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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 02.10.26
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Ray Fittipaldo
11:59
Good afternoon. Let's get started.
Stairway to seventh seed
12:00
Ray: great article and podcast on how the Steelers are trying to do what the Seahawks just did, reload without ever being really terrible and winning with defense.  There is one huge difference that you missed though.  Russell Wilson was the Joe Greene of the Seahawks, the most important player in franchise history.  The hawks though saw an over priced player in decline before the rest of the league did.  They weren't worried about keeping Russ in "one helmet".  The Wall Street Journal had an article yesterday showing how crucial the Wilson trade was from a cap and draft capital standpoint. The Steelers already blew their chance with a TJ Watt trade that could have been comparable.  Your thoughts?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:06
The WSJ and you make a great point. Sometimes the NFL has to be cutthroat. The Steelers tend not to be that way with many players they consider those one-helmet guys. I've written this before, but it's worth repeating: Dan Rooney did not like the way Franco Harris left the Steelers. I don't think he ever wanted something like that to happen again. Does it happen from time to time? Sure, not every player can be a one-helmet guy and some players are cut before they want to be cut. But I think that's something Dan passed down to his son, Art II. What does that mean for the future of the Steelers? I don't know. I give Seattle tons of credit for rebuilding the way they did after back-to-back Super Bowl appearances in 2013 and 2014. They kind of bottomed out and got some high draft picks too that helped them retool. It wasn't all due to Wilson leaving. But again, I think you make a good point. Maybe the Steelers and other teams will look at the Seahawks and take some notes.
Soggy
12:08
Good day Ray
Now for my question... Do the Steelers have 3 paths at QB this offseason based on they keep 3 QB's on the roster & how they view Will Howard.  1. If they think Howard has potential, they sign Rodgers & do not draft a QB.  2. If they are not sold on Howard, they make a run at Willis. 3. They roll with Mason, Howard and draft a QB as a flyer.  I guess, what I am questioning, I do not see how they draft a QB if they sign Rodgers/Willis & want to keep Howard.  Your thoughts
Ray Fittipaldo
12:10
If Rodgers comes back, I think the Steelers will groom Howard to be the backup this year. That would leave Rudolph's place on the roster a bit uncertain. Could he be No. 3? Sure. He's not making a ton of money. But they could also cut Rudolph and take a flyer on a QB in the draft who could be the No. 3. It's obvious they believe Howard has potential. They've gone out of their way to communicate that. Now is the time for him to be bumped up to No. 2. Now if Rodgers does not come back, I think Howard is still groomed to be the backup, but they'd have to acquire a starter in free agency or a trade.
Dianne
12:11
Hi Ray, I know a number of former Pirates go to spring training to pass on their knowledge to current and upcoming players.  Do a number of former Steelers do the same in training camp?  Thank you.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:12
Yes they do. This past year Trai Essex and Vince Williams were at camp for a few weeks at a time. They were on the field and observing, not coaching but maybe giving some thoughts here and there. Oftentimes, it's a way for retired players to see if they want to get into coaching. They spend a few weeks at camp to get a feel for whether it's something they want to pursue.
Silent Bob
12:13
Hi Ray - The Wall Street Journal had an article about how Seattle dumping Russell Wilson was their key to building their super bowl team. I think the error in judgment the Steelers made with Watt is they thought they had this ‘historic defense’ and Hall of Fame QB and could make a serious run this year – so they kept him. They are not going to get the kind of draft capital Seattle got – including 2 first rounders – but would get at least a second and more importantly free up money for other FAs. What is your position on trying to trade Watt?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:16
I see the WSJ story is resonating with Steelers fans. Here is what I think: The Steelers should do their due diligence and see what they can get for Watt even if they don't want to part ways. Maybe they'd be blown away by an offer from a team that believes they are one edge rusher away from Super Bowl contention. I also think you are right. They won't get nearly as much as they would have if they had shopped him a few years ago. I don't think the issue is Watt as much as it the overpriced edge rusher market. The money they are paying these guys is out of hand. It's franchise QB money, I'm not sure how we got to this point, but here we are.
Gianpaolo
12:16
Why would the Steelers have any interest in bringing back AR? Just start Mason. How much of a difference could there possibly be?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:17
I'd say 3-4 wins. If you want to get a higher draft pick then sure Rudolph is probably the choice. But Art Rooney II wants to compete every year, and Rodgers certainly gives the Steelers the best chance at doing that in 2026.
Lynn K.
12:17
Ray, what are you hearing about Rodgers?  What would you say are the odds that he will play for the Steelers next season?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:18
Rodgers hasn't spoken since his postgame news conference after the loss to the Texans. He's not one to let things leak out from his camp. When he is ready to announce his intentions he will do so. I know Mike McCarthy has said he's spoke to Rodgers a few times since he's taken the job. That leads me to believe it's a strong possibility that Rodgers returns for a 22nd season, but he will make that call when he wants to make that call.
Wayward
12:19
Ray, other than the QB decision, what is the most important item the Steelers need to take care of?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:19
Draft some playmakers who can jumpstart the offense.
Tampa Too
12:19
Ray. What are your thoughts on the Steelers pursuing Malik Willis in the off-season?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:21
I think Willis had a few good outings, but I don't necessarily think he's starting material for a team that wants to compete for the playoffs every year. If Rodgers retires or signs elsewhere then maybe they take a closer look, but there's not a lot on his resume that suggest he is ready to be a starter.
Yuri
12:21
Hello Ray, thank you for doing these chats.  Do you think McCarthy and the Steelers would consider bringing in Jim Schwartz to serve in a position similar to that of Brian Flores when he was added to the coaching staff?  Thanks Ray.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:23
Schwartz runs a different type of defense. He's a 4-3 guy and the Steelers are sold on sticking with the 3-4. Not sure if that is a match for either party. Some team should definitely hire him though. He's been a really good coordinator for a while now.
Zach
12:23
Who is the top free agent you wish for the Steelers to bring in? Who do you expect to be brought in?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:26
It will be interesting to see how they approach free agency. They were able to accumulate picks for this year's draft by not signing a lot of free agents (and by having their free agents sign big deals elsewhere). The Steelers don't have that many high-profile free agents to manipulate the comp pick formula this year so they'll have to be creative to get their draft capital for the 2027 draft. Either way, they won't go crazy in free agency and spend big. That's not their style. They'll sign a few guys to backfill some spots where they lack depth or to plug in a mid-priced starter, but that's about it.
Linebacker Lounge
12:27
Was Gerald Alexander offered a return and chose Minnesota?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:27
i believe he was bumped up to passing game coordinator in Minnesota and that wasn't in the cards here. Jason Simmons was hired by McCarthy for that job.
Linebacker Lounge
12:27
What’s the purpose of leaders, in this case Cam Heywerd sending out cryptic messages. What is the purpose besides attention?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:29
I've learned to just ignore those types of things. It was kind of like TJ Watt giving the peace sign last year. Maybe it's something their agents tell them to do. Hey, it's a business, right? I'm sure Heyward wants more money after another All-Pro season. He'll turn 37 in May. The question is: Will the Steelers give in and pay him? They didn't summer, but it's now back-to-back All-Pro seasons.
Socal jeff
12:30
A lot of talk post SB is that defense coaches and defense in general won the SB. Yet Seattle had a top 5 offense and defense, and their OC is a young whiz kid that is becoming a head coach. So let’s not change the narrative. Steelers have been middle of the pack in both sides of the ball, and need a QB. They simply need a better entire roster!
Ray Fittipaldo
12:32
Seattle's plan was to build up the roster and have the QB be the final piece to the puzzle. They executed that flawlessly. It doesn't always work out that way. If the Rams hadn't blown a big lead against the Seahawks in December the Rams probably win the Super Bowl this year and the Seahawks would have been eliminated in the divisional round. As Bill Cowher said it's a fine line. I give them credit though. They're set up to go head-to-head with the Rams in the NFC for years to come.
Linebacker Lounge
12:33
In your opinion, does Seumalo get a better offer from another team? Does he get an offer from the Steelers at all?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:34
I think he is a good player, but he's had some injuries the past two years. They just kind of try to get him to gameday. If they don't mind that uncertainty then they'll make an offer, but we've seen Khan and Weidl hit on mid-round offensive linemen. Mason McCormick came in the fourth round. I think they have a pretty good eye for mid-round bargains at that position. So maybe they decide to go young and draft someone to compete with Spencer Anderson for the job.
JAYinMARS
12:35
Do you think McCarthys choice of sticking with the 3-4 defense is due to personnel, mandate from the owner or preference?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:36
I don't think it was a mandate, but Rooney said the front office had to be comfortable with the new coach and what he thought of the personnel already on the roster. And as we all know, there are some specific guys who are 3-4 players. Installing a 4-3 would have meant rebuilding to a certain degree, and I don't think the Steelers ever wanted to do that.
Patrick
12:37
Hey Ray, I thought Gainwell did everything he was asked to do and much more beyond that.  Do you see the Steelers re-signing him as one of their top priorities or will the free agency market determine that?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:38
I definitely think they'll try to get him under contract before free agency, but you know how that goes. Gainwell had a career year and if you're in that position you have to strike while the iron is hot.
Linebacker Lounge
12:38
The Steelers need a big time play maker at safety. Elliott is a nice addition but not “thee guy”. Not sure where Ramsey salary ranks compared to other safeties. Does he have enough bang for the buck in the tank in your opinion? How hard would it be to trade him in your opinion? Thanks
Ray Fittipaldo
12:41
Ramsey is a $17 million cap hit for the coming season and a $10 million salary. Maybe they could trade him if they paid out his roster bonus and the acquiring team only had to handle the $10 million salary. You'd have to find a team that believes they are one secondary player away from a Super Bowl run.
Chill Dave
12:42
Hi Ray, in your recent article, you point out how important Seattle's secondary was in giving their pass rush time.  Something that the Steelers did not do well enough.  Luckily, this draft looks like it might be deep at CB.  That said, should the Steelers take a CB over WR if he had a higher grade?  Or is WR just that much clearer a need?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:43
It's a deep year for WRs too so they could definitely take a CB in the first round and a WR in the second or third round. I just think they need an impact starter to pair with Metcalf and there are no guarantees that you find that guy after the first round. Not guarantees in the first round either, but the chances are definitely higher.
Dennis
12:43
Hey Ray! Two questions. 1: do you think the Steelers hierarchy is over estimating how talented this team is. 2: if you were to trade up in the 1st Rd, whom would it be for..Thank you
Ray Fittipaldo
12:47
I think Mike Tomlin definitely overestimated some things. And looking back perhaps the front office should have exercised some caution with some of the moves that were made. Maybe that comes under more control with Tomlin out of the equation. As for trading up, I'd definitely do it for the right receiver. You see the names: Makai Lemon, Carnell Tate, Jordyn Tyson, Denzell Boston. There is a little bit of a drop-off after those four. If the Steelers really like one of them and feel like they can't get him at No. 21 then I wouldn't be surprised if they did make a trade to go up.
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