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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 01.27.26
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Ray Fittipaldo
10:20
Jeff Fisher never won a Super Bowl thanks to Mike Jones (who later played for the Steelers!)
Linda C.
10:21
Hope you’re staying warm Ray.  Any truth to the rumor that Shula pulled himself out of consideration for the head coaching job?  Thanks.
Ray Fittipaldo
10:22
There is a lot of stuff going around on the Rams assistants. I think in the end, the Steelers knew McCarthy was their guy after they wrapped up their in-person interviews last week and they didn't feel like Shula or Scheelhaase would be better options based off their virtual interviews.
Matt
10:23
Hi Ray!  Do you think Will Howard will be given a chance to start?  I think a high draft pick on a QB would be a wasted pick this year.  Next year would be better IMHO.  What are your thoughts on the QB situation?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:24
Well, it's much more interesting if Rodgers doesn't come back. In that scenario, you'd have Howard and likely an outside free agent he would compete with for the job. I know Howard has some upside, but it's hard for me to imagine a scenario where the Steelers would start him in Game 1 next season for the sole reason he has ZERO NFL experience. That'd be a tough situation for Howard and the Steelers.
Chill Dave
10:25
Hi Ray, do you think the Steelers will bypass QB in this draft if they don't think see a guy with true franchise potential?  Or should they be investing in the position every draft until they strike gold?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:26
I could see them taking a QB but not early. Too many other needs where the draft is strong. And why waste a high pick on a QB in a year where it's not a deep class?
Tom M.
10:27
Has the OL progressed enough that the Steelers no longer need to spend draft choices there to fill starting roles? Is there still a question at LT or will Jones and/or Cook be good enough there? What about LG and Seumalo?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:28
They'll have to decide if Spencer Anderson is a starting candidate if Seumalo does not return. If not, they might have to draft one, or sign a free agent to take his place. But they're set everywhere else. Even at left tackle, we don't know who the starter will be, but I think Cook or Jones will earn the job. They wouldn't have to draft one.
Steel Town D
10:28
Good morning Ray - what needs do you think Khan and McCarthy will look to address first.  I know WR and QB are obvious.  But what is next DB / DL?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:29
We're on the same page. They need to find another starter for when Cam Heyward retires or moves on. And they need a starting CB opposite Porter. I know Pierre and Samuels had some good moments late in the season, but I'm not sure they'll pencil in either as a sure fire starter in 2026.
Steel Town D
10:29
Do you think we can say goodbye to the 3 TE sets now that McCarthy is here?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:30
Yes. McCarthy will use tight ends, but he's not a big three-tight kind of coach.
Arthur not Art
10:30
Hi Ray. Thank you for the great work and continuing to do these chats. Hope there's a path toward keeping these going. Many fans seem upset by the McCarthy hire. Will admit, not what I expected but, in retrospect, clear it was their plan. I still think the Fire Tomlin crowd will get what they wanted so I'm not sure what they're so upset about. Tomlin's gone, the team doesn't have a QB option that can carry them to a winning season, and McCarthy doesn't strike me as a coach that's capable of doing what Tomlin did so they will likely be picking in the top 10 in the 2027 draft, improving their chance at finding the next franchise QB. Not saying that to belittle McCarthy. He's a very good coach but I don't see him managing this change with the players and the downgrade in talent at the QB position to produce 9-10 wins and get them into the playoffs. Am I off base? Thank you.
Ray Fittipaldo
10:31
Hard to say at this point without knowing if Rodgers will return. If Rodgers is back I can see the Steelers winning 9 or 10 games. I don't think that's out of the question.
Bob
10:32
Hi Ray, hopefully under a new coach we will finally get a WR#2, what are your thoughts on any free agents available?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:32
Get one or two in the draft. They need to develop guys who will be around for a while and hopefully sign second contracts.
George (Unhappy Steeler Fan in Orlando)
10:33
How much, if any, input do you think Aaron Rodgers had in who the Steelers chose as HC ?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:33
None at all
Steel Russel
10:34
How much power will McCarthy have in cleaning out the one helmut guys if they do not fit the roster he wants to create?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:34
He'll have some say in the roster, but I think he'd have to clear any of the one helmet guys with Omar and Art.
CJ from Grandin
10:34
Any talk of bringing Jim Cromie in to run the offense and to argue with refs
Ray Fittipaldo
10:35
Hi Chris, I'm sure you have your hands full in D.C. Cromie might be just what the doctor ordered!
Rooney
10:36
They have to get rid of Watt, Queen, Ramsey, Jonnu , etc. Will hiring an older coach have them continue the false belief that it is a good roster? Ty
Ray Fittipaldo
10:36
Of the trio you just mentioned I had the Steelers cutting Queen and Smith and trading Ramsey so we'll see if the Steelers are on the same wavelength.
Patience
10:36
Why do you think so many fans are convinced that Howard is the next Tom Brady?  Fan desperation?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:38
When Art Rooney comes out and says McCarthy likes him that kind of fans the flames, no? I know this storyline was out there before all this, but now it really has legs.
Mike from ERIE,PA
10:38
Hi Ray, Do you think that AR2 was thinking about his upcoming transition to his son as part of the reason for picking a stable HC like McCarthy ?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:39
No not really. I don't think we'll see that transition for another 3-5 years. I think Art just wanted to find the right guy for this period of Steelers football.
Commissioner
10:39
I think fans may be more upset with the  process than the hire. A total of 3 in person interviews. Flores and Weaver satisfied the Rooney rule and they hired McCarthy. The Steelers need to follow the Patriots path. Two very bad seasons but they got their franchise quarterback and are back in the Super Bowl. And let’s be real, the Steelers aren’t close to winning a playoff game, let alone the Super Bowl.
Ray Fittipaldo
10:40
So you wanted them to hire a bad coach so they could get a high draft pick?
62 Stack Monster
10:40
Is Skylar Thompson still on the roster or was he only a one year player?  At Kansas State, he and Wil Howard played together before Howard transferred to the Buckeyes
Ray Fittipaldo
10:41
He's a free agent.
DaquidoBazzini
10:42
I’m calling this the worst Steeler move in my lifetime, and I’ve been a fan since the 70s. What would possess them to bypass a formula that has been successful HC wise since 1969?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:43
Things change all the time in the NFL. It's a much different league now than it was in 2007, or 1992, or 1969. It's an offensive league now, and I don't need to tell you the Steelers offense has been abysmal for the past seven seasons or so.
Three bogeys in a par
10:44
Joey Porter is a future star.  Please list (no particular order) other future stars on current roster.  Thx
Ray Fittipaldo
10:45
Not sexy, but I think Harmon can be a really good player. Same goes for Fautanu and Frazier. That's where they've spent their high picks since Omar Khan took over as GM.
Isaiah
10:46
Could you see the steelers making splash trade? i.e. Kyler Murray, Tua, AJ Brown.. the cost to acquire any of those players can't be too high right?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:46
I wouldn't want Murray or Tua, and they're already paying Metcalf $30 million a year. They don't need another highly-paid receiver whose behavior isn't always exemplary.
Arthur not Art
10:47
Most are of the opinion that DC is THE critical hire. Do you think O-line coach is next or has Mayer done enough with this group to stay? What's 2nd critical position McCarthy needs to hit on his coaching staff in your opinion?
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