First Call: Pat Freiermuth contacts Aaron Rodgers; Russell Wilson can still help Steelers from New York

In Wednesday’s “First Call,” Aaron Rodgers is making contact with at least one Pittsburgh Steelers target on offense.

We investigate how Russell Wilson still may be able to help his now-former team. There is an update on the recovery of ex-Steeler James Daniels.

We tell you if Alex Ovechkin is any closer to Wayne Gretzky’s NHL goal-scoring record. And Michael Bunting got on the score sheet for the Nashville Predators.

News from Muuuth

At least one member of the Steelers has already made contact with Aaron Rodgers.

Tight end Pat Freiermuth claims he and the team’s potential new starting quarterback have swapped messages on social media.

“Yeah, I’ve been in contact,” Freiermuth told 93.7 The Fan on Tuesday (at the 6:18 mark). “It’s not his phone number. I’ve just been DM-ing on my Instagram. I haven’t gotten past the DM phase.”

I’m not sure if Freiermuth has gotten to the recruitment stage with Rodgers yet. But at least he seems more interested in speaking with Rodgers than Cam Heyward expressed a week ago.

Last year, Tyler Conklin was the top receiving tight end for New York with Rodgers at the helm. He totaled 51 catches for 449 yards and four touchdowns.

Freiermuth had 65 catches for 653 yards and seven scores with Russell Wilson and Justin Fields as his QBs in 2024.

Get on the ‘Russ Bus’

Even though Russell Wilson has left for the New York Giants in free agency, Steelers fans should still root for him to play well.

According to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com, Wilson’s new contract means that the quarterback could earn up to $21 million in bonuses.

ESPN Sources: The Giants and Super Bowl-winning QB Russell Wilson reached agreement today on a one-year deal worth up to $21 million, including $10.5 million guaranteed. The 10-time Pro-Bowl selection had been in discussions with the Giants, Browns and Steelers, but is opting for… pic.twitter.com/ZjjOz0U7bl

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 25, 2025

Via research from OverTheCap.com’s Nick Korte, that would result in the Steelers perhaps getting a third-round compensatory pick. At a minimum, he says Wilson would yield a fifth-rounder.

For the time being, I'm going to add Russell Wilson into the 2026 compensatory pick database with the guaranteed money that's been reported.

That would be a 5th rounder to the Steelers at minimum.

However, up to $21M could make up to a 3rd possible.https://t.co/5MiEWoHfXW

— Nick Korte (@nickkorte) March 25, 2025

According to Korte, the Steelers are currently due the maximum four 2026 compensatory picks for departed free agents with Daniel Moore yielding a fourth-rounder, Fields bringing back a fourth, and James Daniels netting a sixth.

Daniels and the Dolphins

As for what Daniels will do with the Miami Dolphins, that’s still a bit up in the air. According to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald, Daniels says he’s not going to find out until OTAs if he is going to play right guard or left guard in Miami after playing on the right side in Pittsburgh for three years.

During the video conference call with Miami reporters, Daniels also said that his season-ending Achilles injury in Week 5 last year shouldn’t limit his availability in 2026.

???? James Daniels expects to be ready for training camp following his Achilles injury last season: "I'm on schedule, I'm on track... we won't have to worry about anything this upcoming season." (@MiamiDolphins) #GoFins pic.twitter.com/65whwQmYDD

— FinsXtra (@FinsXtra) March 25, 2025

“It’s going pretty well,” Daniels said. “I wasn’t lucky to have the Achilles injury, but I was lucky (when) it happened. I had surgery the first week of October. I’m on schedule, I’m on track, so I was really fortunate about the timing in the year where we won’t have to worry about anything this upcoming season.”

Rookie Mason McCormick replaced Daniels as the full-time starter on the right side. Isaac Seumalo is once again the presumptive starter on the left side.

Great 8 gets 889

Alex Ovechkin is now just six goals away from breaking Wayne Gretzky’s NHL goal scoring record of 894.

The Washington Capitals sniper scored No. 889 of his illustrious career form the left circle with just four minutes left to go in Winnipeg on Tuesday night.

That tied the Caps’ game with the Jets at 2-2 and forced overtime.

GOAL NO. 889 FOR ALEX OVECHKIN‼️ #Gr8Chase pic.twitter.com/83z8HWxaqU

— NHL (@NHL) March 26, 2025

That is 57 career goals versus the Jets/Thrashers organization for Ovi. Via NHL public relations, that’s the most by an active player against one franchise. Sidney Crosby’s 56 for the Penguins versus Philadelphia is next.

However, Nikolaj Ehlers scored the game winner for the Jets. So the Caps got just one point on the night to improve to 103. That’s the most in the NHL. The Jets are next with 102.

The Capitals next play in Minnesota on Thursday. Ovechkin has 11 games left to pick up those six goals. Washington’s finale is in Pittsburgh on April 17.

Ovechkin hasn’t had a multi-goal game since Feb. 23 in Edmonton. He hasn’t scored in consecutive games since that hat trick versus the Oilers followed by a 3-1 loss in Calgary two nights later.

Bunting busts out

Meanwhile, former Penguin Michael Bunting found the back of the net for the Nashville Predators on Tuesday.

The former Penguin opened the scoring during a power play against the Carolina Hurricanes, notching his 16th goal of the season.

When the opportunity strikes, Bunts is there ???? pic.twitter.com/eVCQFsjLoo

— Nashville Predators (@PredsNHL) March 25, 2025

That’s Bunting’s second goal since he was shipped to Nashville by the Penguins at the trade deadline earlier this month. That was Bunting’s seventh game with the team.

Nashville went on to win the game 3-1. Carolina is 13 points behind Washington in second place of the Metropolitan Division with 90. The Predators only have 62, the third-worst in the Western Conference.