In Monday’s “First Call,” it looks like Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith isn’t going anywhere. Neither is Mike Tomlin.
Nor are the Baltimore Ravens going to the AFC Championship game, and Pittsburgh product Damar Hamlin had a hand in that. Patrick Queen seemed happy to catch the final score.
Plus, we look ahead to the Penguins’ next faceoff. And we have a recap of a busy Sunday on the women’s college basketball scene in Pittsburgh.
Glenn to Gang Green?
According to Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports, Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn is the top choice to become the New York Jets’ new head coach.
He is also believed to be atop the wish list of the New Orleans Saints.
"Aaron Glenn has been at the top of the list for the Jets and the Saints." ????@jjones9pic.twitter.com/SXx3wFaJyn
— NFL on CBS ???? (@NFLonCBS) January 19, 2025
Glenn is a former New York Jet. He was a first-round draft choice of the franchise in 1994. He made two Pro Bowls there in 1997-98.
If Glenn gets the New York job, that means Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith would be out of the running. He interviewed for the position there last week.
Smith also interviewed for the head coach opening in Chicago. Over the weekend, Adam Schefter of ESPN reported that the Bears inquired about a trade for Mike Tomlin, but the Steelers “rebuffed” the offer.
Schefter added that at least one other team besides the Bears “checked into the idea that it could somehow could try to trade for Tomlin, only to be informed that the Steelers coach has a no-trade clause in his contract, according to a league source. The inquiring team quickly halted its efforts and moved on, according to sources.”
Return of serve
On Sunday night, Steelers linebacker Patrick Queen took a shot at his former club, the Baltimore Ravens. They lost an AFC second-round playoff game to the Buffalo Bills on Sunday night by the final score of 27-25. That’s after the Ravens beat the Steelers in the first round last week, 28-14.
After Baltimore’s defeat of Pittsburgh, Roquan Smith mentioned Queen heading to Cabo for the offseason.
Roquan Smith sound on Patrick Queen "going to Cabo somewhere" in the t-shirt he had on tonight. pic.twitter.com/0jKeQb8DPr
— Morgan Adsit (@MorganAdsit) January 12, 2025
So when the Ravens lost Sunday, Queen had a volley back for Smith.
Aww yeah Ro I saved the jet for ya
— ???? (@Patrickqueen_) January 20, 2025
Baltimore had a chance to tie the game on a two-point conversion late in the contest. But tight end Mark Andrews had a brutal drop.
The two-point conversion is no good ????
????: #BALvsBUF on CBS
????: Stream on @NFLPlus and Paramount pic.twitter.com/s1DAo0tdm1— NFL (@NFL) January 20, 2025
Andrews also had a fumble with less than nine minutes left.
Damar gets it done
Pitt alum Damar Hamlin was part of a big play in Buffalo’s win.
The Central Catholic grad was credited with a sack and a forced fumble in the first half on a broken play by the Ravens.
Baltimore quarterback Lamar Jackson caught an errant snap but eventually put the ball on the ground after being harassed by Hamlin in the backfield. Von Miller scooped it up and ran 39 yards.
CHAOS ON THE SNAP AND THE BILLS RECOVER ????
????: #BALvsBUF on CBS
????: Stream on @NFLPlus and Paramount pic.twitter.com/gZTp8XSn3T— NFL (@NFL) January 20, 2025
The Bills took over on the Ravens’ 24-yard line and converted the turnover into a touchdown. Hamlin ended up with eight tackles to lead the Buffalo defense.
The Bills play in Kansas City next week for the AFC Championship. K.C. is a 1.5-point favorite, according to ESPNBet.
More sports
• Tim Benz: Gap between Pittsburgh sports fans and local team owners has never been so vast
• Madden Monday: Art Rooney II is oblivious to, or disinterested in, criticism of Mike Tomlin
• Mark Madden's hot take: Steelers' lack of action speaks volumes
Paying tribute
When the Penguins visit the Los Angeles Kings on Monday, the home team will be honoring the efforts of the L.A. Fire Department.
The Kings resurfaced center ice at Crypto.com Arena to acknowledge those who battled the recent wildfires in the L.A. area.
Ready to honor the @LAFD heroes on home ice ???? pic.twitter.com/JeFNIQHpcs
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— LA Kings (@LAKings) January 19, 2025
The Kings have played their past five games away from home. They have the best home record in the NHL at 14-2-1. L.A. is currently in playoff position, holding the third spot in the Pacific Division with 55 points.
Meanwhile, the Penguins head west for the third of seven straight road games. They just beat Buffalo and lost to Washington over the weekend. After their game against the Kings on Monday, the Pens are in Anaheim on Thursday, Seattle on Saturday, San Jose on Monday, Jan. 27 and Utah Jan. 29.
Pittsburgh has only seven road wins. Columbus is the only team in the Eastern Conference that has fewer, with six.
Split Day
The women’s basketball teams for both Pitt and Duquesne were both in action Sunday.
One of them won. The other didn’t.
Duquesne (12-6, 3-3 A-10) topped Rhode Island (8-11, 3-4) in Atlantic-10 play, 77-64. The Dukes got another strong performance out of Megan McConnell. She had 19 points and nine rebounds.
The Chartiers Valley grad has scored at least 13 points in 17 of 18 games this season. Mackenzie Blackford added eight points off the bench.
https://t.co/ZWpK51MpFOpic.twitter.com/r1YgUqXEnA
— Duquesne Women's Basketball (@DuqWBB) January 19, 2025
As for the Panthers (9-11, 1-6 ACC), they were beaten 75-58 at home by No. 14 North Carolina (17-3, 5-2). Mikayla Johnson led the way with 18 in a losing effort. Lexi Donarski had 15 in the win for UNC.
Pitt next plays Thursday at home against Virginia Tech. The Dukes are at LaSalle on Wednesday.