First Call: T.J. Watt's new taco commercial; ex-Steeler signs in AFC North; why Javon Hargrave wouldn't sign in Cleveland

Wednesday’s “First Call” gives us a look at the latest commercial for Steelers star T.J. Watt. One ex-Steeler refused to play elsewhere in the AFC North, while another just signed to play within it.

And time is running out on Nick Bosa if he wants to play with the 49ers in Pittsburgh Sunday afternoon.

T.J.’s tacos

The season hasn’t even started yet, and Steelers star outside linebacker T.J. Watt already has a sack.

Of a hot dog.

Yes, it appears that Old El Paso wants you to consider tacos as your primary Sunday NFL eating pleasure, not those old-fashioned hot dogs.

So the company is employing Watt — and his fellow NFL brothers, Derek and J.J. — to advance that goal through a new “The Waterboy”-inspired television commercial.

In it, T.J. Watt stars as “Taco Boy,” and he takes out a hot dog mascot as he has so many NFL quarterbacks over the years.

Acting in its most pure art form, to be sure.

And I’m not just talking about the hot dog.

I don’t know about anyone else, but T.J. has me convinced. Make mine slightly spicy with lettuce and cheese please. Soft shell if you’ve got any.

Zach is back

Former Steeler Zach Gentry is back with an NFL team — and it’s in the AFC North. The tight end is now set to become a Cincinnati Bengal after joining their practice squad.

That was first reported by Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network.

Former #Steelers TE Zach Gentry is staying in the AFC North and signing with the #Bengals practice squad, per source.

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) September 5, 2023

It was a bit of a surprise to see Gentry cut by the Steelers at the end of the preseason. Now he’s with a division foe.

Gentry, a fifth-round pick in 2019, had 19 catches over 17 games with the Steelers in 2022. Irv Smith Jr., Drew Sample and Mitchell Wilcox are on the active roster at the position right now for the Bengals.

Related

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• As season approaches, Mike Tomlin keeping plans flexible for some Steelers' defensive starters
• Tim Benz: Steelers employing 'greed is good' approach to roster construction at just the right time

On the other hand

Meanwhile, former Steelers nose tackle Javon Hargrave is saying that there is no way he’d join a division rival.

At least not the one in Cleveland.

Appearing on Cam Heyward’s “Not Just Football” podcast, the former defensive line teammates with the Steelers talked about Hargrave’s free agency this offseason and how he left Philadelphia for San Francisco — even though Cleveland was very much in the mix.

“I think it was being a Pittsburgh fan back in the day,” Hargrave said about his decision to sign with the 49ers instead of the Browns. “I said, ‘I can’t be hated like that.’”

The Steelers drafted Hargrave out of South Carolina State in 2016. He played in Pittsburgh through the 2019 season before landing in Philadelphia for three years. During that time, he made the Pro Bowl in 2021. In March, he signed a four-year, $84 million contract with the 49ers.

Meanwhile, Heyward brought up Nick Bosa’s contract status. When Heyward asked Hargrave if his All-Pro teammate would be in a San Francisco uniform with him at Acrisure Stadium Sunday, Hargrave said, “I don’t know. I’m prayin’.”

While we are on the topic

Since we mentioned Bosa, here’s what is being reported on that front.

According to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network, a “significant breakthrough” is needed in negotiations before he and the 49ers come to terms on a contract that will put him in uniform by Sunday’s game in Pittsburgh.

“Until there is a significant breakthrough, I do not expect Nick Bosa on the field for the San Francisco 49ers,” Rapoport said Monday. “And this really isn’t a question of is he going to be the NFL’s highest-paid pass rusher. It sounds to me like they’re already there, already past T.J. Watt. That’s not really what this is about.

“T.J. Watt [makes] $28 million on an average per-year basis. This is about how close to Aaron Donald’s 31-and-some-change does he get… Wednesday starts the game week, and if he is not there Wednesday, obviously it would not bode well for him being able to participate in this week’s game.”

From @NFLTotalAccess: The #49ers and star edge Nick Bosa need a significant breakthrough to get him back on the field. pic.twitter.com/aD1HCQc8me

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 4, 2023

The three-time Pro Bowler is reportedly seeking a long-term extension that would pay him more than $32 million annually. He is entering the fifth and final year of his entry-level deal.