Fridays “First Call” has some predictions for how the Pittsburgh Steelers will handle their quarterback situation next year. There are Rumors of Bill Belichick coaching at the college level and Arthur Smith drawing interest from another NFL team for a head coaching spot.

We also examine some quirks in the college football schedule for this weekend’s conference championship games and take a look at the challenge ahead for the Robert Morris hockey team.

Match game

When it comes to the idea of ​​the Steelers keeping one – or both – of their top two quarterbacks, Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer suggests that could be the case harder Task than Pittsburgh fans want to believe.

On Thursday, Breer wrote that the Steelers don’t have one current plans to deviate from its usual model of avoiding contract negotiations with players during the season. In Breer’s estimation, Russell Wilson might be inclined to take his talents in free agency, find an offer and give the Steelers a chance to make it happen.

“While Russell Wilson was there really goodI don’t think he was good enough to warrant a franchise price tag between $40-45 million.” Breer said. “If he plays well and Pittsburgh makes a good playoff run, there could be such a big split in negotiations that the Steelers could let him go on the market and ask him to give them the right to compete with whatever is out there.” In the meantime, ID think Fields would be looking for a Sam Darnold-type protégé to sign a one-year deal somewhere.”

For Darnold, that’s a top win of $5 million in Minnesota this year.

So, basically, If the Steelers can’t come to terms with Wilson, it will come down to whether the organization prefers to franchise Wilson for a year at $40 million to $45 million or to franchise Fields for a year at $5 million to $10 million.

Personal, I would pay for Wilson if he continues to play the way he has across the board. However, the franchise’s spending habits are changing at the QB position since Ben Roethlisberger’s last contract suggest that they would think differently.

We’ll see if Wilson’s play will change their minds.

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More sports

• Football Footnotes: 5 key ways the Steelers can improve against the Browns
• Even though the QBs have 400-yard games under their belt, the Steelers don’t expect a shootout with the Browns
• Steelers submit rare clean injury report for December

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New York state of mind?

Arthur Smith may be on the sidelines of the conversation for the New York Jets head coaching job. That’s according to Jets beat writer Rich Cimini of ESPN.com.

“He is, so to speak, a dark candidate,” Cimini said on his “flight deck” Podcast.

Smith was a candidate for the job when New York hired Robert Saleh in 2021. At the time, Smith was the offensive coordinator for the Tennessee Titans. He then took over the position of head coach in Atlanta.

This summer: Dianna Russini of The Athletic revealed that the Jets were also trying to bring Smith on board as an advisor to offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett was eventually demoted before Saleh’s dismissal.

Saleh was fired after five games this season. General Manager Joe Douglas was fired after 11 games.

Belichick comeback?

Bill Belichick could soon be training at Acrisure Stadium again.

No, not against the Steelers. Against Pitt as North Carolina’s head coach.

Believe it. According to SI.com’s Pat Forde, the former Patriots head coach has been talking to UNC for “several days.”” about your trainer advertisement. Forde insists the six-time Super Bowl champion has a “genuine interest.”” as a college football coach.

The Tar Heels fired Mack Brown at the end of a 6-6 season. Belichick is 72 years old. He and the Patriots agreed to part ways on January 11 after 24 seasons. He was also head coach of the Cleveland Browns from 1991 to 1995.

Pitt is not playing UNC next year. But the Tar Heels visit Pittsburgh in 2026.

How did that happen?

Here are some silly quirks about the college football schedule for Saturday’s conference championship games.

Arizona State plays in the Big 12 title game at noon Eastern time. That’s 11 a.m. local time in Arlington, Texas, where the game is taking place is played and A 10 a.m. start in Tempe.

Meanwhile, Texas (11-1) plays Georgia (10-2) in the SEC Championship at 4 p.m. EST in Atlanta, although Texas has a better record.

And just for fun, No. 8 SMU (11-1) must travel from Texas to play in the ACC title game in Charlotte at 8 p.m. That’s just 135 miles to No. 17 Clemson (9-3).

Even better, all three games are on ABC. College football always makes a lot of sense, right?

Tiger time

After a split against American International College, the Robert Morris men’s ice hockey team is in Rochester this weekend against RIT.

The Tigers were Master of Atlantic Hockey’s regular season and conference tournament last year. This year they are 2-7-1 with seven points, one point behind the Colonials who have eight points.

Bentley sits atop the table with a record of 8-2-0 and 24 points.

As for the women’s team, they are coming off a bye weekend in Syracuse for two games on Friday and Saturday.