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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 01.13.26
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Ray Fittipaldo
10:31
Good morning. We'll get the chat started. As always post your questions and I'll do my best to get to all of them.
Mike from Hershey
10:31
Hi Ray, not usually one to disagree with your grades, but why the passing grade for the O-line? They were under pressure and the pocket collapsed all night. One sack was even a non-contact pocket collapse where AR got hit by his own guys. It’s clear the Texan defense was elite and our guys weren’t up to snuff. A lot of whiffs by Fautanu, and Seumalo looked like he got beat a lot too. Watching the Steelers trying to combat it was depressing.
Ray Fittipaldo
10:32
I just thought they were put in a lot of unfavorable circumstances. When you're in third-and-long, the Texans rushers were in a position to tee off on them. They didn't play well, but there were reasons for that.
J Pitt
10:32
I feel we did Aaron Rogers a disservice with a lack of good receivers. And DK disappointed me this year. I want a total rebuild including coaches, but since that won't happen, I'm willing to sign Rogers to one more year to help whoever becomes the next QB. Thoughts?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:34
I agree with you on the receivers. They should draft one in the first round to pair with Metcalf. And then maybe another in the middle rounds because we have no idea if Roman Wilson will develop into a competent player. As for Rodgers, if he wants to come back the Steelers should strongly consider it. Unless they want to start a rebuild and commit to being a bad team with Rudolph or Howard as the QB then Rodgers makes the most sense. They are not going to land a QB picking in the low 20s.
tjc
10:35
I would like the Steelers to try and trade Tomlin and then flip the picks to the Chargers for Justin Herbert.  I think he would be better for our future than another reclamation project or a Malik Willis.  Chargers can't seem to get over the hump with Herbert, maybe they'd be interested.
Ray Fittipaldo
10:35
The Chargers are not moving on from Herbert. He's been disappointing in the postseason, but they can't make that move yet.
G Man
10:36
Hi Ray, very sad news last week on The PG planning to cease operations in May.  I live out of state and highly value the coverage you and your fellow writers give the Pittsburgh sports teams!   What do you think is the best course of action for the Steelers with a QB for next season?   Draft one from what looks to be a weak QB class?   Or try to get an established QB like Willis or Mac Jones that may be starting to figure out the pro game?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:38
Thanks G Man. Keep reading and subscribing. There are people behind the scenes working on solutions. As for the QB situation, what's the difference between Mason Rudolph and Mac Jones or Malik Willis?
Dormont Legacy
10:38
I thought about changing my name to “Dormont Indifferent” because that is what I have become. I know I am not alone. Rooney is taking this once proud franchise the way of Sears and KMart. I’m just a fan so all I can hope for is a complete org blowup. Any chance of that?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:39
I highly doubt. Tomlin is signed through 2027 (with a team option that has to be exercised in a few weeks). Omar Khan just signed a new deal over the summer. There will not be a big organizational blowup. But there will be tweaks. There always are when you lose your final game.
Standard is 7
10:40
I know I’m in the minority with this day and age, but I agree with what Rogers has said recently. The team is rebuilding the center right garden right tackle will be good for years to come. They just need to add some wide receivers. The offense usually better in its second year. I’m not surprised nor disappointed. It’s exactly what I expected The Steelers have a young offensive line and no wide receiver depth. And that’s what we see. They should be better next year and add some wide receivers. My question is do you think there’s optimism around the team ? I’ve heard Rogers share my optimism. I think the Steelers just need to steady the ship draft safety guard, and wide receiver like Chris Carter said. Sign Rogers one more year. Is there any chance they get Mendoza??
Ray Fittipaldo
10:42
I don't think it's possible to move up to get Mendoza, who is expected to go No. 1. The roster isn't in bad shape, but they have some major issues to address. WR is No. 1 in my mind. CB and safety next (depending on what they do with Jalen Ramsey's contract. He could fill one of those roles.) And I still think the defensive line has to get younger and better. Their depth was tested this season, and we all know Cam Heyward can't play forever.
Joel
10:42
Ray, thanks to you and your colleagues for your tremendous Steelers coverage. Re QB1 for 2026, I have two premises: Rodgers is done and the draft will not offer the solution given the implosion of the 2026 QB class. So what’s the right approach for the Steelers for the most important position on the field?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:45
Gauge Rodgers' interest. If he wants to return on another reasonable contract they should consider it. He played well at times. He's somewhat limited with his mobility so he is a sitting target against teams like the Texans, but he still won 10 games at the age of 41/42. And let's say they do draft a QB in Round 1. That rookie would need a mentor. You wouldn't want to throw him into the fire early on as a rookie especially if he's not a top 5 pick. And let's face it. I don't know that any team has ever traded from the 20s into the top 5. I know the Chiefs traded from 27 to 10 to get Mahomes, but that's not top 5.
tjc
10:45
Do you think the Steelers need to readjust either Watt or Metcalf or both contracts this offseason.  Seems like we are overpaying pretty high on both cases.  I'd love to see Watt return to 10+ sacks and Metcalf stop dropping balls in critical moments but I'm not sure if it will happen
Ray Fittipaldo
10:46
Neither played to expectations, but whey would they do that? They signed a contract and expect the Steelers to honor it. The Metcalf deal is the one that concerns me the most. I just don't think he's a legit No. 1 WR. And that contract is a big one, takes up a lot of their salary cap space the next few seasons.
No O
10:47
Best wishes for your future endeavors Ray.. Does Art Rooney and Mike Tomlin each concede that the NFL is now an Offensive dominant League and understand what that means?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:48
Odd time to say that after watching the Texans, but I know what you mean. The Steelers offense is not nearly good enough to contend for a Super Bowl. Rodgers had some late-season magic to get them into the playoffs, but it masked some of their issues at WR. They just don't have NFL quality playmakers. That's the No. 1 thing that has to change this offseason.
tjc
10:48
I have seen the Ty Simpson being mocked to Steelers.  I'm thinking that may be a reach, what do you think about him?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:49
We just lived through the Kenny Pickett drama. Is Simpson any better of a prospect coming out than Pickett was? I guess you never know with QBs. You have to consider who is developing the player, how the team surrounds the QB, etc. But I would not be enthused about that pick.
tjc
10:49
Is Cook a long term solution at LT?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:50
I think he could be. At the very least he thrust himself into the conversation with his play down the stretch.
tjc
10:50
I don't like Rogers but I was very impressed and happy with his persona (not being a distraction and seemed like a great teammate) and he played okay for the most part.  I just don't see the team doing any better with him next year.  Would you bring him back if he wanted to play again?  At least the money would probably be good and you know what you are getting.
Ray Fittipaldo
10:52
Unless they commit to a rebuild -- and they've never done that or talked about that even as a remote possibility -- then yes Rodgers coming back makes sense. And he is right. He would be better and the offense would be better in Year 2. The only thing that concerns me is young receivers developing with him. He seemed to favor and rely on veteran WRs this season. That's fine. It helped the Steelers get in the playoffs. But Rodgers has to be willing to work with and develop a young draft pick. He can't freeze him out if he makes a few mistakes in training camp.
tjc
10:52
Is Broderick Jones done as a Steeler?  Maybe he plays swing tackle next season as a backup and they don't pick up his 5th year?  Is that where he is at in his contract?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:53
Jones just finished his third year of a four-year rookie contract. Because he was a first-round pick the Steelers have to decide by May if they're going to exercise the fifth-year option on his rookie deal. Tough call for Omar Khan considering his neck injury and his level of play.
Silent Bob
10:54
Hi Ray - is the Watt extension the worst money the Steelers have spent. You pay guys that kind of money to make a difference in the big games. Another whiff by Watt. He was great in the way but seems washed up.
Ray Fittipaldo
10:55
I don't know about washed up, but he did not have a typical TJ Watt season. So any way you look at it he did not live up to his contract in Year 1.
richard
10:55
If Drew Allar is still around in the second round, would you have him on your short list?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:57
Probably not in the second round. First, off not a lot will be known about his draft stock until we get a timeline on his return from his injury. That could drop him a round. Also, he never really played to his potential so I'm not sure how NFL clubs will view him. He has prototypical size and looks the part, but he didn't ever play like a top-10 pick. Or even a first-round pick. You'd be drafting him strictly on the potential.
Atlanta Dan
10:59
Thanks for the chat and for the great Steelers coverage by the Post-Gazette over the decades (I have been a reader since the glory days when Vito Stellino was on the beat). Now that Mike Tomlin has tied Marty Schottenheimer for most one & done playoff appearances (9) and Marvin Lewis for consecutive playoff losses (7), what level of futility would be required for AJRII to take the initiative and move on to a new head coach if the head coach does not decide to leave voluntarily?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:00
Maybe they meet and come to the realization together. That might be the way this plays out, if a change is made. And I'm not convinced there will be change.
NY Steel
11:00
Do you think the lack of playoff success bothers Art Rooney?  Or did his brother unwittingly expose  their real mindset in an interview last year, which is being above average is fine with us.
Ray Fittipaldo
11:01
Art did not share the sentiments of his brother. And he has expressed his disappointment about the playoff losses in years past. He just hasn't been able to affect change to get the Steelers over the hump as contenders again.
Brian in VA
11:01
Thanks for the PG dream team coverage of the Steelers.  I sure hope you can keep the team together!
Ray Fittipaldo
11:01
Thanks Brian.
Rocky Mountain Yunzer
11:01
Is Johnnu Smith the Cordarelle Patterson of the 2025 season?  And is the inability to use Mooth until late in the game a function of Rodgers playing backyard football and just getting the ball to Mooth regardless of the play call?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:02
Great call. Did you read my report card. Ha ha. It's like Arthur Smith had to have Jonnu Smith touch the ball five times a game even if those plays were disastrous.
Ryan
11:03
Ray, can you tell me if it is the end of the world?  Golly gee. We had a good year.  We beat the Ravens twice.  We won the division outright.  Yet, the fans boo and call for Tomlin's head.  What is wrong with people?  We had a great year.
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