Gerry Dulac's Steelers chat: 06.24.26
powered byJotCast
This chat is available to members only. Please log in to participate.
Gerry Dulac
9:55
OK kids, we'll start our chat in just a few minutes....
10:00
Here we go...
Stairway to seventh seed
10:00
Gerry:  Overthecap.com projects a generous 9% increase in the salary cap for 2027.  Despite that, the Steelers only have about $6m of cap space available with only 44 players signed.  6 of those 44 are undrafted rookies that I don't expect to make the roster this year so it is really like 38 players signed.  Porter and Benton are not signed yet.  When the Steelers were perennial Super Bowl contenders with a franchise QB making big money, this was probably ok.  Isn't this a crisis of epic proportions now?
Gerry Dulac
10:01
No. It has never been that with the Steelers because they know how to manage the cap. And I don't suspect it will become that now, either. But thanx for the concern.
Bill In LA
10:02
Can you explain the Steelers' philosophy as regards "rookie playing time". What is their attitude about what it takes for a rookie to play? Do rounds 1 and 2 get a pass and the others have to wait a year or two?
Gerry Dulac
10:03
In today's NFL, your No. 1 pick, unless you're a Super Bowl-caliber team, better come in and contribute right away. It's almost the same with the No. 2 pick, though not as urgent. But the best philosophy they use is this -- who deserves to play?
Stairway to seventh seed
10:04
Gerry: if you were the GM preparing for the 2027 season would you rather pay TJ Watt and Cam Heyward a combined $48 million of incremental cash or use that cap space on Porter, Benton, and say Baker Mayfield?
Gerry Dulac
10:05
I don't think you have to worry about any Baker Mayfield scenarios. Or any FA QB after this season. While Watt and Heyward are not the future of this team, they will still matter in 2027 it appears.
Bill In LA
10:06
If the Steelers are a .500 team or worse by mid-November, how strong a temptation will there be to start Howard or Allar to see what happens?
Gerry Dulac
10:06
I don't think that will be the case Bill. But, to indulge you, they might be temped to use Howard
Takoma Tom
10:06
The Steelers continue to have the highest priced defense and nothing to show for it.  It’s an offensive driven league so why not allocate more of the cap to offense?  It’s been proven that defense no longer wins playoff games.  The bar is low.
Gerry Dulac
10:08
They have slowly been doing that, in case you haven't noticed. Metcalf, Pittman, Dowdle, Rodgers, Washington. But it's a steep mountain to climb to catch that defensive number. And wait till they sign Porter...if they sign him
Stairway to seventh seed
10:09
Gerry: I am shocked by how many reputable Steeler reporters and columnists seem to have no understanding of the salary cap other than thinking that Khan is a cap genius because the Steelers have never forfeited a season for non-compliance.  You have written one of the few articles that I have seen talking about the cap challenges the Steelers face.  Other common mistakes include that it was recently reported on another outlet that trading TJ Watt would create a $94 million dead cap hit.  The actual amount is $30m spread over two years assuming the team taking Watt would take on $32m a year for two years (about what Trey Hendrickson will get guaranteed).  Has the NFL ever offered media members a seminar or training of some type to better understand the cap?
Gerry Dulac
10:09
Are you suggesting that some media people don't know what they're talking about? And actually need training??
RAM
10:09
Gerry! I thought you’d be taking a little vacation during the Steelers down time! Kinda related Steelers question; Do you find it ironic that the 22,000 seats at Acrisure that are being replaced are being sold for about the same price as a ticket to a Steelers game @ $400? I mean who’s selling these seats, Ticketmaster????
Gerry Dulac
10:10
Haha. Don't worry, that vacation is coming
Southside Johnny
10:10
Good morning, Gerry. I was listening to the Pomp and Joe show the last time I sent in a chat regarding the Steelers QB room and the 3 who would be left standing. They mentioned my question and your response, I thought it was pretty cool. There must be another “Southside Johnny” who calls into the show that seems to be an antagonist that they thought was me, I can assure you I’m not that guy.  Funny.
Gerry Dulac
10:11
Haha, thanx for the update, in case it happens again. I'll tell Pomp and Joe
Shenandoah
10:11
Do you think the Steelers will consider Sorsby next year.  I do. With the Steelers and the NFL as a whole so enmeshed in legal gambling, it would be hypocritical for teams to make Sorsby a pariah for betting legally.
Gerry Dulac
10:11
They won't.
BeaverFallsKid
10:11
Good morning Gerry. Do you think the Steelers, given new coaching and some roster upgrades is capable of being a top 10 offense in 2026-27?  If that happens and the Steelers improve defensive PPG allowed even slightly they have a good shot at a division crown and a playoff win.
Gerry Dulac
10:12
I don't about that top 10 offense stuff...maybe. But I think it's very realistic about another division crown and a play...uh...a playo.....hmmmm....a playoff win. There, I said it.
Daniel
10:12
Who do you think will be our push tush guy now?
Gerry Dulac
10:13
The Polish Push Tush guy
Steel City Meltdown
10:13
Hello Gerry:  Hope you are enjoying the start of summer.  Two key questions you may have insight on:  do you anticipate improved play from the Patrick Queen - Payton Wilson combination this season, despite the Steelers apparently deciding to move on from Queen after this season?  Also - with Coach McCarthy at the helm, do you see significantly more targets for PF, or does that depend more upon the comfort level AR has with the receivers?  The lack of use of PF has been mind-boggling.  Thanks!
Gerry Dulac
10:15
Start of summer? Wait, to me, it's half over, 'cause summer ends July 28. We'll see how Patrick Graham uses his ILBs in his defensive schemes, so I'll withhold an opinion. As for 88, he needs to get more targets, and some of that will depend on the QB
LarryG from Punxy
10:15
Do you think the starting positions are pretty much figured out, or will there be any camp battles to determine the full line of starters?
Gerry Dulac
10:17
They're pretty much decided, though that is the case almost every year. The only question will be LT and what happens with Broderick Jones. Will he be ready? But they are planning on Fautanu at LT and I really don't think that's going to change. Also, how will they use Warren and Dowdle.
Soggy
10:17
Until camp starts, we can only speculate on roster spots & position battle.... So an off topic question.  In your opinion, who are some of greatest athletes you seen in your career.  Happy Wednesday to all
Gerry Dulac
10:17
Too long a list, and I'm assuming you mean Steelers. But I'll put Rod Woodson at the top
LarryG from Punxy
10:17
What has been the biggest offseason improvement made?  Any of the new coaches or coordinators?  New players?  The cutting of ties with the old (addition by subtraction...)?
Gerry Dulac
10:18
Just the overall change in general. It was time to move on
Scott via Louisville
10:18
Golf is on my mind more than Steelers today. I played yesterday and struck the ball better than I’ve ever hit it but still shot the typical 88. I finally am able to compress the ball semi consistently. What clicked with you to begin scoring better?  My swing has improved but I still find numerous ways to pile up shots.
Gerry Dulac
10:19
I'm going to guess those shots are piling up in the short game -- chipping and putting. Those deficiencies will wreck any scorecard.
Wiscoken
10:19
Hi Gerry, do you think the PGA will ever incorporate a shot clock (or something similar to speed up play and hold players accountable). Slow  play is one area that is destroying professional golf, and until there is teeth in enforcing it, nothing will change.
Gerry Dulac
10:21
Slow play can destroy all levels of golf, but the tour sets the tone for that. I don't know about a shot clock -- probably not a bad idea -- but I wish more players played like Ludvig Aberg
Realist
10:21
What is the fascination some Steelers fans have in acquiring Aiyuk?  I don't understand it.
Gerry Dulac
10:21
The word is delusion, not fascination. They have no clue.
Guest
10:21
Good morning Gerry.  About a decade ago, Terry Bradshaw said Tomlin was more of a cheerleader and he caught a lot of negative press for saying that.  Not that reporting comes out that Tomlin was more of a CEO and McCarthy is hands on, it seems to prove what Terry and I have known for a long time.  Was the criticism back then unfair?  I feel his comments were spot on.
Gerry Dulac
10:23
His comments were shared quietly by others. But, whatever he was, his record says his approach was pretty darn good
Load More Messages
Connecting…