Tuesday’s “First Call” examines the ripple effect of the Pittsburgh Steelers trading Minkah Fitzpatrick to the Miami Dolphins in exchange for Jonnu Smith and Jalen Ramsey. Specifically, we gauge the potential impact on T.J. Watt’s contract negotiations.

We get trade reaction from George Pickens and Bill Cowher. Plus, a former Penguin is getting a new contract with his most recent team.

Is Watt watching?

Many people have wondered how T.J. Watt’s contractual situation may be impacted by Monday’s Steelers-Dolphins trade.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter tried to tie those two topics together with some sort of context.

“In recent weeks, multiple teams have been discussing whether they can trade for Steelers’ standout T.J. Watt, who skipped the team’s most recent minicamp. Pittsburgh hasn’t shown any willingness to deal Watt so far, but he’s unhappy with his contractual situation, and sources believe outside team interest is likely to increase given (Monday’s) trade,”Schefter said.

But Schefter did add that the Steelers “have been adamant they want T.J. Watt to finish his career in Pittsburgh.”

Steelers have been adamant they want T.J. Watt to finish his career in Pittsburgh. https://t.co/eRVzeuTjZo

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) June 30, 2025

OK. Sure. I can see that. Other teams notice the Steelers making changes, and maybe they feel that change could extend to trading Watt. I get it.

I don’t think it’ll happen, though. Regardless of bringing Smith and Ramsey on board, Watt is still under contract for this year. The team’s four quarterbacks only make about $16 million combined. Spotrac claims they are middle of the pack with $25 million remaining in cap space after the trade.

This deal just doesn’t seem to be a hindrance to the Steelers’ conversations with Watt at all, and by extension, shouldn’t affect his trade status.

Unless, of course, Watt’s ego is so delicate that he is angered by the Steelers addressing any other business before his gets done.

Which I’m not entirely ruling out.

Not so subtle

Ex-Steelers receiver George Pickens had a message for Minkah Fitzpatrick upon the news of his return to Miami.

“Super happy for you broski !!!!! Back to beautiful places in life lol,” Pickens captioned an Instagram photo.

???? Dallas Cowboys WR George Pickens reacts to Minkah Fitzpatrick being traded back to Miami

"Super happy for you… back to beautiful places in life." #PhinsUp pic.twitter.com/Gi42yrtN0i

— FinsXtra (@FinsXtra) June 30, 2025

Miami may be a lot nicer than Pittsburgh in terms of weather during the football season. Well, at least after September.

But let’s see how beautiful Fitzpatrick thinks Miami is in terms of the football climate unless the Dolphins can work out a few things themselves. Much like the Steelers, Miami isn’t in the greatest state of affairs on the field.

The Dolphins were 8-9 a year ago and haven’t won a playoff game since 2000.

More sports

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Voice from the past

Former Steelers coach Bill Cowher discussed Pittsburgh’s trade with the Dolphins on Sirius XM’s NFL Radio.

“They haven’t won a playoff game in six years, so I think you better take some different measures,” Cowher said Monday on “Movin’ the Chains.” “It speaks to the degree of urgency that they have — making wholesale changes. There’s a personality change with what they’re trying to do, maybe not so much schematically.”

Eh, I’d say schematically too. My guess is they’ll try to see if they can create more splash with Ramsey moving around the field as a true corner as opposed to Fitzpatrick trying to do the same thing as a safety.

“This makeover on this football team is pretty significant. … This is a whole different football team from a roster standpoint,” Cowher continued. “Some of the same staff, but I think there’s a lot of excitement. I think it speaks for the sense of urgency.”

For me, it’s not so much excitement as it is curiosity. I think that Ramsey and Fitzpatrick are similar players at similar stages of their careers who are being moved for similar reasons. They are Pro Bowl playmakers on defense who have slowly stopped making a lot of plays as they have started to make more money.

Let’s see if they can figure out how to get back to their old ways under new coaches.

I’m also curious to see if the Steelers are planning to use their two tight ends — Pat Freiermuth and Jonnu Smith — as the No. 2 and No. 3 receivers after DK Metcalf. By extension, I’m really curious to see what Aaron Rodgers thinks about that.

Not going anywhere

A former Penguin is staying put in his new home. Former first-round pick Kasperi Kapanen is going to stick with the Edmonton Oilers.

According to NHL.com, Kapanen signed a one-year, $1.3 million contract with Edmonton on Monday.

Between Edmonton and St. Louis in 2024-25, the 28-year-old put up six goals and 14 points during 67 regular-season games. In the playoffs for Edmonton, he added three goals and six points in 12 games.

The nine-year vet is projected as a middle-six forward in Edmonton next year.

A product of Finland, Kapanen was drafted by the Penguins in 2014. He had two stints with the Pens, as well as stops in Toronto and St. Louis, before going to Edmonton.

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