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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 01.27.26
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Ray Fittipaldo
9:54
Good morning. Pittsburgh will meet its new head coach later this afternoon. In the meantime, let's chat about Mike McCarthy and anything else you had on your minds.
Ryan
9:55
Hey Ray, what is the over/under on the # of years that McCarthy lasts?  I say no more than 3 years.   We are going back to the old Art Rooney senior days when coaches only lasted a couple or so years.
Ray Fittipaldo
9:56
Well, he signed a five-year contract, and the Steelers don't fire head coaches so I'm going at least five on that.
elcid97
9:56
When McCarthy has chosen defensive coordinators, do they tend to be 3-4 guys? Any thoughts as to whether there will be continuity there?
Ray Fittipaldo
9:58
McCarthy has hired defensive coordinators who have run the 3-4 and the 4-3. When he was with the Packers he had Dom Capers run his 3-4 defense. Steelers fans know all about Capers from his days on Cowher's staff in the early 1990s. In Dallas, he switched to a couple of coordinators who ran the 4-3. Dan Quinn was very successful and had the Cowboys among the top units in the league in his three years there before he took the Commanders job. Mike Zimmer replaced him and the bottom fell out. They were 31st in the league in defense in McCarthy's final season there. You know what that tells me? This defensive coordinator hire is IMPORTANT!
elcid97
9:59
have you heard anything to substantiate rumors that Shula “bombed” his interview?
Ray Fittipaldo
9:59
I did not hear that.
G Man
9:59
Hi Ray,   Initially, I was surprised by the McCarthy hire but I think it makes sense.   Of all the available candidates this year, isn’t he the best choice to help identify the Steelers next franchise quarterback and then develop them?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:01
Not only that, he has head coaching experience and a proven track record of success. I think it's evident by now there wasn't a Ben Johnson in this hiring cycle. Maybe Mate Scheelhaase is that guy, but he's never called plays. I think in the case of the Steelers they needed a proven coach who can improve the offense and develop the next franchise QB. That's why he was hired.
marty
10:01
I'm warming up to the hire of McCarthy.  Since there are no franchise QB's in the draft this year that we could get, do you think the primary reason for this hire was for him to develop Howard into a starting QB?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:03
I think Howard is a part of this equation. They'll speak with Rodgers soon and get a feel for what he wants to do. But I do know there are Howard backers in the building. It's unfortunate he was injured in camp and couldn't play in the preseason. If he did, maybe we'd have a better idea of where is as a player. McCarthy is said to like Howard's potential. Art Rooney II relayed that this week so we'll see where all of this goes in the coming weeks and months.
Zamo
10:03
Ray, have you been told or given any insight into why Tomlin never gave a press conference?  I find it odd after 19 years at the helm.  Thx
Ray Fittipaldo
10:03
I don't think he believed anything good would come of it.
marty
10:03
Why would Andy Weidl interview for a GM job in Atlanta when they go thru GM's & HC's every few years?  They are such a rag-tag organization, you would think he would enjoy the position with the home-town Steelers.
Ray Fittipaldo
10:04
The ability to run his own program, and oh yeah, more money! He is able to run his program here to a certain extent. He sets the draft board and has a big say in personnel, but there is always the lure of being in the big seat of an NFL franchise.
Honest Bob
10:05
Any thoughts how our new coach who is supposed to be a qb whisperer will effect Mason Rudolph?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:06
That will be interesting to watch. If Rodgers comes back and the Steelers draft a QB then I'm guessing Rudolph is the odd man out. If Rodgers comes back and they don't draft a QB, Howard likely competes with Rudolph for the backup job. Rudolph isn't making a lot of money so paying $4 million to a No. 3 QB isn't outrageous.
Sal
10:06
Happy Tuesday Ray! I know you think the OC selection will be key for this first year of McCarthy. Do you think we will see some turnover from last year old and slow defense to a more dynamic one ??
Ray Fittipaldo
10:08
Inevitably there will be change. The defense was not good enough last season. They had some good games toward the end of the season, but there were some really bad ones early and in the middle of the season. And they were always inconsistent. Even when they were trending in the right direction you never got the idea they could take over a game the way the Texans can. Or even the Seahawks or Broncos can. That's part of what happens when a new coach comes in. He looks at the roster and makes some tough decisions.
Patience
10:08
Do you think Gainwell will draw much interest on the FA market, to the point the Steelers will let him go?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:09
I think he will have some suitors, but the Steelers have the edge because they can negotiate with him before free agency begins. I think he is one of their top priorities.
Matt
10:09
Ray, I think us fans should relax!  Rooney and his staff have more information than us fans.  McCarthy loves Pittsburgh, I think he will be dedicated to the success of the Steelers.  His offensive systems are always very efficient also.   What are your thoughts Ray?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:10
I agree with a lot of what you said. All of this negative fan reaction will die down within a week and people will excited for the draft and who the Steelers will pick.
Sam
10:11
Ray: while I'm not enthused by the hiring of McCarthy, if you could at least tell me that if the Steelers were ever playing in a championship game, forced to use their backup QB, the other team wasn't moving the ball at all, weather was coming, and had a free 10-0 lead staring them in the face, he'd take it rather than go for a 4th down, I might feel a little better.
Ray Fittipaldo
10:11
Ha ha, couldn't have happened to a nicer guy.
Patience
10:11
Do you think the Steelers would trade up for Downs, like they did for Polamalu?  Do you think they'd trade up for a WR?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:12
I can see them trading up for a WR more than a DB.
Leemarvinwannab
10:12
Ray, really enjoy your articles. Hope everything works out for you and the other writer at the PG. My question is what do you  thinks gonna happen at the QB position?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:13
Too early to tell. If Rodgers comes back then you'll see him as the starter but with Howard being developed more behind him. All signs point to the Steelers not being able to land a franchise QB at 21 this year so they'll gear up for 2027, when the QB class is expected to be much better.
Patience
10:13
What do you see as the Steelers needs by priority?  We know QB is #1, but the chance of drafting one this year is slim.
Ray Fittipaldo
10:14
Other than QB, 1. WR, 2. DB (CB or S), 3. DL... next G if Seumalo moves on
Vinny of Greeensburg
10:15
Hi Ray—thanks for all your work! This is not quite a McCarthy question, but more about your take on the Steeler’s locker room. When I read about the players’ reactions to Tomlin walking away, I could not help but think they may hold a grudge against the fanbase. These players loved Tomlin. They said so. Do you think the Steeler Way is now a slippery slope as players’ love for the Steeler Way took a huge hit because of Tomlin (the only coach they wanted to play for) walking away because of his treatment by fans and certain NFL analysts? And, do you think choosing an experienced coach such as Mike McCarthy was seen as a way to regroup? McCarthy has a winning legacy. He walks in carrying respect, while a 35-year-old HC has to earn it. Maybe ARII did not see the leader his was looking for in the others. Your take on all this.
Ray Fittipaldo
10:16
They're pros. They'll get over it. Many of the players you speak of have big contracts so of course they're going to play. I don't think any of this is a story in the summer to be honest with you. And listen, if there are guys who don't feel like they want to be here because of Tomlin and what happened then the Steelers will do their best to move them. I just don't know if that will happen.
John Q
10:16
How are the Steelers covering the senior bowl without a coaching staff? Will McCarthy go to Mobile to poach some assistants?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:17
The scouting staff is down there. I would imagine Khan and McCarthy head down there tomorrow once the introductory news conference is out of the way.
Henry Hill
10:18
Greetings Ray; will McCarthy have the primary say on who the Steelers hire for their offensive and defensive coordinators (unless Austin is retained)?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:18
Yes. Art II pretty much said that a few weeks ago.
Tim and Maria
10:19
Good morning Ray.  Is there a receiver or two in the draft that you feel would complement Metcalf?  Thank you!
Ray Fittipaldo
10:20
Anyone who can make some plays. The Steelers did not have nearly enough of that this past season. I wouldn't mind it being a bigger guy because they already have Austin (if he comes back) and Wilson on the roster. Both of those guys are smaller.
TVC15
10:20
Hi Ray, Did the Steelers go with Mike McCarthy because Jeff Fisher was unavailable?
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