You are viewing the chat in desktop mode. Click here to switch to mobile view.
X
Gerry Dulac's Steelers chat: 01.22.25
powered byJotCast
View Full Chat Next Page
Gerry Dulac
9:49
OK kids, we're going to start our chat in just a few minutes...
9:52
OK, let's get started....fire away!!
Stairway to seventh seed
9:53
Gerry: when we signed Fields, Trubisky, and even Haskins (RIP), it was often said that the previous franchises that they were with had messed them up, but the Steelers could salvage them.  In reality, wouldn't you put the Steelers with their coaching staff in the bottom 4-5 teams from the standpoint of being a good place to develop a young QB?
Gerry Dulac
9:54
The QBs you mentioned weren't brought in to be full-time starters. Trubisky was intended to be a bridge quarterback until Pickett was ready but Mike Tomlin junked that plan after 3 1/2 games. And I actually thought they made Fields a better quarterback than he was in Chicago, though six games is not a large body of work.
Stairway to seventh seed
9:55
Gerry: did we learn much in 6 games about Fields?  He was playing behind a poor offensive line that was just inserting 2 rookies into the lineup and had a struggling Brod Jones.  We had very limited talent at WR behind Pickens and we know his issues.  Each game seemed like an exercise in just trying to prevent turnovers.  The middle of the field was rarely used even though Fields should have the height and arm to utilize it.
Gerry Dulac
9:55
Based on that, I'd say they might have learned a lot, most of it good.
Billy the Adult
9:56
Starting back in the day with Blount going to the SB with NE, to Harrison...to now Pickett with Philly, are the Steelers the new Good luck Chuck with players that force their way out. Sign one and go to the Super Bowl!
Gerry Dulac
9:56
Hmmm, that might be the way to go!
Joe Friday
9:56
Hi Gerry - is it really that uncommon that MT is so hands on with the D? Isn’t Andy Reid really the OC of the Chiefs? Belechuck was the  DC of the Patriots? My sense it is common for the head coach to be very hands on on one side of the ball. Question with MT is his effectiveness as the de facto DC.
Gerry Dulac
9:57
You're right, it's not uncommon at all. And nobody is saying it's wrong to have that type of arrangement. The complaint is in the results, especially late in the season and postseason.
Bill in LA
9:57
What kind of contract would you predict Najee Harris will likely get in free agency?
Gerry Dulac
9:58
IDK, three years, $25-30 million. He is one of only 14 players to begin their career with four 1,000 yard seasons. What's the price tag on that?
Tom in TN
9:59
Good morning Gerry, I know it’s early but do you believe there will be any meaningful changes made to this coaching staff?  When is AjR press conference?
Gerry Dulac
9:59
Meaningful? Not really
Tom
9:59
Fields played well but clearly benefitted from the small ball, defense needs to dominate style of play early in the season. Tomlin isn't going to come up with a RPO gameplan like Harbaugh did in the playoffs, so what is the point of having a mobile qb? Help me understand why fans are calling for him to be the starter?
Gerry Dulac
10:00
Because, right now, he is their best option. Doesn't mean he's the solution. But if you liked him enough to trade for him, and he was 4-2 as the starter, why not use him?
Ben Saluri
10:00
What would you do with Minkah? Top safety money with less than average play.
Gerry Dulac
10:01
I wouldn't say less than average play. But I would say less than average splash plays.
Bill in LA
10:01
Would you not agree that Fields is simply not a great passer? Given Field’s track record in Chicago as well, why do you think he is the Steelers best option?
Gerry Dulac
10:02
Actually, he turned out to be a better passer than I thought, which might not be saying much. Give me a better option...
Bill in LA
10:02
Haven't great quarterbacks like Manning. Aikman, Elway, and others had a terrible first few years? So why do NFL teams cut their young quarterbacks after only one or two years if they throw interceptions? How can they be so sure they won't improve?
Gerry Dulac
10:03
Cause that's today's NFL. Impatience. Instant gratification.
Jeff
10:03
Has the last week and half shown that Art and company perfectly fine with the season and results.  Zero coaching changes.   Head in the sand keep moving forward.   What do you think Gerry ?
Gerry Dulac
10:04
Give it time Jeff, then we'll see what happens.
RJ
10:04
Good Chilly day to ya, I enjoyed your article regarding Fields. I think he is the obvious choice.
Gerry Dulac
10:06
Glad you agree. Thanx
Jeff M
10:07
When the Steelers traded AB & DJ it was suggested that they took lesser offers to avoid trading them to perceived rivals (NE and KC). Did you hear this? Seems like bad business. Both players went on to crash and burn with the teams they were traded to and the Steelers got less value.
Gerry Dulac
10:08
That happens all the time. But I'm not sure of your point. That they crashed and burned with another team has nothing to do with the value they received.
Frozen Tundra
10:09
Considering the Steelers first and higher third round picks did not contribute at all, the contributions from Frazier, McCormick and P. Wilson was significant.  Fautanu and R. Wilson seem to be more injuries than busts.  Under Khan the Steelers seem to have gotten value from their healthy picks.  So, do you expect them to get a major boost in talent in 2025 when hopefully healthy Fautanu and R. Wilson are added to the mix of the 2025 draft class?  Will it make them competitive despite a brutal schedule?  Looking at the schedule, how they finished, and the post free agency holes, I’m not seeing more than 4 or 5 wins in 2025.
Gerry Dulac
10:09
OMG, when was the last time the Steelers had 4 or 5 wins?
Farmer joe
10:10
Gerry, why would they even consider Wilson to be they guy next year- it’s not like the team is good enough to win a championship with him. Get a young qb and let him develop- if you start Wilson again it’ll be a copy and paste season and he’ll be approaching 90yrs old- no future there.
Gerry Dulac
10:10
I'm not sure they're considering that.
Sunner in Orlando from Lebo
10:10
With the late season collapse with Wilson at quarterback, do the Steelers now pivot to Fields next year and let Wilson go? If they do go with Fields, how much do they pay him per year? 10 mil?
Gerry Dulac
10:11
Backup QBs get between $8 and $10 million, so if they are re-signing him to be their starter it will be somewhere north of that.
John in SC
10:12
Good Morning Gerry, Always appreciate your chats. Thanks. I have been a B&G fan all my life, even after we left the area over 30 years ago. It saddens me to see the mediocrity that has overcome the 3 major teams. Steelers will never win another SB under Tomlin; Pirates will never win another WS under Nutting; Penguins are years away from another Cup. Was proud to say “City of CHAMPions”. Now it is “City of CHUMPions”. Am I being too critical.
Gerry Dulac
10:12
Maybe just a pinch. Or too spoiled.
Sunner in Orlando from Lebo
10:12
How ironic would it be if the Eagles make the Super Bowl and Kenny Pickett has to come in and save the day for the Eagles?
Gerry Dulac
10:13
Or, if the Bills and Eagles meet in the Super Bowl, and Josh Allen and Jalen Hurts each get injured, it will be Mitch Trubisky versus Kenny Pickett
HeHateMe
10:13
Why does the team look the same every year? We change coordinators. I think Tomlin is the OC and DC your thoughts?
Gerry Dulac
10:13
He is the boss
Connecting…