Monday’s “First Call” has some Pittsburgh Steelers news about Aaron Rodgers that may have been buried by Super Bowl Sunday festivities.

A former Steeler is getting the franchise tag. A retired Steelers coach likes the decision to hire Mike McCarthy.

And I pat myself on the back for some wise Super Bowl bets … while ignoring some terrible ones I shouldn’t have made.

Odds on

Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network claims that chances are on the rise that Aaron Rodgers will return to the Steelers next season.

“Rodgers has not yet informed the Steelers whether he will return for his 22nd NFL season. But my understanding is the odds are increasing,” Pelissero said during “NFL GameDay Morning” on Sunday. “I’m told Rodgers has spoken several times with new Steelers coach Mike McCarthy, who helped Rodgers develop into a four-time MVP and Super Bowl-winner in Green Bay.”

Pelissero sprinkled some information on wide receiver DK Metcalf.

“Rodgers also has spoken with wide receiver DK Metcalf, who wants Rodgers back at age 42,” Pelissero said. “The plan is for Rodgers to take a little bit more time. Everyone hopes (Rodgers) comes to a decision prior to the start of free agency in mid-March.”

Pelissero added, “At this point, it would not be a surprise if Rodgers is back in Pittsburgh.”

I’ll maintain what I’ve said since McCarthy got hired. I’m far more willing to get behind the McCarthy hire if Rodgers doesn’t come back than if he does.

But when Pelissero says “odds are increasing”… from what? I felt like it was pretty much 100% from the moment McCarthy got the job.

In terms of “hoping” Rodgers makes a decision prior to free-agency, forget “hoping.” If Rodgers can’t make a decision by March, then forget it. No more of this waiting until June stuff.

Tag! You’re it

It sounds like former Steelers wide receiver George Pickens is getting the franchise tag in Dallas. That’s according to ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter.

Schefter says the projected cost of the one-year franchise tag for a wide receiver this offseason will be approximately $28 million.

Pickens caught 90 passes for 1,409 yards and nine touchdowns during his first season in Dallas after being traded from Pittsburgh. He was named to his first Pro Bowl and was an AP Second-Team All-Pro.

The Steelers traded Pickens and a 2027 sixth-round pick to Dallas for a 2026 third-round pick and a 2027 fifth-round pick.

Familiar endorsement

Former Steelers defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau is on board with the franchise’s coaching hire.

As mined over at SteelersNow.com, LeBeau told WMBS’ George Von Benko that Mike McCarthy was the way to go as a replacement for Mike Tomlin.

“I think he’s an excellent coach. He’s had a lot of good success. A lot of good experience,” LeBeau said Saturday afternoon. “Most of coaching is your own personal experience and learning from your mistakes. Like it is for anybody who does any job. That first or second year you’re on that job, you’re probably not going to be as good at it as if you’ve been on it for 20 years. And I think that McCarthy certainly has the experience and the track record to know what to do.”

LeBeau went on to say that he thinks Mike Tomlin left behind enough for McCarthy to win.

“The Steelers’ roster is pretty strong,” LeBeau said. “I’m very optimistic for the Steelers. I think that we get a couple of breaks, and get a couple of spots filled in there that can put us over the top. We’ll be right back winning those playoff games this year.”

LeBeau was Tomlin’s defensive coordinator from 2007-14.

 

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A quick look back

OK, so how did we do on our Super Bowl bets?

Pretty well, actually. Here’s a recap from last Friday’s “Football Footnotes.”

My biggest tip was to bet on the over/under sack total at over 5½ (combined) for both teams. The number came in at seven. New England’s Milton Williams was one guy I said you should bet on to get a sack. He did (although I missed individually on DeMarcus Lawrence and Christian Barmore).

I was bullish on the Seahawks covering the spread, which was anywhere between 4½ to 5½ points. They won by 16.

I had Cooper Kupp’s receiving yards over 34½. He ended up with 61. I suggested that you bet on Drake Maye losing a fumble and throwing an interception. Both of those things occurred.

I split on Jaxon Smith-Njigba going under 93½ yards (he did) at roughly even money, but also winning the MVP (he did not) at plus-500.

Another split happened when I said to bet on a two-point try happening (affirmative) and to bet on one of the teams making one (negative).

I encouraged you to bet on both teams making a field goal. The Seahawks did. New England didn’t.

And I’m really surprised that neither team made — let alone even tried — a fourth down conversion. There were 138 snaps in that game. None of them occurred on an offensive fourth down.

Also, I’m really mad at myself for failing to tell you to go over 25½ receiving yards on A.J. Barner, Seattle’s tight end. He finished the night with 54 yards and a touchdown. What was I thinking? That was stupid.

Overall, a profitable — but not prolific — night at the window. Good, not great. We’ll attempt to do better next year.