First Call: Russell Wilson to Vegas may be discussed; Steelers speaking with Missouri QB

Monday’s “First Call” has a potential free-agent destination for Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson. Former Steeler Antwaan Randel El is reportedly getting a new coaching job.

A college quarterback is drawing the Steelers’ attention. Marc-Andre Fleury is honored yet again.

And if the Penguins can’t beat Monday night’s opponent, they may never win again.

Raiders reunion?

Despite expressing desires to stay in Pittsburgh, speculation has kicked up about the idea of Russell Wilson going to Las Vegas.

That’s because Wilson’s former coach in Seattle, Pete Carroll, has been hired by the Raiders. According to the NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Wilson heading to Sin City is an option.

“One of (Carroll’s) good friends is still Russell Wilson, the Steelers quarterback,” Rapoport said on “NFL GameDay” Sunday. “My understanding is Russell Wilson wanted to play for the Raiders last year, which did not happen. Look for that union, potentially, to be discussed.”

From @NFLGameDay: #Raiders new coach Pete Carroll and Russell Wilson have remained close, and Wilson is a strong option in Las Vegas; Plus, the conversations will now begin about whether Aaron Rodgers will be back with the #Jets and new coach Aaron Glenn. pic.twitter.com/7Qo1T0oPES

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 26, 2025

Wilson is an unrestricted free agent, as is fellow Pittsburgh QB Justin Fields.

The Steelers got off to a 6-1 start after Wilson took over the quarterback duties following the sixth game of the season. But then he and the team lost five in a row to close out the year. Wilson threw 16 touchdowns and five interceptions through 11 games in his first year in Pittsburgh.

Getting Cookin’

The Steelers are keeping tabs on Missouri quarterback Brady Cook in the pre-draft process.

That’s according to Steelers Depot. The website posted an interview with the Tigers’ alum from the 2025 East-West Shrine Bowl in Texas.

“I’ve met with the Steelers twice. I love talking to ‘em,” Cook said to Steelers Depot. “I met with the Panthers twice. I’ve loved talking to them. There has been some good meetings. I met with the Seahawks, and those have stuck out. It’s early on in the process. … We’re just getting to know each other, and we’re talking ball.”

Cook apparently spoke with the Steelers at the Hula Bowl as well. He was a three-year starter at Missouri, posting 9,251 yards and 50 touchdowns. The St. Louis native completed 65.9% of his passes and tossed just 15 interceptions.

ProFootballNetwork’s scouting report labels Cook as a likely NFL backup.

“Cook’s average arm will likely prevent him from ever becoming a full-time starter at the professional level. But outside of his lacking arm talent, he has a decent operational framework. He’s not a great processor, but he has good mechanics and general accuracy, solid pocket management skills, and good discretion as a decision-maker,” the website assessed. “Though he doesn’t have much appeal as a developmental starter, Cook’s athleticism, toughness, leadership ability, and baseline operational traits give him an appealing floor as a potential backup and safety blanket, especially for schemes that value QB rushing ability.”

More sports

• Steelers positional analysis: Outside linebacker could have different look if T.J. Watt is on move
• Penguins defensemen Kris Letang, Marcus Pettersson happy with unexpected reunion
• Mark Madden's Hot Take: Steelers' draft focus should be on scoring, quarterback, not defense

Heading home

The Chicago Bears are finalizing a deal to hire former Steeler Antwaan Randle El as the franchise’s new assistant head coach and wide receivers coach. He’ll be joining the new staff assembled by Ben Johnson, who just got the head coaching job.

That news is according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com. Randle El was the wide receivers coach under Johnson in Detroit when Johnson was the offensive coordinator there.

A Super Bowl champion with the Steelers in 2005-06, Randle El is heading back to his hometown. Randle El attended Thornton High School, where he was a football, basketball and baseball star.

Love Antwaan Randle El coming home to Chicago.

At Thornton Township HS his hoops team beat Kevin Garnett in the Illinois state playoffs.

He was drafted by the Chicago Cubs.

He is also the best high school football player I have ever witnessed.

Now a great coach. pic.twitter.com/ywZXY6N4BQ

— Kyle Brandt (@KyleBrandt) January 25, 2025

Lions’ assistant quarterbacks coach J.T. Barrett is also expected to leave Detroit for Chicago to become the Bears’ quarterback coach. That’s according to the Chicago Tribune’s Brad Biggs.

That same guy?

The Penguins meandering road trip continues Monday night. They play in San Jose after losses in Anaheim (on Thursday) and Seattle (on Saturday). So far the Pens are 2-3 since leaving Pittsburgh on Jan. 17.

When they face off against the Sharks at 10:30, they’ll see a familiar face: Mikael Granlund. The 32-year-old forward was a target of angry fans in Pittsburgh after Ron Hextall acquired him in a trade during the 2022-23 season. He managed just one goal and five total points in 21 games while wearing a Penguins uniform before being shipped away by Kyle Dubas the following summer as part of the Erik Karlsson deal.

Granlund has 43 points in 50 games to lead the Sharks this season.

Mikael Granlund wires Will Smith's pass into the back of the net, putting the Sharks up by 3!#TheFutureIsTeal pic.twitter.com/ZceLxsdruI

— Hockey Daily 365 l NHL Highlights & News (@HockeyDaily365) January 22, 2025

Tyler Toffoli is the team’s leading goal scorer with 17, followed by rookie sensation Macklin Celebrini with 15.

Unfortunately for San Jose, whatever production they are getting is happening in a vacuum. The team has only 34 points, the lowest total in the NHL. It has allowed 195 goals, the most in the NHL. The Sharks’ minus-58 goal differential is the worst in the NHL.

Since Jan. 7, San Jose has lost nine times in 10 games. The Penguins beat San Jose, 4-3, in Pittsburgh on Nov. 16.

The Penguins have only 48 points, last place in the Metropolitan Division.

Marc’s memories

Marc-Andre Fleury didn’t spend much time in Chicago, but the former Penguin was still honored by the Blackhawks on Sunday.

The franchise acknowledged Fleury during a timeout as his Minnesota Wild were in town for a game.

The Blackhawks honor Marc-Andre Fleury during a media timeout. pic.twitter.com/CeiduS7x9U

— Wes Crosby (@OtherNHLCrosby) January 27, 2025

Fleury is retiring at the end of the season after 21 years in the NHL. He’s played 1,042 games and is second all-time in wins with 571.

As a Blackhawk in 2021-22, Fleury was 19-21-5. He had a .908 save percentage and a 2.95 goals-against-average.

The Wild ended up winning 4-2. Filip Gustavsson was in net for Minnesota, stopping 20 of 22 shots.