REPORT: Levi Wallace leaves free agency, and a prospective Steelers draftee has medical concerns.
Tuesday’s “First Call” includes information regarding a departing Pittsburgh Steelers defensive back. A possible Steelers draft pick may have a medical issue. The Brandon Aiyuk trade talk has gained traction.
During a wild day at Yankee Stadium, a Pittsburgh local shined brightly.
Finally, cornerback Levi Wallace is on his way to Denver. Two weeks ago, it was reported that the former Steeler would make a free-agent visit to the Broncos.
Wallace is now on his way to Colorado under a new contract, according to the franchise.
Wallace joined the Steelers prior to the 2022 season after playing the first four years of his career with the Buffalo Bills.
During his two years in Black and Gold, Wallace played in 31 games, starting 18. He totaled six interceptions after arriving in Pittsburgh, to go along with defending 24 passes and making 86 tackles.
Joey Porter Jr. and Donte Jackson are likely to be two of the primary corners deployed in most situations. The likes of Chandon Sullivan and Patrick Peterson are still free agents from last year’s team.
If San Francisco general manager John Lynch is attempting to tamp down speculation of a potential Brandon Aiyuk trade, he isn’t doing a great job of it.
Via ProFootballTalk.com, during Monday’s pre-draft press conference, Lynch cut off a question about whether Aiyuk’s agent has been given permission to seek a trade?
“I’m not going to get in all those details,” Lynch said, interrupting Matt Maiocco of NBCSportsBayArea.com. “We’re really focused on B.A. being part of us. He’s under contract, and we’re looking forward to that.”
When asked if he had gotten any inquiries concerning Aiyuk’s availability, Lynch responded, “We get calls about a lot of guys.”
This is hardly exactly a denial.
Lynch was asked whether Aiyuk would be traded this week. He said, “I wouldn’t expect that.”
Again, this is not a “no.” Perhaps it is because Lynch does not want it to happen. Perhaps he is attempting to entice the greatest potential trade offer from another team.
However, the Niners would be best served if they could strike a long-term contract with the second-team All-Pro receiver. Lynch, at least, stated that the outcome is the primary goal.
“Our wish is that he’s here and a part of the Niners for the rest of his career,” Lynch was quoted as saying. “We’re working through
Aiyuk wants a new contract instead of the team’s $14.1 million fifth-year option. He totaled 75 receptions, 1,342 yards and seven touchdowns in 2023. Given the Steelers’ need at wide receiver, and Aiyuk’s social media outreach to Mike Tomlin, Pittsburgh has frequently been linked to Aiyuk trade rumors as a potential destination.
Something to remember
A potential Steelers draft target has an injury concern. It’s Washington tackle Troy Fautanu. That’s according to Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer.
“Washington OT Troy Fautanu’s knee was flagged,” Breer wrote. “That one was described to me as the sort of issue that shouldn’t be a problem in the short term but could wind up impacting his longevity in the pros (though his high football character is a factor in making teams feel like he’ll do all he can to take care of it, and give himself the best chance).”
According to Bleacher Report’s Jordan Schultz, the Steelers met with Fautanu before his Pro Day. Offensive line coach Pat Meyer was in Seattle for the event.
According to ESPN.com, the ex-Husky is projected as the second-best tackle in what is a loaded draft for the position.
Bethel Park’s Mason Miller had another excellent outing for the Oakland A’s on Monday. The Waynesburg University product struck out all three batters he faced in the bottom of the ninth in New York to close out a 2-0 win over the Yankees.
That’s Miller’s fifth save of the year. It’s his seventh straight game without giving up a run. He now has 20 strikeouts in 11 innings pitched. The A’s took a 2-0 lead in the top of the ninth on a homer from Zack Gelof.
The Yankees dropped to 15-8. That is still good enough to tie with the Baltimore Orioles for first place in the American League East. The A’s are 9-14 and rank fourth in the AL West.
Mistaken Identity
The Yankees-A’s game also included one of the funniest ejections you’ll ever see. Yankees manager Aaron Boone was ejected in the first inning when umpire Hunter Wendelstedt mistook an inflammatory comment from a fan for one made by Boone.
Wendelstedt offered this weak explanation via Newsweek.
“Apparently, what he said was there was a fan right above the dugout,” Wendelstedt said. “This isn’t my first ejection. In the entirety of my career, I have never ejected a player or a manager for something a fan has said. I understand that’s going to be part of a story or something like that because that’s what Aaron was portraying. I heard something come from the far end of the dugout, had nothing to do with his area, but he’s the manager of the Yankees. So he’s the one that had to go.”
Well, Hunter, apparently, there is a first time for everything because you clearly responded to a fan right over the near side of the dugout. That “far end of the dugout” excuse is hilarious.
According to Newsweek, after the game, Boone called the ejection “embarrassing,” and said he would be reaching out to Major League Baseball.
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