First Call: Bill Cowher endorses idea of Jameis Winston to Steelers; Antonio Brown has new agent

Tuesday’s “First Call” features a big name joining the “Jameis Winston to Pittsburgh” bandwagon. Antonio Brown found someone insane enough to be his agent. And how Kiya Tomlin is helping the battle against covid-19.

Joining the Jameis bandwagon

Over the past few weeks, I’ve given you a few endorsements from writers and broadcasters who have suggested that the Steelers would be wise to consider signing Jameis Winston as Ben Roethlisberger’s backup.

I can understand why you may have felt like that’s easy to blow off as nothing but coronavirus-induced speculation out of nothing else substantive to discuss right now.

Fair enough. Like many of you, I’ll bet it won’t happen.

He’ll probably want too much money from the cap-strapped Steelers. He may not want a job behind a well-established starter. Ben Roethlisberger may feel threatened by the presence of a former Pro Bowler behind him. The Steelers sound committed to Mason Rudolph. And Winston throws too many interceptions.

However (you knew that was coming), let me frame this conversation in a way it really hasn’t been said before.

What if Winston adopts a Jarrod Dyson attitude? You know, like when the free agent outfielder flat-out admitted to the media that he signed with the Pirates because there “weren’t a lot of other jobs out there.”

In other words, consider if Winston said to Kevin Colbert, “I’ll work for next to nothing and I’ll be a quiet guy in the corner just waiting to be called upon if you need me.”

No? Still not buying?

What if I told you Bill Cowher thinks it’s a good idea? Because he does.

“I think it’s a great fit,” Cowher said to Boomer Esiason on CBS Radio Monday.“If he’s willing to accept a year sitting behind Ben. And maybe it’s two years.”

Cowher did emphasize that was a big “if,” as he did when talking about the prospect of Winston’s salary, and his decision making in the pocket.

But, if you want a name with some Pittsburgh cache to attach to the dialogue, there you go.

A.B.’s new agent

Even in these economically challenging times, the least desirable job in America has been filled.

Antonio Brown’s agent.

The former Steelers wide receiver has someone else to clean up all of his messe … sorry … someone else to serve as his representation.

It’s Ed Wasielewski of EMG Sports.

Maybe the best job in America is going to be Wasielewski’s chiropractor. After all, that guy is going to have to do some heavy lifting.

With his continued desire to return to the NFL this season, free-agent WR Antonio Brown has hired veteran agent Ed Wasielewski of EMG Sports to represent him, the agent told ESPN Monday.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 6, 2020

Wasielewski and EMG don’t seem to have the client list that Drew Rosenhaus does. He was Brown’s former agent.

The front page of EMG’s website features Colts running back Nyheim Hynes, former New York Giants linebacker Nate Stupar and Miami Dolphins tackle Julien Davenport.

Elsewhere in First Call

• California Gov. Gavin Newsom downplayed President Donald Trump’s hope that the NFL could return by September. Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine isn’t far behind. It sounds like he’s willing to consider the league resuming play. But not in front of fans any time soon.

• Mike Tomlin’s wife, Kiya, has her own clothing line. And she is putting that skill set to work for a greater good. She’s sewing masks to help stop the spread of covid-19.

• The NHL had planned to announce the name and logo of the new NHL team in Seattle in February or March. But those plans are still on pause for now, says general manager Ron Francis. The former Penguins star claims the team is also dealing with some trademark and legal issues.