First Name: Ex-Steeler calls out Ben Roethlisberger; Brian Flores’ Arizona interview; the money Lamar Jackson rejected
In Monday’s “First Call,” an ex-Steeler starts some Twitter beef with Ben Roethlisberger. We get some financial details on Lamar Jackson’s contract situation. Steelers assistant Brian Flores has an interview today.
And the Ravens may be trying to poach an assistant from the Cleveland Browns staff.
Mad Mendenhall
Here’s a stirred up football controversy you probably didn’t expect this morning.
Former Steelers running back Rashard Mendenhall calls out his former quarterback Ben Roethlisbeger.
If @_BigBen7 is the “leader” you think he is, why didn’t HE acknowledge the fall? ???? Which manager of a company hides in the shadows when the results are in? We win, it’s him, lose, it’s me… or Tomlin, huh…
Any given Sunday: Steamin Willie Beamin https://t.co/QZthSkexRF
— Rashard Mendenhall (@R_Mendenhall) January 23, 2023
Mendenhall appeared to face some headwind on Twitter over the weekend after posting some pictures from his playing days.
Deserves my stripes. @steelers #SB43 pic.twitter.com/za21etdmk8
— Rashard Mendenhall (@R_Mendenhall) January 21, 2023
This ring. #RB34 https://t.co/ccrxPsHyTP pic.twitter.com/NOFSUp849k
— Rashard Mendenhall (@R_Mendenhall) January 23, 2023
It’s not clear if Mendenhall’s “until the fall” is referring to the Super Bowl XLV loss to the Green Bay Packers after his fumble. Or when he talks about the Steelers’ recent playoff win drought, which has now lasted six seasons — including the last five of Roethlisberger’s career.
Discussing the game, this isn’t the first time Mendenhall has tried to massage history when it comes to that fumbling. And if he’s been chasing Roethlisberger for the downfall of the Steelers in recent years, it’s not the first time he’s taken that path either. Mendenhall labeled Roethlisberger a racist after Antonio Brown’s fallout.
Best foot forward
Brian Flores gets his interview with the Arizona Cardinals on Monday. That’s according to Albert Breer of the Monday Morning Quarterback.
Sources: The Cardinals will interview Steelers senior defensive ace Brian Flores tomorrow for her job as head coach. Flores and new Arizona GM Monti Ossenfort joined the New England scouting department.
Flores also did very good interviews for the AZ job in ’18.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) January 23, 2023
It’s unclear if the Steelers will fill that position if Flores leaves. It was created especially for him after he was fired as head coach of the Miami Dolphins a season ago.
The Cardinals had a head coaching interview with DeMeco Ryans. In fact, Ryans scheduled four interviews on Saturday. But according to Fox Sports’ Jay Glazer, the San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator “stayed through his interviews with the Denver Broncos and Houston Texans, but then canceled the remaining two with the Cardinals and Indianapolis Colts so he could spend time with his team, himself.” prepare for Sunday’s game against the Dallas Cowboys.”
Cowboys defense coordinator Dan Quinn had an interview with Arizona. He, Flores and Ryans are believed to have joined at least five other candidates on the list for the job.
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Keep it close
Speaking of job interviews, the Baltimore Ravens may be looking to bring in an assistant coach from the division to fill their offensive coordinator spot.
According to Cleveland.com, Chad O’Shea, coach of Cleveland Browns wide receiver, is in contention for the appearance.
The #Ravens have requested permission to interview #Browns WR coach Chad O’Shea for her position as offensive coordinator, league source clevelanddotcom said https://t.co/T75NvA2ND9
— Mary Kay Cabot (@MaryKayCabot) January 21, 2023
An eye for capturing talent sure would be nice for Baltimore. The Ravens have sorely lacked that in recent years.
O’Shea has worked in the NFL since 2003. He started with the Kansas City Chiefs before working with the New England Patriots from 2009 to 2018, where he was part of the team’s Super Bowl LI win over the Atlanta Falcons.
On Friday, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported that Baltimore made a request to interview Los Angeles Rams passing game coordinator and quarterback coach Zac Robinson.
How much?
Over the weekend, ESPN’s Ryan Clark said Lamar Jackson turned down $133 million in guarantees from the Baltimore Ravens. Jackson is close to becoming a free agent or maybe getting a franchise tag from the Ravens.
We were chatting back and forth at @FirstTake yesterday about @Lj_era8’s guaranteed money.
Based on a source with knowledge of the negotiations, Lamar was initially offered $113 million in guarantees and eventually increased to $133 million.
That was the most Lamar was offered.
— Ryan Clark (@Realrclark25) January 21, 2023
This agrees with a report published by Chris Mortensen in September.
That story states, “The extension years in the Ravens’ proposal would have paid Jackson a higher average salary than the contracts signed by Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson and Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray this summer, and also more money at the, according to sources Signature Guaranteed . But sources told ESPN that the Ravens also resisted Jackson’s desire for a deal that was fully guaranteed at signing, similar to Deshaun Watson’s $230 million contract that was fully guaranteed at signing.”
Tim Benz is a contributor to the Tribune Review. You can contact Tim at tbenz@triblive.com or via Twitter. All tweets could be reposted. All emails are subject to publication unless otherwise noted.
