In Monday’s “First Call,” Mike Tomlin addresses the Pittsburgh Steelers’ running back room without Najee Harris. We have some banter between former Steelers teammates regarding potential NFL schedule expansion.

An ex-Steeler provides a sparkling highlight in the UFL’s first week. And the NCAA’s Frozen Four will have a substantial Western Pennsylvania influence.

Tomlin talks

While most of the attention surrounding Mike Tomlin’s comments from the annual league meetings in Florida were centered around his team’s murky quarterback situation, the Steelers’ head coach also added some insight on the state of the running back position.

The organization lost starting RB Najee Harris in free agency to the Los Angeles Chargers. That leaves Jaylen Warren and new free-agent signee Kenneth Gainwell atop the depth chart.

“I’m very confident in Jaylen Warren,” Tomlin said when asked if Warren could expand his role.

As far as Gainwell goes, Tomlin said: “We value routine things like winning in a flat, whether you’re a ball carrier or a ball catcher or a tackler. So that’s a skill set that really stood out to us. But he’s got a well-rounded game. He’s a capable and willing special teams player. Plays a lot on possession-down ball. Excited about the acquisition of Kenny Gainwell.”

Tomlin added that Gainwell could be a kick return candidate as well.

There is also the prospect of the Steelers using an early draft pick on a running back. Tomlin referred to the talent at that position in this year’s draft as “uniquely deep.”

Ballage Barrage

Meanwhile, a former Steeler running back just opened the UFL season with a bang.

Kalen Ballage of the Arlington Renegades ran 77 yards for a touchdown against the San Antonio Brahmas in a Week 1 game Saturday. That’s the longest TD run in the two-year history of the league.

THE LONGEST RUN IN UFL HISTORY!!!!

????77-YARD TD RUN FOR KALEN BALLAGE???? pic.twitter.com/MjTNRdaVAQ

— United Football League (@TheUFL) March 29, 2025

The Renegades ended up winning 33-9. Ballage finished the game with 110 yards on nine carries. He also had one catch for 9 yards.

Ballage had 36 yards on 12 carries during the 2021 season in Pittsburgh. He also spent time with the Jets, Dolphins and Chargers during his NFL playing days.

20/20 vision

It feels like an expansion of the NFL schedule to 18 games is just a matter of time. However, former Steeler Breiden Fehoko says the league should blow by 18 games and go right to 20.

“Scratch all three preseason games. Go to 20 regular season games. 2 mandatory bye weeks,” Fehoko said on social media. “Go from 53-60 active roster spots. Scratch OTAs and mandatory mini and have players report mid July to do a 2-3 week workout ramp up. August training camp joint practices. September kickoff.”

Steelers linebacker Patrick Queen, Fehoko’s former teammate, vehemently disagreed.

20??? You crazy if you think ppl will last through that! Pre season is how under the radar players make their cases! We play 17 games we should have 2 bye weeks as is.. Definitelyscratch otas and mini camp start training camp back up around July 17 https://t.co/ZsOAnXL0hi

— ???? (@Patrickqueen_) March 30, 2025

Fehoko offered a counterpoint.

Walk with me real quick 6,1 bye week within the first 10 game mark.Mid season point is your Trade deadline & Pro Bowl week festivities (bonus bye week).2nd bye week within the second 10 game stretch. 3 full weeks of rest not including mini bye weeks after TNF. https://t.co/xQISL3igGQ

— Breiden Fehoko (@BreidenFehoko) March 30, 2025

As much as I like Fehoko, I’m siding with Queen on this one. I’d rather see the NFL go back to 16 games before they increase to 18, let alone 20. The attrition rate is too high. You’ll see too many good teams lose good players to injury late in the season. You’ll have too many clubs qualify for the playoffs with a roster that doesn’t resemble the ones they had when they clinched a spot.

That’s just speaking generically. For quarterback injury risk specifically, adding two more games is too substantial.

More sports

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Bucking Bronco

A former Robert Morris Colonial is heading to the Frozen Four, and he played a big role in his team getting there.

Wexford’s Brian Kramer is part of the Western Michigan Broncos. They reached college hockey’s version of the Final Four with a 2-1 win over UMass on Saturday in the Fargo Regional.

Kramer got the primary assist on Tim Washe’s game-winning power-play goal less than three minutes into the final period.

A TIM WASHE TIP! ???? Broncos take the lead! #NCAAHockey x ???? ESPNU / @WMUHockey pic.twitter.com/6jaFAjc19g

— NCAA Ice Hockey (@NCAAIceHockey) March 30, 2025

Kramer has one goal and 15 assists this season. He started his college hockey career in 2020-21 with the Colonials before the RMU program was halted for two seasons. In the interim, Kramer transferred to American International College before going to WMU this year.

The Broncos will play Denver in the national semifinal in St. Louis on April 10. This is Western Michigan’s first Frozen Four appearance. Robert Morris coach Derek Schooley is a Western Michigan alum.

Another Wexford winner

Penn State’s hockey team is also making its first appearance in the Frozen Four, and another Wexford product got them there.

Matt DiMarsico scored an overtime game-winning goal to send the Nittany Lions to St. Louis as winners of the Allentown Regional, beating UConn, 3-2.

FOR THE FIRST TIME IN PROGRAM HISTORY, @PennStateMHKY IS GOING TO THE MEN'S FROZEN FOUR!#NCAAHockey x ???? ESPN2 pic.twitter.com/2f4GzeKYfF

— NCAA Ice Hockey (@NCAAIceHockey) March 30, 2025

DiMarsico is a Pens Elite alum. He was second on the team this season with 17 goals. Another Pens elite product, Dane Dowiak, also scored in that game.

STAY HOTT DANE!!#WeAre #HockeyValley pic.twitter.com/xrP959z5tD

— Penn State Men’s Hockey (@PennStateMHKY) March 30, 2025

The Nittany Lions will face Boston in the other national semifinal.

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