First Call: Why Aaron Rodgers is suddenly backing Pitt; J.J. Watt's rough outlook for Steelers vs. Colts

Thursday’s “First Call” reveals why Aaron Rodgers is throwing his support behind Pitt. J.J. Watt explains why the “vibes” might not be great for his brother’s defense in Pittsburgh.

Logan Cooley discusses his new contract in Utah. And we look at some quirks for the Penguins’ next opponent Thursday night. 

Hail to Pitt

More than two decades after leaving the University of California (Berkeley) for the NFL, Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers still takes the school’s rivalry with Stanford seriously.

On Wednesday, Rodgers was asked about what he expects from the field conditions this Sunday against the Indianapolis Colts. Rodgers responded by asking if Pitt was at home on Saturday.

When Rodgers was informed that the Panthers (6-2) were visiting Stanford (3-5), his response was one of encouragement for the Steelers’ South Side neighbors.

“Well, good luck to Pitt beating those guys for sure. Let’s go,” Rodgers said with a laugh. “They’re playing those guys. Come on, Pitt. Let’s get it done this week.”

Aaron Rodgers said the field at Acrisure on Sunday was in "slightly better shape."

Asked him if there was concern about the condition this week, and upon hearing Pitt was at Stanford, the Cal grad said: "they're playing those guys. Come on Pitt, let's get it done this week." pic.twitter.com/cyr9U7MiTM

— Brooke Pryor (@bepryor) October 29, 2025

The Panthers are 13½ point favorites Saturday at Stanford Stadium. As for that Acrisure Stadium playing surface, Aaron?

“The field, it is what it is,” Rodgers said.

Yes. Yes, indeed it is.

Not a pretty picture

Somehow, the Steelers (4-3) are only 2½ point underdogs against the Indianapolis Colts (7-1) on Sunday, according to ESPNBet.

But if you listen to T.J. Watt’s brother, J.J., break down the game, it sounds like that spread should be a lot more. Watt is on the call for his younger brother’s game for CBS. The retired All-Pro joined “The Pat McAfee Show” on ESPN on Wednesday, and he makes it sound like the Steelers and Colts are heading in completely opposite directions.

“Very different vibes (between the teams) right now, and very different vibes in Pittsburgh, just from a couple weeks ago,” Watt said after calling the Steelers’ Week 6 win over Cleveland. “They had a chance to potentially put a stronghold on the division. You think back to that moment, to where we are today, and what that division looks like — especially if the Ravens get a win on Thursday night — the vibes are just completely different over the course of a couple weeks.”

"I'm calling Colts and Steelers on Sunday..

I was watching the Colts offense this morning and it's a very well run operation" ~ @JJWatt #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/GwbWzF8Q76

— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) October 29, 2025

Conversely, for Indianapolis, the Colts have the best record in the NFL and the league’s top offense at 33.8 points and 385.3 yards per game.

“They run all different motions. They run their playbook out of shotgun, or they run it under center. They run it out of condensed formations, or they spread it out,” Watt said of the Colts. “They can run the ball with Jonathan Taylor, or they can run an RPO that looks exactly the same and slip the ball in behind to (Michael) Pittman. They have (receiver) Alec Pierce, who can run down the field, and run different routes and go up and catch the ball. They have (tight end) Tyler Warren, who they can scheme completely wide open so that he can just catch the ball and run, or he can make tough contested catches.”

Meanwhile, the Steelers’ defense has been a mess lately, yielding 68 points combined over the last two games.

“There are guys open. The run game hasn’t been great,” Watt continued. “It’s been a tough time. They have to get it corrected. You just can’t give up 143 yards, two (touchdowns) to the tight end (Tucker Kraft), right after you gave up all those yards to Ja’Marr Chase. If you’re looking at this and you’re Tyler Warren, you’re just salivating.”

"The Steelers defense has to play better than they're playing right now..

They've had a tough time and they've gotta get it corrected" ~ @JJWatt #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/7HEg1e4TVh

— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) October 29, 2025

Last week, the Packers totaled 454 yards en route to a 35-25 win at Acrisure Stadium.

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Cash for Cooley

Pittsburgh product Logan Cooley has signed an eight-year, $80 million contract extension with the Utah Mammoth.

The West Mifflin native became the highest drafted player from Western Pa. when the (then) Arizona Coyotes selected him third in the 2022 entry draft. Since then, the organization relocated to Salt Lake City and has decided to lock up Cooley long-term.

The future is bright for Logan Cooley. ????

Let's keep it going, Utah. pic.twitter.com/irpNTbpw8Z

— Utah Mammoth (@utahmammoth) October 29, 2025

The 21-year-old has 121 points (53 goals, 68 assists) in 168 NHL games. This season, Cooley leads the franchise in goals (eight) and is tied for second in points (12) through 11 games this season.

“I love it here. It’s the best time I’ve had playing hockey. The fans, the facilities we have are second to none,” Cooley said after his deal was announced. “The way we are playing, the team we have, we’re going to be a dangerous team to stop.”

Logan Cooley on his extension: "I'm going to do everything I can to make sure they made the right decision."

"I love it here. It's the best time I've had playing hockey. The fans, the facilities we have are second to none… we're going to be a dangerous team to stop." pic.twitter.com/l3UcHpyqLV

— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) October 29, 2025

With 16 points, the Mammoth are currently in a first-place tie atop the Central Division with the Colorado Avalanche.

Cooley makes a return to Pittsburgh to play the Penguins on Dec. 14. The Pens are in Salt Lake on March 14.

Wilting Wild

Coming off a wild game in Philadelphia, the Penguins will visit the Minnesota Wild Thursday night.

Former Penguin Bill Guerin is the general manager there. One-time Wilkes-Barre/Scranton coach John Hynes is the head coach.

Minnesota is off to a rough start. The Wild have lost four games in a row and have just nine points in 11 games. Only St. Louis (seven), San Jose (six) and Calgary (five) have fewer.

The Wild have dropped their last two contests in overtime, 6-5 to San Jose and 4-3 to Winnipeg. Goal prevention has been an issue for Minnesota. They’ve allowed 43 so far, third-most in the Western Conference.

One thing the Wild can do is score on the power play. At 31.8% that unit is No. 1 in the NHL. But their penalty kill is dead last at 62.5%. Pavel Dorofeyev (Las Vegas) leads the NHL with five goals on the power play. Minnesota’s Kirill Kaprizov has four.