First Call: Helmet manufacturer responds to Aaron Rodgers' complaints; potential progress on Trey Hendrickson's contract
“First Call” returns Monday with reaction to Aaron Rodgers’ complaints about his new helmet at Pittsburgh Steelers’ minicamp. Nick Chubb bids a gracious goodbye to Cleveland. There is some Pitt football recruiting news.
Plus, an AFC North pass rusher may be making headway on his contract conversations.
And it’s not T.J. Watt.
Hating the helmet
New Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers isn’t happy that the Schutt Air XP Q11 helmet he used to wear has been outlawed by the NFL. Now, he is using the Schutt F7 Pro helmet.
He’s not thrilled about it.
“I can’t stand the helmet,” Rodgers said after the Steelers’ practice. “I’ve worn a Schutt for 20 years. Somehow, it finally didn’t pass the safety standards.”
The maker of the helmet, Certor Sports CEO Jeremy Erspamer, told Steelers Wire over the weekend that he sympathizes with Rodgers having to deal with change.
“I feel for players like Aaron Rodgers,” Erspamer said. “He’s worn that same helmet model basically his entire career. As he said, he’s never been hurt in it. I’m sure it feels like an old friend when he puts it on his head. I completely understand, from a player’s perspective, that potentially causing frustration. I also understand the desire of the NFL — and for us, as helmet manufacturers — trying to develop new technology. Technology is evolving probably quicker than most people think. And the ability to protect athletes better comes along with that.”
Despite Rodgers’ apparent disdain for the new brand, it doesn’t sound like he is going to be pulling an Antonio Brown and protesting having to use it as A.B. did with the Raiders a few years ago.
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Another bar to set?
As we wait to see if negotiations move forward with T.J. Watt and the Steelers, progress may be occurring between another star pass rusher and his current AFC North team.
The Bengals have resumed communication with Trey Hendrickson. That news came from ESPN over the weekend.
In an ESPN.com post from Ben Baby, the Bengals and Hendrickson have “resumed communication on his contract and future with the team, sources told ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler on Sunday.”
Hendrickson was an All-Pro in 2024. He was the NFL’s sack leader with 17.5. Baby’s post insists that the 30-year-old “remains steadfast in his desire for a long-term contract extension.”
An eight-year veteran, Hendrickson is slated to earn $16 million in 2025 and has already said he doesn’t want to play on his current deal.
Watt is also entering the final year of his four-year, $112 million deal. This offseason, Cleveland’s Myles Garrett signed a contract extension with the Browns that is valued at $40 million per year.
That seems to be the measuring stick for all the other successful pass rushers who are asking for new contracts.
If Hendrickson gets close before Watt, that could add fuel to the situation here in Pittsburgh.
Fond farewell
Former Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb posted a heartfelt goodbye to the city of Cleveland on Instagram over the weekend.
“This city deserves a winning season every year. It’s earned it. This city doesn’t quit. The people never stop believing. And my Brothers in that locker room will never stop fighting. Cleveland’s time is now… and not because they are owed anything, but because RESILIENCE ALWAYS WINS. Just like we preached every day in meetings,” Chubb wrote. “This isn’t goodbye to what we built; it’s a thank you. For the trust, the passion, and the moments that made me feel like I belonged here from day one. Cleveland, you’ll always have a piece of my heart. Until we meet again.”
The former Georgia running back played his first seven years with the Browns before signing with Houston last week.
Chubb suffered a devastating knee injury in Pittsburgh during the 2023 season. He managed just 332 yards in eight games last year when he returned in October.
Recruiting update
As reported at PittsburghSportsNow, the Pitt Panthers have landed a three-star linebacker recruit.
It’s Desmond Johnson. He is a 6-foot-1, 195-pound prospect from Miami Northwestern High School. He announced his intentions to attend Pitt on Sunday.
After a couple day at pitt this weekend they made a big impression on me and my family i enjoyed the coaches and the players I wanna thank my family and coaches for getting me to this point #H2P @pitt_FB@CoachDuzzPittFB@Coach_Manalac@CoachJJLaster@Kb1Raw pic.twitter.com/V3DfvWvm7e
— Desmond johnson (@dez14_) June 15, 2025
Former Panther and current Tampa Bay Buccaneer Calijah Kancey went to that same high school. He was coached by former NFL quarterback Teddy Bridgewater.
PSN reports that Johnson was originally scheduled to take his official visit to Pittsburgh during the third weekend of June but made a commitment after taking the visit earlier than anticipated. Johnson is the third linebacker commitment in Pitt’s 2026 class.
At least 13 other schools, including Michigan, Florida State, SMU, Mississippi State, Wake Forest and Louisville, offered a scholarship to Johnson.
Tim Benz is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Tim at tbenz@triblive.com or via X. All tweets could be reposted. All emails are subject to publication unless specified otherwise.
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