First Call: Levi Wallace leaves in free agency; medical concern for potential Steelers draftee; bizarre MLB ejection
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Tuesday’s “First Call” features news about a departing Pittsburgh Steelers defensive back. A potential Steelers draft target may have a medical concern. The Brandon Aiyuk trade conversation has more oxygen.
And a Pittsburgh-area native was a star during a crazy day at Yankee Stadium.
Losing Levi
Cornerback Levi Wallace is heading out to Denver after all. Two weeks ago, it was reported that the former Steeler was going to take a free-agent visit to check out the Broncos.
Now, the franchise has announced Wallace is shipping out to Colorado with a new contract.
OFFICIAL: We've signed unrestricted free agent CB Levi Wallace.
Welcome to #BroncosCountry!
???? » https://t.co/M1l7ZifwS0 pic.twitter.com/qArdc3SDCY
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) April 22, 2024
Wallace joined the Steelers prior to the 2022 season after playing the first four years of his career with the Buffalo Bills.
During his two years in Black and Gold, Wallace played in 31 games, starting 18. He totaled six interceptions after arriving in Pittsburgh, to go along with defending 24 passes and making 86 tackles.
Joey Porter Jr. and Donte Jackson are likely to be two of the primary corners deployed in most situations. The likes of Chandon Sullivan and Patrick Peterson are still free agents from last year’s team.
Reading the tea leaves
If San Francisco general manager John Lynch is attempting to tamp down speculation of a potential Brandon Aiyuk trade, he isn’t doing a great job of it.
Via ProFootballTalk.com, during Monday’s pre-draft press conference, Lynch cut off a question about whether Aiyuk’s agent has been given permission to seek a trade?
“I’m not going to get in all those details,” Lynch said, interrupting Matt Maiocco of NBCSportsBayArea.com. “We’re really focused on B.A. being part of us. He’s under contract, and we’re looking forward to that.”
John Lynch made it clear the 49ers want Brandon Aiyuk to be a 49er for the rest of his career (via @MaioccoNBCS) https://t.co/1VZ1bhumMg pic.twitter.com/9jfWkTwGcG
— 49ers on NBCS (@NBCS49ers) April 22, 2024
When Lynch was asked if he has received calls about Aiyuk’s availability, he replied, “We receive calls about a lot of guys.”
That is not exactly a denial.
Lynch was asked if Aiyuk will be traded this week? He said, “I wouldn’t anticipate that.”
Again, that’s not a “no.” Maybe it’s because Lynch doesn’t want it to be. Perhaps he’s trying to bait the best possible trade offer from another team.
However, the Niners would be best served if they could work out a long-term deal with the second-team All-Pro receiver. Lynch, at least, did say that result is the primary goal.
“Our wish is that he’s here and a part of the Niners for the rest of his career,” Lynch said. “We’re working through that.”
Aiyuk wants a new contract instead of the team’s $14.1 million fifth-year option. He totaled 75 receptions, 1,342 yards and seven touchdowns in 2023. Given the Steelers’ need at wide receiver, and Aiyuk’s social media outreach to Mike Tomlin, Pittsburgh has frequently been linked to Aiyuk trade rumors as a potential destination.
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• Breakfast with Benz NFL Draft preview: Despite Steelers’ need at center, ‘anomaly’ of elite tackles may be too much to pass up
Something to remember
A potential Steelers draft target has an injury concern. It’s Washington tackle Troy Fautanu. That’s according to Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer.
“Washington OT Troy Fautanu’s knee was flagged,” Breer wrote. “That one was described to me as the sort of issue that shouldn’t be a problem in the short term but could wind up impacting his longevity in the pros (though his high football character is a factor in making teams feel like he’ll do all he can to take care of it, and give himself the best chance).”
According to Bleacher Report’s Jordan Schultz, the Steelers met with Fautanu before his Pro Day. Offensive line coach Pat Meyer was in Seattle for the event.
According to ESPN.com, the ex-Husky is projected as the second-best tackle in what is a loaded draft for the position.
More Mason
Bethel Park’s Mason Miller had another excellent outing for the Oakland A’s on Monday. The Waynesburg University product struck out all three batters he faced in the bottom of the ninth in New York to close out a 2-0 win over the Yankees.
Warning: Your device may catch on fire while watching this video ???? pic.twitter.com/N4fkV7yG04
— Oakland A's (@Athletics) April 22, 2024
That’s Miller’s fifth save of the year. It’s his seventh straight game without giving up a run. He now has 20 strikeouts in 11 innings pitched. The A’s took a 2-0 lead in the top of the ninth on a homer from Zack Gelof.
Zacky G in NYC ???? pic.twitter.com/5DarDpoyoR
— Oakland A's (@Athletics) April 22, 2024
The Yankees fell to 15-8. That’s still good enough to be in a first-place tie with the Baltimore Orioles atop the American League East. The A’s are 9-14 in fourth place of the AL West.
Mistaken identity
That Yankees-A’s game also featured one of the funnier ejections you’ll ever see. Yankees manager Aaron Boone was tossed in the first inning when umpire Hunter Wendelstedt heard an inflammatory comment from a fan and thought that it came from Boone.
Funniest ejection of the modern era. I don’t even know what would come close. pic.twitter.com/jzFJ37lDmA
— Jared Carrabis (@Jared_Carrabis) April 22, 2024
OH MY GOD that fan in blue got boone in trouble this is the funniest thing i ever seen pic.twitter.com/o4W0VAUo46
— chris kreider respecter (@jonmoxIeys) April 22, 2024
Wendelstedt offered this weak explanation via Newsweek.
“Apparently, what he said was there was a fan right above the dugout,” Wendelstedt said. “This isn’t my first ejection. In the entirety of my career, I have never ejected a player or a manager for something a fan has said. I understand that’s going to be part of a story or something like that because that’s what Aaron was portraying. I heard something come from the far end of the dugout, had nothing to do with his area, but he’s the manager of the Yankees. So he’s the one that had to go.”
Well, Hunter, apparently, there is a first time for everything because you clearly responded to a fan right over the near side of the dugout. That “far end of the dugout” excuse is hilarious.
According to Newsweek, after the game, Boone called the ejection “embarrassing,” and said he would be reaching out to Major League Baseball.
Listen: Pre-draft podcast with Tim Benz and Joe Rutter breaking down the Steelers’ strategy in advance of Round 1 on Thursday