First Call: Andrew McCutchen heading back to Pirates' division; ex-Steeler Le'Veon Bell says Antonio Brown 'misunderstood'

Tuesday’s “First Call” tells us where former Pirates star Andrew McCutchen will play baseball next season. Le’Veon Bell still has fond things to say about Mike Tomlin and Antonio Brown. The Bengals have bolstered their offensive line. And James Conner appears to have found a long-term home.

Familiar surroundings

Andrew McCutchen is heading back to the National League Central. The former Pirates star is signing with the Milwaukee Brewers.

OF Andrew McCutchen is in agreement with the Milwaukee Brewers, sources tell @ElExtrabase.

— Daniel Álvarez-Montes (@DanielAlvarezEE) March 14, 2022

That means the five-time All-Star will now be playing for his fifth team. After leaving Pittsburgh, he played in San Francisco, New York (Yankees) and Philadelphia.

With the Phillies last year, McCutchen hit .222 with 27 home runs and had 80 RBIs and an OPS of .778. The former MVP needs 174 hits to get to 2,000 and 30 home runs to get to 300.

McCutchen has 23 homers and 61 RBIs in Milwaukee’s American Family Field, the most of any venue besides former home stadiums in Pittsburgh (PNC Park) and Philadelphia (Citizens Bank Park).

McCutchen’s first game in Pittsburgh with Milwaukee will be April 26.

Le’V still loves A.B.

Le’Veon Bell opened up on the “No Jumper Sports” podcast.

He praised Mike Tomlin’s coaching and continued talking about the prospect of a celebrity boxing career. Perhaps even lining up a fight with Jake Paul.

The former Steelers running back also addressed Antonio Brown’s latest meltdown — his shirtless temper tantrum while they were both members of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers late last season.

Antonio Brown ran off the field shirtless after showing some frustration on the sidelines.@JenHale504 pic.twitter.com/Jet6ofnNm2

— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) January 2, 2022

In a way, Bell blamed himself for bad luck of not being on the sideline at the time Brown started to lose it.

“I low key wish I wasn’t in the game because I felt like I could’ve been one of the guys who (could say) ‘Alright, bro. A.B., calm down,’ ” Bell said.

Despite witnessing that act from Brown, Bell insists his former Steelers teammate isn’t who most of us in the public perceive him to be.

“A.B. is cool as hell,” Bell said. “I talk to him about whatever we want to talk about. Even when everything happened on the sideline with Tampa, he’s just a guy who is misunderstood. He has some moments overall, but he is a great person.”

Yup. Another example of how it’s never Mr. Big Chest’s fault. It’s always somebody else’s fault for not “understanding” him.

Gee, where do you think A.B. gets it from?

Staying put

Former Steelers running back James Conner is staying in Arizona after a big year.

The Pitt Panthers product re-signed with the Cardinals Monday. They are bringing him back on a three-year deal, after a franchise-record 18 total touchdowns.

Conner had 752 yards rushing and 375 yards receiving. The 26-year-old got across the goal line 15 times on the ground and three times via receptions.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter says the deal is worth $21 million, that could grow to a maximum of $25.5 million and includes $13.5 million fully guaranteed.

Bengals bound

Everyone knew that the Cincinnati Bengals were aiming to bolster their offensive line this offseason. And so far in free agency, they have tried to do so.

During the legal tampering period, it has gotten out that the Bengals will be signing New England Patriots offensive lineman Ted Karras to a three-year $18 million contract. He can play both center and guard.

They also inked former Tampa Bay Buccaneer right guard Alex Cappa. He started every game for the Buccaneers over the last two seasons.

In addition, the AFC North champions were able to retain defensive tackle B.J. Hill.

NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported it’s a three-year contract worth $30 million for Hill. But they have apparently lost tight end C.J. Uzomah to the New York Jets. Uzomah will receive $24 million over three years in New York, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.