Justin Fields may be emerging ahead of Russell Wilson as the Pittsburgh Steelers’ top option at quarterback. That said, the team may have some backup plans as well.
We have a framework for what Jaylen Warren may cost at running back. And we connect the dots with clubs that may be interested in landing the Penguins’ Rickard Rakell as a potential trade target.
All that in Monday’s “First Call.”
Extra ‘Carr’ in the garage
Count ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler among those who believe that Justin Fields will be the Steelers QB in 2025 instead of Russell Wilson.
“The sense I get is that Justin Fields has an edge over Russell Wilson in Pittsburgh’s free agent quarterback pecking order,” the former ESPN.com Steelers beat reporter said Sunday. “There is sentiment for Fields in the building, and both sides would be open to a return. The Steelers have at least another week to crystallize those plans, and they certainly haven’t ruled out Wilson at this point.”
NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport expressed a similar sentiment over the weekend. He added that Derek Carr could be a fallback option if the New Orleans Saints let him go.
”There is still a chance as of right now that Derek Carr becomes free. So you have a team like maybe the Steelers, maybe the Titans,” Rapoport said via a SteelersDepot.com transcript. “There are options out there for him. Unless the Saints get a deal done or keep him at his $40 million number right now, Carr could also be available. So this carousel is not quite settled just yet.”
Via OverTheCap.com, if Carr is cut in New Orleans pre-June 1, he’d still count $50 million in dead cap charges for the Saints and only save $1.3 million this year. If he is cut after June 1, he’d be a $21 million dead charge and save $30 million.
Minnesota movement
Another name that has been on the periphery of the Steelers’ quarterback conversation has been Sam Darnold. If the Vikings cut ties with him, Fowler says Pittsburgh could be a landing spot.
“The Giants, Raiders and Titans are among the logical options. And I’m not totally discounting the Steelers here — not yet, at least,” Fowler added.
Darnold won 14 games for the Vikings in 2024. But Minnesota has last year’s first-round draft choice, J.J. McCarthy, coming back from injury this year. Darnold was 43 of 81 with 11 sacks, one touchdown, no interceptions and a 5.05 yards per attempt average over the last two games of 2024-25.
Darnold made $10 million on a one-year deal in Minnesota last year. He threw 35 touchdowns and 12 interceptions to go along with 4,319 yards and a passer rating of 102.5.
More sports
• Madden Monday: Whether Steelers keep Russell Wilson or Justin Fields, assume they should have done the opposite
• Short start: Jokes aside, Pirates pitcher Jared Jones pleased with performance against Tigers
• Penguins' Ryan Shea enjoys offensive production surge, more prominent on-ice role
Numbers known
We now know what it’ll cost for the Steelers to retain Jaylen Warren. The running back is a restricted free agent.
That means other teams can negotiate with Warren, but the Steelers will have the right to match any offer sheet.
If they don’t, the team that signs the 26-year-old must yield a draft pick. The first round tender is $7.458 million. The second round tender is $5.436 million. The Steelers’ original round tender on Warren could cost them $3.406 million. However, since Warren was an undrafted free agent, there is no compensation.
According to SteelersNow.com, the right of first refusal tender costs slightly less at $3.263 million. I’d expect the Steelers are most likely to fork over the original round tender and then perhaps work out a multi-year extension.
Over the first three years of his NFL career, Warren has rushed for 1,674 yards and six touchdowns. He has added 127 catches for 894 yards.
‘Raking’ up interest
A pair of teams have been linked to Penguins forward Rickard Rakell as potential trade targets.
One of them is the New York Rangers, according to Vincent Z. Mercogliano of USA Today and SNYtv.
“At RW, Pittsburgh’s Rickard Rakell ($5 million AAV through 2027-28) could be one of the best scorers on the market with 48 points (25 goals and 23 assists) through 56 games. He played on a line with Mika Zibanejad for Team Sweden, as well, if that counts for anything,” Mercogliano wrote.
The Los Angeles Kings could be an option as well, according to Karo Blikian of the Hockey News.
“The Los Angeles Kings are reportedly looking for a scoring winger that can boost their power play and overall offense. Rakell could be a seamless fit, and frankly, it would be a surprise if the Kings didn’t at least make a call to Penguins GM Kyle Dubas,” Blikian wrote.
Featured Local Businesses
Rakell is up to 28 goals. That’s tied for 12th in the NHL. He is signed at $5 million per year through 2028.