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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 01.19.26
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Linebacker Lounge
11:16
QB1 and WR1 are at the forefront. (DK is a 2 tho the contract is a WR1). 21st pick is a sweet spot for a high end Safety. Where are you going?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:16
Depends on so much. Can you get a quality WR in Round 2? Same goes for safety or corner?
Atlanta Dan
11:17
Thanks for the chat and the great Steelers coverage by the Post-Gazette over the years.  Now that two jobs with franchise QBs have opened up with the firing in Buffalo is the Steelers job at best the third most attractive position left open and does that significantly lower their chances of getting their preferred candidate?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:17
I agree Atlanta Dan. Only because of their QB situations. Steelers still a very attractive job.
Soggy
11:17
Ray, everyone is up in arms over the Steelers interviewing McCarthy.  I do not think they are interviewing him for HC, I think they want to talk to him about being a mentor/coordinator for them if they hire a youngster with no prior HC experience.  McCarthy checks a lot of boxes for the Steelers in that regard.  I doubt McCarthy lands a HC gig in the league again.  This would be a perfect spot to finish his career (at home with his favorite team)   Thoughts my friend?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:18
You might be right.
Ryan
11:18
Hey Ray, I am a big fan of Coach Tomlin.  I really think he is a first round ballot Hall of Famer.  What do you think?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:18
I think he's a Hall of Famer. Not sure about first ballot, but he'll be in Canton someday.
Bob
11:18
Is Flores the frontrunner? Was he well received his yr at pitt?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:18
Yes Flores was well respected in that building when he was here.
11:19
I wouldn't say he's the frontrunner though.
Paul B
11:19
Hi Ray, our offensive line didn't look to be as bad as I thought as compared to the Rams and the Patriots'. But it still needs help. Should they seek a free agent? How does the draft look?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:20
Only one real decision to make: left guard. Re-sign Seumalo or get another free agent or one in the draft. Yes, left tackle is up for grabs too but I think it's either Cook or Jones. I don't think you have to use a pick or free agent dollars to get one.
Frank
11:20
I’m concerned that with the McDermott firing today, that job obviously is more attractive than ours. All because of Allen. Concerned?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:20
Yes it certainly muddies things.
Buffalo is a won-now job.
Jim Bow Dean
11:21
Besides the owner’s patience is this job really that attractive? There is no franchise QB or a clear path to get one this season. They typically employ the smallest coaching staff in the league and the facilities are terrible.
Ray Fittipaldo
11:22
They'll have a new facility in a few years. And I think the new coach is going to be able to hire his staff. If he wants more assistants I think Art Rooney would be open to that.
Sal
11:22
GM Ray . First of all THANK YOU and all the PPG for all you have done - You are the best team of Steelers insiders and we as audience are thankful
Ray Fittipaldo
11:22
Thanks Sal!
Doc
11:23
Do you think they will interview sean McDermott? And would you if you were the Steelers?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:23
McDermott will be coveted, but he might want to take a year off.
John from Toronto
11:23
Hi Ray. There has been some talk that Jalen Ramsey was a bust because he wasn't the shutdown CB he was expected to be and had to be moved to Safety. Wasn't that actually a revelation? And at this stage of his career isn't he better suited to play safety? I harken back to Rod Woodson leaving the Steelers only to have a second All-Pro phase of his career as a safety.
Ray Fittipaldo
11:24
I agree he showed some signs of being a good safety, but how much is a safety worth compared to a CB? His contract might have to be adjusted if he stays at safety.
Ignored Questioner
11:24
What is your opinion of Howard?  Is he just another late round QB or does he have some promise?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:25
He hasn't even played in a preseason game yet. The Steelers have no idea about him either.
Dan O
11:25
Finding a franchise QB is the biggest problem, why not solve that problem by offering the Raiders anything and everything for the #1 pick?  Mendoza is a generational QB.
Ray Fittipaldo
11:26
Are you sure Mendoza is a generational QB?
TVC15
11:26
Is it too crazy to think that maybe Tomlin didn't want to go through any more booing or "Fire Tomlin" chants at home games (and possibly away games and possibly Penguins games) and that figured in to his resignation?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:26
It very well might have. Maybe he'll address that in an interview at some point.
Dean
11:26
Hi Ray my question is why wasn’t Roman Wilson used more. He seemed to have the speed and ran good routes. What gives?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:27
I don't think the QB or OC trusted him
Easy Like Sunday Morning
11:27
It seemed like the Steelers strategy this year was to compile as many 2026 draft picks as the could to have the capital to trade up for a QB. With so many collegeQBs underperforming in 2025 or returning to school, do you see the Steelers trading 2026 picks to stockpile 2027 picks and get their young QB then?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:27
They can try to do that, but other teams know the situation as well.
TorturedFan
11:28
Hi Ray, is there any concern in the building and or with insiders like yourself about the large number of hc openings we have to compete with?  Should there be, concern? The rooneys typically dont act quickly and decisively
Ray Fittipaldo
11:29
It does not make it easier, that's for sure. But I think the Steelers will be thorough in their process.
Easy Like Sunday Morning
11:29
What’s the timeline for Darnell Washington’s recovery?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:29
He should be fine for spring workouts.
OK that's all the time I have for this week. Let's do it again next week.
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