First Call: Steelers projected as landing spot for Dak Prescott in 2025; UFA wide receiver target off the board

Meanwhile, the franchise lost out on a possible acquisition in free agency, but is doing some homework on a Pitt defensive back.

And the Penguins have a really good chance of pulling off back-to-back wins, while the Duquesne's women's team travels to play Purdue in the next round of the WNIT.

Dak attack?

If you are unsure about the Steelers' quarterback situation heading into 2024, consider how uncertain the landscape is for 2025.

Neither Russell Wilson nor Justin Fields are currently locked in Pittsburgh beyond this season. That's why national radio host and NFL Network personality Rich Eisen is tabbing the Steelers as a potential landing spot for Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott in 2025.

"What happens if the guy they went ahead and gave pole position (Wilson) doesn't work out? What if they get a look at Justin Fields and say he's not the guy," Eisen said on his radio show Wednesday. "Maybe the Steelers are all in. Right now, their offense costs nothing. I don't even think it's $15 million. They'll have the money to give Dak a multiple of that. I think the Steelers might be in on Dak and let him finish his career in Pittsburgh."

Via CBSSports.com, Prescott is owed more than $55 million in 2024 as part of a four-year, $160 million extension he signed in 2021. His deal also includes no-franchise-tag and no-trade clauses. That means if another team ahead of the trade deadline this fall doesn't have enough assets — and likely money for an extension — the ninth-year veteran will hit free agency after the 2024 campaign.

Prescott led the NFL with 36 touchdowns, against nine interceptions. He threw for 4,516 yards and completed 69.5% of his passes.

CBS Sports HQ Senior NFL Insider Josina Anderson reports that Dallas wants to reach a new deal with Prescott, but no talks are "imminent."

The details on Devonshire

The Steelers apparently have an interest in Pitt cornerback M.J. Devonshire. According to SteelersNow.com, the Steelers will host the Aliquippa grad on a pre-draft visit.

Playing in Pat Narduzzi's press man, one-on-one coverage should open the eyes of NFL scouts. Devonshire intercepted eight passes, including three pick-6s in three seasons at Pitt.

M.J. DEVONSHIRE PICK-SIX ???? @Pitt_FB pic.twitter.com/cKYwXloYkj

— ACC Network (@accnetwork) October 15, 2023

Devonshire may help on special teams too. He averaged 7.4 yards per punt return in his college career, with one touchdown.

Remove Reynolds

A potential target for the Steelers in free agency is off the board.

Many had played matchmaker between the Steelers and Detroit Lions wide receiver Josh Reynolds. He was a free agent, and the Steelers need at least one or two more receivers.

However, Reynolds signed with the Denver Broncos on Wednesday, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. He claims it's a two-year deal worth up to $14 million.

Before a three-year run with the Lions, Reynolds had played with the Los Angeles Rams and Tennessee Titans. His best season came with Los Angeles in 2020, when he caught 52 passes for 618 yards and two touchdowns. This past season, Reynolds racked up 608 yards on 40 catches for five touchdowns.

Although Reynolds failed to come down with two crucial potential catches in the Lions' NFC Championship Game loss to San Francisco in January.

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Silver lining

For as bad as the Penguins have been this season, at least they aren't the Columbus Blue Jackets.

The Pens are currently in seventh place of the Metropolitan Division, with 72 points. Only Columbus is beneath them in the standings with 58. That's the lowest point total in the Eastern Conference and fourth worst in the National Hockey League.

Those two teams play each other Thursday night at PPG Paints Arena in a game that is sure to please.

The Penguins are 24th in the NHL in goals per game at 2.92. The Blue Jackets — losers of five in a row — are 25th at 2.85. Columbus is yielding 3.67 goals per game — that's the worst in the Eastern Conference and 31st overall in hockey. Only the San Jose Sharks are worse at 4.03.

Columbus' power play (15%) is almost as bad as Pittsburgh's (14.3%). The Pens are 31st in the NHL in that category, and the Blue Jackets are 29th. The penalty kill isn't much better at 76.5%, 26th in the league.

Also, Columbus has only 10 road wins this season, fewest in the Eastern Conference, and the third lowest total overall. So maybe, for a change, there's reason to believe the Pens can win two in a row.

Prepping for Purdue

The Duquesne University women's basketball team (21-12) plays its "Super 16" game of the 2024 Women's National Invitation Tournament (WNIT) Thursday night. They are at Mackey Arena in West Lafayette, Ind., to face Purdue (14-18).

The Dukes are coming off a 69-65 overtime win Monday against Monmouth. Four Dukes finished in double figures.

Chartiers Valley alum Megan McConnell recorded her ninth double-double of the year, with 16 points and 10 rebounds.

McConnell with the in & out handles????#GoDukes | @megg_mcconnell4 pic.twitter.com/YsUvtu6LZj

— Duquesne Women's Basketball (@DuqWBB) March 25, 2024

Valencia's Lauren Wasylson tallied 11 points, all in the fourth quarter and overtime, including a personal 9-1 run in the final minute of regulation to force overtime.

The Boilermakers beat Butler 62-51 on Monday in their WNIT second-round game. They are paced by Abbey Ellis, who's averaging 14.3 points per game. She has scored in double figures 28 times this season and is currently on a streak of nine consecutive games in double digits, four being 20-point performances.

Tim Benz is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Tim at tbenz@triblive.com or via X. All tweets could be reposted. All emails are subject to publication unless specified otherwise.