First Call: Report claims NFL teams 'don't really expect' a T.J. Watt trade; update on Najee Harris' eye injury

Tuesday’s “First Call” examines the latest news on T.J. Watt’s contract. We have an update on Najee Harris’ eye. Paul Coffey has a new gig with the Edmonton Oilers. And a Pitt baseball pitcher gets picked in the MLB Draft.

Waiting on Watt

For T.J. Watt, the roadblock in his contract negotiations with the Steelers doesn’t appear to be the average annual value of his contract, the years or the total dollar amount of the deal.

It’s the guaranteed money, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.

“Pittsburgh remains optimistic, I’m told they want to get a deal done,” Fowler said Monday on “Get Up.” “This is an issue of guaranteed money as a sticking point — the structure of the deal, all those details. Most people I talk to around the league do expect him to be the highest-paid pass rusher when he does get paid. That doesn’t seem to be an issue. It’s about the other details that they haven’t been able to lock in between the team and the player.”

Some have wondered if the stalemate between the Steelers and Watt may lead to a trade, but Fowler doesn’t think that’s happening.

“I know there’s been trade chatter out there. Teams I’ve talked to don’t really expect him to be moved,” Fowler added.

Myles Garrett got $123 million guaranteed in his contract with the Cleveland Browns, $88.8 million is fully guaranteed at signing.

Najee news

Former Steeler Najee Harris has caught a break. The Los Angeles Chargers running back will not have to start the year on the physically unable to perform list.

That’s via CBSSports.com.

After leaving the Steelers during free agency, Harris suffered an eye injury during a fireworks incident over the Fourth of July weekend. It’s been labeled a “superficial” injury, and when the Chargers’ pre-training camp PUP list came out, Harris’ name wasn’t on it.

However, another former Steeler was on that list. It’s receiver Mike Williams.

The #Chargers, who reported first among NFL teams, placed several players on the PUP list to begin camp: pic.twitter.com/hCbxmyM3Im

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) July 14, 2025

Williams has dealt with back and knee injuries over the years. Last year in Pittsburgh and New York, Williams caught just 21 passes in 18 games for 298 yards and one touchdown.

Harris is going to be locked in a position battle with rookie running back Omarion Hampton from North Carolina.

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Making moves

Former Penguin Paul Coffey is moving off the bench in Edmonton. The long-time Oilers star is taking on an advisory role to ownership and hockey operations.

Coffey had been coaching since 2023. Head coach Kris Knoblauch kept Coffey on the staff when he took over the job from Jay Woodcroft in November of that year. The advisory job Coffey is getting is one he previously had in the organization.

The Hockey Hall of Famer won four Stanley Cups with that franchise, and one in Pittsburgh.

The Oilers also announced Monday they have added Paul McFarland, Peter Aubry and Conor Allen to Knoblauch’s coaching staff. McFarland (39) will be an assistant coach, Aubry (48) will be the Oilers’ goaltending coach, and Allen (35) is jumping on board as the team’s skills coach.

???? NEW COACHES‼️

The #Oilers have added Paul McFarland (assistant), Peter Aubry (goaltending) & Conor Allen (skills) to their coaching staff.https://t.co/XmAqHluQWD

— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) July 14, 2025

Edmonton has won the Western Conference two years in a row, but has fallen in the Cup finals both times to Florida.

Pitt pick

A Pitt Panther was selected in the 15th round of the Major League Baseball draft by the San Diego Padres. It was pitcher Ryan Reed.

From a Panther to a Padre ????????@ryroo26_reed » @Padres

Reed is headed to San Diego! ????????????????#H2P pic.twitter.com/T2qQeMCVQC

— Pitt Baseball (@Pitt_BASE) July 14, 2025

Reed’s numbers won’t blow you away. He went 5-4 this season for the Panthers. In 14 starts, the left-hander posted a 5.01 ERA with 67 strikeouts. However, Reed is a 6-foot-5 lefty, which is probably what intrigues the Padres the most.

Reed was named ACC Pitcher of the Week on April 7 after pitching seven scoreless innings against Miami, via PittsburghSportsNow.com.

This is the fifth Pitt pitcher selected in the last three drafts. Phil Fox, Ryan Andrade, Logan Evans and Dylan Simmons have all been drafted since 2023.

Pitt first baseman Luke Cantwell also went to San Diego in the 20th round (610th overall). He hit.320 last season hitting six homers, 45 RBIs and a team-leading 55 walks.