelersNow.com, he already met with the Steelers once at the 2025 Senior Bowl.

In 2024, the redshirt junior was an honorable mention All-ACC player. He started all 12 games and posted 32 tackles, eight for a loss with four sacks. ESPN.com rates him as the ninth-best defensive tackle on the board and the 64th-best player in the draft.

According to Justin Melo of the Draft Network, the Steelers have also shown interest in Rutgers defensive tackle Kyonte Hamilton.

Hamilton is more of a potential Day 3 selection.


Not done yet

The Duquesne women’s basketball team is still alive in the WNIT. The Dukes held off a late rally by Miami (Ohio) on Sunday afternoon, beating the Red Hawks in Oxford, 73-66.

That’s the second victory in the tournament for Dan Burt’s team. With the win, the Dukes improved their record to 21-12 on the season. Miami finished at 19-12.

Chartiers Valley product Megan McConnell led the way with 24 points, nine rebounds and six assists.

McConnell added six steals, surpassing Jocelyn Floyd to become the all-time thefts leader at 368. The senior also climbed to second place on Duquesne’s all-time scoring list. She now has 1,784 points. Only Korie Hlede (2,631) has more.

Up next, the Dukes will get either Coppin State or Cleveland State on Friday at a location and time to be determined. Duquesne ended its season last year in the second round of the WNIT, falling to Purdue, 71-50.

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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Categories: Sports | Steelers/NFL | Breakfast With Benz | Tim Benz Columns
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