First Call: Ex-Steeler says team is 'close to landing a significant playmaker'; Bill Cowher staying with CBS as changes swirl

In Tuesday’s “First Call,” a former Steeler has everyone playing a guessing game about who the club may be trying to acquire via trade or free agency. Bill Cowher is staying on CBS’ NFL pregame show as other significant changes are happening. The Steelers are bringing a former Baltimore Raven into Pittsburgh for a look.

And an ex-Pirate is off to a great start on the mound. This time, it’s someone besides Tyler Glasnow.

This time, at least.

McFadden’s mystery

Bryant McFadden got social media buzzing Monday. The former Steeler-turned-CBS Sports analyst posted, “The Steelers are very close to landing a significant playmaker.” But the retired cornerback didn’t hint at who that might be.

The organization is still in need of wide receiver help, even after the draft. It has frequently been linked to Denver’s Courtland Sutton in trade rumors. But Mike Klis of News 9 in Denver said on Monday that’s not happening and the Broncos have no plans to trade him.

Meanwhile, ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter went on “The Pat McAfee Show” on Tuesday to say the San Francisco 49ers are planning to move forward with both Brandon Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel staying in town. Both of those receivers had been tied to the Steelers as well.

"The 49ers are still trying to get a deal done with Brandon Aiyuk..

They got calls on Deebo and nothing got close to getting done..

The plan for them right now is to move forward with both Aiyuk and Deebo" @AdamSchefter #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/leZJxHW7ZW

— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) April 29, 2024

Another potential target, former Dallas Cowboys receiver Michael Gallup, decided to sign with the Las Vegas Raiders. According to Schefter, it’s a one-year deal at $3 million. Free agent D.J. Chark and Dallas Cowboys veteran Brandin Cooks could be other potential targets.

Did you ever consider this?

When McFadden says “significant playmaker,” perhaps he doesn’t mean a wide receiver. Maybe he means a defensive back, like, for instance his cousin and podcast co-host Patrick Peterson.

After one year in Black and Gold, the Steelers released Peterson. But the option to return is still out there. On the “All Things Covered” podcast with McFadden last month, Peterson claims coach Mike Tomlin said that the “door was open” to reconnect before the season starts.

After his post started to gain traction Monday, some began to speculate that McFadden was referencing Peterson. But according to Andrew Fillipponi of 93.7 The Fan, that’s not the next dot to connect.

Per multiple sources Patrick Peterson is NOT re-signing with the Steelers at the moment. Hall of Fame player. Great guy. Not on the verge of coming back here.

— Andrew Fillipponi (@ThePoniExpress) April 29, 2024

Peterson ended the year defending 11 passes and intercepting two. He had 42 tackles and led the team with defensive snaps at 1,096.

That being said …

There is, however, at least one corner that’s coming to Pittsburgh. This one is a one-time Baltimore Raven.

We’re talking about Anthony Averett. He’s a veteran who has accepted an invite to Steelers rookie minicamp. That’s according to Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network.

A product of Alabama in 2018 Averett was drafted by Baltimore and played four years there, totaling 44 games and three interceptions.

.@antaverettjr_ INT❗️❗️❗️❗️❗️❗️❗️❗️

Tune in on CBS! pic.twitter.com/To1C6z3SfQ

— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) December 12, 2021

He then played seven games with Las Vegas in 2022 and was on Detroit’s practice squad last year.

Sticking around

There’s been some shakeup on CBS’ NFL pregame show. But it isn’t impacting former Steelers coach Bill Cowher.

Via Andrew Marchand of the The Athletic, “The NFL Today” is saying goodbye to former quarterbacks Phil Simms and Boomer Esiason. Another retired QB, Matt Ryan, is stepping in.

Ryan will join James Brown, Nate Burleson and Cowher on the set. Those three are all being retained. Future Hall of Fame defensive lineman J.J. Watt will be a part of the show on a part-time basis. Marchand reports that Cowher and Burleson had expiring contracts.

As Marchand points out, Esiason had been with CBS for 22 years. Simms was CBS’ top color analyst for almost two decades. In 2017, CBS replaced Simms with Tony Romo on the No. 1 call with Jim Nantz. Simms then moved to the studio.

More sports

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• Mark Madden: Immediately grading a draft is meaningless — but the Steelers get an A. Yay!

One mo’ for J’mo

On Monday night, former Pirate Jameson Taillon posted a third solid outing in a row for the Chicago Cubs.

The veteran right-hander allowed just four hits and one earned run in 7⅓ innings, throwing 57 of his 78 pitches for strikes. The Cubs ended up beating the New York Mets, 3-1.

Taillon’s only mistake was allowing a first-inning homer to Brandon Nimmo.

Come for the Brandon Nimmo homer, stay for the fan catch ???? pic.twitter.com/OT6N1lno0M

— MLB (@MLB) April 29, 2024

In three starts, Taillon is 2-0 with an ERA of 1.50 and WHIP of 0.94. The Cubs lead the National League Central by half a game over the Milwaukee Brewers. The Mets are in third place, 5½ games back of the Atlanta Braves in the NL East.