First Call: Source claims some Steelers don't want 'preferred chance' for Kenny Pickett; Jaromir Jagr's one-liner wins crowd

In Monday’s “First Call,” we add a little texture to the reports of “internal division” within the Pittsburgh Steelers regarding their quarterback situation. Jaromir Jagr’s sense of humor was on display during his jersey retirement speech. The Penguins’ next opponent let one get away in a high-profile game on Sunday.

And NFL star Travis Kelce redefines “the price of fame” that goes along with his relationship to Taylor Swift.

No surprise

You may have seen a report over the weekend from my Steelers Radio Network colleague Gerry Dulac about “some internal division that maybe Mason Rudolph should be the starter” at quarterback for the team.

I followed up on those reports to see where that internal division may be originating.

What I was told by a source is that “there is a contingent” within the Steelers that believes the franchise doesn’t need to acquiesce to giving Kenny Pickett “another preferred chance” to start after Rudolph “won over the locker room, particularly the wide receivers room.”

So, some of the internal division may be emanating from the wide receivers room. Gee, what a shocker.

I can’t imagine why, given that George Pickens had the two best games of his season with Rudolph at quarterback and Johnson had a seven-game stretch of failing to reach 65 yards which was eventually snapped when Rudolph was at quarterback the last two games of the regular season. He had 89 and 76 yards in those last two games.

Johnson is also already on record stating he wants to see Rudolph get the job.

The source went on to echo the original report that the Steelers don’t seem inclined to bring in another starting-caliber quarterback from outside the organization to challenge Pickett for the No. 1 job.

However, the person I spoke with didn’t offer any additional insight on the Steelers’ inclination to keep Rudolph beyond anything Mike Tomlin or Art Rooney II have said in recent weeks.

Just stating the facts

Jaromir Jagr did his best to fend off tears during his jersey retirement ceremony Sunday night. But he brought a few folks to tears of laughter with a one-liner he cracked during his speech.

While acknowledging those who have supported him, the 52-year-old Jagr thanked his 29-year-old girlfriend, Dominika Brasinova. However, he did point out one noteworthy detail, given their age difference.

“I would like to thank my girlfriend, Dominika. She’s too young to remember that I played in Pittsburgh,” Jagr said. “But I told her all the stories, don’t worry.”

"I'd like to thank my girlfriend Dominika… she's too young to remember me playing in Pittsburgh." That's…. Fairly clear pic.twitter.com/nMhJHjhQ5t

— Tim Benz (@TimBenzPGH) February 18, 2024

The audience at PPG Paints Arena and Brasinova herself had a laugh. Jagr last played in Pittsburgh in 2001. Brasinova said she would’ve been 6 years old at the time.

Coming off a thud

The Penguins won’t be the only team coming off a game with a lot of hype Tuesday night at PPG Paints Arena. While the Penguins lost to the Los Angeles Kings (2-1) on the heels of the Jaromir Jagr jersey retirement Sunday, their Tuesday night opponents, the New York Islanders, just played a Stadium Series game outside at MetLife Stadium against the New York Rangers.

The Rangers came back from a 4-1 deficit to win in overtime thanks to an Artemi Panarin goal.

BREADMAN ALWAYS DELIVERS. pic.twitter.com/exWaK3Gtbg

— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) February 18, 2024

Panarin is now tied for fifth place in the league with 32 goals. Upper St. Clair’s Vince Trocheck scored twice for the Rangers, as well. The Islanders have lost three in a row and have 58 points, three more than the Penguins. They are two spots in front of Pittsburgh in the Metropolitan Division.

The final wild-card spot is currently occupied by the Detroit Red Wings, who have 62 points.

More sports

• Madden Monday: Penguins' loss 'signs Jake Guentzel's exit papers,' Diontae Johnson's 'future is in doubt' with Steelers
• What they're saying about Jaromir Jagr's jersey retirement
• Pitt's Blake Hinson reacts to historic performance with humor, humility

Price of fame

So how overwhelming is the public spotlight on Travis Kelce now that he is dating Taylor Swift?

Kelce’s brother, Jason, put it in perspective during a podcast with NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal on Shaq’s “The Big Podcast.”

“He had to completely move out of his house,” Jason Kelce said via SI.com. “People were just staying by his house.”

Apparently, that did not help the situation.

“The first day he moved into the new house, a gated community, someone knocks on a window of the house,” Jason Kelce said.

Via TMZ, that new house is a $6 million mansion that’s 16,000 square feet.