First Call: Steelers 'very much interested' in Nick Chubb; update on Justin Fields' future; Super Bowl X Steeler dies

Friday’s “First Call” remembers a former Steeler from the 1970s. There’s some belief that the Steelers may want Nick Chubb. Speculation continues about Justin Fields’ status in Pittsburgh.

Plus, we set the table for the upcoming weekend of action in college hockey and college basketball.

Missing Mike

A member of the 1970s Pittsburgh Steelers has died.

The Hagerstown Herald-Mail reports that former running back Mike Collier passed away at the age of 71 last week. No cause of death was announced.

The Baltimore native was a rookie on the Steelers’ 1975 Super Bowl X team.

Hagerstown's Mike Collier, who won a Super Bowl with the Pittsburgh Steelers, dies at 71 https://t.co/MBH1DFg224

— Herald-Mail Sports (@HMMediaSports) February 20, 2025

That season, Collier was drafted out of Morgan State. He scored three touchdowns, plus a 94-yard kick return TD in Green Bay en route to a Super Bowl win over the Dallas Cowboys. Collier ended up with 124 yards on 21 attempts that year. The rookie also returned a kick 25 yards in the fourth quarter of Super Bowl X to help set up the go-ahead field goal.

Collier then was on injured reserve throughout the 1976 season before going to Buffalo until retirement in 1979. Collier spent his retirement years as a manager for Martin’s grocery stores in Hagerstown.

A chance at Mr. Chubb?

We all know that Steelers coach Mike Tomlin has had an affinity for Nick Chubb. The Cleveland running back is one of those players on opposing rosters Tomlin always references as “Mr.”

Could the Steelers be interested in bringing “Mr. Chubb” to Pittsburgh? According to 93.7 The Fan’s Jeff Hathhorn, that’s a distinct possibility.

Our Steelers insider @jhathhorn says on @937thefan the Steelers are "very much interested" in signing Browns RB Nick Chubb in free agency. Provided the medical on Chubb went well. pic.twitter.com/QZ9BzXJ7fO

— Andrew Fillipponi (@ThePoniExpress) February 19, 2025

After severely injuring a knee at Acrisure Stadium in Week 2 of 2023, Chubb didn’t return until Week 7 of 2024. The Georgia product put up only 332 yards at a 3.3 yards per carry average and three touchdowns in eight games. His best game was a 59-yard effort on 20 carries against the Steelers on Nov. 21.

The 29-year-old is now a free agent. If the Steelers don’t want to keep Najee Harris, Chubb could be an option. A second-round choice in the 2018 draft, Chubb has 6,843 yards and 51 touchdowns.

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Future for Fields

The Steelers hope they can work out a multi-year deal with quarterback Justin Fields. That’s what ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler said via SportsCenter on Thursday.

“I know that there is some internal optimism or some sentiment for Justin Fields as an option as their quarterback moving forward,” Fowler said via SteelersNow.com. “And that both sides are open to a potential deal.”

However, Fowler added that the New York Jets could be a destination for Fields.

FREE AGENCY RUMORS ARE HEATING UP!

ESPN #NFL Insider @JFowlerESPN called the #Jets a ‘sleeper option’ to watch for #Steelers QB Justin Fields.

It sounds like the feeling could be mutual.

Fowler was told that Fields has looked at the NYJ roster & 'sees some intrigue' +… pic.twitter.com/34TWGNTmrD

— Paul Andrew Esden Jr (@BoyGreen25) February 19, 2025

“They could have some interest. They like the idea of a dual-threat quarterback,” Fowler said. “He’s younger. I’m told Fields has looked at that roster and sees some intrigue there too. They have some good young pieces, like Garrett Wilson and a good defense.”

Establishing the depth chart in advance of the season could be the stumbling block in the process in Pittsburgh.

“I do know there’s some sentiment in the building for bringing back Justin Fields,” Fowler said. “Both sides, Fields and the Steelers, are certainly open to a potential reunion. Fields wants a realistic shot to start. He wants a clear path to be the guy for a full season, which he was not last year.”

Fields went 4-2 as a Steelers starter last year. Russell Wilson’s first game as a starter in Pittsburgh replacing him was a win versus the Jets.

Follow the bouncing ball

Pittsburgh’s three men’s college basketball teams have a busy weekend.

Robert Morris plays first. The Colonials have a Friday home date against Green Bay at 7 p.m. Andy Toole’s team is 20-8, 12-5 in Horizon League play. The Phoenix have been awful at 3-24 and 1-15 in the Horizon.

RMU has won 10 of 11 since Jan. 8 and four in a row.

Pitt (16-10, 7-8 ACC) is at Notre Dame (11-15, 5-10) at 2:15 p.m. Saturday. The Panthers are in ninth place of the ACC. Notre Dame is tied with California for 13th. Only 15 of the 18 ACC teams make the conference tournament. Pitt has won its last two games against Miami and Syracuse, two teams lower than the Fighting Irish in the standings.

Duquesne (11-15, 6-7 Atlantic 10) travels to St. Bonaventure (18-9, 6-8) at 4 p.m. Saturday. The Dukes are looking for a second straight win after beating Fordham on Wednesday. Dru Joyce III’s team beat the Bonnies, 75-57, on Jan. 18.

On the women’s end of things, Duquesne (16-10, 7-8) has a Saturday home game against Saint Louis (12-16, 6-9) for Senior Day. The Dukes will honor Gabby Hutcherson, Kiandra Browne and former Chartiers Valley great Megan McConnell.

Robert Morris also tips at 2 p.m. The Colonials (12-14, 8-9) are at Cleveland State (21-7, 12-5). The Vikings are in third place of the Horizon. RMU is in fourth.

Pitt (11-7, 3-12) concludes the weekend with a Sunday game at Clemson (13-13, 6-9) at 1 p.m. The Panthers lost 69-55 at Florida State on Thursday.

Air Force finale

The Robert Morris men’s hockey team plays its final regular-season weekend series at home against the Air Force Falcons on Friday and Saturday.

These two Atlantic Hockey rivals haven’t played each other all year. The Falcons come in with 32 points. That’s good for seventh place.

RMU has 26 points in ninth. The AIC Yellow Jackets are in eighth with 27. Whoever finishes in ninth and below has to go on the road for a first-round playoff game.

The women’s team has a quarterfinal playoff game in Syracuse at 3 p.m. Saturday.