First Call: How restructuring Stephon Tuitt's contract can help the Steelers

Wednesday’s “First Call” looks at the benefits of Stephon Tuitt’s reworked contract with the Steelers. Good news for the Ravens. And Larry Fitzgerald loves his new quarterback.

This could help

The Steelers reportedly are restructuring Stephon Tuitt’s contract.

Source: the Steelers have converted $5.195M of DL Stephon Tuitt’s $6M base salary into a signing bonus, creating $3.9M in cap space for 2019. Some needed breathing room for Pittsburgh.

— Field Yates (@FieldYates) July 30, 2019

That’s less newsworthy in terms of Tuitt’s status than it is for others on the team. This development could mean the Steelers are freeing up some cap space so they can extend the contract of Joe Haden.

Or it could mean they are working on new deals for the likes of Mike Hilton, Javon Hargrave or Sean Davis.

All four? Maybe.

But not because of Tuitt alone.

A lot more cash will be needed before that happens. So look for more restructures to occur before actual extensions are announced.

Oh, boy

Former Pitt quarterback Nathan Peterman has a fan in Jon Gruden.

The Raiders signal-caller sure seems to be making an impression on the Oakland head coach.

Full quote from Jon Gruden on Raiders QB Nathan Peterman. “I know he’s got some nightmare performances in the NFL, but when you watch the film, you can see why: It’s not all his fault.” pic.twitter.com/zfxxBCnBtg

— Michael Gehlken (@GehlkenNFL) July 30, 2019

OK. Great. But has Antonio Brown given his thoughts yet?

We all know how A.B. feels about his backup quarterbacks. Just ask Landry Jones.

Let’s keep in mind, some stats suggest Peterman is the worst quarterback in NFL history.

And we all know how Brown is renowned for his patience.

So it’s not just the players?

As we have told you before, most players hate their EA Sports “Madden NFL 20” video game ratings.

But, apparently, that’s not restricted to the players.

New Arizona Cardinals coach Kliff Kingsbury is unhappy with his “Madden” rating, too. But coaches don’t really get rated.

They get sketched. They get facially represented.

And Kingsbury doesn’t like his look, referring to himself as looking like a zombie in the new version of the game.

"I saw my picture on there, and I'm not pleased with where we're at."

We need to talk, @EAMaddenNFL... ? #Madden20 pic.twitter.com/Y78KrXiaF3

— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) July 30, 2019

“I want to get adjusted on looks rating,” Kingsbury said. “I look like I’m on ‘The Walking Dead’ in that picture.”

Well, “walking dead” is how most people described the Cardinals last year. That should be his bigger concern.

High praise, indeed

Speaking of the Cardinals, former Pitt star Larry Fitzgerald is heaping praise on top draft choice Kyler Murray.

The Cardinals’ star pass-catcher seems to think his new quarterback is way ahead of the game when it comes to mental aptitude.

Fitzgerald told the NFL Network that the No. 1 overall pick has a learning curve that appears less than steep considering the jump in competition.

“I’ve never seen a quarterback come in so quickly and be able to command an offense,” Fitzgerald said. “I mean, from Day 1, he’s out there checking the different plays, sliding the line, different protections, getting us in screens when blitzes are coming. His understanding of the offense is crazy.”

Murray’s athleticism is crazy, too. So that could be a lethal combination.

A step in the right direction

Ravens rookie receiver Marquise Brown has been sidelined with a foot injury.

But he appears ready to go now.

The Oklahoma product missed OTAs, minicamp and the first five days of training camp recovering from Lisfranc foot surgery.

The procedure occurred in February. But he appears to have healed now.

According to the Ravens’ team website, Brown passed his training camp physical Tuesday, during a day off from practice.

It’s unclear whether Brown will finally participate in a practice Wednesday.

A cousin of former Steeler Antonio Brown, the former Sooners star had 75 catches for 1,318 yards and 10 touchdowns last season.