JotCast | Gerry Dulac's Steelers chat: 02.25.21

Gerry Dulac's Steelers chat: 02.25.21

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Gerry Dulac

10:33

OK kids, we will start our chat in about 15 minutes so get those questions ready...

10:47

Ok, let's get started...Go!!

Ralph

10:47

Hi Gerry.Do you see any chance Pittsburgh and Ben not coming to a deal on redoing his contract that both can’t agree on and deciding to move on from each other.

Gerry Dulac

10:47

No, don't see that happening at all.. They will make it work.

Jackson

10:47

IMO with or without Ben the Steelers aren’t going to the playoffs so why bring him back? The fans don’t want him back. Why does Ben get to call the shots? He’s not Tom Brady that’s the problem.

Gerry Dulac

10:48

Doesn't matter what the fans think.

Buzzard Bill

10:48

Hi Gerry, I think that Ben and Rooney must have had a meeting of the minds, so to speak, at their meeting this week. As a condition for returning, Rooney would expect Ben to buy into the offensive changes, Canada in charge of the offense as OC, more under center play action and emphasis on the running game, and Canada calling the plays as the Steelers transition to a different style of offense. Do you agree?

Gerry Dulac

10:49

I think a lot of things were discussed about what the Steelers plans are and how Ben will fit into those plans.

Retire21

10:49

Longshot I know....you get to keep one...Juju or Bud?

Gerry Dulac

10:49

You're right, it's a long shot. Bud

Ralph

10:49

Hi Gerry.I would like Pittsburgh to move up in the draft and get one of the top quarterbacks this year.Do you see any chance at all that happening and if not do you see them taking Najee Harris in first round if he is there.Thanks

Gerry Dulac

10:50

If they move up, I think it will be to take a RB. They would have to go up way too high to get a QB who would be worth it.

REID

10:50

Gerry, do you think Ben could even be better than last year with a receiving corps that has another year to mature and 3 of the receivers working with Ben for the first time last year developing even more chemistry?

Gerry Dulac

10:50

I think Ben can be even better if they fix their running game, which is their intention

Moshe’s brother

10:50

Good morning Mr Dulac. Thank you for your time. On a previous chat, you indicated that our Steelers could learn most from the physical play of the two super bowl participants. Do you see any of the newly hired coaches being ones to hail, promote, and deliver this message for the players to sufficiently buy in and perpetuate?

Gerry Dulac

10:51

I think that could be and likely will be the intention of their new offensive line coach, Adrian Klemm.

Guest

10:51

Gerry, during the first half of last season I thought Ben looked better than ever. If the Steelers could have simply run the ball effectively and the defense hadn’t suffered important injuries the season may have turned out differently.
I think with Ben at quarterback, a better line and blocking plan, and a true star running back why can’t we win it all in 2021?

Gerry Dulac

10:52

I'm not going to predict a Super Bowl, but then I didn't predict 11-0, 12-4 and division title. And neither did ANYONE else, not even the most fervent die-hard Steelers fan.

Thurston Howell III

10:52

I'm sure you will get enough of the usual QB questions today, so... Is Ben a good golfer?

Gerry Dulac

10:52

Yes

Doug

10:52

What positions do you think will be addressed by the Steelers via free agency?

Gerry Dulac

10:53

Center. Backup TE. If they sign a center in free agency, then don't have to worry about getting one in the draft. Before Pouncey, their previous three starting centers all came via free agency

Gerry Mora

10:53

Do you think the steelers will look and take For a QB in the Draft? i will love to see Mac Jones or Maybe Kyle Trask.

Gerry Dulac

10:55

Mac Jones in a backup NFL quarterback at best. Trask seems to be a curiousity at best. But I don't think the Steelers are interested.

10:55

Hi Gerry. With all the speculation about Ben, I’ve seen multiple articles suggesting the Steelers sign Tyrod Taylor. Everywhere he goes, he loses the starter’s job. Why does anyone think he’s any good?

Gerry Dulac

10:56

Those people are delusional.

10:56

Also seen speculation about signing Aaron Jones. Wouldn’t he be much too expensive?

Gerry Dulac

10:57

Probably. That's why I think you will see RB addressed in the draft. One way or another, they want to get a new No. 1 back.

Orangeflamebulbs

10:57

Hi Gerry, it seemed like ARII, Tomlin and Colbert were all sending pretty strong signals to Ben that he should retire. And then all of a sudden ARII reverses course and says "we want Ben back..." What changed to make them reverse course like that? Was it a mistake for those three to signal Ben that he should retire?

Gerry Dulac

10:58

Despite what it "seemed" to you, nobody reversed course. And nobody ever indicated to Ben he should retire -- that, is, unless you're counting some fans who don't know better.

10:58

Do you think the Steelers will cut Nelson or Haden?

Gerry Dulac

11:02

That is a possibility, because both are in the final year of their contracts. That makes it very difficult to restructure their deals, unless they agree to a pay cut for the final year -- and I don't see that happening. They could also do what they will do with Ben -- sign one of them (doubt both) to a new three-year deal that would lessen their cap hit this year. Haden's $15.575 million cap hit is second highest on the team.

Jeff

11:02

Joe Haden and Steven Nelson survive? Or will one be a casualty? I'd think they will want to try and keep as much of this defense together. what say you?

Gerry Dulac

11:02

See previous answer

11:03

I know you’re a golf fan. It seems very long odds that Tiger will compete on the tour again, isn’t it?

Gerry Dulac

11:03

ASs of right now, yes it does

Bob

11:03

Gerry do you think ben will be asked to take a pay cut? He'd be smart for the optics...i know a couple million is alot to someone but for him? The sentiment of this town seems they don't want him back but i think him giving back would go a long way

Gerry Dulac

11:04

Ben said he will do what is necessary to help the team. Believe me, he will still make millions. But it might not be what he was scheduled to make.

Fred

11:04

Mac Jones seems to be really rising up the draft boards. I think he’s more worthy of a 2nd round pick than a first. What are your thoughts?

Gerry Dulac

11:04

I think he's a backup

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