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Gerry Dulac's Steelers chat: 11.26.25
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Gerry Dulac
9:54
OK kids, let's get our chat started
Stairway to seventh seed
9:55
Gerry: you reported a few weeks ago that the Steelers remain committed to drafting a QB this spring. Can you elaborate a little bit more on this finding?  For instance is your source in a position to already know just how dreadful the 2026 QB class has looked?  Do you think that good judgment still has a chance to prevail or are the Steelers destined to repeat the mistake of the 2022 draft?
Gerry Dulac
9:56
I think my sources are more aware of anything you think -- and maybe even what I think -- of the college QB landscape. They're not dummies, ya know
Different Perspective
9:56
The Steelers have three starting quality tight ends who have had a solid amount of recent success either this year or last year. Instead of choosing which two TEs to play, should Art Smith go all out and play 3 TEs for the majority of the game? Is any NFL team really built to cover 3 relatively athletic tight ends for a game? Linebacker and safeties both have mismatches. Mike D’Antoni is said to have expressed that one regret from his Phx Suns days was that he didn’t go all out and have the team run faster and shoot more 3 pointers. Shouldn’t Art Smith go all out and aggressively embrace this mismatch? It is a highly aggressive approach that does not take away from the organization’s preferred offensive philosophy.
Gerry Dulac
9:57
The problem is, the one with the most "quality" is the one they are using and utilizing the least. And, in case you haven't noticed, they use all three TEs at once any number of times. That's what they call "13" formation
Stairway to seventh seed
9:58
Gerry: my theory is that Cowher hired Arians, Rooney hired Haley, and Ben hired Fichtner.  If true, then Canada and Smith are Tomlin's only two hand picked coordinators.  Given the similarities that we have seen between these two like an aversion to throwing over the middle, is it possible that Tomlin took more control of the offense when Canada started just like he took more control of the defense when Butler took over?
Gerry Dulac
9:58
Ben didn't hire Fichtner; he was promoted from QB coach.
Dan W.
9:58
Is it a coincidence that the present and past offensive coordinators keep making the same mistakes in game? Not attacking the middle of the field, running plays over 70% of the time on 2nd and long, etc. Seems like offensive minds go to Pittsburgh and forget how to coach.
Gerry Dulac
9:59
That should tell you something else, as well.
Seven9:58In your opinion, was Mason Rudolph just off at Chicago or did the offensive scheme not play to his strengths?
10:00
Mason's turnovers didn't help. And he missed a couple deep throws for a QB who is a pretty good deep thrower. Otherwise, he wasn't off at all, not the way he kept bringing them back after Bears TDs.
Lee In SC
10:00
Hi Gerry,

I posed the same query to your colleagues and wondering what you take on this is.

It’s looking like it will take 10 wins win the North/make the playoffs. This means the Steelers need to win 4 of the next 6 games.

I do not see that happening.

I see 2 nearly certain wins (Cleveland, Miami).
I see 2 almost certain loses (Buffalo, Detroit).
This means they need to sweep the Raven which we almost never do.

I guess my questions are:
1)    How many wins do you see the Steelers getting in the remaining 6 games?
2)    If they miss the playoffs or again get in and are one and blown out is it finally time to blow things up and do a rebuild? And I do mean blow it up. The O is in the midst of being rebuilt while the D is aging and not up to the standard.

Your thoughts?
Gerry Dulac
10:00
I think 9 wins might win the division, but only if the Steelers manage to get at least a split with the Ravens.
Seven
10:01
Happy Thanksgiving Gerry. Like you, I have watched football for a long time. I never have seen a defense play nickel on third and goal from the 2. What the heck are they doing?
Gerry Dulac
10:01
I don't know this, but I'm sure they were anticipating a Caleb Williams option run around the end.
HeHateMe
10:01
Morning Gerry! Bottom line is Tomlin scheme is outdated and his ego won't change it or he doesn't know how to change it. Until he is gone he will do the same thing praying for different results. Your thoughts?
Gerry Dulac
10:02
I don't know about outdated, but changing it? Well, when Tom Brady says he always knew what the Steelers were going to do defensively because they never change ....
Jim Bow Dean
10:03
Why build your offense around tight ends and then never use the middle of the field? It’s mind boggling.
Gerry Dulac
10:03
That's one school of thought. And a good one
Jim Bow Dean
10:03
Where is the pitchfork muster point when Tomlin gets another three-year extension this offseason?
Gerry Dulac
10:03
OK, and that means....??
Soggy
10:03
Good Morning & Happy Thanksgiving Eve Gerry..  It looks like another 9-8 season for the Steelers. I think this will drop them out of the elite QB race.  The WR class seems to be deep & one could fall into the Steelers lap @ pick 20.  What are your thoughts on an elite WR in round one & say John Mateer in round two.  Mateer looked pretty good prior to his injury  Thanks Gerry
Gerry Dulac
10:04
Actually, 9-8 gets them closer than 10-7 or 11-6
DJ
10:04
Gerry, have the Steelers totally mismanaged the post Ben era?  If you look at the Patriots post TB, they did not go all in to stay 1 game above 500, moved on from their long term successful coach, found what looks like a QB for the future, and now they are the #1 AFC seed.  It looks like their near term future is much brighter as we sift through being in the perpetual muddled middle.
Gerry Dulac
10:05
It took them a couple years to get there, like 5. Meantime, the Steelers were in the postseason four of those five years. Which would've you preferred at the time???
Stairway to seventh seed
10:05
Gerry: for 50 years I've been hearing after a loss that the Steelers should have run the ball more because it is "Steeler football".  This reached the extreme this week when some analysts pointed to the decision to go for a 2nd and 1 deep shot on the first drive as a major reason for a loss.  Ever since Bill Walsh got going in San Francisco, I would estimate that at least 95% of the championship caliber offenses that we have seen have had dangerous passing attacks.  Even a casual observer of NFL Films highlights would realize that "Steeler Football" only won one of the Steelers' Super Bowls in the 70's.  When will everybody involved in the Steeler Nation from the fans, to the media, to ownership, and coaches get over this archaic fixation on the running game?
Gerry Dulac
10:07
I have no problem attacking down the field like they did. If they would've completed, everyone would have applauded their aggressiveness, especially on the road against a good team. I didn't have a problem at all with the call. I had a problem with Metcalf not trying to break up the pass so the defender couldn't intercept.
artie bridge
10:07
Hi Gerry.  Obviously with just six games remaining, each is important.  That said, how critical do you rank this Sunday's with Buffalo?
Gerry Dulac
10:07
Very. If they beat Buffalo and Baltimore, then the Chicago loss isn't that bad after al. But that's a huge IF
Rahn
10:07
Team management may not have grown tired of Mike Tomlin and his performance, but what percentage of the fan base do you think has?
Gerry Dulac
10:07
How high am I allowed to go?
Uncle Larry
10:08
Does anyone ever, ever give Art Rooney the what for he deserves for being CEO of this mediocre condition of a once great and proud organization?
Gerry Dulac
10:08
I think a large percentage of the people on this chat.
MediocreMike
10:08
I won’t even make this about Tomlin. It’s pretty clear what he is and isn’t. He’s not a great coach and his playoff wins and SB were with Cowher’s left over players, coaches, and culture. That’s indisputable. The biggest problem goes higher. It’s Art 2. My question is do we think Art is truly incompetent or is this just a money making venture to him and as long as the dollars roll in the results don’t actually matter. Because there is no way a competent human being can watch over what has become of the Steelers under Tomlin and think it’s acceptable. What gives?
Gerry Dulac
10:09
I beg to differ. He is a good coach, his record proves that. But this isn't about whether he's a good coach or not. He is. This is about watching the same old thing happen year and year and not doing anything about it. How long are you going to tolerate it?
Rahn
10:09
You've maintained that the Steelers will use their ammo to move up in the draft to pick a QB, despite the topsy-turvy fortunes of many of the preseason prospect rankings. Could that mean moving up in the second round instead or do you think they have a few guys in mind to move up and select in the first?
Gerry Dulac
10:10
I don't know who they have in mind right now. All I can tell you is that's their plan. That doesn't mean circumstances might force them to change.
Justin
10:10
Hey Gerry, any idea if the Steelers were interested in Brandin Cooks before he went to Buffalo?
Gerry Dulac
10:10
Nope
IUPDave
10:10
Good morning Gerry and Happy Thanksgiving. 160 million dollar investment into the defense, still no WR 2.  Is it time to rethink our philosophy and put more resources in the offense and try and out score teams, instead of holding opposing defenses to 17 points.   It is clearly not working this year.
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