First Call: 'Ongoing dialogue' between Steelers and Aaron Rodgers; team interested in college QBs

Thursday’s “First Call” has the latest spin on the Aaron Rodgers saga from a Pittsburgh perspective. There’s news about some potential college quarterbacks in the draft, as well.

The Steelers are lobbying for some changes to free agency. And we have career updates regarding a pair of former Steelers.

One is continuing his playing career. The other is rebooting his coaching career.

No more Viking quest

The Minnesota Vikings are apparently out of the Aaron Rodgers bidding process — if they were ever in it in the first place. As a result, it appears that Rodgers’ choices are narrowed to four options:

• Pittsburgh Steelers

• New York Giants

• Retirement

• Wait until after the draft (or training camps) to see who may still need a QB later.

In terms of the Steelers’ interest, the NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero said lines of communication are still open between the two sides.

“For the Steelers, we know that they have prioritized Aaron Rodgers over potentially bringing back Russell Wilson,” Pelissero said. “I am told there is ongoing dialogue between the Steelers, Rodgers’ agent, as well Aaron Rodgers himself, and various members of the organization.”

Pelissero added that the Steelers are willing to wait for Rodgers’ decision.

More from @gmfb on the #Vikings moving forward with J.J. McCarthy, Aaron Rodgers’ options and where the QB carousel goes from here. @nflnetwork pic.twitter.com/kge9Dkp2Az

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 19, 2025

However, if Rodgers does decide to wait through the draft, the Steelers shouldn’t hesitate when it comes to drafting a quarterback over the first two days. If they like Jaxson Dart, Tyler Shough or Jalen Milroe, they should draft them.

But, that should happen only if the front office really likes them — not because the team is desperate because of Rodgers’ inactivity.

On that topic

Meanwhile, Mike Tomlin and others from the franchise had dinner with Milroe at Alabama’s Pro Day earlier this week.

Alabama QB Jalen Milroe on having dinner with #Steelers coach Mike Tomlin last night and possibly playing in Pittsburgh. pic.twitter.com/qLNL9bMVgA

— D. Orlando Ledbetter (@DOrlandoAJC) March 19, 2025

Milroe racked up 27 starts over four years with the Crimson Tide, totaling 45 touchdowns and 20 interceptions. He was sixth in the Heisman Trophy balloting in 2023 before having more of an up-and-down campaign as a senior.

ESPN previously reported that Shough was a pre-draft meeting visitor of the Steelers. He also spoke with the organization at the combine in Indianapolis.

Over seven years in college — three at Oregon, three at Texas Tech and one with Louisville — Shough threw for 7,820 yards and 59 touchdowns against 23 interceptions. He was 21-11 and averaged 8.2 yards per attempt. But he never started more than five games in a year until this season when he started 12 for the Cardinals.

Tampering tweaks

The Steelers are proposing rules changes to the NFL’s legal tampering period and free agency policies.

According to resolution proposals submitted for 2025 by teams across the league, the Steelers want clearance for franchises to conduct a single, hour-long video call with an unrestricted free agent during the two-day negotiating period.

Currently, teams can contact pending free agents only through their negotiating representatives. Yet, they can have any type of contact with their own pending free agents and players who have been released by their previous teams.

The Steelers also want freedom to book travel for players that have agreed to terms during the signing period. That way, they can travel to their new city and officially sign their contract at the start of the new league year.

For instance, earlier this month, the Steelers traded for DK Metcalf and agreed to terms with Darius Slay and Malik Henderson early during the “legal tampering period.” However, they weren’t able to report to Pittsburgh to sign those contracts until a few days after the new league year officially started.

More sports

• U mad, bro?: Steelers fans want more heat on ownership; more optimism about QBs
• ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. thinks Steelers could take quarterback in 1st round — if right one is available
• Robert Morris hopes to become latest No. 15 seed to beat the odds and take down a No. 2

Byron to Boulder

A report from Fox’s Jordan Schultz says that Byron Leftwich is joining the college coaching ranks. The former Steelers quarterback is heading out to Colorado to work on Deion Sanders’ staff under offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur.

After retirement as a player, the 45-year-old was a QB coach and interim offensive coordinator with the Arizona Cardinals from 2017-18. He was the offensive coordinator in Tampa Bay as well, winning a Super Bowl ring in 2020 with Tom Brady under center.

However, Leftwich was fired by Tampa after the 2022 season and he hasn’t coached since. His exact role with the Buffaloes is not yet known.

In 2022, Leftwich was the favorite to replace Urban Meyer in Jacksonville before the Jaguars hired Doug Pederson.

Renewing with the Rams

Former Steeler Ahkello Witherspoon is staying put in Los Angeles. The free-agent cornerback is resigning with the Rams.

ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler reports that it is a one-year deal.

Source: Corner Ahkello Witherspoon is signing back with the #Rams on a one-year deal.

— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) March 19, 2025

Witherspoon was a Steeler from 2021-22, before getting cut in ’23. That’s when he joined the Rams.

Witherspoon started five games for L.A. last year and played in 13. He posted 31 tackles, defended nine passes and had one interception.