Friday’s “First Call” brings us a Doomsday scenario prediction for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Also, the Eagles may still be in play for Steven Nelson.

We’ve got some Steelers birthdays, a bold prediction from a Steelers rival and Home Run Derby gambling odds.

Big Ben ‘is going to be bad’

Former New York Jets and Miami Dolphins executive Mike Tannenbaum has often been a harsh critic of the Steelers and Ben Roethlisberger since becoming an ESPN analyst.

He took that reputation to the next level on “Get Up” Thursday when he predicted that Big Ben will be so rotten in 2021 that he’ll be benched by mid-season.

"[Ben Roethlisberger] is going to be bad, and I expect him to benched by the middle of the season. ... He's had a great career. It's over."

@RealTannenbaum pic.twitter.com/AZFmHqZyTL

— Get Up (@GetUpESPN) July 8, 2021

“He’s going to be bad, and I expect him to be benched by the middle of the season,” Tannenbaum said. “Ben Roethlisberger was a big, physical, get-the-ball-down-the-field quarterback. Stats don’t always paint the picture, but, in 2015, Roethlisberger was third in the NFL in yards per pass attempt. Last year, at 38 years old, he was 31st. He just checked the ball down.”

Tannenbaum went on to say that Roethlisberger “has had a great career,” but “it’s over.”

Fellow host Dan Orlovsky tried to refute Tannenbaum’s comments by shifting blame for Roethlisberger’s stats to last year’s poor offensive line play.

There’s truth to both arguments. And I think there might be truth to both ends of their predictions.

To Tannenbaum’s point, Roethlisberger might get benched. But to Orlovsky’s point, that might happen because this year’s offensive line might be so bad, Roethlisberger could end up on the sidelines because he’ll be pummeled by opposing defenses.

Head east, young man

Here at “First Call,” we’ve already told you that there might be some mutual interest between Steven Nelson and the Philadelphia Eagles.

The former Steelers cornerback is a free agent and still looking for a new home. Now, via EaglesWire.com, it appears a full-fledged recruitment is happening.

Current Philadelphia corner Darius Slay reached out to Nelson on Twitter.

It could all be so simple my man #Nelsonisland

— Steve Nelson (@Nelson_Island) July 6, 2021

The problem is that the Eagles are reportedly balking at the idea of paying Nelson his $3 million asking price.

Birthday connection

Happy birthday to the Steelers. According to Steelers.com, the franchise turned 88 years old Thursday. On July 8, 1933, National Football League officially announced the application from Art Rooney Sr. for a franchise in Pittsburgh had been granted.

The Pittsburgh Professional Football Club, Inc. officially joined the NFL in exchange for a fee of $2,500.

Wow. That’s half of an NFL uniform fine for an individual player these days.

It turns out that the franchise shares its birthday with one of its all-time greats. Also on Thursday, linebacker Jack Lambert turned 68. Here’s a clip from his Hall of Fame induction.

Happy Birthday to Hall of Famer Jack Lambert!#HBD | @steelers pic.twitter.com/nN1iapUv2k

— Pro Football Hall of Fame (@ProFootballHOF) July 8, 2021

It sounds like Lambert’s “double-zero” story is as close as he ever got to dancing on someone’s logo on TikTok or tweeting a kitty cat snuff film.

Dream big

The Kansas City Chiefs are shooting for a third-straight Super Bowl berth and a second title in three years.

But why stop there? Travis Kelce is thinking about a 20-0 perfect season.

The All-Pro tight end thinks that goal is feasible.

“Yeah, I do think it’s possible,” Kelce said this week on Sports Radio 810 WHB. “I think we got the right guys. I think we have the right coaches and we’ve got a team that’s willing to fight against anybody. I think it’s very possible. And, you know, with the confidence that you got to have going into the season, that’s exactly where it needs to be.”

Kelce wasn’t done.

“I don’t think it’s silly at all,” Kelce said. “I think it’s a very, very reachable goal. And it’s going to take a lot of dedication, a lot of determination and a lot of genuine hard work throughout the season.”

I’m not going to hold my breath. I think the Chiefs are excellent. They are probably still the best team in the AFC. But I’m not expecting them to be quite as good as the past two seasons. And I think the Buffalo Bills are a genuine threat atop the conference.

Granted, K.C. only had two losses last year and four the year before. But I doubt 20-0 is as attainable as Kelce is suggesting.

Derby dollars

You can expect plenty of homers in the thin Rocky Mountain air Monday night. That’s when the MLB Home Run Derby is taking place during All-Star week. And to no one’s surprise, Angels phenom Shohei Ohtani is the betting favorite at 5/2 according to BetOnline.ag.

Ohtani leads MLB with 32 home runs in 2021. Last year’s Derby champion, Pete Alonso (15 homers) of the New York Mets, is next at 5/1 along with Texas Rangers slugger Joey Gallo (23 homers).

Hometown favorite Trevor Story (11 homers) of the Colorado Rockies is at 7/1. Baltimore Orioles outfielder Trey Mancini is the long shot at 9/1.

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