First Call: Former Bronco rips Russell Wilson, praises his fit in Pittsburgh; rumored Steelers' DL free agent target retires

Monday’s “First Call” has a scathing review of quarterback Russell Wilson. He reportedly agreed to sign with the Pittsburgh Steelers Sunday night. The trade market is soft for Bears quarterback Justin Fields. A potential veteran addition along the Steelers defensive line is off the table. And we look at the prospects for when Jake Guentzel may make his Carolina debut.

Also, we acknowledge the postseason runs by Robert Morris and Pitt as their hockey seasons come to a close.

Ripping Russ

You’ll hear a ton of reaction over the next few days, weeks and months to the Steelers’ reported signing former Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson. Former Bronco turned media analyst Mark Schlereth torched Wilson late last week in advance of the veteran QB’s visit to Pittsburgh.

“The way Russ played the last couple of years, he’s a deficient quarterback,” Schlereth said on Thursday’s “Pat McAfee Show.” “He’s diminished, he doesn’t throw the ball in the middle of the football field, he doesn’t anticipate throws. You can sit here and tell me all day long, 26 TDs and 8 interceptions, I’ll tell you garbage numbers. The things he does, he’s just not good enough anymore, so we’ve got to move on from that.”

That being said, Schlereth says that Wilson’s best option this offseason was to land in Pittsburgh — and Wilson might be Pittsburgh’s best option as well.

“I actually like that fit if you can’t find anybody else. I know Arthur Smith understands the running game,” Schlereth said.

“You could develop into an elite level kind of run team and then set your play-action stuff off that and your play pass. There’s two types — in my mind — of play action. There’s run-action play-action, which is all your boot-keep game that looks like you’re basically just running the ball. So your RPO stuff would come off the run-action stuff. You can do that. And the thing with RPO stuff is you’re really one route read, which Russell, he’s great at that stuff.”

But Schlereth once again called Wilson “garbage,” said he doesn’t process what he sees well, doesn’t throw with anticipation and said any offense would have to be “limited” with Wilson at quarterback.

Gee, where have we heard the term “limited” before?

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Still in play?

Wilson announced his signing on social media by posting a video of “Renegade” shortly before midnight Sunday.

Year 13. Grateful. @Steelers pic.twitter.com/0U4Q2sRtXs

— Russell Wilson (@DangeRussWilson) March 11, 2024

Had the Steelers passed on signing Wilson, they may be have been able to get Justin Fields from the Chicago Bears for very little in return.

If they had wanted him.

And right now, based on what ESPN’s Dan Graziano posted Sunday morning, it appears very few teams are interested.

“They did not find the market they were hoping to find for Fields,” Graziano said of the Bears in an ESPN+ article. “The idea that Chicago could get a second-round pick for Fields no longer seems likely,”

Graziano did add that the market may improve for the Bears once some of the other available quarterbacks get soaked up by other clubs and remaining QB-starved franchises are stuck without an option.

I never expected the Steelers to pay much in trade compensation. Their interest in Fields appears moderate at most. And whatever interest they had in Wilson only seemed to be evident once it became clear they’d have to lay out very little cash and term to get him.

So much for that

There had been some thinking that the Steelers may try to acquire Fletcher Cox this offseason. That’s not going to happen now.

The veteran Philadelphia Eagles defensive lineman has decided to retire. He made that announcement on social media.

THANK YOU, PHILLY! pic.twitter.com/vJcyeCndUE

— fletcher cox (@fcoxx_91) March 10, 2024

During a Super Bowl Radio Row appearance on Cam Heyward’s “Not Just Football” podcast, Cox was asked by the Pittsburgh captain which current defensive lineman he would have liked to play alongside in his career.

“You,” Cox said back to Heyward. “The respect that you’ve got for the game. Respect that I have for the game. The way that you play the game, the way that I play the game — that would’ve been nice. We could make some things happen.”

Last month, Pro Football Focus called Pittsburgh Cox’s best potential landing spot in free agency. And in 2021, there were trade rumors that linked the Steelers to the six-time Pro Bowler.

Instead, though, Cox will walk into retirement playing his entire 12-year career in Philly. During his time there, Cox won Super Bowl LII, was named first-team All-Pro in 2018 and was placed on the NFL’s All-Decade team of the 2010s.

Guessing on Guentzel

No word yet on when Jake Guentzel will make his debut in his new uniform. The former Penguin was traded to the Carolina Hurricanes last week.

However, he is still dealing with an upper-body injury and hasn’t played since a 5-2 loss against Florida on Valentine’s Day. Prior to his team’s 7-2 win against the Calgary Flames at home, ‘Canes head coach Rod Brind’Amour said he doesn’t think Guentzel is far from playing, “but it won’t be within the next day or two.”

Frederik Andersen will start tonight for the #Canes vs. Calgary.

Jack Drury (lower-body injury) is out. Brendan Lemieux draws in.

Jake Guentzel (upper-body injury) will not debut. Rod Brind'Amour says he doesn't think he's far away, but it won't be within the next day or two. pic.twitter.com/ZU2Fwdi5Bd

— Walt Ruff (@WaltRuff) March 10, 2024

Carolina hosts the New York Rangers on Tuesday and the Florida Panthers on Thursday. If Guentzel can’t make it back for either of those two contests, the Hurricanes are in Toronto on Saturday and Ottawa on Sunday.

Guentzel will return to Pittsburgh with the Hurricanes on March 26.

Seasons end

The Robert Morris men’s team saw its season end in the second-round of the Atlantic Hockey playoffs on Saturday night. They were swept in a best of three series in Rochester by RIT.

The top-seeded Tigers won 5-0 Friday and 5-1 Saturday. Tanner Klimpke had the lone goal of the weekend for the Colonials. It was his team-best 15th of the season.

GOAL????

Tanner Klimpke scores his 15th of the season‼️#BobbyMo #AHA20 pic.twitter.com/bLH6KGUsvq

— RMU Men’s Hockey (@RMUMHockey) March 10, 2024

RMU got to the second round in its return-to-competition season by virtue of a victory over Bentley in the first round.

As for the Pitt club hockey team, the 20th-ranked Panthers made it to the Elite Eight of the ACHA Nationals for the first time ever after victories over No. 13 Arizona and No. 4 Jamestown. But they lost to UNLV in the semifinals 5-1.

The victory over Jamestown was the largest upset in ACHA Nationals history.

Josh Hrip had two goals and two assists in the win over Arizona. Ben Leslie had two goals versus Jamestown. Ian Keller was the lone goal scorer against UNLV.