First Call: Idea of Cooper Kupp to Pittsburgh gets interesting endorsement; Giants rumblings before Steelers game

Thursday’s “First Call” advances an opinion of note regarding the idea of the Pittsburgh Steelers trading for wide receiver Cooper Kupp. We look at some turbulence for another New York football team coming to Pittsburgh. Syracuse’s visit to Acrisure Stadium on Thursday night should bring fireworks beyond just the quarterback play.

We also recap a Metropolitan Division battle that Penguins fans surely noticed.

‘Heaping’ praise

Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson has yet to publicly lobby for a trade to get Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp. But his personal quarterback coach is expressing an opinion.

Not sure how realistic that potential trade is but he would be a great compliment to the great group they already have.

— Jake Heaps (@jtheaps9) October 23, 2024

Jake Heaps has trained Wilson for years and was named the head coach of the Russell Wilson Quarterback Academy. Heaps was a practice squad quarterback for Seattle and the New York Jets, as well as in the CFL. He also did some radio work in Seattle when Wilson was a Seahawk.

Wilson is expected to speak today after practice. That’s been his usual procedure on Thursdays. Rumors about the Steelers trying to acquire a wide receiver have persisted since Dionate Johnson was traded to Carolina for Donte Jackson in March.

Earlier this week, multiple reporters from The Athletic posted a story about the Rams’ willingness to talk about trading Kupp. He has often been injured over the past three years. But the 31-year-old is also a former All-Pro and Super Bowl MVP.

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Giant decisions

Last week, the Steelers took on a team from New York that was very much in the headlines for who they added.

The Jets traded for wide receiver Davante Adams during the week.

This week, they face the other team from New York. The Giants are in the headlines too. But in their case, it’s about who they might subtract.

There has been speculation in New York recently that the 2-5 Giants might be considering major changes after going 6-11 last year. In fact, New York’s 9-7-1 campaign two years ago was their best finish since 2016.

However, team owner John Mara is telling NFL.com’s Judy Battista that he isn’t planning on firing general manager Joe Schoen or coach Brain Daboll after the season. Instead, he is striving for stability.

John Mara said he does not anticipate making changes after the season. Part of reason he is committed to Joe Schoen & Brian Daboll — he still has confidence in them. Thinkshe has not been patient enough in recent years.

— Judy Battista (@judybattista) October 24, 2024

Daboll is the fourth coach the Giants have had since Tom Coughlin resigned at the end of the 2015 season.

Most gambling outlets have the Steelers as 6.5-point favorites in the game at Acrisure Stadium on Monday night.

Eyes elsewhere

While many fans are anticipating the matchup between quarterbacks Eli Holstein and Kyle McCord in Thursday night’s Pitt-Syracuse game, there will be another interesting showdown of skill position players at running back.

Among ACC players, Pitt’s Desmond Reid is fourth in all-purpose yards at 913. Syracuse’s Laquint Allen is 10th at 703.

Desmond Reid can FLY ✈️

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— Pitt Football (@Pitt_FB) September 7, 2024

In rush yards per game, Reid is third at 98.8, and Allen is eighth at 74.8.

TD No. 2 for No. 1 ????

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— Syracuse Football (@CuseFootball) October 5, 2024

From a team perspective, Pitt (481.3) is third in the ACC in yards per game offensively, and Syracuse (469.5) is fourth. The over-under in this game from BetRivers.com is 62.5. That feels a little low with these two offenses.

Pitt is favored by six. I’ll take that many points for Syracuse if they are being given. My bet for a final score, though, is Pitt, 38-35.

Metro mention

The Penguins don’t play again until a date in Edmonton on Friday. After a full slate of games Tuesday, the Wednesday night schedule was quiet in the NHL aside from Washington versus Philadelphia in the Metropolitan Division.

The Capitals won the game 6-3 thanks to two goals from Connor McMichael.

Stay for the Mikey finish, but don't sleep on the the sauce from PLD pic.twitter.com/HPqDcdeRZT

— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) October 24, 2024

Mc???? pic.twitter.com/Btg3THSDs7

— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) October 24, 2024

Alex Ovechkin also provided an empty netter.

8️⃣5️⃣5️⃣ pic.twitter.com/zfjhYFGjfh

— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) October 24, 2024

That’s career goal No. 855 for Ovechkin. He is 40 shy of Wayne Gretzky’s career record of 894.

The win improves Washington to 5-1-0. Those 10 points are good for third place in the Metro. The Pens are in fourth with seven. The Flyers are in last with three at 1-5-1.

Try to contain your sympathy, Penguins fans.