First Call: Steelers, AFC North foes reportedly eyeing same free agent; latest news on Aaron Rodgers saga

Monday’s “First Call” gives us a battle for a free agent offensive lineman that may include the Steelers and two other AFC North rivals.

We have the latest on Aaron Rodgers’ situation and Saquon Barkley’s status.

Plus, a busy night of results atop the NHL’s Eastern Conference.

Center of attention

The Steelers may have honed in on a free agent offensive lineman. The problem is two division rivals could be pursuing the same guy.

According to ESPN’s Dan Graziano, the Steelers, Cincinnati Bengals and Baltimore Ravens all may have an interest in signing free agent center Ryan Jensen.

The New York Jets are also said to be eyeing up the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Pro Bowler.

“So many teams are looking for offensive line help, and Jensen is viewed as a nasty tone-setter who could help a line with his attitude and ability,” Graziano said. “If multiple teams are as interested as it sounds they could be, Jensen could be a hot commodity and rake in a nice payday.”

In the same piece, ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler added, “I’m told the Bucs will try hard to get something done with Jensen. They feel he’s among the best centers in the league, maybe the best, when in their system. If that costs $15 million per year — which it very well might — then that might be worth it.”

Of those teams, the Bengals have the most salary cap space according to OverTheCap.com at $48.4 million. Then it’s the Steelers at $28.8 million and the Ravens at $5.9 million.

Graziano also mentioned San Francisco 49ers guard Laken Tomlinson as a potential target for both the Steelers and Bengals.

What’s the Rodgers rate?

Fowler also had this nugget on the latest news surrounding Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers.

“I’ve heard that the Packers have made a strong push to re-sign Rodgers with a significant offer, possibly a deal of three or four years to spread out the cap,” wrote Fowler. “The 38-year-old will probably be the NFL’s highest-paid player when this is all over. The Packers have had zero trade discussions about him. And as one source pointed out, he might have to play for Green Bay or retire because ‘I don’t believe a team would pay what [the Packers] would want’ even if it came to that. We’re talking several top picks and key players, crippling the new team Rodgers would be joining.”

Fowler added that the Broncos are “all-in” on Rodgers, and that “Denver will do what’s necessary” on the contract front. Fowler also said the Steelers “are not considered a major player for Rodgers right now, but they are on the periphery.”

Related:

• Tim Benz: I'm skeptical of the Aaron Rodgers story, too. But the Steelers should be doing what was reported
• Madden Monday: 'The Penguins are a better franchise than the Steelers now. In terms of the way they are run, they are No. 1.'
• Mark Madden's Hot Take: Plenty of reasons for Steelers to avoid trading for Aaron Rodgers

Saquon’s status

What has become of New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley?

When the Penn State product first got into the NFL, he appeared destined for the Hall of Fame. He was the 2018 offensive Rookie of the Year amassing 2,028 yards from scrimmage.

Now the Giants may have to pay someone part of his contract to take him off their hands.

Recently, New York Giants general manager Joe Schoen refused to rule out the possibility of trading the former Pro Bowler. Injuries and ineffectiveness have derailed what had been a meteoric start to Barkley’s NFL career.

Despite his obvious talent, moving a running back with an injury track record may be difficult as he enters a fifth year.

According to ProFootballTalk.com, “Barkley’s status is complicated by his fully-guaranteed salary of $7.2 million, the amount of his fifth-year option. Anyone who trades for Barkley would be assuming that cash obligation and cap figure. … $7.2 million is more to invest in the position than the realities of NFL economics for tailbacks would justify. Thus, if a trade is going to happen, the Giants undoubtedly will be paying some of that money. They may end up paying all of it, and hoping that Barkley can turn the clock back to 2018.”

Because of that, perhaps Barkley stays put in New Jersey. Those factors could be why Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network said on Friday that a trade of Barkley is not expected.

No rest on Sunday

It was a busy Sunday night in the NHL’s Eastern Conference race, even with the Penguins idle. The Pens don’t play again until a Tuesday night showdown with the Florida Panthers.

In the Metropolitan Division, the New York Rangers jumped into a second-place tie with the Penguins courtesy of a 4-1 win over Winnipeg. Chris Kreider scored twice for New York.

Never gets old. pic.twitter.com/tejSybbAfk

— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) March 7, 2022

Need for SPEED. pic.twitter.com/Yp73uC2FDM

— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) March 7, 2022

The Pens and Rangers both have 77 points. That’s six points behind division-leading Carolina. The Hurricanes (83 points) were 3-2 winners over the Seattle Kraken. Martin Necas had this gutty goal for the Canes.

WHAT AN EFFORT pic.twitter.com/ODAP7F9tnf

— Carolina Hurricanes (@Canes) March 7, 2022

Meanwhile, the Tampa Bay Lightning leapfrogged the Panthers back into first place of the Atlantic Division with a 6-3 win over Marc-Andre Fleury and the Chicago Blackhawks. Victor Hedman had two goals and Andrei Vasilevskiy made this ridiculous stick save on Kirby Dach along the way.

ARE YOU KIDDING ME, VASY?? pic.twitter.com/GoNUN4tTUT

— Tampa Bay Lightning (@TBLightning) March 7, 2022

Tampa now has 80 points. The Panthers have 79.