First Call: Steelers' offseason ranked among NFL's 10 best; Brian Burke gives opinions on Kyle Dubas
TribLIVE's Daily and Weekly email newsletters deliver the news you want and information you need, right to your inbox.
In Wednesday’s “First Call,” the Pittsburgh Steelers are getting praise for their offseason approach. We check in on a former Pitt standout in the AFC North. The DeAndre Hopkins-to-Cleveland talk is gaining steam.
A former coach in the Penguins system is looking for work. And Brian Burke is letting his opinions be heard about Kyle Dubas.
One of the best
ESPN.com came up with a list of the best offseasons for NFL teams. The Steelers finished 10th, according to writer Bill Barnwell.
“The offensive line got better,” Barnwell wrote. “A line that has been a liability for years is working its way back toward adequacy. New Steelers general manager Omar Khan imported guard Isaac Seumalo from the Eagles then traded up in the first round of the draft to jump the Jets for left tackle Broderick Jones. Dan Moore has been overmatched over the past two seasons on the blind side; now, in addition to getting a higher-ceiling tackle into the starting lineup, Pittsburgh will have an experienced option at swing tackle.”
Barnwell also could’ve added that the Steelers bolstered depth at defensive line, wide receiver and tight end. Plus they seemed to adequately fill some holes that were created by free agency in the secondary.
As far as something that “went wrong,” Barnwell suggested the Steelers may still have questions at inside linebacker. In terms of “what’s left to do,” Barnwell pointed to getting a contract extension hammered out for outside linebacker Alex Highsmith.
Back in the saddle
What Brian Burke actually did during his time in Pittsburgh as Penguins president of hockey operations remains a mystery to most observers. What he is doing now as a hockey analyst is very similar to what he did when he previously had that role: spit hot takes as much as you can.
Burke is now an analyst for NHL Network. He had previously been with Sportsnet prior to his arrival in Pittsburgh. Appearing on Sportsnet 590 in Toronto with the “Kyper and Bourne Show,” Burke seemed to take Brendan Shanahan and the Maple Leafs’ side when it came to their eventual divorce with their former general manager Kyle Dubas.
“If you’re a team president … he’s your righthand man. The most important guy in the organization, and (he) has just told you, ‘I’m not sure I want to come back.’ That was the first fly in the ointment, if you will,” Burke said of Dubas’ press conference following the franchise’s loss to the Florida Panthers in the Eastern Conference’s second round.
It’s Burke’s belief that Dubas asked for too much, too late in his contract negotiations with the organization.
“You want to discuss (a contract extension) after you’ve had lengthy discussions framing these issues, (then) you want to put two new issues on the table? ‘Oh, by the way, I know we’ve gone down the road a long way, but I want to talk about power, and I want to talk about money.’ That’s really a problem,” Burke explained. “That’s a huge problem. Even if it’s not a problem for Shanny, which it would be, it’s a problem for your owners.”
Dubas is believed by many to be the frontrunner for the Penguins’ open GM vacancy. Former GM Ron Hextall and Burke were fired April 14 after the Penguins missed the playoffs for the first time since 2006.
More sports
• After testing his NBA option, Blake Hinson says he's returning to Pitt
• Newly signed Markus Golden accepting of role as No. 3 outside linebacker in Steelers defense
• Mark Madden: Penguins can't trust Tristan Jarry, at least not at market value
Hearty endorsement
Quarterback Deshaun Watson ramped up speculation about free agent wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins perhaps joining him with the Cleveland Browns.
Hopkins was recently released by the Arizona Cardinals. He and Watson used to be teammates with the Houston Texans.
“He just makes the throws a lot easier. His range, catch radius is super. It’s probably the best in the league. And I mean just the things he does, he just made my job a lot easier, so I just put the ball in his direction. He made the plays,” Watson said via Zac Jackson of The Athletic. “I think any situation for D-Hop would be perfect for him, but of course with me having another weapon along with all the other great weapons we have in that locker room and in that room, we always love to add talent.”
During three seasons as a tandem with Watson in Houston, Hopkins was a first team All-Pro three times (2017-19). Watson was a Pro Bowl QB from 2018-20.
Hopkins had 64 receptions for 717 yards and three touchdowns in nine games last season for Arizona. He missed Weeks 17 and 18 of 2022 with a knee injury, and the first six games thanks to a suspension for violating the NFL’s policy on the use of performance-enhancing drugs.
Time for Tyler
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tyler Boyd is now attending OTAs after an initial absence, even though he is on an expiring contract.
“I just feel like I wanted to come around, bring camaraderie. I miss the guys,” Boyd said via ProFootballTalk. “Even though I was away, just spending time with my family, quality time with my daughter, I just felt empty not being around my guys and just being there for them.”
Boyd, a former Pitt Panther and Clairton Bear, is entering the final year of his contract. He is slated to count $10.3 million ($8.45 million in base salary) against the salary cap.
“This is my home for now,” Boyd continued on video from “Jungle Roar’s” Mike Petraglia. “I just (won’t) worry about the unexpected. I’m here to finish this year out and whatever happens, happens, because I know we have a very, very high chance of making the Super Bowl and even winning. This is where I want to be. Whether I come up with a new deal or not, I’ve got to just go out there, and I’m going to be me.”
With fellow receiver Tee Higgins expected to make $3.96 million in this, the final year of his deal and Ja’Marr Chase approaching his third season, this could be Boyd’s last year in Cincinnati.
No longer in Nashville
Former Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins coach John Hynes is out of a job. He was fired Tuesday as head coach of the Nashville Predators. Hynes had been in Tennessee for parts of four seasons.
The Preds were 42-32-8 this season, failing to make the playoffs. The previous three seasons, Hynes’ team qualified for postseason play, but never made it beyond the initial round.
Hynes also never advanced beyond the first round of the postseason during four-plus years as head coach of the New Jersey Devils.
New Jersey Devils assistant coach Andrew Brunette will be Hynes’ replacement in Tennessee, as reported by NHL analyst Kevin Weekes.
Source: TribLIVE
