Gerry Dulac's Steelers chat: 05.20.26
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martian
10:19
Have any of the newcomers (Free agents or rookies) made any early impressions yet?
Gerry Dulac
10:19
Bernard looks smooth. Should be a great addition.
martian
10:19
How did Will Howard look at practice the past two days?
Gerry Dulac
10:19
You mean for the 10 minutes the media got to see him?
Ryan from Ohio
10:20
Is there a need for an additional receiver?  Maybe a veteran who won’t break the bank on a one year deal.
Gerry Dulac
10:20
They've done that the past couple years and how did that work out. Plus, they have plenty of veterans with Metcalf and Pittman, not to mention 88.
Seattle Steeler
10:20
Good Morning Gerry!  Very early, but any difference in how the media is being handled with the new coaching regime?
Gerry Dulac
10:21
Yeah, viewing at OTAs is limited one day, closed another.
AdamNY
10:21
I’m surprised we’re not talking more about the OLB situation. It seems crazy that the team seems headed toward an outcome where Herbig walks in free agency, and we’re left with a 32 year old TJ Watt. It seems reasonable to assume that Herbig’s best days are ahead of him while TJ’s best days are behind him. Why isn’t there more urgency to sign Herbig this offseason? I would think that a signing like this - i.e. paying a 3rd OLB when you’ve already paid 2 of them - is a luxury we can afford given we’re not paying for a $50M QB this year and for the next few years.
Gerry Dulac
10:22
Who says there isn't? And Herbig has to be willing to agree to one? Especially because the two guys in front of him are signed through 2027
Joker
10:22
Was Freiermuth the most under utilized player on the offense last season?
Gerry Dulac
10:22
Of course he was.
Tom from Philly
10:23
Hi Gerry!  Not much has been written about the secondary, specifically that we're paying Jalen Ramsey elite CB $ but he can't play elite CB anymore.  Do you think he can become an elite SS or FS, or is he best employed as a nickle corner in slot?
Gerry Dulac
10:24
Well, that's basically how they've been using him -- all over the field. The Steelers think he is worth the money.
Peter
10:25
The Steelers made a trade in June of 2025 that included a top player in Minkah Fitzparick. Could the team do the same with Highsmith in order to then sign Herbig to a new deal? Or is sending Watt off in 2027 more likely? Thanks Gerry.
Gerry Dulac
10:25
Of course they could. And maybe that is something they are already thinking.
Dave
10:25
Hi Gerry , I've always thought pre draft ratings doesn't equal nfl success, Graham Barton was rated as a can't miss great center TB took him 26th. Zach Frazier wasn't rated nearly as high, and the Steelers drafted him 51st. So far, Frazier has played clearly better. Could we be saying the same thing in 2 years about Lemon and Bernard?
Gerry Dulac
10:26
Sure. And I think that's one of the keys to the draft. If Bernard can show he's the equal of Lemon, maybe even better, then that makes the No. 1 pick (Iheanchor) look even better.
Realist
10:27
Why is it that some Steelers fans think a high draft pick is a guaranteed franchise QB?  Nothing is guaranteed, other than anyone who advocates tanking is clueless.
Gerry Dulac
10:27
Pay the man!
Stairway to seventh seed
10:27
Gerry: in 2024 and maybe 2025 you could at least squint your eyes and maybe see a playoff caliber defense.  Therefore, the idea of signing a cheap former star QB and hoping he could recapture past glory maybe made some sense.  But this is the 26th ranked defense and $22m is not insignificant.  Does this plan still make sense?
Gerry Dulac
10:28
Well, it's the best plan they got, for better or worse.
Arthur not Art
10:28
Hi Gerry. Happy Wednesday. Do you think they did enough on offense and defense in the offseason to take the next step? Thanks.
Gerry Dulac
10:29
You certainly can't complain about the attention they paid to offense, both with trades (Pittman), free agency (Dowdle) and the draft (seven of 10 picks were offense).
J D
10:29
Gerry, isn't it strange that MT has not met with the media to discuss his reasons for leaving?  Doesn't that indicate that he was frustrated with his lack of winning playoff games and underachieved?
Gerry Dulac
10:29
No, it indicates he has no use for the media.
Rich in TN
10:29
Good morning Gerry... just an observation.. BUT..  I'll take a HOF QB at end of his run over the purgatory that was the Cliff Stout and Mark Malone era any day... I like anyone who gives the Steelers the best chance to win!
Gerry Dulac
10:30
Good observation.
yo yo
10:30
Mason has been through this sooo many times with so many different QB trainees. The Josh Dobbs fiasco hangs like a cloud over the field. Mason just keeps on keeping on.
Gerry Dulac
10:31
There's a reason he does -- they like him.
Jdog
10:35
Gerry, I thought no not getting a high-quality NT was a big mistake in the draft, especially since there was several good ones for a change.  It seems to me, that if you want to improve your run defense, this needs to be a bigger priority, especially if you play a 3-4 defense.  Imagine how much better Queen and Peyton would look if they were kept clean more often.  Not to mention how critical a good NT can be on goal line and short-yardage situations.
Gerry Dulac
10:35
I tend to agree, but you have to remember a NT isn't going to play any more than 20 percent of the snaps, if that, in their defense.
West Coast Danno
10:36
I know a decision is a few years away but any info or comments on potential new practice facility possibilities? Also how is the improvements going with the stadium? Thank you, Sir.
Gerry Dulac
10:37
The only thing I can tell you is their lease on the South Side is up in 5 years and they know they need more room than what they have now. Something will happen
Arthur not Art
10:37
On paper, they appear to be stronger at WR, may show some improvement at OL, are probably about the same at RB and TE, and could regress at QB (simply because of age). Is MM a big enough improvement over AS to make this a more successful season?
Gerry Dulac
10:38
I think you might have answered your own question.
Adam in ATL
10:38
Wake me from my fever dream. A more than competent offense (that uses a FB!) and a DC channeling LeBeau and Capers leads to a home playoff win and a trip to the AFC championship against KC. We're up at the half 14-10....
Gerry Dulac
10:38
Did you fail to set your alarm again??
West Coast Danno
10:38
Any information or predictions on JPJ’s contract situation? Previously, I compared him to Patrick Sertain II and you said, “Really?” Yes. Really. I think Joey blossoms into a top 5 corner. What say you? Thanks
Gerry Dulac
10:38
I say you better re-evaluate
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