First Call: Roster spot opens on Steelers defensive line; Cameron Heyward announces lofty goals; Matt Murray traded

Tuesday’s “First Call” has some bold goals from Pittsburgh Steelers star Cameron Heyward. A spot is now open along the team’s defensive line. Former Penguin Matt Murray is on the move. And we look at the Major League Baseball Draft needs for the Pirates.

Hole to fill

The Steelers now have a vacant roster spot. It opened along the defensive line.

Daniel Archibong has gone on the reserve/retired list, according to ProFootballTalk.com. Archibong was credited with two tackles while playing 13 defensive snaps and six special teams snaps.

He was undrafted out of Temple a year ago. The Chicago Bears had him for a little while before cutting him. That’s when the Steelers added him to the practice squad. He was active for last year’s losses in Los Angeles against the Chargers and in Cincinnati against the Bengals.

The Steelers defensive line got more crowded this offseason after the signing of Larry Ogunjobi and the drafting of DeMarvin Leal.

High hopes for Heyward

Steelers defensive captain Cameron Heyward is setting high standards for 2022.

It sounds like he wants to pull a Cooper Kupp triple crown — of sorts. Kupp won the yardage, touchdown and receptions titles for wide receivers last year. Plus, he was a Super Bowl MVP.

Heyward is hoping to attain similar lofty accomplishments in Pittsburgh this season.

“I have already challenged myself next year trying to get a triple crown,” Heyward said last week on “The Playbook Podcast” (at the 12:30 mark). “Defensive MVP. Super Bowl MVP. And an MVP.”

That’d be one of the most amazing seasons in NFL history if Heyward accomplishes it. First of all, he’d have to supplant his own teammate, T.J. Watt, for Defensive Player of the Year.

Since 2000, there have only been four Super Bowl MVP winners on the defensive side of the ball — Ray Lewis (XXXV), Dexter Jackson (XXXVII), Malcolm Smith (XLVIII) and Von Miller (50).

Lawrence Taylor was the last defensive NFL MVP in 1986.

Related:

• Ben Roethlisberger sounds off on the Heinz Field name change
• Tim Benz: Evgeni Malkin has been playing hardball on the contract front; it's clear the Penguins are willing as well

Murray to Toronto

As referenced in Monday’s “First Call,” Matt Murray is now a Toronto Maple Leaf.

The former Penguins goalie was traded from Ottawa. The Senators retained 25% of Murray’s salary cap hit of $6.25 million. The club also sent a 2023 third-round pick and a 2024 seventh-round pick to Toronto for being willing to take on Murray’s contract.

The Senators merely received future considerations in return. That’s how eager they were to shed Murray’s salary from the books.

During his two years in Ottawa, Murray was 15-25-3. He had a save percentage of .899 and a goals against average of 3.22.

The Leafs traded netminder Petr Mrazek to Chicago during the draft last week, and Jack Campbell is about to become a free agent.

Who to watch

The Major League Baseball Draft is coming up Sunday. And ESPN.com MLB Draft insider Kylie McDaniels says the Pirates’ biggest position of need in the system is left-handed pitching.

McDaniel tabs Noah Schultz and Jackson Ferries as two possibilities to help fill that void.

Both are high school pitchers. Schultz is from Oswego, Ill. and stands 6-foot-9. He throws 94 miles per hour and has a sidearm curveball according to Max Preps.

Ferris is also big at 6-foot-5. Max Preps says he can hit 97 on the gun, but the site sees both prospects as late first-rounders.

The Pirates pick fourth.