First Call: Examining the Steelers' alleged interest in Tyreek Hill; more Seahawks secondary issues

Thursday’s “First Call” follows up on the Pittsburgh Steelers’ alleged interest in Miami wide receiver Tyreek Hill.

There are two stories of interest surrounding the Seattle Seahawks’ secondary in advance of their trip to Pittsburgh.

And an error made by a New York Jet in their loss to Pittsburgh has some fallout.

Hoping for Hill?

Trade rumors have been swirling around Miami’s Tyreek Hill for a while. And we all know the Steelers could use another wide receiver.

On 93.7 The Fan on Wednesday, Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk claimed that the same person who told him the Steelers would wind up with Jalen Ramsey from the Dolphins, told him that the Steelers want Hill too.

"The same guy that told me Jalen Ramsey was going to be a Steeler told me that the Steelers wanted Tyreek (Hill)."

Mike Florio from @ProFootballTalk thinks the #Steelers could be in on Tyreek Hill if the #Dolphins season goes south. pic.twitter.com/ahjZRrY3lT

— 93.7 The Fan (@937theFan) September 10, 2025

There are a few problems, though:

• Hill is signed through 2026. He’s slated to earn $36 million next year. His cap number will be $51.8 million.

• Kansas City, Hill’s former team, is said to be interested in acquiring him as well.

• Hill is facing a domestic violence allegation from his estranged wife. Hill is denying it. The NFL is investigating.

Florio did acknowledge that his source told him about the Steelers’ interest in Hill prior to the allegation.

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Another wounded bird

We already knew that Seahawks rookie safety Nick Emmanwori was dealing with a high ankle sprain. Now another member of their defensive backfield is on the injury report as the team prepares for its trip to Pittsburgh on Sunday.

According to Seattle Times writer Bob Condotta, Devon Witherspoon is dealing with a knee injury and didn’t practice Wednesday.

Witherspoon was second on the team in tackles last week in a 17-13 loss to San Francisco. He had eight, including one for a loss.

“They played as many as seven defensive backs in the game. There are several that make that a reality. First and foremost is Witherspoon,” Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said Tuesday. “He plays outside at a high level. He plays nickel at a high level. You could say the same thing about (Julian) Love at safety.”

The 24-year-old out of Illinois was the fifth overall pick in 2023’s NFL Draft. He has made the Pro Bowl each of the past two years.

Not just that

There may be more upheaval in the Seattle secondary. When asked if former Pro Bowler Riq Woolen may lose his starting job Sunday in Pittsburgh, coach Mike Macdonald simply said, “We’ll see.”

Woolen had a rough outing versus San Francisco in Week 1, while cornerback Josh Jobe had an interception. Via Brady Henderson at ESPN.com, Macdonald said Jobe is competing for more snaps after a “tremendous” Week 1.

According to NFL Next Gen Stats, Woolen allowed three receptions on four targets for 73 yards and a touchdown as the nearest defender in coverage.

#49ers Ricky Pearsall cooked Tariq Woolen so bad on this route ???? pic.twitter.com/qrtdSxADkA

— OurSF49ers (@OurSf49ers) September 9, 2025

That amounted to a 156.3 passer rating against him. Woolen got a 37.4 overall grade from Pro Football Focus, 104th out of 113 cornerbacks in Week 1.

Costly mistake

Xavier Gipson sure is feeling the cost of his fumbled kick return against the Steelers on Sunday. He has been placed on waivers.

That fourth-quarter turnover — caused by Kenneth Gainwell and recovered by Ben Skowronek — flipped the game in favor of the Steelers, and they won 34-32.

STEELERS FOOTBALL

Fantastic special teams play by Kenneth Gainwell to punch the ball out! pic.twitter.com/hdt7ucPQPj

— NFL on CBS ???? (@NFLonCBS) September 7, 2025

Two plays after the fumble, the Steelers scored on a touchdown pass from Aaron Rodgers to Calvin Austin.

This was the wideout’s third season in New York. He had been an undrafted free agent out of Stephen F. Austin in 2023.