Friday’s “First Call” has some coaching news involving former Pittsburgh Steelers. We discuss Patrick Peterson’s future with the team. And we look at the Penguins’ next opponent.

Heading west

Former Steelers wide receivers coach Frisman Jackson has a new job. It’s with the Seattle Seahawks. The Hawks are hiring Jackson to fill that same position with their team to start 2024, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.

The #Seahawks are hiring Frisman Jackson as their wide receivers coach, per source.

Jackson coached the #Steelers wideouts the last two seasons. The former Cleveland Browns receiver also has led the Titans and Panthers WR rooms in recent years.

— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) February 16, 2024

Jackson had been on the Steelers’ staff coaching the wideouts the past two seasons. He has worked with the Tennessee Titans and Carolina Panthers as well.

In Seattle, receiver D.K. Metcalf is signed through 2025. Jaxon Smith-Njigba is just entering Year 2. Tyler Lockett is on the books for two more years, but at more than $15 million in base salary per season.

Pittsburgh influence

A pair of former Steelers are joining Dan Quinn’s coaching staff with the Washington Commanders.

Ex-Steelers offensive lineman Darnell Stapleton is jumping on board as an assistant O-line coach. Willie Gay, a former long-time Steelers defensive back, is going to be an assistant defensive backs coach.

That’s according to John Keim. He covers the Commanders for ESPN.com.

The new staff: pic.twitter.com/75otpjCIGh

— John Keim (@john_keim) February 15, 2024

Both Gay and Stapleton were on the Super Bowl XLIII team. Commanders owner Josh Harris used to have a 5% stake in the Pittsburgh Steelers before buying the Commanders.

Standing Pat?

The future of Steelers defensive back Patrick Peterson is unclear. The 33-year-old cornerback managed to play 97% percent of defensive snaps this year. But the Steelers may still be looking to upgrade at the cornerback position opposite Joey Porter Jr.

That doesn’t necessarily mean Peterson has to get cut, though. He could still be a useful nickel or dime back for the franchise as a third safety or third corner.

Peterson is on the Steelers’ salary cap for $9.77 million for one more year. He has a $3 million roster bonus due in March.

During the most recent episode of Peterson’s “All Things Covered” podcast with former Steelers corner Bryant McFadden, Peterson claimed he wants to continue his career.

“Come on Mac,” Peterson told McFadden (53:32 mark) when asked if he wants to keep playing. “You know I (want to). The question is if the Steelers want me to finish with them. I signed a two tyear deal for a reason. It’s not like I’m a free agent. They’d have to cut me.”

Peterson claims that he feels good physically and that he and head coach Mike Tomlin had a productive postseason meeting.

“I know that you’ve got to go through your evaluations in the draft and the free agency and things like that,” Peterson said. “But for me, what I was able to do in Year 13 — playing different positions, coming into a new environment. I felt my season was a success, playing 97% percent of my snaps.”

Peterson ended the 2023 campaign with 42 tackles and two interceptions, and said he would welcome the concept of playing safety full time if asked.

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On the other side

While the Penguins will be retiring Jaromir Jagr’s No. 68 on Sunday, there will be another team in the building. It’ll be the Los Angeles Kings.

L.A. currently has 60 points. That’s tied with the St. Louis Blues. Those two teams occupy both wild-card slots in the Western Conference. The Kings have won three of four after having lost four in a row and six of seven.

In those three wins, Los Angeles has outscored opponents 10-3. One concerning point for the Penguins is that L.A. has 16 road wins. In the Western Conference, only Dallas (17) and Vancouver (18) have more as of now. Those two clubs are the two top teams in the West.

The Kings won in New Jersey on Thursday 2-1. Quinton Byfield scored the game-winner on the power play with with 5:37 left in the third period.

NO QUIT QUINTON pic.twitter.com/IFVXVfzUq0

— LA Kings (@LAKings) February 16, 2024

The Penguins won 4-3 in L.A. when the two teams met in California earlier this season. Bryan Rust notched a goal in OT to get the victory. Los Angeles plays in Boston on Saturday afternoon before visiting the Penguins on Sunday night.

Listen: Seth Rorabaugh and Tim Benz discuss the Penguins’ victory in Chicago, the upcoming game against Los Angeles, Wednesday’s loss to the Panthers, Jaromir Jagr’s jersey retirement, and Jake Guentzel’s injury.

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