Friday’s “First Call” tells Pittsburgh what it may not want to hear about Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers. One draft analyst has some advice for the Steelers when it comes to the idea of picking Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson.
A Duquesne basketball player just set an individual mark that reflects team achievement. The gold medal-winning American women’s hockey team has some Pittsburgh ties. And Robert Morris’ women’s hockey team survives in postseason play.
Been there, done that
If you thought the wait to sign Aaron Rodgers last year was excessive, buckle up for the sequel.
That seems to be the word from Jeremy Fowler at ESPN.com. The former Steelers beat reporter claims Rodgers might take months to decide if he is coming back for a second year as the Steelers quarterback.
“I just checked on this,” Fowler said at the 1:21:37 mark of Thursday’s “Get Up” episode. “The Steelers remain open to a potential Aaron Rodgers reunion, but they’ve got to figure out if he wants to play or not yet. That could take months.”
Forget months. The Steelers shouldn’t give Rodgers more than the next few weeks before NFL free agency begins March 9. If he doesn’t have his mind made up by then, they should operate as if he isn’t coming back.
If, by the end of free agency and the draft, the Steelers don’t have a starting QB and Rodgers is still unemployed, and they both want a reunion, so be it.
But twiddling their thumbs waiting for Rodgers to make up his mind is a foolhardy proposition.
Pass on the passer
For all the chatter about the Steelers potentially taking Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson with their first-round pick in April’s NFL Draft, at least one well-regarded analyst thinks that would be a poor idea.
During a Thursday conference call with media members, NFL.com draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah said that such a decision would be a reach for the Steelers.
“He’s in the 30s-40s range for me. That’s just a pure grade,” Jeremiah said via SteelersNow.com. “But I wouldn’t be stunned if he ended up going in the first round because there’s enough teams in need of the position, and I do think he’ll be impressive going from this point forward.”
Jeremiah expanded on that last point, suggesting that Simpson’s stock could rise after predraft workouts and meetings.
“When you have the limited number of starts that he has, teams are going to have to get comfortable with that,” Jeremiah said. “Watching him move around, throw and getting a better feel for his physical skillset — more importantly, just meeting with him and seeing how he understands the game. (He’s) the son of a coach. I think he’ll do really well in that environment.”
Simpson only started 15 games over four years with the Crimson Tide, all of them during his final season in 2025. They went 11-4 and lost in the Rose Bowl to Indiana to end their season.
Applause all around
Tarence Guinyard’s game-winning end-to-end sprint won a game for Duquesne’s basketball team on Wednesday night. His bucket with less than a second on the clock beat La Salle, 62-61.
It also got picked up as one of ESPN SportsCenter’s top plays of the night.
Coming in at #️⃣5️⃣ on SportsCenter!! #GoDukes | @TarenceGuinyard pic.twitter.com/Ht5nMibufb
— Duquesne Basketball (@DuqMBB) February 19, 2026
The win also gave teammate David Dixon his 74th victory as a Duke. That’s the most in school history for any player.
1 Ring, 74 wins, and counting.
— Duquesne Basketball (@DuqMBB) February 19, 2026
The story of David Dixon continues. pic.twitter.com/XXBkE1iDlW
Dixon and the Dukes (16-10) are seeking a sixth-straight win at Dayton (17-9) at 2 p.m. Saturday. The Flyers beat Duquesne, 71-65, at the UPMC Cooper Fieldhouse on Jan. 13. Both clubs are 8-5 in Atlantic 10 play, tied with St. Joseph’s for fourth place in the conference.
As for Robert Morris, the Colonials are also hoping to extend a winning streak of their own. They attempt to get a fifth consecutive win Sunday. They visit Wright State at 2 p.m.
Both teams are 18-10 overall. The Raiders lead the Horizon League at 13-4. RMU is third at 10-7, tied with Green Bay. Andy Toole’s club began its win streak with a 72-66 victory over Wright State on Feb. 4
Elsewhere, Pitt (9-17, 2-12 ACC) looks to avoid a sixth straight loss Saturday. The Panthers also have a 2 p.m. tip at home against Notre Dame (12-14, 3-10).
Gold for the black and gold
Four Pens Elite alumni were on the American women’s team that won a gold medal at the Olympics on Thursday in Italy by beating Canada, 2-1, in overtime.
The entire US Women's Olympic Hockey team sings the national anthem at their gold medal ceremony. pic.twitter.com/csmt2W3ZTx
— Bob Cornelia (@BobCornelia) February 19, 2026
Ava McNaughton, Hannah Bilka, Gwyneth Philips and Laila Edwards all played with the club. McNaughton (Seven Fields) and Philips (Shady Side Academy) are goaltenders.
Edwards is a native of Cleveland Heights and assisted on Hilary Knight’s game-tying goal to force overtime in the gold medal game.
TIE GAME! TIE GAME! THE CAPTAIN! pic.twitter.com/Fg9ycbZ2BY
— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) February 19, 2026
Bilka is a forward who was born in Texas and plays for the Seattle Torrent. She scored twice against Canada in the 5-0 preliminary round win.
Staying alive
The Robert Morris women’s hockey team conjured some overtime magic of its own Thursday. Coach Logan Bittle’s team beat Delaware, 3-2, in the first round of the Atlantic Hockey America playoffs.
Jessica MacKinnon got the game winner.
MACKINNON WINS IT IN OVERTIME!???? pic.twitter.com/qMv4giFMZ6
— RMU Women's Hockey (@RMUWHockey) February 19, 2026
The Colonials swept all five games from the Blue Hens this year. They advance to face Lindenwood in the quarterfinals of the AHA playoffs at 11:45 a.m. Saturday.
As for the men’s team, they are on the road this weekend at Canisius games at 7 p.m. Friday and 4 p.m. Saturday. The Colonials swept two games from the Golden Griffins (1-0, 6-4) earlier this month on Neville Island.
RMU begins the weekend in a fourth-place tie with Sacred Heart in the Atlantic with 36 points. Canisius is seventh with 33 points. Derek Schooley’s club wraps up the regular season next weekend with a home-and-home series against Mercyhurst.
Listen: Chris Adamski and Tim Benz discuss the Steelers during this week’s offseason podcast.
