The Pittsburgh Steelers’ ownership structure is getting shuffled. The franchise is talking to lots of linebackers at the NFL Scouting Combine. There’s more conversation about Mason Rudolph’s future and that of former Pitt star Aaron Donald as well.

All that in Thursday’s “First Call.”

Money movin’

The long-discussed sale of minority ownership within the Steelers may finally be coming to a head.

Bloomberg is reporting that Josh Harris and David Blitzer are “in advanced talks to sell their minority stake in the Pittsburgh Steelers to an existing investor group led by Art Rooney II and Thomas Tull.”

Harris and Blitzer have had a minority stake (less than 5%) in the team since 2020. Harris acquired the Washington Commanders for $6 billion last year. By NFL rules, he must sell his stake in the Steelers since he can’t be an owner with two franchises at once.

Representatives for Tull, Rooney, the Steelers and the NFL didn’t immediately respond to Bloomberg for comment. The financial news agency reported a year ago that Tull has been looking to extend his stake in the team. He has been a co-owner since 2009. The Rooney family has been the principal owners of the franchise since 1933.

Sources tell Bloomberg that the transaction may be finalized in the coming months. The NFL would have to approve it first.

Harris is a co-founder of Apollo Global Management. He and Blitzer, an executive with the Blackstone Group, have bought pieces of the Philadelphia 76ers, New Jersey Devils and Crystal Palace Football Club.

Camp Mason

At least one national reporter sounds a bit dubious of Mason Rudolph returning to Pittsburgh. It’s Mike Garafolo of the NFL Network’s “The Insiders.”

He says Rudolph’s late surge at the end of 2023 may open doors beyond those at Acrisure Stadium.

“My understanding is that the door is not closed on Mason Rudolph possibly returning to Pittsburgh,” Garafolo said via SteelersNow.com. “But they do expect — his camp does expect — that there will be opportunities elsewhere potentially for him. Particularly because he did play well in spot starts down the stretch.”

That jibes with what I wrote Wednesday morning, warning fans that an ESPN report stating that Rudolph is “likely” to re-sign with the Steelers may be a bit too optimistic. I think a 50-50 chance of a return is a more accurate characterization.

Rudolph won the last three games as the Steelers starting quarterback, posting a 74% completion percentage, a 120 passer rating, 10.8 yards per pass attempt, and a touchdown to interception ratio of 3:0.

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Names known

A few names are emerging from the NFL Combine in Indianapolis as potential draftees who have met with the Steelers.

According to TribLive’s Joe Rutter on Wednesday, Texas A&M linebacker Edgerrin Cooper, Clemson LB Jeremiah Trotter Jr. and Michigan LB Junior Colson have all met with Steelers reps at the event. Kansas edge rusher Austin Booker reportedly has as well.

“All Aggies” at Fan Nation says Cooper met with the Steelers and Dallas Cowboys. He is 6-foot-2, 220 pounds and is described as a three-down off-the-ball linebacker. He totaled 83 tackles (17 for loss), eight sacks, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries last season with the Aggies. ESPN.com projects him as the best inside linebacker on its board.

Colson is rated second at that position and Trotter is fourth. Trotter’s father played in Philadelphia, Washington and Tampa Bay. He was an All-Pro in 2000 and a four-time Pro Bowler.

Tom Downey of “Cowboys Report” posted that Booker had formal interviews at the combine with the Dolphins, Steelers, 49ers and Panthers. At 6-foot-6, 245 pounds, Booker is viewed as the eighth-best OLB and a mid-fourth-round pick at ESPN.com. He had 56 tackles, eight sacks and two forced fumbles a year ago.

NFL teams can hold up to 45 formal interviews with prospects during the week.

What is Donald doing?

Los Angeles Rams general manager Les Snead was less than definitive in his statements about Aaron Donald’s future.

“Definitely hope Aaron is (back),” Snead said via TheAthletic.com. “I know Aaron is definitely approaching the offseason where he’s doing his normal getting-away, somewhat trying to get revitalized with the goal of playing good football.”

The former Pitt and Penn Hills standout is now 33 years old. He is scheduled to make $35 million in 2024, with $5 million of that already fully guaranteed. Then, according to OverTheCap.com there is $30 million more which becomes fully guaranteed March 17.

After the 2021 season, Donald considered retirement. But he eventually signed a three-year contract that gave him an out after two seasons.

The Athletic’s Jourdan Rodrigue says following the Rams’ playoff loss in Detroit, Donald said he would be committed to playing another season.

Listen: Tim Benz and Chris Adamski discuss lots of AFC North news at the combine, the Steelers’ QB situation, and some potential Steelers free agent targets in this week’s Gerger Construction podcast.

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