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Gerry Dulac's Steelers chat: 03.24.21
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Gerry Dulac
10:30
OK kids, we're going to start our chat in approx 15 minutes so get your questions ready.....
10:50
OK lets get started...Go!!
Ryan
10:50
While I hate the move of releasing Nelson do you think the resigning of Sutton made them more comfortable with it?
Gerry Dulac
10:51
Of course. That's why they gave Sutton the contract they did. Look, they don't like the move of releasing Nelson either. But it's all for salary-cap reasons
Josh lacks
10:51
love the column! What do you think happened with the Nelson situation, and realistically what are the Steelers planning to do in free agency it’s been all quiet.
Gerry Dulac
10:53
For starters, they are always quiet in free agency, at least in terms of big signings. But they have already signed Finney, Killebrew and Haeg from the outside. I know, nothing great, but they have added some players. As for Nelson, the Steelers knew/feared they would have to cut one of their two cornerbacks, each of whom are among the highest paid on the team (or count the most against the cap). They weren't going to get rid of Haden if they could help it, so Nelson was the guy  who is out. It's all about money.
Ryan
10:53
It sounds like Colbert is staying for as long as Ben does, do you also think this goes with Tomlin or is he likely gonna be here when Ben is gone?
Gerry Dulac
10:54
Tough to say, but it wouldn't surprise me with Kevin Colbert
Guest
10:54
Hey Gerry - do you foresee the team signing any more free agents prior to the draft -- specifically C or CB?
Gerry Dulac
10:55
yes I do. They are not done. That's why they keep doing things such as releasing Nelson and re-working Ebron's deal. But you will not see a corner added. No need for that. Other areas have much bigger need
Guest
10:55
Why did the team wait so long to release Nelson to clear the room that could've potentially been used on retaining Sutton + Hilton?
Gerry Dulac
10:56
They were hoping they wouldn't have to do it. They also weren't sure Ben and JuJu would be coming back, and they are. This thing is fluid, always progressing, always changing. They have to make those kind of moves if they want to sign an impactful free agent.
Jacque Strap
10:56
Sir Gerry...good tweet about Nelson. Model citizen and outperformed his contract (I think). Regarding James Conner - has the ship sailed on him, regardless of how far his price might drop? They might not want him as the #1, but he's better than Snell.
Gerry Dulac
10:57
Maybe, but I don't see Conner settling for a No. 2 spot after being a three-year starter. And it's probably not helping his cause in the market after having surgery on his big toe. Time to move on.
Brian
10:57
Hi Gerry. Did the Steelers essentially choose Juju over Nelson, or could they have carried both contracts into the 2021 season?
Gerry Dulac
10:59
Yes and no. They had to release Nelson at that point to be in compliance with the cap, but, as I've said, it was something of a foregone conclusion they were not going to be able to keep both Nelson and Haden going into 2021 because of their cap hits. So, to answer your question, no, they could not have carried both.
Nate from Fort Wayne
10:59
Many mock drafts have the Browns going after a LB in the 1st round, if by any chance the top 2 RB's are taken, should the Steelers take the best LB available before the browns do and add some depth for us?
Gerry Dulac
10:59
They'
Oops...they're not interested in depth, they're interested in starters, impactful players, in the first round
Guest
11:00
Will James Pierre or Justin Layne start this year at outside CB? Or do you foresee them bringing in a veteran FA?
Gerry Dulac
11:00
No, Cam Sutton will be the starting CB with Haden. When they go nickel, Sutton will be in the slot and, as of right now, Pierre will go on the outside. Justin Layne needs to rebound and step up after being passed on the depth chart
Guest
11:00
Does it seem like the Steelers would rather fill O line needs through veteran signings rather than rely on the draft? Getting the sense they want to go Defense in round 1
Gerry Dulac
11:01
Trust me, they don't. They want to go offense -- RB and/or OT in the first couple rounds preferably
Patrick
11:01
What is the likelihood the Steelers spend a significant pick (first 3 rounds) on a QB? Seems like it’s much less likely than it was earlier in the off season.
Gerry Dulac
11:01
Agreed. Too many holes now, especially on defense.
Guest
11:01
Given the holes up the middle of the defense, has anything changed regarding draft priorities in the first two rounds from your pov?
Gerry Dulac
11:02
I don't know about round 2 -- possibly -- but not 1. I do think you will see a DL or ILB by round 3 tho.
Pinky Green
11:02
Every year there is the hype as to how much other teams in the division have improved themselves, but usually that doesn't translate to on the field performance. Is that the case this year for the Steelers?
Gerry Dulac
11:03
That's what we will find out. Give them time to complete their roster. They don't play tomorrow
Jeff
11:03
Thanks for the chats.  Why did we wait so long to release Nelson?  That cash would have been enough to get one of the better centers out there.  Now they are all gone.  Looking more and more like BJ will start, not sure he is the answer.  Thoughts?
Gerry Dulac
11:05
He is not the long-term answer, nor do they think he is. Releasing Nelson wasn't something they wanted to do; it was something they feared they would have to do. As I said, the free-agent situation is very fluid, forever changing as it progresses. They have warned everyone it was going to be a difficult offseason and it has been. Nobody should be surprised. Nor continue to be.
Guest
11:05
With Killebrew coming on, do you see the team bringing back Dangerfield?
Gerry Dulac
11:05
He's one of their best special teams players, so I wouldn't count on it
HT
11:05
Hi Gerry. Are the Steelers curious cornerback moves a sign that they are high on the Pierre kid? He seemed to move up at the end of the year snd is very athletic
Gerry Dulac
11:06
I don't think one had anything to do with the other, but I do know they like what they see with Pierre. He passed Layne on the depth chart at the end of the season, so that tells you something.
Joe Deeee
11:06
Gerry, great chats !!!!  Your thoughts- despite free agency- we still have many holes to fill, we have some cap space, but its evident we will rely heavily on this draft class for sure- do you see the top 2 rb's on the board at our picks, do we go OL and if not are we trading down a bit for more picks ?
Gerry Dulac
11:07
I think they will do what they have to do to ensure they get a RB or OT/C very high in the draft.
Mar
11:07
do You think steelers take najee Harris with first pick   then corner 2nd round
Gerry Dulac
11:08
There will be no CBs taken on the first two days...period. And, with their history of drafting CBS, they should not take one at all. Ever again
HT
11:08
Gerry we dismantled a good defense and still need to build an effective offense   Is this possible,  or are we in for a lean year?
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