First Call: JuJu Smith-Schuster's tug of war with a lion; spin on J.J.Watt's signing; new home for ex-Steeler

Steelers receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster has an interesting new training partner. One of his ex-teammates has a new job. Perhaps some PR spin after J.J. Watt signed in Arizona.

And the Cleveland Browns may swap out tight ends.

It’s an all-NFL “First Call” for Wednesday morning.

Watt do we think of this?

I was worried about the 2021 Pittsburgh Steelers long before Tuesday. Now I’m flat-out petrified.

Are they turning into the Pirates?

Steelers were definitely in the mix throughout with J.J. Watt, who would have welcomed playing with brothers Derek and T.J, per source. But Cardinals took clear advantage in final days, and Pittsburgh has much to figure out with cap deficit, Big Ben's contract and more

— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) March 2, 2021

This is a classic Pirates leak here. It’s like Neal Huntington jumped on Jeremy Fowler’s Twitter account and hit send.

“Oh, we were in it right up until the end on (fill-in-the-blank free agent). But it just didn’t work out.”

Yeah. OK.

I’m not saying that you shouldn’t believe Fowler was told this. I bet he was.

What I am saying is that whoever told him this wants to make it look much closer to reality than it really was.

And, in this case, this narrative benefits both parties. The Steelers want to make it look like they went after Watt to make their club better and satisfy the two Watt brothers currently on the roster. And Watt wants you to believe he would’ve taken much less to play with his brothers because it’s a nice story.

Look, J.J. Watt had made $100 million in NFL money alone, prior to all of his acting roles and endorsements. He could’ve easily signed for less and come to Pittsburgh if he really wanted to make it happen.

Money, scheme, fit, weather, the division, the future of the team, whatever. He just wasn’t going to come here. Period.

If it was 50-50 or even close, I’d imagine playing with his brothers would’ve put Pittsburgh over the top. So let’s stop pretending it was even close to that much of a possibility.

Losin’ to a lion

JuJu Smith-Schuster has found himself a new training partner. A 425-pound lion.

The Steelers wide receiver posted this video on his Instagram account. He appears to be playing tug of war with a lion at an animal preserve or zoo somewhere.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by JuJu Smith-Schuster (@juju)

Only one thing is clear in this video. The lion won.

It’s not clear where the zoo is, except it’s in some place warmer than Pittsburgh, or if this was part of a TV endorsement of some sort.

Also, if this was a bet, we don’t know what JuJu lost. Some wonder if Smith-Schuster was putting out a hint that he was signing with the Detroit Lions as a free agent.

That would be quite an elaborate hoax on Smith-Schuster’s part. And I’m not buying that. But if he has decided to go to Detroit, JuJu better get used to losing.

I wonder if the lion was mad because she caught JuJu dancing on the zoo’s logo when he walked through the gates.

Oh, Canada!

Eli Rogers has a new team. And it’s in Canada.

The former Steelers wide receiver is joining the Montreal Alouettes.

As long as you move forward in faith, everything else will fall into place. I am grateful and excited for this opportunity to play for the @MTLAlouettes this season. #TheMarathonContinues #ThisStoryGettingGood #bELIeve #17 pic.twitter.com/3a5nC7z6tr

— E L I (@__bELIeve17) March 2, 2021

After being released by the Steelers in March 2019, Rogers went to the DC Defenders of the XFL for two games before the league folded.

The CFL canceled its 2020 season due to the covid-19 pandemic. This year features a 21-week schedule that runs from June until November.

Consolation prize

The Cleveland Browns were another team that was said to be interested in J.J. Watt’s services. Instead of signing him, they may go after someone on the other side of the ball.

ProFootballTalk is of the belief that Cleveland may target Kyle Rudolph in free agency. The recently released Minnesota Vikings tight end may replace David Njoku at the position.

Njoku posted what appeared to be a goodbye note of sorts to Browns fans last week.

Whatever happens I appreciate all the love from all my loyal fans. I’ve kept quiet for a while but I wanted to express that at least for now. I love u guys https://t.co/1ZjGfSMGzY

— Chief David Njoku (@David_Njoku80) February 27, 2021

As Cleveland.com points out, Rudolph may want to play for Kevin Stefanski again as the two worked together in Minnesota before Stefanski took over as Browns coach before last year.

Njoku had only 19 receptions for 213 yards and two touchdowns last season. But Rudolph had a down year, too, with only 28 catches on 37 targets in 2020. That was his lowest output since the 2014 season. He totaled 334 receiving yards and only one touchdown.