In Wednesday’s “First Call,” Pittsburgh Steelers general manager Omar Khan has an indirect response about Aaron Rodgers’ status. Meanwhile, Bill Cowher is optimistic that the Hall of Fame quarterback will return to Pittsburgh.

Steelers rookie Kaden Wetjen gets a hearty endorsement as a top return specialist. Pirates pitcher Jared Jones blows off a question about working out of the bullpen. A Bucs prospect homers three times in a game.

And the Steelers aren’t the only AFC North team making a trip abroad during this NFL season.

Nifty footwork

Steelers GM Omar Khan was on a podcast Tuesday with franchise alumni Joe Haden and James Harrison. He provided a minimal update on Aaron Rodgers before shifting the conversation to the importance of May for the development of the younger players on the roster.

“We’ve had communications with him and his agent,” Khan said of Rodgers. “But the one thing I’ll say is, this time of year, it’s great for these young guys. We have a new coaching staff here, and these guys are — they just got off the field a little bit ago. The time that they’re spending getting to know each other and allowing our coaches to develop and grow not just the quarterbacks, but all these guys, it’s very precious.”

That’s fine. It’s also not saying much of anything at all about Rodgers’ situation.

Meanwhile, former coach and CBS NFL analyst Bill Cowher spoke with WKBN in Youngstown. He stated his belief that Rodgers will eventually show up.

“I think Aaron will be there at some point,” Cowher said. “And I think they’ve got a couple of young guys, Will Howard being one. I think there’s a lot of upside to him. We’ll see how it goes.”

The team’s first OTA is May 18.

Eyes from Iowa

Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz gave an endorsement for the Steelers spending a fourth-round pick on return specialist Kaden Wetjen.

The Upper St. Clair alum was on 93.7 The Fan on Tuesday and said Wetjen is one of the best in the business.

“Wetjen is as good as I’ve seen. I’m still puzzled why people punted the ball to him this year. That really was interesting to me, but I’m glad they did,” Ferentz said. “He probably plays faster than maybe his (40-yard dash) time. I think some players — good players — do. But his vision is outstanding. His judgment is really good. He’s not afraid to catch a ball with guys coming right up on him. I’ve got to tell you, the last two years, I don’t know if I’ve ever been around in my career, a better return guy.”

Wetjen is the only two-time winner of college football’s Jet Award (2024-25). It’s given out annually to the nation’s best return man.

 

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Not alone

The Steelers aren’t the only AFC North team that will have to play an international game in 2026. It was revealed on Tuesday that the Steelers will be in Paris to face the New Orleans Saints. It’s a Week 7 matchup (Sunday, Oct. 25) at 9:30 a.m. Eastern time.

The Cincinnati Bengals and Baltimore Ravens will both have to make trips out of the U.S. as well.

In April, we found out that the Ravens will play the Dallas Cowboys in Brazil. That’ll be a Week 3 game on Paramount.

Tuesday, it was discovered that the Bengals and Atlanta Falcons will play Week 9 (Sunday, Nov. 8) in Madrid, Spain. That’s an NFL Network game.

It doesn’t appear that the Cleveland Browns will be playing overseas in 2026.

‘Next question’

After a strong rehab outing Tuesday night in Double-A Altoona, Jared Jones was asked if he might work out of the bullpen when he gets back to Pittsburgh.

“No,” Jones grumbled, via WTAJ. “Next question.”

Jones is on a rehab assignment as he continues to recover from elbow surgery. He started and threw four scoreless innings, allowing three hits with four strikeouts and no walks in a 1-0 Curve win over Harrisburg.

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The last time Jones pitched in the Major Leagues was Sept. 27, 2024, in a 4-2 win against the Mets.

Also on the Pirates farm Tuesday night, outfielder Jhostynxon Garcia went 5 for 5 with three home runs during a 10-8 win over Louisville.

That was Garcia’s return to Triple-A after an injury rehab stint with Bradenton.