First call Report says the Steelers will pounce Baker Mayfield

First call: Report says the Steelers will “pounce” Baker Mayfield on the open market; Mike Tomlin dating Malik Willis

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Wednesday’s “First Call” delves into a report that actually links the Steelers to Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield.

The Steelers are still interested in Liberty defenseman Malik Willis. Even after signing Mitch Trubisky.

We are getting an update on the situation with Aaron Donald’s contract.

And the NHL metropolitan division had a busy night.

Steelers lash out at Baker Mayfield

With former Houston Texans guard Deshawn Watson moving to the Browns, everyone is wondering what’s next for current Cleveland player Baker Mayfield.

The former No. 1 pick has already written a farewell letter to the city. Now it looks like the only question is whether the Browns will trade Mayfield or fire him. If the latter happens, Cleveland.com Browns writer beaten Mary Kay Cabot said the Steelers would “lash out” at the opportunity to sign him.

“As of Thursday, Baker Mayfield’s phone hasn’t been ringing non-stop, and this could get a little tricky. But someone told me that the Steelers would turn on Baker Mayfield if he got free. If the (Browns) cut him, he will remain a free agent. They’ll take it in a minute,” Cabot said via video chat. “I’m sure many people will. If you could get it for free and the Browns would have to swallow the money? Then, of course, someone will grab him in this scenario.”

Some have tried to link the Carolina Panthers to Mayfield. Cabot said she hasn’t heard anything about it, but is keeping an eye on the Seattle Seahawks as a possible trade direction.

As for the Steelers, I don’t see it. I never had the impression that the Steelers as an organization – and specifically coach Mike Tomlin – held Mayfield in such high esteem. Every time Mayfield’s name comes up during Tomlin’s pre-Browns press conference, he quickly shifts the conversation from Mayfield’s quarterback game to the Cleveland’s running game and offensive line.

Although Tomlin, at least occasionally, praised Mayfield’s prowess in playing action, deployment, and the bootleg aspect of quarterback play. These things are ostensibly attack areas of coordinator Matt Canada that have yet to be revealed due to Ben Roethlisberger’s lack of mobility in recent years.

I still don’t buy it, though. The quarterback room is packed with Mitch Trubisky, Mason Rudolph and Dwayne Haskins. Why add Mayfield to the roster if the team could still be tempted to go QB this year or 2023?

That being said, nothing would give me more pleasure than seeing every Steelers fan and team-friendly media figure who has berated Mayfield for his shortcomings for four years suddenly turn into pretzels to justify and praise the signing.

Believe me. I’ll be scouring Twitter for receipts.

Can you imagine that after Trubisky’s first intercept the following year, the chant of “Ba-Ker, Ba-Ker” cascades from the stands at Heinz Field?

It will be great. These are the end times, people. And you can live to see them with your own eyes.

Meeting with Malik

While we’re talking about the Steelers quarterback situation – when isn’t it? – Tomlin, Canada, and general manager Kevin Colbert were at the Liberty Football Team Pro Day featuring Malik Willis.

The prospective quarterback definitely showed strength and agility in his arms.

According to The Athletic’s Joe Person, Tomlin and Matt Rule of the Carolinas were the only head coaches on Willis’ professional day.

Willis also apparently had dinner with Tomlin on Monday evening. Chicken wings, if you’re interested.

ESPN’s Mel Kiper suggests the Steelers pick Willis with the 20th overall pick in his latest tryout draft.

Again, my mind wanders to Trubisky’s first interception and Willis sitting there on the bench, and how every Steelers Twitter buzz will go from praising Trubisky’s signing to kicking him to the curb in 15 minutes of football.

Football gods can’t be that kind to me. They can?

Donald’s deal

There is still no official word on a renegotiated contract extension for former Panther star Aaron Donald.

The Los Angeles Rams linebacker hinted that retirement could happen if his team won the Super Bowl over the Cincinnati Bengals, which she did.

That conversation has cooled off in recent weeks and has shifted towards how the franchise could change the terms of the contract for the former NFL top defenseman.

Los Angeles GM Les Snead is optimistic about keeping Donald on the field.

“We’ve definitely spoken to Aaron, his spokesperson, and we’re trying to come up with a win-win solution to reward Aaron while still definitely being able to continue to compete as a team at the highest level,” Snead told the Los Angeles Daily News. “So we’re in progress.”

According to Spotrac.com, Donald’s average salary is $22.5 million on a $135 million contract. It will last until 2024. The Penn Hills native is the highest paid defenseman in the NFL, but only ranks 25th among players in all positions.

“I know that Aaron told us that he would like to come back and he would definitely like to continue to do special things, not only as an individual player, but as a team,” Sneed said.

Metro traffic

While the Penguins roasted the Columbus Blue Jackets 5-1 on Tuesday night, a lot of other things happened in the Capital Division.

The division-leading Carolina Hurricanes beat the two-time Stanley Cup champion Tampa Bay Lightning 3-2. The New York Rangers conceded five goals in the second period and lost Fireworks 7-4 in New Jersey. Jack Hughes scored a pair of goals 70 seconds apart for the Devils. These were career points #100 and #101 for Hughes.

Meanwhile, the Washington Capitals lost 5-2 in St. Louis as Pine-Richland product Brandon Saad scored a perfect goal in his 19th goal of the season.

All of this information means the Hurricanes (90 points) are three points behind the Penguins (87 points) for first place in the Metro. The New York Rangers (85 points) are two places behind third. The Capitals have 80 points, enough for fourth in the division and second in the Eastern Conference.

The dormant Boston Bruins are in first place with 83 points in the Atlantic Division.

Tim Benz is a staff columnist for the Tribune-Review. You can contact Tim at [email protected] or via Twitter. All tweets could be reposted. All emails are subject to publication unless otherwise noted.