Gerry Dulac's Steelers chat: 06.17.26
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Let’s go Mountaineers
10:22
Hey Gerry, seems like Steelers are in contract talks with Benton. Do you think they’d be wise to wait and see how he fits at DE this season as opposed to NT before giving him a second contract?
Gerry Dulac
10:22
He is one of the players they wanted to extend before the season -- and they still might. But he is not their NT. Yahya Black is
Realist
10:23
Do you think Freiermuth will be utilized a lot more this season?  He was way underused last season?
Gerry Dulac
10:23
Yes he was -- both with targets and playing time! He is their most dependable receiver. Use him.
Soggy
10:24
Good Morning Gerry. For some reason, I am strangely fascinated with the Brandon Sorsby saga.  I think Sorsby will get drafted in the supplemental draft.  The big question is what team rolls the dice (mild gambling reference) and what round.  I think he will go in round two to Miami.  What say you sports oracle.  Thank You
Gerry Dulac
10:25
Haha, I love the gambling analogy. Wish I would have come up with that. Round two or even round three I bet (get it?)
mtfury
10:25
Gerry, Why has Drew Allar not signed his rookie contract yet?  The rest of the class is signed, what is the holdup with him?
Gerry Dulac
10:25
Procedural I suppose
GB
10:25
With Killebrew gone, do you see Ben Skowronek becoming the full-time special teams captain, or is there another candidate who could emerge? Also, from the little you’ve seen so far, do you get the sense the Steelers’ special teams unit could be improved this year?
Gerry Dulac
10:26
Payton Wilson served in that capacity last season when Killibrew went out, so I'm guessing it might be him. But Skowronek a good choice too.
Brian
10:26
Some are speculating that the safety position is really thin.   I know you haven't seen camp yet, but what do you think about the depth behind Ramsey, Brisker and Elliott?
Gerry Dulac
10:27
Thin? I think it's pretty solid, better than it has been in a while.
Arthur
10:28
Hi Gerry. Thank you for the time and chat. I think they typically operate with about $8M in cap space in season. If that’s correct, they’ll need to create somewhere around $27M in cap space to sign JPJ and Benton. If restructuring TJ and DK is the most likely path to create that space it puts TJ at a cap hit of $50M for the remainder of his contract and DK at $35M. Do you think they restructure or try to trade someone with a high cap value to get those 2 signed. Thanks.
Gerry Dulac
10:30
They're going to have to restructure at least one of those two, especially if -- and when -- they signed Porter. But I will tell you that is not happening anytime soon and could drag on. I don't think the Steelers are in any rush to commit $25 or $30 million, if that's what it takes, for Porter. Benton might be an easier deal to get done.
Arthur
10:30
Will they put a bid in for Sorsby?
Gerry Dulac
10:30
Not that I've been told. It would be a big gamble with his issues
Ted T
10:31
I continue to hear the sports radio pundits talk about selecting a QB in 2027. Howard & Allar seem like they could be a great battle next year. Why consider another draft pick next year?
Gerry Dulac
10:31
They have nothing else to talk about.
Happy Gilmore
10:31
Gerry, will Mike McCarthy allow his QBs to use the middle of the field?
Gerry Dulac
10:31
That's up to Rodgers
Silent Bob
10:31
Hi Gerry - One difference I noticed between MM & MT is MM is more positive and encouraging about individual players. MT never praised players much - especially young guys. My sense was he used this as a strategy for them to reach for more. Have you observed that optimism and encouragement are generally MM's MO or is this perhaps more part of the honeymoon period? Thanks
Gerry Dulac
10:34
Mike Tomlin did not believe in handing out platitudes to young players for the reason you suggested, not until they proved they deserved them. In his defense, too, he rarely, if ever, criticized a player publicly. With McCarthy, he has not seen his younger players perform in a game, so, for now, as a new coach, he is going to be positibe until proven otherwise.
Realist
10:34
What will happen first?  A) The Steelers will win a playoff game B) The Pirates will finish with a winning record C) Skenes will win 20 games playing for another team.  D) The Browns will win the division
Gerry Dulac
10:34
A)
Linda Barrett
10:35
Hello Gerry. The Steelers made upgrades to the WR room, OL room, CB and S room. All positions that caused them issues last year. However, one position group that gave them issues last year was the Middle Linebacker room. Queen had many gaffes, Wilson looked like a sophomore, and Malik Harrison was definitely no James Harrison. So why were no upgrades via Free Agency, trade, or even the draft made to that room? And do you think like me that it will cause them issues defensively this year again?
Gerry Dulac
10:35
I think because they like the players they have, and that includes a healthy Cole Holcomb.
Arthur
10:35
What do you think they’re more likely to do if Howard shows he can be QB2 in camp - put Allar on IR and work a trade in season for Rudolph, try to trade Rudolph at the end of camp, or cut Rudolph.
Gerry Dulac
10:36
Right now, I think MM plans to keep all four QBs.
Steeler Joe
10:36
Hey, Gerry. Was TJ healthy last year? I feel like the significant drop-off in production suggests otherwise. I'm on record that I think if he's healthy this year, and if the new coaching staff moves him around more so teams can't chip him so regularly, he has a bounce-back year -- maybe not DPOY but back to double-digit sacks and game-changing plays.
Gerry Dulac
10:37
Let's hope so. Better yet, they hope so. They didn't pay him all that money to have seven sacks.
Andrew
10:37
Hi Gerry! I know you and other insiders have mentioned Porter shouldn’t be getting market setting money and while I’d love to sign him to 25 opposed to 30. The season he just turned in was top 5 worthy. No TD in 3 years, less penalty yards than top corners like surtain and he really did lock down wr1. I’m not sure why he isn’t being recognized more as a top 5 guy. Thanks!
Gerry Dulac
10:38
Because he's not. And those who think he will set the market price for CBs are either wistful or delusional. Just because he might think he is worth that doesn't mean the Steelers do.
Bones
10:38
Good morning Gerry. From a secondary standpoint, do you buy in on the versatility approach? It seems too complicated to me, too dependent on precise communication and each player needs to know many more coverage responsibilities. Your thoughts sir?
Gerry Dulac
10:40
That's why they have film sessions, game-plan sessions and practice. That's their job -- to understand and communicate. When you hear about communication issues, it doesn't always mean players aren't getting the signals. It usually means they don't know what they're doing.
J D
10:40
Gerry, if healthy, what is the plan for Broderick Jone's return?  Will he be a backup or move to another position.  He's not that reliable at left tackle and maybe he's better suited as a guard.  Your comments, thank you.
Gerry Dulac
10:40
We'll see. But he's not moving to another position, unless it's RT.
TVC15
10:40
What what level of success does Mike McCarthy need to achieve to coach the Steelers for 15 years? Please say it is more than 3 playoff wins like like the last guy.
Gerry Dulac
10:41
No matter whatever level of success he achieves, he won't be around for 15 years
Epiballo
10:41
If a team does pick up Sorsby, which team is most likely? I say the Browns. They had no problem with Watson’s history and they like to collect QBs.
Gerry Dulac
10:41
He's right up the Browns' dysfunctional alley
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