First Call: Steelers listed as a potential destination for Deebo Samuel; Kenny Pickett ends Super Bowl for the Eagles

Monday’s “First Call” starts with Kenny Pickett’s Super Bowl appearance.

We also examine the potential of the Pittsburgh Steelers rebooting their efforts to land a wide receiver from San Francisco this offseason. Multiple reports have Matthew Stafford likely staying put in Los Angeles. Terry Bradshaw is laying out his exit strategy from Fox.

And we tell you how the women’s basketball teams at Pitt and Duquesne performed Sunday.

Super Bowl stage

Former Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett got some playing time in the Super Bowl. The Philadelphia Eagles were beating the Kansas City Chiefs so badly that head coach Nick Sirianni was able to pull starting QB Jalen Hurts for the last two possessions of the game.

Kenny Pickett makes an appearance for the @Eagles ???? pic.twitter.com/FYL0S4eV6d

— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) February 10, 2025

The Eagles went on to win the game 40-22. Pickett threw one incomplete pass and was able to kneel out the clock before the team stormed the field in victory.

THE MOMENT THE EAGLES OFFICIALLY WON #SuperBowlLIX #FlyEaglesFly pic.twitter.com/jcC4yLNE9y

— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) February 10, 2025

Pickett grew up an Eagles fan while living in New Jersey. This was his first year in Philadelphia after the Steelers traded him there 11 months ago. Now he is getting a Super Bowl ring for his year of service playing behind Hurts on the depth chart.

Trying this again?

Last summer, the Steelers made a run at San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk.

That didn’t work out.

Now the Niners have given permission to Deebo Samuel’s agent to seek a trade to another organization. CBS Sports’ Garrett Podell listed Pittsburgh as the top potential destination for Samuel if a deal is made.

“The Pittsburgh Steelers were all in for San Francisco wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk last offseason before he re-signed with the 49ers on a four-year, $120 million extension just before the start of the 2024 regular season. Van Jefferson wasn’t able to provide enough veteran juice alongside youngsters in George Pickens and Calvin Austin this past season, and Samuel fits the profile of a player that offensive coordinator Arthur Smith loves to feature,” Podell said. “Smith has long had an infatuation with Cordarrelle Patterson since their time together with the Atlanta Falcons, and Samuel is a higher-end all-purpose threat than Patterson as an offensive player. He could serve as a safety blanket for whoever the Steelers move forward with as their quarterback in 2025 with both Russell Wilson and Justin Fields set to become free agents.”

As of now, Samuel is set to earn $17.46 million in 2025 based on numbers from OverTheCap. This is the last year of his contract. He has four voidable years remaining after 2025. He is due a $15.4 million option bonus on March 22.

San Francisco would be hit with a $31.5 million dead cap charge if they trade or cut Samuel before that option is due. So that might mean that the 49ers could just cut Samuel after June 1.

Podell also said that the Steelers were a potential landing spot for Aaron Rodgers.

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Future at Fox

Over the weekend, Steelers legend Terry Bradshaw discussed his future at Fox as a member of their NFL coverage.

“I told my wife before I left the room, ‘I’ve got two years left at Fox. I’m 76. It’s a young man’s game. I get that. Everybody wants the new,” Bradshaw said. “If we can get to the next Super Bowl on Fox, I’ll be 80. I think that’s time. Eighty years old. That’s pushing it.”

Fox Sports Terry Bradshaw said he would like to retire from sports broadcasting after Super Bowl 2029:

"I told my wife before I left the room a while ago, I'm sitting there. I said, 'I've got two years left at FOX. I'm 76. Okay, so it's a young man's game. I get that.' Everybody… pic.twitter.com/6fwH4PzdIM

— Blitzburgh (@Blitz_Burgh) February 8, 2025

Bradshaw was on the desk for Fox’s coverage of the Super Bowl in New Orleans on Sunday.

One of his partners, Hall of Fame coach Jimmy Johnson, was honored by Fox during the pregame show. Host Curt Menefee asked Johnson if this “was goodbye” for Johnson. He replied, “One day at a time, Curt.”

"I can truly say because of my family and because of ya'll, I've never been happier than in this time of my life. Happiest I've ever been in my life." @JimmyJohnson ❤️ pic.twitter.com/aaDp7MIPk3

— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) February 9, 2025

Johnson is 81 years old.

Remaining a Ram?

For as much interest as there was in the prospect of the Steelers trading for Matthew Stafford, that doesn’t sound like it is happening now.

That’s according to a report from ESPN.com’s Dan Graziano.

“Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford is likely to return to L.A. in 2025, according to sources close to the situation. The past two seasons have been good for Stafford, who turned 37 on Friday and believes the Rams’ leadership gives them the ability to contend every year,” Graziano reported Saturday.

ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler underscored that report in the same post.

“People I’ve talked to with the Rams don’t sound overly concerned about Stafford leaving, despite the tricky contract situation,” Fowler added. “Last summer’s negotiation wasn’t easy, and this year’s could be even more difficult, considering his status as a top-shelf QB in a league starved for them. Stafford ranked 12th in QBR in 2024 (64.7). By all accounts, Stafford was happy with the direction of the offense this season, and multiple people with the team say it doesn’t seem as if changes are coming. But other teams will inevitably call the Rams to gauge trade interest anyway. Stafford will be the top quarterback available if Los Angeles entertains the idea of moving him.”

Fowler also dropped this nugget about the Steelers’ current QB situation.

“I’ve seen a bunch of ex-Steelers players here in New Orleans, many of whom are well-versed in Steelers happenings,” Fowler said. “They told me that some people in Pittsburgh’s building prefer Fields over Russell Wilson — who is also a free agent — as the starter (which I had heard previously) due to age and mobility. Coach Mike Tomlin seems to have a loyalty to Wilson that could lead the team in that direction, though. Plus, Fields could have a sneaky good market and price himself out of Pittsburgh.”

Caught in a Spider web

The Duquesne women’s basketball team lost at home to the Atlantic 10’s top team on Sunday.

Richmond came to town and dropped the Dukes, 82-58, at the UPMC Cooper Fieldhouse. Rachel Ullstrom led all scorers with 21 points. She became the 30th Spider in program history to reach 1,000 career points.

Megan McConnell was tops for the Dukes with 16 points, eight rebounds and seven assists.

The Dukes fell to 15-8 overall this season, with a 6-6 mark in conference play (eighth place). Richmond is on top of the A-10 at 11-1 (20-5 overall).

As for Pitt, the Panthers edged SMU, 58-57. Khadija Faye had 22 points to lead all scorers. She also posted a double-double with 17 rebounds.

Another Khadija Double-Double ????@HadiFaye led Pitt with a double-double, scoring 22 points on 9-17 shooting and 17 rebounds while recording five blocks, two steals, and two assists@Pitt_WBB | @Pitt_ATHLETICS | #H2P pic.twitter.com/smIoamyE8D

— ACC Digital Network (@theACCDN) February 9, 2025

Faye and Mikayla Johnson also had important blocks late in the game. The Panthers improved to 3-9 in the ACC (11-14 overall). SMU is 10-15 and 2-11 in ACC action.