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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 01.23.24
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Ray Fittipaldo
1:52
Welcome to my Steelers chat. Let's get started.
Gary - LA
1:52
Good morning Ray. Enjoy your chats.  Assuming he wants to come back, what do you think it will take, contract and opportunity wise, to get Mason Rudolph signed? Thanks!
Ray Fittipaldo
1:54
Free agency can be wild. It's all about supply and demand. I know the other 31 teams passed on Rudolph last year around this time. Of course, that was before he played well down the stretch and helped the Steelers make the playoffs. I am guessing it will be around $5-6 million to retain him, and I think that's a good number. It's basically what they paid Trubisky, even a little less.
Stairway to seventh seed
1:54
Ray: you recently suggested that the Steelers need to keep Ogunjobi and pay him $10 million more this year despite his mediocre (at best) play because they don't have anybody to replace him.  Why not just sign a UFA, draft a DE in say round 4 and actually play him, or go with a minimum salary player at DE and use $9m of savings to sign a difference maker somewhere else?  Isn't overpaying below average veterans in an effort to ensure 9 win seasons because they are afraid to go young a big reason that this team will never accumulate the cap space to bring in true difference makers and maybe contend someday?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:57
I was the first to say it's a bloated contract, and Ogubjobi hasn't lived up to it. However, is there any guarantee the next free agent you sign (and probably for around the same price) will be any better? There are no guarantees in free agency. And selecting a DE in the fourth round will do next to nothing for your defense. They got Isaiahh Loudermilk in the fifth round and DeMarvin Leal in the third round. Loudermilk has not developed into a starter in three years on the roster. Leal was a healthy scratch late in the season. You need pedigree at the position. Draft one early and let him play. They desperately need an infusion of youth on the line.
Ryan
1:57
Ray saw Peter King mentioned Kliff Kingsbury meeting with the Steelers for the OC job, what are your thoughts on his potential hire?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:00
Lukewarm. He handpicked Kyler Murray to be his QB in Arizona and couldn't make it work with a No. 1 pick. Maybe Murray isn't the answer out there, but I guess what I'm saying is there are better options who have more experience as an NFL play caller.  Mike Tomlin went the unconventional route with Canada by hiring him when he never coached in the NFL. Kingsbury has what, two years of NFL experience? And not very good experience. I'm all for Tomlin learning throughout the hiring process, but I'd prefer a coach with NFL coordinating and play-calling experience over a longer and more successful period. Just get someone who knows how to get WRs open in the NFL game, can coach a young QB and someone who allows his OL coach to draw up an effective running game.
Stairway to seventh seed
2:01
About this time last year, Tomlin made the outlandish decision to stick with Canada despite enormous evidence and outside commentary that Canada was not a competent OC.  Isn't declaring Pickett QB1 for 2024 even worse?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:02
At least he said Pickett would face competition. Maybe he should have staged a competition with Canada last year. He could have brought in guys off the street to call plays up in Latrobe. Now that would have been entertaining -- and maybe more successful than what eventually transpired.
Henry
2:03
If Kenny is the starter they win 8-10 games and at best lose a playoff game. Do you think they make a wise decision and actually upgrade the position or waste another year of TJ's prime?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:05
Unless it was a well-crafted ruse, Tomlin gave a hint when he said his QB in 2024 is already on the roster. There are many reasons for this. It's nice to have a cheap QB on a rookie deal. It helps you build a good roster around him. And let's not forget the front office and ownership group would like to know for sure if Pickett is the problem or whether it was Matt Canada and his offense.
Michael
2:05
Ray, were you surprised when Cam said he isn’t taking a pay cut?  They’re certainly not going to retain him without doing so, correct?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:06
I guess he said that on his podcast, right? He didn't say that to reporters when he was asked about the possibility a day or two before. I like Cam. I think he deserves to go out on his own terms. But rest assured, if he's on the roster in 2024, it won't be on the terms of his current deal.
Hollywood Rob
2:06
Ray, what are the chances an "A-list" offensive coordinator would want to work with Mike Tomlin? Why is Tomlin so bad at hiring assistants, does he just want to work with "yes men?"
Ray Fittipaldo
2:09
He wasn't always bad at it. I give him credit for landing Mike Munchak after he was fired in Tennessee. I'd say more recently his hiring went downhill. Honestly, I think his biggest mistake was hiring Canada to begin with. When it didn't work in Canada's first year he doubled down and let Canada hire guys he knows and is familiar with. That didn't go any better. Most of his mistakes have come on offense. I don't have any issues with his hires on defense in recent years.
Michael
2:09
It shouldn’t be difficult to retain Rudolph - assuming he wants to stay.  But my question is, why would he want to stay in Pittsburgh?  How does that benefit him long term?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:09
Assuming he gets the same treatment as he did last year, it's an NFL job.
Miamiburgh
2:09
Will Kenny Pickett be the starting QB in Pittsburgh in the 2025 season, yes or no?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:10
My crystal ball is...blurry. Check back after the new OC works with him for a season.
George T
2:10
Hi Ray:  I have been see where a lot of folks are thinking the Steelers should look at going after Russel Wilson.  My question is why?  He has been bad for 3 to 4 years now.  He can’t move like he did or really see down field so why him.  Also he has had problems with his coaches.  There got to be better options out there.  Plus they should look at drafting someone in the 3 or 4 round.  What do you think?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:11
I don't like the Russell Wilson option, either. If Rudolph doesn't return I guess I'd like to see a QB who has been in a system similar to the one the new OC worked in.
Ken
2:12
Who is YOUR first choice for the OC position?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:14
I'd like to see Tomlin interview Darrell Bevell. He's the QBs coach in Miami. He's worked in the NFL a long time. He was the OC in Seattle when the Seahawks won a Super Bowl and got to another. I value someone who knows how to win in the NFL. And I'm not saying Bevell has to be the guy. Just someone with his experience level, a resume with experiences.
SMF
2:15
Hi Ray:  Thanks again for the chats.  One area the Steelers need to fix is the horrible rate of TD passes inside the 10 yd line.  Rudolph had a few so it could be done.  I thought the reports were the big TE Washington was unstoppable in the pre-season on goal line drills.  He was an afterthought on short passes all year.  What happened with him?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:17
News flash: Washington was never that type of player and never will be. I tried to tell people that early on in the process. He was drafted to be a blocker, and that's what he is. He's not terribly athletic and he has bad knees. He's not going to be a factor in the passing game. Having said that, there is absolutely no reason why Pat Freiermuth shouldn't be a bigger part of the red-zone offense. He was effective in that role with Ben Roethlisberger as a rookie. They need to get Freiermuth more involved in the offense overall going forward but especially in the red zone.
ron
2:18
Defense can't stop a nose-bleed with a case of Kleenex, why is there nothing from the media, to include you.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:19
I believe they finished sixth in the league in points allowed, and they did so with a lot of injuries to key players. Can they improve? Absolutely, but the performance of their defense is well down the list on what ails this football team.
Austin- Charlotte, NC
2:19
of the outside QBs whose names have been tossed around as a potential addition to the Steelers QB room? (Fields, Cousins, Wilson, Brissett, etc.) who do you think would be the best fit given the other pieces in the Steelers offense and why?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:19
Cousins, but I don't think it will happen.
Austin- Charlotte, NC
2:20
Thoughts on Darnell Mooney as a FA addition? Guy strikes me as a Steelers kinda guy. Had a great season in Chicago a couple years ago in a scheme that doesn’t pass a lot, fits the mold of slot receiver, should be available on a team friendly deal given lack of recent production
Ray Fittipaldo
2:24
I think they'll definitely add a free agent WR. Not sure what Mooney has left, but hopefully whomever they sign has a bit more left in the tank than Allen Robinson did. Great locker room guy and all, good blocker, etc., but he only had 280 receiving yards. They need a No. 3 WR who is more dangerous. He's not a No. 3, but Quez Watkins is coming off an injury-riddled year with the Eagles and can probably be signed for the veteran minimum. He's more like 4 or 5, then maybe you draft a WR early to be the No. 3.
Chuck from Michigan
2:25
Hi Ray, enjoy your chats very much.  Would GM Ray with the Steelers first round pick, choose OL or DL and any names that you like? Steelers need help on either side and need a Casey Hampton type or Maurkice Pouncey type talent.  Thanks.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:27
Either!. They need help in both areas. Dan Moore is entering the final year of his rookie contract. They could draft a tackle in Round 1 to pair with Broderick Jones for years to come. They probably need a DL more, but this DL class isn't as deep as good as the OT class. Doesn't mean they can't get a good one in Round 1, but there are fewer impact defensive linemen than offensive linemen.
Alan K
2:28
Ray, if DeMarvin Leal is out, will Steelers draft 2 dlinemen?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:28
He won't be out. I'm sure they want to see if they can make it work. It's only been two years. But either way, they need to upgrade the DL and get younger.
Mr Rooney
2:30
After the past weekends games I would take any of what was the last 3 AFC teams (Bills, Chiefs, Ravens) over either of the final two NFC teams.  What say you?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:30
What's wrong with the 49ers? Even though the AFC is much better overall, the 49ers have a chance to beat anyone from the AFC as long as Deebo Samuels is on the field.
Guest
2:31
Will the new OC want/be allowed to bring in his assistants for the staff?  Do you see any assistants remaining...example Faulkner?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:32
I think the new OC will want and should get to bring in some of his own assistants. Maybe one or two are retained, but I think most of the assistants on offense move on.
Dave
2:32
Ray, I was a little surprised to see Peterson on your cut list because I like his versatility and experience, but then I saw the cap number of >$9M.  Why is that number so high and do you think there's a chance they renegotiate to keep him at a more reasonable number?
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