Wednesday’s “First Call” has some news about Pittsburgh Steelers ownership. We learn about the latest from San Francisco concerning Brandon Aiyuk. And we get a prediction on a first-time Steelers Pro Bowler.

Plus, a former Steelers assistant coach responds to some stinging criticism.

Getting close to the end?

At this point, I’d rather just see the Brandon Aiyuk story end than keep hope alive that the Steelers will get him.

That’s coming from someone who has advocated for acquiring the wide receiver from the start of the conversations in March. It’s just time for this drawn out drama to end.

Now, according to Bleachers Report’s Jordan Schultz, we may be getting close to that result. He says that the 49ers and Aiyuk “had another meeting (Monday), and talks continue to progress on a long-term contract extension.”

Schultz added, “There has been movement on a deal, but there are some minor details that still need to be ironed out with ownership approval.”

Sources: The #49ers and WR Brandon Aiyuk had another meeting yesterday and talks continue to progress on a long-term contract extension. There has been movement on a deal, but there are some minor details that still need to be ironed out with ownership approval. pic.twitter.com/Z0OWumelSF

— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) August 20, 2024

If you go back to what Mike Garafolo reported last week, those details might be about how much guaranteed money exists in the fourth year of the deal.

At this point, it might be best for the Steelers to start looking for other options about who else may be available at the wide receiver position as opposed to clinging to hopes that things may shake out with Aiyuk.

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The time is now?

NFL.com has come up with a list of potential first-time Pro Bowlers. The post included one player from every team.

The Steelers’ nominee is wide receiver George Pickens.

“Last season, Pickens collected 1,140 yards alongside Dionte Johnson. With Johnson in Carolina, Pickens is now the clear-cut No. 1 option in Pittsburgh,” wrote NFL.com’s Kevin Patra. “There are also huge questions behind him in the pecking order, meaning Pickens should see a plethora of targets that will allow him to stockpile stats. The 23-year-old boasts the talent on the outside to win one-on-ones. While used mostly as a boundary field-stretcher, Pickens can feast on all three levels, and I expect new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith to use Pickens more liberally all over the field than the previous staff did. Barring an addition to the WR corps, Pickens is in a position to potentially lead the NFL in targets in 2024.”

Pat Freiermuth might be a candidate as well, given Smith’s preference for using the tight end a lot. On defense, if Keeanu Benton or Joey Porter Jr. spike in Year 2, don’t rule them out.

Over in the NFC West, former Steeler Kevin Dotson was the nominee for the Los Angeles Rams. And guess who got the nod for the 49ers?

Closing the loop

The issue surrounding the shares of Steelers ownership associated with new Washington Commander owners Josh Harris and David Blitzer has been resolved.

Those two men had been minority owners of the Steelers. However, when they purchased the Washington Commanders in July of 2023, they were required by NFL rules to sell off their stake in Pittsburgh’s team.

According to FrontOfficeSports.com, the total amount that Blitzer and Harris had was less than 5% of the club, and they sold that interest back to “an investor group led by Steelers controlling owner Art Rooney II and billionaire businessman Thomas Tull, who already had a minority interest in the franchise.”

New Washington Commanders owners Josh Harris and David Blitzer have sold their stakes in the Pittsburgh Steelers, following NFL rules against cross-ownership.

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— Front Office Sports (@FOS) August 20, 2024

Harris’ ownership group purchased the Commanders for a little more than $6 billion. He and Blitzer co-own the Philadelphia 76ers, the New Jersey Devils and the Crystal Palace soccer team in the English Premier League.

Talking about Tua

Brian Flores became a defensive assistant in 2022 for the Steelers, not long after he had been fired by the Miami Dolphins. Part of the reason for that dismissal in South Florida is that Flores allegedly didn’t have a good relationship with Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa.

In a recent interview on the “Dan Lebatard Show,” Tagovailoa shredded Flores and his coaching style. He even went so far as to refer to Flores as a “terrible person.”

Now a defensive coordinator in Minnesota, Flores responded to Tagovailoa’s rebuke of his coaching approach.

“I think part of coaching is correcting,” Flores said via ESPN.com. “I’m always going to correct. I’m always going to have a high standard. I’ve done a lot of reflecting on the situation, reflecting on the situation and communication. I think there are things that I could do better for sure, and I’ve grown in that way, and I’ve tried to apply the things that I could do better and the things that I’ve learned over the last two, three years.”

Flores claims he has considered contacting Tagovailoa in an effort to mend the fences.

“I’m genuinely happy for the success that Tua has had,” Flores said, “and I really wish him nothing but the best.”

During his press conference in Eagan, Minn., Vikings safety Josh Metellus and defensive lineman Harrison Phillips flanked Flores in a show of support.

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