Thursday’s “First Call” has some Pittsburgh Steelers Hall of Fame comments about the Kansas City quest for a Super Bowl three-peat.
Jameis Winston is angling for a job in Pittsburgh. George Pickens is getting a reality check from an unlikely source.
And if the Steelers do end up playing a game in Ireland, we at least know where they will be playing.
Wondering about Winston?
The Steelers need quarterbacks. Multiple. A starter and at least one backup.
Jameis Winston needs a job. The Browns QB is a free agent. And when he stopped by Barstool’s “Pardon My Take” on Wednesday, he lobbied for a gig with the Steelers.
“I love Pittsburgh because I admire coach Mike Tomlin so much,” Winston said. “The first Super Bowl ring I ever held in my hand was a (2008-09) Pittsburgh Steelers Super Bowl ring from Bruce Arians (in Tampa Bay). So that definitely is aligned with my vision.”
Winston did admit that going from Cleveland to Pittsburgh would be an emotional issue initially, but he could get over it.
“I don’t know what my Browns fans would say about me, about Pittsburgh,” Winston said. “It’d be challenging, but it really doesn’t matter. If that opportunity presents itself, I would love to team up with Coach Mike Tomlin.”
Winston was on the show to promote his Super Bowl coverage with Fox. He is acting as an on-camera New Orleans liaison of sorts since that’s where he played from 2020-23.
The 31-year-old Florida State alum played in 12 games for the Browns last year, starting seven. He was a 61% passer, totaling 2,121 yards, 13 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. The Browns won two of his seven starts, splitting a pair with the Steelers.
Irish eyes
The Steelers are expected to be part of an NFL regular season game in Ireland next year. We don’t know a date or a likely opponent yet. But we do know the venue.
According to RTÉ Radio (Raidió Teilifís Éireann), the game will be played at Croke Park. Some thought it would be at Aviva Stadium. That building has hosted recent college football games. But Croke Park is getting the nod.
Both buildings are in Dublin. Croke Park is where the Steelers and Bears played in a 1997 preseason contest.
“Croke Park looks set to host Ireland’s first NFL game later this year with the Government briefed today on the proposal to bring a Pittsburgh Steelers fixture to GAA Headquarters,” via the RTÉ website. “While no contracts have been signed yet, the Government hopes that an announcement could be made by the weekend, ahead of the Super Bowl on Sunday in New Orleans.”
Croke Park is bigger. Its capacity is 82,300. Aviva’s is 51,700. But it’s also a much older building, 141 years old. Aviva opened in 2010.
Aviva is largely a covered facility for the fans. Croke is much more open, particularly at one end of the stadium, like Acrisure Stadium.
More sports
• Tim Benz: For the Penguins, 'solid' effort vs. Devils sums up adjusted eye-level of the team
• U mad, bro: Readers sound off on Kenny Pickett's comments, George Pickens trade talk and the live Eagles mascot
• Mark Madden: A decades-old tradition, Steelers would rather be right than win
Well, this will make us feel better
For people who are concerned about George Pickens’ on-field and off-field behavior, I know what you’re thinking: “He’s so talented. Ijustwish somebody could sit that kid down and get through to him. You know, a guy like … Ochocinco!”
Well, I have some good news for you. Chad Johnson, the former Bengals wideout of touchdown-celebration fame, says he has spoken with Pickens and that the Steelers have nothing to worry about with him anymore. He has delivered a message that will resonate for the rest of his career in the NFL.
That’s right. No more profane eye-black messages, in-game scrums with defensive backs, 50% effort on plays when he doesn’t get the ball or sideline pouting sessions.
Just listen to Ochocinco. He is the arbiter of on-field propriety.
“We talked. We had that conversation,” Johnson said on his “Nightcap” video stream. “I guarantee you won’t have no problems out of him anymore. Mike Tomlin, you’re going to see this. The Rooneys, y’all gonna see this. I guarantee you, you won’t have no problems no more.”
Featured Local Businesses
Johnson made the comments with co-host Shannon Sharp and their guest, former Steeler James Harrison.
Johnson insisted that if Pickens got the opportunities the likes of Justin Jefferson and Ja’Marr Chase get, he could be a top-three receiver in the league.
On board
Hall of Fame Steel Curtain alum Jack Ham was part of two Steelers teams that won back-to-back Super Bowls. The franchise won titles in 1974-75 and again in 1978-79.
No one has ever won three Super Bowls in a row. If the Kansas City Chiefs do so, they’ll be the first in league history.
And Ham actually says he wants to see it happen.
“I would like to see them do it to tell you the truth,” Ham said on 105.9 The X’s “Mark Madden Show” on Wednesday. “Talk about the consummate team. Their defense has played well. They’re not explosive on offense right now. I don’t think they have the wideouts to do that. But they play close games. They don’t make mistakes out there. … Actually, I’m kind of rooting for them to do it. It’d be the first time it’s ever happened in the NFL.”
Ham’s Steelers won their four Super Bowls over a six-year span. This would be the same accomplishment for the Chiefs. But they also made a fifth Super Bowl in that stretch, losing to Tampa Bay at the end of the 2020-21 season.
A victory would mark Kansas City’s fifth Vince Lombardi Trophy as a franchise. The Steelers and Patriots have the most in NFL history, with six apiece.
Listen: Tim Benz and Soren Petro of Sports Radio 810 WHB in Kansas City preview the Super Bowl