First Call: DB turned down more money from Steelers for Washington; ‘pessimistic’ forecast for Brandon Aiyuk’s 49ers extension

Friday’s “First Call” features a National Football League player who claims he was almost a Steeler in free agency, some wide receiver scuttlebutt, and a preview of this weekend’s series at PNC Park between the Pittsburgh Pirates and Minnesota Twins.

Plus, Mitch Keller tries to keep his recent hot streak alive.

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What could’ve been

The Steelers made a number of moves in the secondary this offseason. They signed DeShon Elliot. They traded for Donte Jackson. They drafted Ryan Watts in the sixth round.

But there was at least one fish that apparently got off of Omar Khan’s hook.

While on “The SiriusXM Blitz” with Bruce Murray and Rick Spielman Thursday, Washington defensive back Jeremy Chinn revealed that the Steelers offered him more money than the Commanders. Yet, the former Carolina safety decided to ink a one-year $4.5 million deal in D.C. anyway.

A little less than $3.5 million of that is guaranteed.

“I can’t remember if it was a multi-year deal, but I did get another offer. I think Pittsburgh was probably a little bit more money,” Chinn said (as transcribed at Steelers Depot). “This is where I’m supposed to be. I know this is where I’m supposed to be.”

Chinn insists that he just liked the scheme fit under Dan Quinn and defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. more. The Steelers then pivoted and got Elliott for two years at $6 million with only $1.5 million fully guaranteed.

Two things strike me about this. First of all, this is why I always laugh when big-ticket players under contract with contract negotiations looming — like Micah Parsons recently — always like to say that they would love to play for Mike Tomlin. Then free agency comes around, and they alw