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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 01.28.25
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Ray Fittipaldo
12:30
It was an up and down season for Queen. But he's still young and should improve in his second season with the team. At least that's the hope.
Ben
12:30
Ray...   I mean Fields at 10-12 milll or Russ at 25 mill?  Kinda a no brainer on a team that owner admitted isn't close yet.    Not sure why this is even a discussion?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:31
I agree with you, but the Steelers haven't made up their mind yet. There were varying opinions inside the building when Tomlin went with Wilson after the 4-2 start. The varying opinions remain. We'll see who wins the argument.
John
12:32
So many holes.....qb, wr, rb, dline, corner.... but lets contemplate paying an over the hill ..slightly above average 36 year old.....that would be idiotic.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:32
I don't disagree with you, John.
Jewelsongs
12:33
Good Morning Ray, If the Steelers sign J Wobble as a free agent and draft a DL in the first round, Sign a top 3 WR in free agency and keep Pickens, and Draft a CB in the second round and a RB in round 3, Doesn't that fill the big holes?  Thanks
Ray Fittipaldo
12:34
Wobble is turning 32 next month. And he's been oft-injured. If they can get him on the cheap I'd be fine with it. But he's not the answer to their D-line woes. They need to get younger, not older.
ToledoJoe
12:34
In a recent podcast, you described the Steelers current state of affairs in a nutshell: finish in the middle, draft in the middle, stay in the middle. I’m not advocating the organization tanks so it’ll have a shot at a franchise quarterback in the ensuing draft, but would it be a stretch to say that commitment to the middle is just another form of tanking?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:36
The Steelers were the worst team in the NFL in 1969 and got Terry Bradshaw in the draft. They went 6-10 in 2003 and got Ben Roethlisberger in the draft. I think we all know what has to happen for the Steelers to get their next franchise QB. They need to have another bad season. And I bet Steelers fans would be OK with it because it would represent hope for the future rather than the perennial playoff appearances that all seem to end the same way.
Tom P.
12:37
Ray, did Cory Trice show enough to compete for a starting spot next season?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:37
Maybe, but they need to find someone to compete with him. He's only played in 16 games in his first two seasons because he's been injured.
Benson DuBois
12:38
In an era where QB supremacy is almost always required for a SB title, why is there no chatter about Sam Darnold as a potential option for the Steelers?  He is the best available.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:38
Because he played like Russell Wilson in their final two games of the season.
Retire21
12:38
We got no Wattage the last two months. Hurt, worn down, declining?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:38
Banged up, misused. I don't think he's in a state of decline just yet.
Pittfan
12:39
Hi Ray. How much input will Arthur Smith have in whether the Steelers negotiate with Fields or Wilson? Do you think the rumors are correct Smith prefers Fields?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:39
Tomlin will hear his input, but Tomlin, Khan and Rooney will be the ones collaborating on that very important decision.
Drunk uncle
12:40
Hey Raymond what’s Mrs. Fittipaldo having for Super Bowl? Your having your favorite dark beer Raymond I hope
Ray Fittipaldo
12:40
Give me some ideas. It's been dry January for me so yes I think I might indulge for the first time since Christmas.
epiballo
12:41
If the Steelers go with Fields, would they want a more experienced NFL QB to serve as his backup? Would Allen fit that bill who is a 'veteran' by years in the league and not by experience on the field. Who, in your view, would be a good backup signing?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:42
Based off what Rooney said yesterday a veteran who has played and who is like Fields would be the answer. So maybe a Marcus Mariota type, or a Tyrod Taylor type. I'm not saying those guys for sure. They're getting older. But it sounds like Rooney wants a backup who can run the same system if there is an injury or a change
Katy, Tx
12:43
Love your chats Ray! Just a comment. After decades of paying for Sunday NFL Ticket to watch Steelers games, I am going to skip paying for it next year. Don't see the point when I know the ending already!
Ray Fittipaldo
12:43
Sounds like you've been one of the fans in Rooney's inbox.
Greenwood
12:44
Parcells once said "You can find a lot of fast guys who can run and catch in later rounds, but to find a big man who can move is rare, so you draft them early while you can." I pray the Steelers go DL first round, maybe even 1 and 2 pics. I saw your mock draft went the same route. Do you see the Steelers doing that, or reaching for a talented WR?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:44
The trenches are important for this front office so assuming the one they want is available I think it's a good possibility. But it will depend on how their board falls.
Jim Bow Dean
12:45
Assuming Harris, Moore, and Loudermilk move on, only Freiermuth will be left from the 2021 draft. 2022 isn’t looking much better with the first pick already gone and the 2nd close to being gone. How far back did these drafts setback the organization?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:46
That's not ideal. You want to sign your top picks to second contracts, but guys like Harris were average to above average starters. And I think you'll see Moore is viewed that way when he hits free agency.
Jim Bow Dean
12:46
One of the disheartening things on Hard Knocks is seeing how much better the Raven’s facilities are than the Steelers’. Couple that with the player’s survey results and tiny coaching staff what does that say about Art’s priorities?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:47
It's pretty clear Art does not think the coaching staff is a big issue. And I'm not sure the facilities are at the top of his to-do list either.
K-ville fan
12:47
Do you subscribe to the theory that if you don't have a franchise quarterback then you draft one every year until you find one?  Thanks for the chats!
Ray Fittipaldo
12:48
You have to keep trying. Pickett didn't work out so you have to take a shot on another young QB at some point. Doesn't have to be this year but I think in the next two years you definitely take one. The quality of the QB class matters in all of this. This class coming out of the college ranks is not great. So that factors in.
Darnell
12:48
Hello Ray.  What’s your read on Wil Howard, the qb from Ohio State?  I’ve heard him mocked in the upper rounds while others have him rated in the mid to later rounds.  Thanks
Ray Fittipaldo
12:49
He can move a little so he's not a statue back there, but he's not an elite athlete either. And honestly, I don't see him as an elite thrower either. I think he's good and some team likely will take him in the middle rounds.
Steve in NC
12:50
Hi Ray, which would you say is a more frustrating scenario over the last 5 years...being a Steelers fan where we make the playoffs but cant win a playoff game, or being a Bills fan where your team is good enough to win it all every year, but are just never able to do it?  My point being, the steelers progressing to just winning a few playoff games wont end the frustration, it may ultimately make it worse.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:51
I agree, but it's gotta be tough for Bills fans right about now. They're one of the best teams in the NFL, but they can't get past the Chiefs.
Will
12:51
Really good PG pieces recently on Steelers analytics on 4th down and coaching staff composition.  Are Steelers lagging in innovation rather than Tomlin message getting stale?  Doesn't  lack of innovation ultimately fall on T?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:52
Yes it does. It was interesting listening to Rooney yesterday. He said there were some things he wasn't willing to discuss with the media just yet when it came to how the Steelers can improve. I wonder what they're discussing behind the scenes. I think being more creative and innovative would be a good start.
Bern
12:53
We always here who could the Steelers get better than HCMT?  The Steelers HC job might be the best in all of pro sports given the franchise history, stable ownership, community support, ownership track record of support.  Wouldn't the Steelers be able to lure the most attractive candidates every single season?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:54
Yes, but the best head coaching candidates want to go where they can win immediately. And that usually means the QB is in place. The Steelers don't have that now so I'm not sure it's as attractive of a job as you think. Don't get me wrong. They're not the Saints, but the roster has to be rebuilt, and they need a long-term answer at QB.
Ryan from Ohio
12:55
Do you believe in "tanking" and having a losing season like some fans propose just for the sake of a higher draft pick?  I would rather be 10-7 every year and in the playoff hunt than to be an organization like the Jets or Browns.  When a team "tanks" for a higher draft pick at the quarterback position there are no guarantee it will work out. For every Jayden Daniels there are 10 Johnny Manziel's and Zach Wilson's.
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