First Call: Cam Heyward missing OTAs for 'contract negotiations’; ex-Steelers 1st-round pick signs with Jaguars

Friday’s “First Call,” has an update on Cameron Heyward’s contract dispute with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Terrell Edmunds has a new place to play in the AFC. We celebrate Upper St. Clair’s Vince Trocheck as he helped the Rangers put away the Carolina Hurricanes in the NHL playoffs.

Plus, we examine Jameson Taillon’s status in Chicago as he heads into a game against the Pirates.

What’s happening with Heyward?

Steelers defensive captain Cameron Heyward is confirming reports that he is not taking part in OTAs. He admits this decision is a matter of contract leveraging.

During his “Not Just Football” podcast, Heyward said, “It’s voluntary. Let’s get that straight. I’m working out, doing everything. But, at this time, it’s just contract negotiations. I want to be a Pittsburgh Steeler, but we’ll see what happens.”

Heyward has one year remaining on his contract. He costs $22 million against the salary cap. The Steelers can save $16 million in cap money by cutting him. The reigning Walter Payton Man of the Year has said that he wants to play two to three more years and that he has spoken with the Steelers about an extension.

But no such decision has manifested as of yet.

As I’ve said in the past, the Steelers should keep Heyward for this year. However, I’m surprised the Steelers aren’t asking him to take a pay cut, let alone the notion of giving him more guaranteed money later in his 30s. Given the injury-ravaged thud of a season he just had in 2023, I wouldn’t endorse committing any new money to the 35-year-old former All-Pro beyond 2024.

But the Steelers love Heyward. So my guess is, not only will they avoid a pay cut for him, but he may get a reconfigured extension, so long as it accommodates the Steelers’ salary cap better for this year.

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Just a Jag

A former Steelers’ first-round pick has a new home. It’s safety Terrell Edmunds.

We have signed DB Terrell Edmunds, DB Tre Flowers, and LB Ty Summers.@Dream_Finders | #DUUUVAL pic.twitter.com/79svau4ctr

— Jacksonville Jaguars (@Jaguars) May 16, 2024

Edmunds was a first-round pick in 2018. The Virginia Tech alum spent five years in Pittsburgh before joining the Philadelphia Eagles in March 2023. He was traded to the Tennessee Titans on Oct. 23.

During the Titans’ final game, Edmunds had an interception that helped Tennessee stun the Jaguars, 28-20. That Week 17 loss by the Jags secured a playoff spot for the Steelers and left Jacksonville on the outside looking in.

Now Edmunds is a Jaguar. Go figure.

Helping the cause

Upper St. Clair’s Vince Trocheck was part of the New York Rangers’ efforts to put away the Carolina Hurricanes on Thursday night.

The Rangers won Game 6 of their Eastern Conference semifinal series 5-3. That clinched the series for New York, 4-2. Chris Kreider and goalie Igor Shesterkin were two of the stars.

Kreider netted a hat trick and Shesterkin stopped 36 of 39 shots en route to the win. But Trocheck stood out as well. He had a goal and an assist.

Bread with the rip + Troch redirects it. pic.twitter.com/fQCJvBxzQc

— x - New York Rangers (@NYRangers) May 17, 2024

Trocheck’s goal had been New York’s only score of the game heading into the third period down 3-1. But his team scored four unanswered to take the victory and the series.

The Rangers get the survivor of the Boston-Florida series. The Panthers are up 3-2 in that best of seven. The Bruins host Game 6 on Friday.

Former Pittsburgh Hornet J.T. Miller also scored a huge goal for the Vancouver Canucks. His 3-2 game-winner with less than a minute left Thursday night gave the Canucks a 3-2 series lead over the Edmonton Oilers in their Western Conference semifinal series.

JT MILLER SCORES THE GO-AHEAD GOAL WITH LESS THAN A MINUTE LEFT! ???? pic.twitter.com/2zjtNLRIvn

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) May 17, 2024

That was Miller’s second goal of the series and third of the playoffs. Vancouver looks to end the series Saturday night in Edmonton.

Taillon time

After having to be scratched from a start last week at PNC Park, Jameson Taillon is scheduled to face his former team this weekend as the Cubs host the Pirates.

Taillon is supposed to pitch for Chicago against Mitch Keller at 2:20 p.m. Sunday. The 32-year-old right hander had been preparing to face the Bucs on Friday of last week. But he was dealing with a back issue. So he was pushed until Tuesday against the Atlanta Braves instead.

That didn’t work out well as Taillon lasted only four innings, yielding seven hits and seven runs. Only two were earned. But a wild pitch also contributed to Taillon’s stat line. Plus, he allowed two home runs along the way to a 7-0 loss.

Michael Harris II goes deep to add onto the @Braves lead. pic.twitter.com/r4HptvRuYr

— MLB (@MLB) May 15, 2024

LAUNCH MODE FOR MATTY O pic.twitter.com/z5ABZRP5Qu

— Bally Sports: Braves (@BravesOnBally) May 15, 2024

That was Taillon’s first loss of the year. He is 3-1 with a 1.61 ERA. Keller comes in at 4-3 with a 3.93 ERA.

Getting to Glasnow

Los Angeles Dodgers right-hander Tyler Glasnow added to his Major League-leading strikeout total Thursday. The ex-Pirate fanned eight Cincinnati Reds and walked just one. That gives Glasnow 81 strikeouts on the year.

But he lasted just five innings and gave up four runs as the Reds won 7-2. Will Benson hit a leadoff home run and Elly De La Cruz went 4 for 4 with four stolen bases.

Four stolen bases tonight. 30 on the season.

Elly De La Cruz is on a historic pace. ⚡️ pic.twitter.com/kePlqSihyd

— MLB (@MLB) May 17, 2024

That’s 30 steals already this season for De La Cruz.

The Reds are now 19-25, half a game back of the 20-25 Pirates for third place in the National League Central. The Dodgers are 29-17. That leads the NL West by seven games over San Diego and Arizona.