First Call: Jason Robertson signs in Dallas; Aaron Rodgers reconciles with family; twist on Kenny Pickett leaving Philly
Wednesday’s “First Call” gives us the contract fate of Pittsburgh Penguins’ trade target Jason Robertson. It looks like Aaron Rodgers has found harmony within his family. Pat Narduzzi puts a different spin on Kenny Pickett’s travels.
Murf Gray continues to rake for Altoona. And Aaron Donald’s plans for a return to the NFL keep gaining traction.
That’s all for now
Penguins fans have to hit pause on speculation surrounding the club’s pursuit of Jason Robertson. The Dallas Stars winger has avoided arbitration with his club by signing a contract worth $12 million for one year.
LET’S RUN IT BACK, ROBO ⭐️ pic.twitter.com/MghFwxxoIo
— Dallas Stars (@DallasStars) July 22, 2026
Robertson and the team were heading for an arbitration date Saturday. But for now, they have come to an agreement.
After 96 points and 45 goals this season, Robertson was looking for a big-money, long-term deal. He didn’t get one. Instead, he’s slated for unrestricted free agency after this season, but can sign an extension anytime after Jan. 1.
The Penguins were known to be interested in Robertson, who was almost traded to Seattle this summer. He turned down a $15 million-per-year trade-and-sign deal with the Kraken.
As of now, PuckPedia has Dallas $1.36 million over the salary cap.
Path to reconciliation
It appears that Aaron Rodgers and his family are making amends. After more than a decade of estrangement, the Steelers’ quarterback recently posted photos of himself with his parents.
On Monday, Rodgers’ biographer, Ian O’Connor, said tensions began to thaw in 2023, and relationships took a big step toward being mended three months ago when Rodgers’ parents were present at his high school hall of fame induction in California.
On Aaron Rodgers & his family, they had been working towards reconciliation for a while. Rodgers invited parents Ed & Darla to his Pleasant Valley High School Hall of Fame induction in April & introduced them to the crowd to applause, thanked them for their support. In my book,…
— Ian O’Connor (@Ian_OConnor) July 21, 2026
The issues between Rodgers and his family dated to roughly 2014, and became public when his brother, Jordan, was a contestant on the “Bachelorette” in 2016.
O’Connor also mentioned that Rodgers’ JUCO coach at Butte, Craig Rigsbee, encouraged the reunion.
Different side of the story
Over the weekend, 99.9 The Fan in Raleigh posted an interview with Pitt football coach Pat Narduzzi from the ACC Kickoff. During the conversation, Narduzzi told an interesting story about former Pitt and Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett.
The former Panther was dealt to Philadelphia by the Steelers after the 2023 season. After one year, the Eagles moved him to Cleveland before the 2025 campaign.
However, according to Narduzzi (at the 7:18 mark), that wasn’t because of the Eagles’ desire.
“The Eagles did not want to trade him,” Narduzzi insisted. “He begged to be traded because he wanted to compete, and he felt like he wasn’t going to have a chance to beat out Jalen Hurts.”
So Philadelphia acquiesced and traded Pickett to Cleveland in March, but he was listed behind Joe Flacco on the depth chart and was eventually traded yet again to the Las Vegas Raiders in August to back up Geno Smith.
“I think there’s some misconception about, ‘They just got rid of him.’ No,” Narduzzi continued. “They wanted him to stay, and they said, ‘We’re not trading you.’ And he begged, and they said, ‘If it’s good for us, we’ll trade you. But if it’s not good for us, we’re not making that move.’”
Eventually the Eagles did, and now Pickett is on his fifth team since being drafted in 2022. He is currently on a one-year, $7.5 million contract with the Carolina Panthers.
“He’s got to find the right place. I’m praying that with David Tepper and that staff (in Carolina) that this is the place,” Narduzzi said of Pickett’s fit with the Panthers.
Ramping up
Speaking of Pitt alumni, Aaron Donald is still kicking around the idea of a comeback with the Los Angeles Rams.
The three-time Defensive Player of the Year is working out and considering a return to the team. During the “Pat McAfee Show” on Tuesday, ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter said the eight-time All-Pro is “trying to get back in football shape” and “it will be a while” before Donald makes a final decision about returning.
“My understanding is that Aaron Donald is getting in football shape right now..
It’s gonna be a while before we hear a final decision on when he’s coming back..
He’s in his own pre training camp routine”@AdamSchefter #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/sOoNtUmTgz
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) July 21, 2026
“When he comes back, he’s going to want to be Aaron Donald. He’s not going to come back unless he feels like he’s Aaron Donald. That’s why it sounds like it’s not going to be a quick verdict from him. He’s going to be ramping up all during training camp, and this may go towards the start of the regular season before we hear that he has or hasn’t signed with the team,” Schefter said.
Donald played 10 seasons in the NFL and made the Pro Bowl every year. He retired after the 2023 season but seems interested in coming back to play with L.A. after the Rams acquired fellow defensive lineman Myles Garrett from the Cleveland Browns.
A touch of Gray
Murf Gray continues to raise eyebrows in the minor leagues. The Pirates’ Double-A prospect hit a grand slam Tuesday for Altoona.
It was his second homer with the Curve, and he helped the club win 8-7 over Akron.
Murf Gray is GRAND! His second Double-A homer gives us the first-inning lead! pic.twitter.com/7R0tucpKjW
— Altoona Curve (@AltoonaCurve) July 21, 2026
Over 85 games and three levels of minor league baseball this year, Gray now has 25 home runs, 75 RBIs, a .323 batting average and an OPS of 1.015.
Gray is a 6-foot-3, 230-pound third baseman who will turn 23 in December.
