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Gerry Dulac's Steelers chat: 05.07.24
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Benson DuBois
2:21
Will they add a D Line veteran before camp?   It's a greater priority than receiver IMO.
Gerry Dulac
2:23
It's been a priority for two years and nothing has changed, except for Keanu Benton. Like I said, they need to do to the defensive line what they've done for the offensive line the past two years -- a significant free agent like Seumalo and back-to-back No. 1 picks
Mr Rooney
2:23
Gerry,  thanks for the chats absolutely love 'em!  Najee no 5th year...after being demoted from captain ship.  Is he the new Rudolph...over-drafted, under appreciated?  Or am I making too big of a deal over the optics here?
Gerry Dulac
2:24
Yeah, might be worrying too much. Let me tell you, Tomlin loves Harris. But he never should have been a captain anyway in just his second season. Leave that to the QBs. They're the guys in charge of the offense.
Jake
2:24
Is it worth absorbing at WR1( if any are available)salary in a unproven offense at this point?
Gerry Dulac
2:24
Sure. For the right price.
North Texas Steel
2:25
Hi Gerry - I'm just curious if you think the Steelers top brass held off on Najee's option because of the style of his running? For every burst for 20+ he also had a bunch of hesitant, sideways running downs where gain was minimal or yards for loss. Wheras JW is a hit the whole quick and burst runner. Maybe that fits better in the new offensive scheme?
Gerry Dulac
2:25
I get your assessment because I agree. But I don't think that was the logic behind it. In fact, I'm still trying to full understand the reason.
Steeltree
2:26
Gerry thanks for the chats.  What would Wilson or Fields have to do in 24 for either to be in the Steelers QBs plans for 25 and beyond.  Also what would a long term deal look like assuming either one is brought back.  Thanks.
Gerry Dulac
2:27
Their intention is to bring both next year. That is definitely the plan between Wilson and the Steelers, and I seriously doubt they traded for Fields to be a one-year rental.
SteelersfanSLC
2:27
Do you think part of the reason for not picking up Najees 5th year option has to do with the fact they have a lot of guys either on 1 year deals or in the last year of this deal so next offseason theyre gonna have a ton of cap flexibility?
Gerry Dulac
2:27
Nah. There's more to it than that, and I think that will eventually be revealed.
Harry Callas
2:27
Hi Gerry, do you have any updates to share regarding the Steelers quest to add a number 1 or number 2 wide receiver to its team? I would not be comfortable going into the season with a very talented but immature and sometimes petulant George Pickens as my number 1 guy.
Gerry Dulac
2:28
As of now, I have none. But I get your concern.
AFC 3rd Seed
2:28
Gerry, How does Danny Smith still have a job?? One of the worst punters in the last 3 years maybe more was P Harvin....Knowing how important AFC North Battles are in bad weather and crucial come playoff time against division opponents, this guy seemed to be untouchable as the Almighty, Mike Tomlin...?
Gerry Dulac
2:28
I'll ask him how he does it.
Jason
2:29
Hi Gerry, with Tyler Boyd reportedly signing 1 year deal with the Titans, please tell me the Steelers are at some point still going to trade for an experienced WR2. Their plan can’t be going into the season with a talented, but erratic George Pickens, a rookie and a bunch of others that recently haven’t proven much in the NFL. Am I wrong that this isn’t a playoff competitive WR corp as currently constructed?
Gerry Dulac
2:30
Tyler Boyd was never seriously in their plans, certainly not as a No. 2 receiver, because he is not that. I'm not going to say you're right or wrong, but your concern is understandable to a degree
TX Steeler
2:30
While I kinda understand the economics behind it, I don't understand the logic behind signing Fields unless they know they can re-sign him to an extension. My worry is he'll test the market at the end of the year. Is a 6th rounder sufficient compensation for a decent QB2 for 1 year that may never see the field?
Gerry Dulac
2:31
Don't forget now, they traded for him, they didn't sign him, not like Wilson. And that should speak to their intentions
Kevin in TN
2:31
Gerry, enjoy and respect your insights, without going down the whole Kenny Pickett rabbit hole, with the move the team made with Harris and not picking up the 5th year. Are we being too quick to blame skill players when the line up front has been beyond bad for the past 2 years and the previous 2 years of Ben's career. Hard to run with no holes, hard to pass with defenders in your face. I believe fixing the trenches is a step in the right direction and needs to continue on the defensive side.
Gerry Dulac
2:33
Kevin, I agree with that last sentence, of course. But I disagree that the line has been "beyond bad" the past two seasons. It has been much improved and I think the running game showed that last season.
Mr Rooney
2:33
what are the chances all three of our offensive line draft picks stick with the team as mid to long term successes?  From all of the post-draft analysis you would think we just landed Webster, Kolb and Faneca.  Thoughts?
Gerry Dulac
2:34
You can never predict long-term successes/careers. Mid-term is hard enough. But, to answer your question, I'd say pretty good. They really like McCormick as a fourth-round pick. And so do I.
TxSteeler
2:34
You have, justifiably, stated you would have rather taken a DL as Cams replacement with the first pick in ‘22 over Kenny. Fair enough but I’ve looked - which DL was available at that pick that has proven to be a top tier type?
Gerry Dulac
2:35
My contention, if you recall (which you don't), is that if the Steelers were willing to trade up to get Pickett, which they were, they should have been willing to trade up to get a game-wrecker like Jordan Davis, not the best of an average QB class.
Mr Rooney
2:36
Payton Willis was the real deal on college but he seems a little under-sized will they bulk him up for the pros or does that put his great speed too much at risk?
Gerry Dulac
2:37
At 6-4, 233, he is not undersized at all for the position. In fact, he is bigger than most of the inside backers in today's game, with the way they have to cover RBs and TEs.
Craig Van Natta
2:37
There seems to be urgency, more than pass years, to create a more competitive team to be able to go further in the playoffs. My question; is this Mr Rooney responding to last years criticism. Instruction the front office to get more dire and having Coach T reconstruct his coaching staff.
Gerry Dulac
2:37
It's not Rooney responding to criticism; it's Rooney saying he is growing impatient and those under him heeding his words and making changes.
Big Snack
2:38
Hi Gerry. Do you believe that the Steelers are actively speaking to Najee about an extension now, or do you think they want to let this season play out before having any talks?
Gerry Dulac
2:38
I don't know about having talks now, but I don't think they want to get to the end of the season if they really intend to keep him around.
Mr Rooney
2:38
Gerry, it's getting to be very slim pickin's in the receiver market.  Even OBJ signed with a team earlier this year.  Did Omar gamble a little too much and this time it came back to bite him.  Driving a hard bargain is smart business but we could very well end up penny wise, pound foolish here.  I suppose if Roman comes in and kills it from the start it won't matter l, but that feels like an even bigger gamble IMO.  What say you?
Gerry Dulac
2:39
He's not driving a hard bargain. Did you ever think the other team is doing so with what they are asking? Have you seen the 49ers trade Deebo or Aiyuk yet?
Mr Rooney
2:39
if TJ Watt retired today...would he get the gold jacket?
Gerry Dulac
2:39
No
PghFNinCali
2:39
Will all QBs be present and throwing at rookie camp? or will they only have the Camp arms throwing?
Gerry Dulac
2:40
They will all be at OTAs for sure
Derrik Morrissey
2:40
If Fields impresses in training camp and preseason how short will Russ' leash be?
Gerry Dulac
2:40
Maybe 5 feet, 11 inches
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