First Call: JuJu Smith-Schuster refutes claims about exit plans, radio host walks back Kevin Colbert story

Plenty of Steelers talk in Thursday’s “First Call.”

Wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster is denying that he’s already planning to find a bigger market in free agency. The Detroit radio host who advanced the “Kevin Colbert to the Lions” story admits where he went wrong.

And we find out if the Steelers are on the radar when it comes to the speculation about Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson.

No JuJu

Numerous radio conversations and print reports have suggested that Steelers wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster would probably desire leaving Pittsburgh in free agency this spring to get to a bigger market so he can … wait for it … “grow his brand.”

I’ve floated that theory. Mark Madden has on his 105.9 The X radio show and on our “Madden Monday” podcasts as well.

But when the conversation was advanced on Pat McAfee’s YouTube/SiriusXM show on Wednesday, Smith-Schuster caught wind of it. And he took to Twitter to refute the claim.

“Sources tell me this is completely 100% false lol,” Smith-Schuster posted.

OK. I’m still betting on it. Check back with me in March.

Watson watch

Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is aging. Deshaun Watson is said to be unhappy with the Houston Texans. And part of the reason he’s unhappy is that he allegedly wanted Steelers vice president of football and business administration Omar Khan to be the team’s new general manager. Houston hired former Patriots executive Nick Caserio instead.

Many are wondering if Watson is going to demand a trade. And if he does, where will he go? Because of the Khan connection — and Roethlisberger’s looming departure — might the Steelers try to work out a deal?

A lot of NFL experts at ESPN don’t seem to think so. A number of their analysts were polled, and no one targeted the Steelers.

Washington, Miami, San Francisco, New England and the New York Jets were all listed. But the Steelers were nowhere to be found.

There was a lot of Steelers conversation in that link about other matters, though. If you are so inclined, check it out.

Detroit correction

Detroit radio host Michael Stone had Pittsburgh buzzing Wednesday. On his 97.1 The Ticket morning show, Stone reported the following about Steelers general manager —and former Detroit Lions Pro Scouting Director— Kevin Colbert.

“I just got off the phone with a trusted source who has told me that the Lions have made an offer to Kevin Colbert, and it’s pretty close to happening,” Stone said Wednesday morning on the “Stoney & Jansen Show.” “I’m not going to say it’s done or anything like that. Someone I know pretty well, somewhat connected, said that they’ve offered the job to Kevin Colbert, and unless the Rooney’s come up with some kind of crazy counteroffer he might be coming back.

“I’m not confident enough to say it’s done or to say breaking news, but a source has told me that the Lions have offered the gig to Kevin Colbert, and it’s close.”

Well, that would’ve been tampering unless the Steelers granted consent. But as the morning moved along, Stone backed off his report.

Obviously my information has been debunked. This does not mean there isn’t or wasn’t back channel things going on. This is a reputable football person, not a limo driver,lawyer or chef. It appears he is wrong and that is on me.

— michael stone (@stoney16) January 13, 2021

During his afternoon press conference, Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said he was unaware of the rumors about the Lions and Colbert. Stone eventually went on 93.7 The Fan in Pittsburgh to admit he inadvertently jumped the gun on the story.

A.D. is A-OK

Los Angeles Rams star Aaron Donald says he is going to play in Saturday’s playoff game against the Green Bay Packers, even though he is dealing with torn rib cartilage.

The Defensive Player of the Year candidate claims he is no longer feeling pain.

Rams DL Aaron Donald on how he feels and whether he has any pain: “No pain. Feel healthy.”

— Stu Jackson (@StuJRams) January 13, 2021

Donald, a Pitt and Penn Hills product, was injured in last week’s victory over the Seattle Seahawks. This season, Donald recorded 12.5 sacks and a league-high 98 pressures.