First Call: T.J. Watt sidesteps question on Taylor Lewan; defensive line free agent idea for Steelers; Joe Mixon news

It’s a football-heavy Friday “First Call,” as Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt gives his response to Taylor Lewan’s plea to patch over their past.

An intriguing free agent name has been advanced for the Steelers to consider. We also are tracking Joe Mixon’s legal entanglement and the tracking future of Aaron Rodgers.

Plus, we’ve got a preview of Duquesne’s basketball game Saturday.

Wary Watt

Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt had a chance to respond to the comments from Taylor Lewan. The Tennessee Titans offensive lineman recently said Watt was ducking an appearance on his podcast because Lewan had likely offended Watt by spitting on him, and punching him below the belt during a game.

Yup. That’ll do it.

Lewan insisted that he wanted to mend fences with Watt in case they become teammates. Lewan is expected to be released by the Titans after being slowed by knee injuries last year, so he could become a free agent.

On the “Maggie and Perloff Show” on Thursday, Watt was asked if he could warm up to the idea of letting bygones be bygones if Lewan signs in Pittsburgh.

“I don’t know. All those front office decisions aren’t mine. So that makes it easy on me,” Watt said. “I kind of mind my own business this time of year.”

Lewan missed most of the 2022 season with a knee injury. He signed a five-year, $80 million contract extension with Tennessee in 2018, but injuries have limited him to just 20 total games over the past three years.

The price for Payne?

If the Steelers do look for an offensive tackle, it’ll likely be in the draft.

However, if they go to the defensive line, it may be in free agency. The Steelers have leaned on free agency at times in recent years to offset losses of Stephon Tuitt and Javon Hargrave.

Larry Ogunjobi was a free agent. So was Tyson Alualu. Montravius Adams was signed off the New Orleans Saints practice squad. And Chris Wormley came to Pittsburgh via an offseason trade.

Now CBSSports.com is suggesting the Steelers look at free agency again to address that position.

Jordan Dajani advanced the idea of one potential free agent signing per team. Washington Commanders defensive lineman Daron Payne was the nominee for the Steelers.

“Payne is coming off of a career year in which he recorded 64 combined tackles, 11.5 sacks, 20 QB hits and five passes defended,” Dajani said. “It’s difficult to stand out on a defensive line that features Jonathan Allen, Montez Sweat and Chase Young, but Payne absolutely did, and made his first Pro Bowl. … The Steelers could just opt to sign a rising star whose best football is ahead of him.”

Ogunjobi, Alualu and Wormley are all free agents. Spotrac has Payne’s calculated market value at $97,461,155 over five years. That’s an average of $19,492,231 per year.

No to the Niners

While playing golf at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers wouldn’t reveal what his future holds. But one thing he did say is that he won’t be playing in San Francisco.

“I’m not going to San Fran.” - Aaron Rodgers pic.twitter.com/NQczmT030D

— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) February 2, 2023

Connections between Rodgers and the 49ers have been common because Rodgers was born in Northern California and played for the University of California. The 49ers have also said Jimmy Garoppolo is unlikely to return. The team still has both Brock Purdy and Trey Lance available for next season, though.

It’s unclear if Rodgers wants to retire, stay in Green Bay or go to another team.

More sports

• Penguins forward Sidney Crosby to team up with Alexander Ovechkin at All-Star Skills event
• Pirates add 4 top-5 prospects to spring training as non-roster invitees
• Steelers TE Zach Gentry set to hit free agency after gradually becoming bigger part of offense

Joe Mixon update

Cincinnati Bengals running back Joe Mixon was charged with aggravated menacing on Thursday. Via WCPO-TV, Mixon allegedly pointed a gun at another person on Jan. 21 and allegedly said she should be “popped in the face.”

However, agent Peter Schaffer told Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network that the charges will be dropped on Friday.

Just spoke to #Bengals RB Joe Mixon’s agent, Peter Schaffer, who says the misdemeanor charge against Mixon will be dropped Friday. pic.twitter.com/YKPFYuChgd

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) February 3, 2023

One theory advanced by ProFootballTalk.com is that the alleged victim has recanted. Or perhaps prosecutors believe they can’t prove the case beyond a reasonable doubt.

The charge is a misdemeanor allegation.

Back on track

The Duquesne men’s basketball team is looking to get back into a rhythm. After winning 10 of 13 games on their pre-conference schedule, the Dukes have been up and down in Atlantic 10 action, going 4-5 thus far.

The sledding has been tough lately for Keith Dambrot’s crew, having lost three of four in conference, including five of six overall on the road this season. Duquesne will try to reverse both of those trends Saturday at George Washington. It’s a 2 p.m. start. The Colonials are 11-11 overall, but they are 5-4 in the conference and 9-3 at home.

GW boasts the A-10’s top scorer in James Bishop. He is averaging 21.3 points per game. Bishop has been in double digits 21 of 22 games this year. He has gotten to the 40-point plateau twice this season.