First Call: Kirk Cousins' camp keeping an eye on Steelers' QB situation; Ryan Clark's future at ESPN unclear

A big-name free-agent quarterback may have an interest in playing with the Pittsburgh Steelers. J.J. Watt is blowing off some derogatory comments about his brother from Micah Parsons. Ryan Clark’s status at ESPN is uncertain.

The Penguins are about to play a team that’s in even worse shape than they are. And the Duquesne women’s basketball team just keeps winning.

All that in Thursday’s “First Call.”

Keeping watch

When it comes to the quarterback rumor mill of late, the most commonly linked player to the Steelers has been Chicago’s Justin Fields. That’s if the Bears are interested in trading him.

Now, for the first time, we are seeing a little smoke on the Kirk Cousins front. That would require a significant free-agent contract and a great deal of faith that Cousins recovers fully from his Achilles tendon injury.

But Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio told 93.7 The Fan on Wednesday that if the Steelers do have an interest in signing Cousins, that interest might be mutual.

“I was talking to some people last week who seem to be intrigued by the possibility of the Steelers making a play for Kirk Cousins. And those people were very close to, if not within, the Kirk Cousins camp,” Florio said. “There’s an acknowledgment that it could happen. The Falcons and the Steelers are the two teams that I think the Cousins camp is keeping an eye on.”

The phrase “people very close to, if not within, the Kirk Cousins camp” feels intentionally obscure to me. But if the greater point from Florio is that he’s being told Cousins and those close to him have an interest in Pittsburgh, that is something to monitor.

Cousins has always been my vote for what the Steelers should do at QB next year, depending on how his contract will be structured. If the club and his representatives can work out a manageable deal, then I say do it. He’d bring the offense instant credibility and balance that Kenny Pickett, Mason Rudolph, Ryan Tannehill, Fields or “fill in the blank” draft choice would not.

Indeed, whatever Cousins would cost would be expensive. Then again, how much has subpar quarterback play since Ben Roethlisberger blew out his elbow cost the team in terms of chances for contention in the playoffs?

Does that cost mean anything?

Maybe Cousins’ asking price, term, or structure demands for his contract won’t make sense for the Steelers, but it would for Atlanta or another team.

OK, then. So be it. Move on.

But if I’m Omar Khan and the Steelers, I’d have to be talked out of it. It wouldn’t take much to talk me into it.

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Mad at Micah

Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt didn’t win NFL Defensive Player of the Year. Cleveland Browns defensive lineman Myles Garrett did. So, of course, Pittsburgh was outraged.

One guy who wasn’t upset about that result was Dallas Cowboys standout linebacker Micah Parsons. The Penn State alum suggested Watt deserved to be “fifth or sixth” and that Alex Highsmith might have actually been better in Pittsburgh.

That didn’t exactly go over well with Steelers fans on Twitter either, as they took Parsons to task.

Watt’s brother, J.J., the future Hall of Fame defensive lineman, has been a frequent backer of T.J.’s talents and a frequent critic of anyone who hasn’t been on board the train to get him the DPOY award.

But when presented with the Parsons quotes on “The Pat McAfee Show” Wednesday, J.J. refused to fan the flames on T.J.’s behalf.

“I think the internet handled that properly. I think it was handled appropriately. That’s what we’re dealing with, man. That’s what we’re dealing with,” J.J. Watt said.

“I’ve said all the stuff that needed to be said about it.”

"I've said all the stuff that needed to be said about my brother..

There's a ton of great pass rushers in this league but it still boggles my mind" ~ @JJWatt#PMSLive pic.twitter.com/K7u4QymElM

— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) February 14, 2024

Garrett finished first with 165 votes. Watt was second with 140. Parsons was third at 89.

What is Ryan’s hope?

Ryan Clark is uncertain of his future at ESPN. The former Steelers safety has become a fixture of the network’s NFL coverage.

But according to a social media post from Clark, his three-year contract with ESPN is expiring, and he’s not sure where negotiations are going to go.

“The season is over. The deal is up. Time to make a decision,” Clark posted. “Either way it goes. The mission don’t change. I want to be the best doing it. Everyone should. I’m more motivated today than ever. I’m still the same #UndraftedFreeAgent!”

3 years ago I signed an extension with ESPN. I was so grateful for more time. I excited to prove I was worth more, felt I deserved more. We disagreed, & that’s OK. I set out on a mission to leave no doubt, end all conversations about my who I was in this business. I added… pic.twitter.com/oVrClmctUg

— Ryan Clark (@Realrclark25) February 14, 2024

Clark added that he is also now a part of “The Pivot” podcast, “Inside the NFL,” on the CW and Netflix.

At ESPN, Clark appears on “First Take,” “Get UP,” “Monday NFL Countdown” and “SportsCenter.” He won a sports Emmy last spring for “Outstanding Personality/Studio Analyst.”

Meanwhile, Front Office Sports is reporting that ESPN has given Chris Russo a multi-year extension. He also appears on “First Take.”

No wins in the Windy City

While the Penguins are struggling, having lost three in a row, their next opponent, the Chicago Blackhawks, is really stumbling.

The Pens are in Chicago Thursday night for an 8:30 p.m. faceoff. The Hawks have lost seven in a row and eight of nine. Their last win was on Jan. 19 against the New York Islanders.

During that streak, the Blackhawks have exceeded two goals just once.

At 14-36-3, Chicago only has 36 points, the fewest in the NHL. They are also playing without superstar rookie Connor Bedard. On Jan. 5, he suffered a fractured jaw during a game against the New Jersey Devils.

Bedard is currently skating and wearing a face shield and a non-contact jersey in practice. On Monday, the Chicago Tribune reported that Bedard is “a week away from being evaluated to make contact for the first time” and that his recovery is “on track.”

The prognosis for a return by Bedard was set at 6-8 weeks.

Valentine’s victory

The Duquesne Dukes women’s basketball team continues its hot play of late. They beat St. Bonaventure 66-50 on Wednesday.

Megan McConnell had a huge game, putting up 20 points, 13 rebounds and five assists. She led the Dukes in all three categories.

McConnell is on ???? She is 5-for-5 from behind the arc!#GoDukes | @megg_mcconnell4 pic.twitter.com/Vi6dQFyRxY

— Duquesne Women's Basketball (@DuqWBB) February 15, 2024

Coach Dan Burt’s team has now won four in a row and eight of nine. They are 16-9 overall at 11-3 in Atlantic 10 play. That places the Dukes third in the conference behind Richmond and St. Joseph’s, who are both 12-1.

The team’s next game is on the road Saturday night at Saint Louis. The Billikens are 10-15 overall and 5-7 in the A-10.