Thursday’s “First Call” includes rumors about a former Steelers star who may get traded. Apparently, there are some who doubt that Aaron Rodgers will return to Pittsburgh. A Hall of Fame wide receiver doubts Hines Ward’s credentials for induction to Canton.

And the Robert Morris women’s hockey team begins postseason play.

Minkah moving?

NFL insider Jordan Schultz claims that Minkah Fitzpatrick may be on the move again. He says the Dolphins have had trade talks about the former Steelers’ safety.

Fitzpatrick was originally drafted by Miami in 2018 and dealt to Pittsburgh in 2019. Prior to last season, the Steelers sent Fitzpatrick back to the Dolphins in exchange for Jalen Ramsey and Jonnu Smith.

The five-time Pro Bowler had 82 tackles, one sack, one interception and one forced fumble over 14 games in 2025. The 30-year-old is slated to make $18.8 against the salary cap this year.

 

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Don’t count on Rodgers return

Most people who cover the NFL nationally seem to be of the mind that Aaron Rodgers is going to come back for at least one more year with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

NFL on CBS reporter Aditi Kinkhabwala disagrees.

“Most everyone that I’ve spoken to who has been around him feels that the chance that he comes back to play is minuscule,” Kinkhabwala said on 93.7 The Fan Thursday. “In conversations with people who were around him all year who were with him when he was leaving the Steelers when the season was over, all of those people that I spoke to said that it seems far more likely that he is done than that he is going to return.”

I wonder how much that opinion from those who were around Rodgers after Mike Tomlin’s resignation has changed since Mike McCarthy has been named the head coach. It’d be interesting if that development hasn’t swayed Rodgers opinion at all.

As of Feb. 8, Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network claimed “odds are increasing” that Rodgers would return to Pittsburgh for 2026.

A case against Hines

One Hall of Fame wide receiver doesn’t think Hines Ward should be in Canton with him.

Appearing on the “Fully Loaded” podcast, Cris Carter says that Ward’s impact didn’t measure up to some of his peers.

“He had a very good career. No one went to Pittsburgh and put together a game plan being like, ‘Guys, we’ve gotta double-team Hines Ward,’” Carter said via Steelersnow.com. “He was a good player for a good team, very consistent, very physical, a lot of intangibles. But look at the guys we’ve got waiting: Torry Holt, Reggie Wayne. He’s not in the same stratosphere as those guys. (There are) a lot of good receivers out there. But let’s separate between the good and the great. Hines Ward is in the good category.”

Carter also questioned Ward’s resume, which includes 1,000 catches, 12,083 yards and 85 touchdowns.

“Hines Ward, only 85 touchdowns, only four Pro Bowls. Those numbers right there are hard to overcome. If he had 1,000 catches, 100 touchdowns? The MVP in that Super Bowl (XL)? It helps. He just doesn’t have the numbers,” Carter said two days ago.

I’ve always maintained that Ward’s numbers are good enough. You wouldn’t be lowering a threshold of any major stat if Ward did get inducted. He has been a semifinalist for 10 years in a row.

Playoffs begin

The Robert Morris women’s hockey team puts its season on the line Thursday afternoon. The Colonials face Delaware in the Atlantic Hockey America (AHA) First Round in St. Charles, Mo. Puck drop is scheduled for 2 p.m.

The game is being played at Lindenwood’s home rink. The winner of this round gets to play the Lions on Saturday in the next round.

RMU (12-20-2) swept four games from Delaware during the season, outscoring the Blue Hens 19-2. Delaware went 2-30 in its first year of AHA competition.

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The game features another showdown of the Schooley sisters. Kaitlyn plays for RMU. Taylor skates for Delaware. Both are defensemen. They are the daughters of RMU men’s hockey coach Derek Schooley.