Tuesday’s “First Call” tells us about a potential Steelers free-agent signee that went down the turnpike instead.
Also, some eye-popping projections for what T.J. Watt and Minkah Fitzpatrick may command on their next contracts.
Former Pirate Gerrit Cole has a mixed night. And former Penguin Jordan Staal comes up clutch in the playoffs for the Carolina Hurricanes.
Ryan’s Hope
The Philadelphia Eagles signed former Washington pass rusher Ryan Kerrigan to a one-year deal Monday. It’ll reportedly pay him $3.5 million.
You may be thinking, “Hmm. Given the lack of pass-rushing depth on the Steelers, they should have been interested in him.”
Do you know who agrees with you? Apparently, the Steelers themselves.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter claims the Steelers and Cincinnati Bengals were knocking on Kerrigan’s door as well.
Teams that showed the most interest in Ryan Kerrigan were the Eagles, Steelers and Bengals. But he opted to stay in NFC East. https://t.co/hIopweFdDA
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) May 17, 2021
Kerrigan leaves Washington as the franchise’s all-time sack leader with 95.5. He was drafted there back in 2011. He had 5.5 sacks last year.
‘Watt’ is he worth?
NFL.com is projecting how much Steelers outside linebacker T.J. Watt’s new contract extension may cost.
Anthony Holzman-Escareno came up with a list of the top candidates who appear to be in line as the highest-paid players at their respective positions. He lists Watt as the likely top-earning edge rusher to the tune of a whopping $27 million per season.
At least.
To put that in context Joey Bosa ($27 million/Los Angeles Chargers) and Myles Garrett ($25 million/Cleveland Browns) signed deals in that stratosphere in 2020. OverTheCap.com has Watt scheduled to make $10.08 million in 2021, his fifth and final season under contract in Pittsburgh on his rookie deal.
Holzman-Escareno also projects Seattle safety Jamal Adams to make $17 million, with the Steelers’ Minkah Fitzpatrick likely to surpass him sometime before his fifth-year option expires in 2022.
What’s the count on Cole?
Via the MLBonFox Twitter account, New York Yankees star Gerrit Cole set an extremely impressive record on Tuesday.
The former Pirate set a Major League Baseball record by striking out 59 straight batters without a walk in the same span.
But Cole didn’t have an easy outing after setting the mark. He got knocked around by the Texas Rangers, including solo homers from Adolis Garcia and Willie Calhoun.
El Bombi in the house. pic.twitter.com/ADJ6IHta5e
— Texas Rangers (@Rangers) May 18, 2021
Willie launches one straight away. pic.twitter.com/JfXZAVjWBe
— Texas Rangers (@Rangers) May 18, 2021
Cole ended up absorbing the loss while giving up four earned runs in five innings and striking out seven. He also yielded two walks — his first since April 12 — which snapped Cole’s record-setting streak after only two more strikeouts (61). The Rangers won 5-2.
With 85 strikeouts, Cole is now tied with another former Pirate, Tyler Glasnow, for second in Major League Baseball. Shane Bieber leads the way with 92.
Rock you like a Hurricane
Former Penguin Jordan Staal is on the board in the 2021 playoffs.
He scored twice during the Carolina Hurricanes postseason opener against the Nashville Predators.
Imagine not having Jordan Staal on your team
— Carolina Hurricanes (@Canes) May 18, 2021
Couldn't be us pic.twitter.com/6m91fs09mD
You never lose wingspan, I guess, huh? That was during 4-on-4 play. Then Staal scored again in the third period.
The Sneaky Mr. Staal pic.twitter.com/nFy3jidJwf
— Carolina Hurricanes (@Canes) May 18, 2021
That’s 29 postseason goals in Staal’s career now. He also threw around his 6-foot-4, 220-pound frame.
This dude came after Jordo hard and Jordo just tossed him ? pic.twitter.com/d8V4AUJdkH
— Carolina Hurricanes (@Canes) May 18, 2021
Carolina went on to win 5-2.
