Thursday’s “First Call” has some quotes from Ty Simpson about the idea of playing in Pittsburgh. Ex-Steelers coach Bill Cowher discusses Mike Tomlin’s decision to join the TV broadcasting game.
Dallas is done negotiating with George Pickens’ agent about an extension, and we look at the Pirates’ next series in Milwaukee.
Making a pitch
Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson is in Pittsburgh for the NFL Draft. He spent part of Wednesday night in Shadyside at the Ellis School with fellow draft prospect Jordyn Tyson (Arizona State, WR) and current Steelers wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr.
The three men were taking part in the Toyota NFL Draft Flag Football Training Camp.
Steelers WR Michael Pittman and draft prospects Jordyn Tyson and Ty Simpson at the Ellis School in shadyside pic.twitter.com/wZiUwvY1Ez
— Tim Benz (@TimBenzPGH) April 22, 2026
The Crimson Tide product may be the biggest variable in the draft. As the No. 2 QB behind Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza on most boards, Simpson has been slotted by draft analysts anywhere from the top 10 to out of the first round entirely.
During the event, Simpson embraced that wild card status.
“It’s great, isn’t it? It’s a blessing. I’m really, super excited. Wherever I go, I’m going to be process-oriented and make sure that I give back to the community — like we’re doing here with Toyota,” Simpson said. “Put my best foot forward and make sure that I’m the best player that can be.”
Simpson’s name has been linked to the Steelers — if not in the first round at pick No. 21, perhaps if Pittsburgh were to trade back into the first round, or if he is still on the board in the second.
“I think I would fit in great here. This city, they take pride in being Pittsburgh — Pittsburgh community,” Simpson said. “The grit that people have here, a football town. If I got to play here, I feel like I would fit right in.”
The 23-year-old QB did have a formal interview with the Steelers at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis. He walked away impressed after his meeting with new coach Mike McCarthy.
“It was great. That dude, you can tell why he’s had so much success,” Simpson said. “Everything that they do — the GM (Omar Khan) and the franchise — their ducks are right in a row. And you can tell why Pittsburgh has had so much success.”
One area where Pittsburgh hasn’t had success is in the playoffs. But the club appears to be willing to run it back one more year with Aaron Rodgers anyway, despite a 30-6 postseason loss to the Houston Texans at home last year. Simpson says he would relish a chance to learn from the future Hall of Famer.
“It would be a blessing. You know how talented he is. You know how good of a person he is. I’ve heard nothing but great things about Aaron,” Simpson continued. “Especially being able to pick his mind about how he got to learn from (Brett) Favre. Things he’s learned in general, being a (four-time) MVP, a Super Bowl champion. Honestly, (he) changed the game with quarterback play. So if I was in a room with him, I feel like it would only help me.”
ESPN.com rates Simpson as the No. 37 prospect on the board overall.
Friendly advice
Former Steelers coach Mike Tomlin followed Bill Cowher as the head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers. Now, Tomlin is following Cowher into broadcasting as well
Now that he has resigned his post as Steelers coach, Tomlin is reportedly jumping into an on-air role with NBC during their Sunday night football show. On Wednesday, Cowher offered this advice to Tomlin as he makes the transition.
“Just be yourself,” Cowher said on CBS Pittsburgh’s YouTube channel. “I think that’s what Mike will be. I might be the first that didn’t go back to coaching. I’ve been there 20 years now. I think it’s great.”
Cowher jumped onto the CBS pregame show desk for the 2007 season, immediately following his departure as Steelers head coach. He is back in town because he’s going to be part of Pat McAfee’s coverage of the NFL Draft in Pittsburgh this week.
“I love the draft. Always have. I’ve done my homework the last couple weeks preparing for it. I’m going to sit with him, go through it and talk about the picks, talk about the options and the process,” Cowher said.
Cowher’s last draft was the 2006 class. It featured future Super Bowl MVP Santonio Holmes in the first round out of Ohio State.
Discussions done
There will be no long-term extension in Dallas for former Steeler George Pickens. The wide receiver will play on the franchise tag in 2026.
That’s coming from Tommy Yarrish of DallasCowboys.com.
Stephen Jones said the #Cowboys have decided that George Pickens will play under the franchise tag in 2026 and there won’t be negotiations on a long-term deal this offseason.
— Tommy Yarrish (@tommy_yarrish) April 22, 2026
A decision on an extension didn’t have to be made until July 15. But apparently the Cowboys’ front office has already made one. The move is counter to the tone of optimism that the team had previously advanced during negotiations.
While he was at NFL meetings in March, owner and general manager Jerry Jones said the Cowboys “have long-term plans” for Pickens. No reason has been given as to why the Cowboys have suddenly pivoted from that stance.
Pickens is slated to make $27.3 million on the tag this year. The Steelers traded Pickens to Dallas after last year’s draft. He immediately put up career-high totals with 93 catches, 1,429 yards and nine touchdowns.
Rivalry Brewin’
After their Thursday night game in Texas, the Pirates will travel to Milwaukee to play the Brewers for a three-game series.
Despite being 14-10, the Pirates are only tied for third place in the National League Central with the St. Louis Cardinals. The Brewers are in last place at 13-10. The entire division is at least three games over .500.
Cincinnati leads the pack at 16-9. That’s a half-game better than the Chicago Cubs (15-9), who are on an eight-game winning streak.
Friday’s game kicks off with Pittsburgh’s Paul Skenes pitching against Brandon Woodruff. Skenes has been an All-Star the last two seasons. Woodruff made that roster in 2019 and 2021.
Milwaukee’s 33-year-old right-hander didn’t make his 2025 debut until July thanks to elbow and ankle injuries. He wound up 7-2 with an ERA of 3.20. So far this season, he is 2-0 with an ERA of 3.42.
As for Skenes, he has only allowed three runs in his last four starts after yielding five in his 2026 debut against the New York Mets. His ERA is already down to 3.27, and he is 3-1. The reigning Cy Young winner hasn’t had much success at Milwaukee’s American Family Field. He is just 1-2 there with an ERA of 4.80.
Brewers are facing Tarik Skubal today in Detroit and Paul Skenes tomorrow at home, just the second time in MLB history that a team has faced reigning Cy Young Award winners in consecutive games.
— Sophia Minnaert (@SophiaMinnaert) April 23, 2026
The Bucs were just 3-10 against the Brewers a year ago, getting outscored 89-39.