First Call: Odd-couple highlights for T.J. Watt, Jake Guentzel; Steelers listed atop 'best fits' for Jimmy Garoppolo

The Pittsburgh Steelers are listed as a leading landing spot for a high-profile quarterback that could be on the move. Chase Claypool is floated as a potential NFL trade chip. A pair of former Penguins are hearing similar chatter about their names in the NHL.

And some strange scoring connections emerge for T.J. Watt and Jake Guentzel in their respective All-Star games.

Odd couples

If we use the phrase “politics makes strange bedfellows,” what should we say about professional sports All-Star games?

Because we saw a few examples over the weekend — and there were Pittsburgh connections.

First of all, there was the Jake Guentzel-Claude Giroux Keystone State combination. The Penguins-Flyers tandem set each other up for a pair of goals in the Metropolitan Division’s eventual win at the All-Star game.

Guentzel ➡️ Giroux ➡️ in the net

There's 1:45 left in the championship game and the Metro Division has the 5-3 lead! pic.twitter.com/p5aKfZrue1

— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) February 5, 2022

GOAL! JAKE GUENTZEL FROM CAPTAIN C...laude Giroux?

Okay, we're never going to get used to saying that last part. pic.twitter.com/Nd5qvWSo4I

— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) February 5, 2022

Then there was T.J. Watt’s strip of NFC quarterback Kirk Cousins during Sunday’s Pro Bowl. It led to an AFC defensive touchdown as teammate Myles Garrett of the Cleveland Browns grabbed the loose ball.

Least shocking news of the day:@_TJWatt just got to the quarterback & forced a fumble

: ESPN pic.twitter.com/ygrVsUzy7I

— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) February 6, 2022

I’m just not sure how I feel about all this Pittsburgh-Cleveland-Philadelphia intermingling.

The AFC ended up winning 41-35. Steelers wide receiver Diontae Johnson had one catch for 33 yards. He also caught a two-point conversion. Rookie running back Najee Harris had 15 yards on five carries.

Quarterback conundrum

As the NFL’s quarterback carousel gets ready to turn this offseason, at least one outlet is tabbing the Steelers as a top fit to acquire Jimmy Garoppolo.

Bucky Brooks put the Steelers on top of four other teams in a list he recently put together for NFL.com.

“As Mike Tomlin empowers offensive coordinator Matt Canada to fully install a creative offense built on a variety of collegiate-like concepts, including RPOs and jet sweeps, Garoppolo could light it up playing in a scheme that could mirror the Eastern Illinois system that produced fireworks,” Brooks said. “Considering the Steelers’ current options at the position, a trade for Jimmy G could give the team the best chance to compete in a division loaded with young, dynamic quarterbacks.”

Sorry, but Garoppolo isn’t my cup of tea. I say if the Steelers are looking for a veteran quarterback, swing big for Aaron Rodgers, Russell Wilson or Derek Carr. If not them, don’t bother. Look at the draft instead.

Failing both of those options, grit your teeth and ride it out for a year with Mason Rudolph.

Washington, Denver, Miami and New Orleans were the other possible destinations Brooks listed.

Trade bait?

ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler named 20 players as “under-the-radar NFL trade candidates.”

One of them was Steelers wide receiver Chase Claypool.

“Claypool is a massive talent drafted by general manager Kevin Colbert, who is stepping down after the draft. A new GM might want to build around Diontae Johnson, Najee Harris and Pat Freiermuth on offense. While Johnson’s targets increased every year, from 92 to 144 to 169, Claypool’s dropped slightly from his first to second season, from 109 to 105,” Fowler said. “Coach Mike Tomlin having to address Claypool’s ‘missteps’ and ‘growth and development’ in the media due to the receiver’s lack of awareness late in games or obvious maturity issues isn’t ideal. The Steelers usually stand behind young players, but if there’s a chance to acquire great value, Pittsburgh would be smart to listen.”

I’ve been as hard on Claypool as anyone, but I would hold onto him if I’m Colbert and Tomlin. Yes, he had a sophomore slump. I also agree with what Fowler had to say about his maturity issues.

But there is still upside there. The Steelers may also lose JuJu Smith-Schuster, Ray-Ray McCloud and James Washington in free agency. So they’ll probably need another wide receiver or two as it is.

I think trading Claypool would just create another hole on a roster that is already filled with too many to count.

Related:

• Madden Monday: Opinion on Steelers QB situation unchanged after Senior Bowl hype over Kenny Pickett, Malik Willis
• Tim Benz: 1 aspect of the Penguins' game that must be rediscovered coming out of the All-Star Break

Movin’ in March?

Speaking of Giroux, he was one of six big-name potential trade targets referenced by Dan Rosen in a front page piece for NHL.com.

Giroux has been the Philadelphia Flyers forward and captain since the 2012-13 season. His contract includes a full no-movement clause. He’s a free agent at the end of the year. He’ll be due the prorated remainder of a $8.275 million NHL salary-cap charge.

As Rosen pointed out, “Flyers general manager Chuck Fletcher has said it’ll be Giroux’s decision if he gets traded or stays in Philadelphia.”

Former Penguins Phil Kessel and Marc-Andre Fleury are mentioned as well. Of Fleury, Rosen says that the Washington Capitals, Colorado Avalanche and Edmonton Oilers are candidates to acquire him.

San Jose’s Tomas Hertl along with Dallas’ Joe Pavelski and John Klingberg were referenced, too. The trade deadline is March 21.