The Pittsburgh Steelers are expected to meet with Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders. Meanwhile, Jaxson Dart met with the Cleveland Browns on Tuesday.
The Steelers are also trying to learn more about Pitt safety Donovan McMillon. One of Aaron Rodgers’ favorite targets is holding off on reworking his contract in New York. And there’s an unfortunate story about the brother of a Penguins prospect.
All that in Wednesday’s “First Call.”
Shedeur showing up
According to Jordan Schultz of Fox Sports, Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders is going to make a pre-draft visit to Pittsburgh on Thursday.
The #Steelers remain very interested in Aaron Rodgers, and the hope is an agreement eventually happens. But Pittsburgh has done extensive work on this year’s QB class — and Shedeur Sanders is now scheduled to be in the building on Thursday, per source. https://t.co/skupbeofmR
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) April 8, 2025
Sanders is the son of Pro Football Hall of Famer and Colorado head coach Deion Sanders. He led the Big 12 in passing yards (4,134), touchdowns (37), completions (353) and efficiency (168.2).
The 23-year-old is considered the second-best quarterback prospect in the draft and has long been thought of as a top 5 pick. Cam Ward out of Miami is the top QB prospect and is expected to go No. 1 overall to Tennessee.
If he doesn’t, either the Cleveland Browns at No. 2 or the New York Giants at No. 3 may be inclined to select him. However, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, neither club is likely to take Sanders, even though both could use a young quarterback.
If that happens, he says Sanders may be drafted by the New Orleans Saints at No. 9, or the Steelers at pick No. 21 in the first round.
A discussion with @tyschmit about some of the potential landing spots for Colorado QB Shedeur Sanders.
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— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 8, 2025
However, Schefter did add that the Giants or Browns may consider jumping back into the first round to take Sanders after they use their second and third picks on other prospects.
Dart-ing up to Cleveland
On the topic of quarterback visits, the Steelers held a pre-draft meeting with Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart last week.
Now, he has also met with the Cleveland Browns. That’s according to Schefter and his ESPN colleague Field Yates.
Sources: Ole Miss QB Jaxson Dart visited today with the Cleveland Browns, and will next fly to Las Vegas to visit the Raiders, sources tell me and @FieldYates.
Dart also has spent “considerable time” during this interview process with the Giants, Saints and Rams. pic.twitter.com/M6rY1SLGkl
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 8, 2025
ProFootballTalk.com says Dart also had a private workout with the Browns. Ex-Steeler Kenny Pickett is currently the only healthy quarterback on the Browns’ roster.
As the ESPN report pointed out, the Las Vegas Raiders are also going to meet with Dart. In addition, the 21-year-old has spent “considerable time” with the Giants, Saints and Rams.
The NFL Network had previously reported the Pittsburgh visit was the last on Dart’s agenda. So, these trips were either previously scheduled or have been added on since he stopped in town.
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Prowling for a Panther?
The Steelers also have a visit scheduled with Pitt defensive back Donovan McMillon. That’s according to The Draft Network’s Ryan Fowler.
The Peters Township product was second-team All-ACC this year. He led the Panthers in tackles (115) for the second consecutive season. The McMurray native became the first Pitt player to record consecutive 100-tackle seasons since linebacker Scott McKillop in 2007-08.
At 6-foot-2, 205 pounds, the safety stood out among those at his position during the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis.
The Pittsburgh Steelers have a 30 visit scheduled with Pitt SAF Donovan McMillon this week, per source. An underrated name to get familiar with in the safety class.
40: 4.44/4.47 (5th)
V: 35” (10th)
Broad: 10’5” (7th)
SS: 4.19s (2nd)
3C: 6.97s (3rd)
Bench: 21 (1st)*rank among…
— Ryan Fowler (@_RyanFowler_) April 8, 2025
NFLDraftBuzz.com has McMillon ranked as the 65th-best DB in the draft. The Steelers also held a pre-draft meeting with South Carolina strong safety Nick Emmanwori on Friday. He is considered by ESPN.com to be the best player at the position in the draft.
Keep me posted
The Steelers and their fans aren’t the only folks waiting on a decision from Aaron Rodgers as to what he may want to do with his career. New York Jets wide receiver Allen Lazard may be as well.
According to Jets beat writer Rich Cimini, Lazard may be waiting on contract renegotiations with the Jets to see if Rodgers’ new team could pick him up as well.
“Wide receiver Allen Lazard could stay with the team, but he will have to take a significant pay cut on his $11 million (non-guaranteed) base salary. General manager Darren Mougey said they’re ‘working through’ a potential restructure,” Cimini said Monday at ESPN.com. “Lazard could be waiting to see if a reunion with free agent quarterback Aaron Rodgers is possible before deciding on the Jets’ proposal.”
Cimini speculated that the Jets may be trying to rework Lazard’s cap number down to roughly $2.75 million.
Career cut short
Chaz Lucius, the older brother of Penguins prospect Cruz Lucius, has been forced to retire from hockey at the age of 21.
The agency that represents the Winnipeg Jets prospect released a statement about his situation. The former first-round draft choice has been diagnosed with Ehler-Danlos Syndrome (EDS). Lucius said that EDS is “a hereditary disorder that affects the connective tissue that stabilizes and supports the joints and organs throughout the body.”
Due to the health risks associated with the physical nature of hockey, doctors have advised him to retire.
On behalf of Chaz Lucius and his family.
We would like to congratulate Chaz and his family on all his career accomplishments and wish him all the best in his next chapter. pic.twitter.com/nVCapIbRh9
— Newport Sports (@TheHockeyAgency) April 8, 2025
After leaving the University of Minnesota, Lucius played 54 career games with the Manitoba Moose, collecting 27 points on seven goals and 20 assists.
As for Cruz Lucius, he was acquired by the Penguins as part of last year’s Jake Guentzel trade. He totaled 10 points in 19 games with Arizona State this season. He missed a large chunk of the first half of the season due to a shoulder injury. It’s unknown if he has been tested for or has shown any symptoms of the same condition.
The two brothers are 11 months apart.
