New York Jets coach Aaron Glenn wants to downplay any storylines about Aaron Rodgers’ return with the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday.

There was a scary moment for the Pirates’ top prospect Tuesday night. A wide receiver signing in Buffalo should get the attention of Steelers fans. And we look at Shohei Ohtani’s pitching history against the Pirates in advance of his start Wednesday night at PNC Park.

All that in Wednesday’s “First Call.”

Nothing to see here

Aaron Glenn is tamping down any conversation about facing quarterback Aaron Rodgers in Week 1 when the Steelers open the season at MetLife Stadium.

On Tuesday, the New York Jets coach said Rodgers’ return to New York was “not relevant” as Sunday’s season opener between the teams approaches.

“That’s been gone, so I’m not going to answer questions about guys that aren’t here and what I saw,” Glenn via ESPN.com. “Right now, I’m looking at what our guys can do.”

Rodgers was critical of Glenn during an April appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show.”

“I’m not going to sit there and answer questions on what I saw back then,” Glenn said of Rodgers’ time in New York.

The new Steelers quarterback claimed Glenn was dismissive in how he handled the franchise’s decision to let him go.

Jets quarterback Justin Fields similarly downplayed questions about facing Pittsburgh after playing with the Steelers in 2024.

Get down!

Konnor Griffin, the Pirates’ top prospect, was hit in the head with a 96 mph fastball during an Altoona Curve game against Richmond.

The pitcher was Will Bednar. He’s a product of Mars Area High School and the brother of former Pirate David Bednar.

Scary moment in the Altoona game, as Konnor Griffin was hit in the helmet by a fastball from Will Bednar, David's brother. Thankfully, Griffin stayed in the game pic.twitter.com/kbfswvZurG

— Jason Shetler (@Jason_Shetler) September 3, 2025

Griffin received attention from the Curve’s medical staff and stayed in the game. Altoona won 9-3. Griffin had a hit along the way to improve his streak to eight games.

Konnor Griffin's hitting streak is up to 8 games! pic.twitter.com/vZ2D9CDWTF

— Christian ✞ (@CWolfPGH) September 2, 2025

The Curve pounded out 15 hits on the evening.

Not the first time

When the Pirates step up to bat against Los Angeles Dodgers two-way star Shohei Ohtani (1-1, 4.18) on Wednesday night at PNC Park, it won’t be the first time they’ve faced him as a pitcher.

It’s just the first time they’ve faced him as a Dodgers pitcher.

The Pirates did bat against Ohtani when he was pitching for the Angels in 2023. They lost that game 8-5, but Ohtani got the win despite allowing five earned runs in 6⅓ innings pitched.

Catcher Henry Davis homered twice in that contest, becoming the first player to hit two homers off of Ohtani in the same game.

Henry's second of the night! pic.twitter.com/fhkskDUDiQ

— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) July 22, 2023

Ji Man Choi also homered in that loss for the Pirates.

Johan Oviedo was the losing pitcher for Pittsburgh that night. Braxton Ashcraft (4-2, 2.58) pitches against Ohtani on Wednesday.

At the plate Tuesday, Ohtani homered off of Bubba Chandler during the Pirates’ 9-7 victory on the North Shore. It was his 46th of the season.

More sports

• Justin Fields discusses 'most appealing' reason he left Steelers for Jets • Tim Benz: We are well beyond 'We'll see' with Cam Heyward's contract debate • Pirates unveil marker commemorating MLB’s 1st all-minority lineup at Three Rivers Stadium site

Off the board

If the Steelers are going to get wide receiver help, it isn’t coming in the form of Gabe Davis. The former Buffalo Bills pass catcher is heading back to Western New York for a second tour of duty after signing a contract there Tuesday.

A return to Buffalo: Free-agent WR Gabe Davis is signing with the Buffalo Bills, per sources.

Davis initially will be on Buffalo's practice squad as he continues to recover from last season's torn meniscus and gets ready to return to play. pic.twitter.com/43vWlcmx0N

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 2, 2025

Davis, most recently of Jacksonville, twice visited Pittsburgh this offseason, but a deal was never consummated.

The 26-year-old was released by the Jaguars with a failed physical designation in May. He spent most of the 2024 season battling a knee injury. He needed surgery on his PCL and meniscus, so he missed the final seven games of the season.

Davis totaled 27 touchdowns and 16.2 yards per catch over his first four years in Buffalo from 2020-23.

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