First Call: Steelers may be a fit for a 2026 game in Paris; another WR candidate is available

Thursday’s “First Call” has news regarding another potential date in Europe for the Steelers. We check the Bears’ injury report in advance of welcoming Pittsburgh. A familiar wide receiver is available on the free agent market.

And Darnell Washington clears the air about his weight.

Remember Paris

According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, the New Orleans Saints are expected to have a home game in Paris next year.

That information comes from team president Dennis Lauscha.

The New Orleans Saints are expected to play a game in Paris, as early as the 2026 regular season, per their team president Dennis Lauscha. The NFL and stadium officials in Paris are working to finalize a deal to bring the Saints to Paris, with an announcement likely in the coming… pic.twitter.com/RfjBZr8AX2

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 19, 2025

“You might hear in the next couple weeks that we might be having a game internationally, and that game may be in Paris,” Lauscha said via Jeff Duncan of nola.com. “We have the rights to the country of France and Monaco, so that makes so much sense, we think. We’re really excited about that (possibility).”

Should the Saints get that game, they’ll need an opponent. In theory, it could be the Steelers. The Steelers are scheduled to play the Saints in New Orleans in 2026.

After the Steelers played in Dublin this year, they may not be forced to go overseas two years in a row, but SteelersNow.com floated the idea as a possibility Wednesday.

The website suggests Stade de France is expected to be the venue for the NFL game. It seats 80,000.

Still in play?

Speaking of the Saints, another option may have been created at wide receiver if the Steelers feel the need to add to the depth chart at that position.

And they should.

Brandin Cooks is about to become a free agent. The well-traveled veteran has “agreed to part ways” with the New Orleans franchise. That’s according to Nick Underhill of the New Orleans Football Network.

The Saints and Brandin Cooks have mutually agreed to part ways, according to a source. Cooks will be a free agent

— Nick Underhill (@nick_underhill) November 19, 2025

Cooks began his career in New Orleans in 2014 and stayed there through 2016, posting a pair of seasons in excess of 1,100 yards and 20 total touchdowns.

In between stints in Louisiana, Cooks played in New England, Houston, Los Angeles (Rams), and Dallas. He has totaled 9,697 yards in his career and 60 TDs. The former Oregon State Beaver has six 1,000-yard seasons under his belt.

At 32 years old, Cooks has 19 catches for 165 yards and no touchdowns in 2025.

Truth be told

One of the most comical points of data in the NFL this season is Darnell Washington’s weight on the Steelers roster.

They currently list the 6-foot-7 tight end at 264 pounds. If Washington is only 264, then I’m 6-foot-7 as well.

During a visit on the “St. Brown Podcast” with NFLers Amon-Ra and Equanimeous St. Brown, Washington revealed that his real weight is 311 pounds.

“I haven’t weighed myself in a minute. But I know,” Washington said, as mined at SteelersDepot. “I’m 311 (pounds).”

OK. I can buy 311 pounds. That makes sense.

Why the Steelers continue this 264-pound nonsense is beyond me. Lean into it. Scare those NFL defensive backs who have to try to tackle this guy.

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Bear market

Like the Steelers, the Bears are dealing with some injury concerns in advance of their showdown in Chicago on Sunday.

All three starting linebackers for the club failed to practice Wednesday. T.J. Edwards (hand/hamstring), Tremaine Edmunds (groin) and Noah Sewell (elbow) were all on the first injury report of the week.

#Bears Wednesday Injury Report pic.twitter.com/QuCkAUHYD7

— Bears Communications (@BearsPR) November 19, 2025

Edwards has played in only five games this year, accumulating 31 total tackles and one tackle for loss.

Edmunds hasn’t missed a game. In 2025, he boasts 89 total tackles, four interceptions, one sack and three TFLs.

A third-year player from Oregon, Sewell is having his best season. The 23-year-old has 55 total tackles and three TFLs.

Also on defense, linemen Grady Jarrett and safeties Kevin Byard III and Jaquan Brisker are on the injury report. Byard and Jarrett were just resting. Brisker has a banged-up shoulder.

Byard III has five interceptions, one more than Edmunds for the NFL lead.