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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 02.11.25
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Ray Fittipaldo
12:46
I think you want the PIRATES chat.
Don
12:46
To me, the most jarring thing this season was the talent gap between ourselves and the elite teams we played down the stretch (Philly, Baltimore, KC).
Ray Fittipaldo
12:46
100% agree. There is a gulf between the Steelers and the top teams.
Wiley
12:46
Everyone says the team needs a franchise QB and they forget we had one a very good one in Ben and yet MT could not win on his own.  The SB he won was with Cowher’s coaches and coordinators.  Why can’t Art II do his due diligence and make the decision that is necessary for this team to be successful again?  Thank you.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:46
$50 million reasons.
Ryan
12:47
Good afternoon Ray when will we know if we resign Warren and Roberts and Skrownek and fields
Ray Fittipaldo
12:47
Next month.
Bella
12:47
Good Afternoon Ray - during the off season, do the players have access to the film room, coaches, training facilities, etc?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:47
Yes all offseason if they want it.
Jy
12:48
With so many needs (QB, WR, NT, DT, slot CB, boundary CB, RB) could you see them trading back? What do you think gets put on the back burner for next year
Ray Fittipaldo
12:49
This is a question I get every year, but I would really like more picks in the top three rounds this year, if possible, because of what you said. They have so many needs. It's going to be hard to address all of them in one draft.
pauljr13
12:49
Hi Ray, based on the Watt answer earlier, it was Watt and not DC Tomlin who didn't want to move him around?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:50
Watt has been on the record since 2017 or 2018 that he prefers to play on the left side. It's where he feels most comfortable. He says his field of vision is better from that side. But he knows he was schemed out of games this year and doesn't want that to happen again so we'll see what happens.
Wayward
12:50
Do the Steelers draft another IOL this year or will Herbig be the primary backup inside?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:52
Herbig is a free agent, but I think they can bring him back on a cheap deal. I wouldn't be surprised if they drafted a guard in the middle rounds to groom as a replacement for Seumalo. Not every starter can be a first or second-round pick. Look at the Eagles. Mailata was a late-round pick. They found him on a rugby field in Australia. You have to find starters in different rounds of the draft.
Travelman
12:52
When do the Steelers trade Pickens, and what can they expect in return?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:52
Probably a third-round pick if they pull the trigger.
Vico Knoll
12:52
If they trade Pickens, when would it happen?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:52
March or draft weekend.
Tom Narducci
12:53
Didn't the Eagles fizzle out last season just like the Steelers this season?  Can Pittsburgh do the same next season?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:53
Can the Steelers trade for the Eagles defensive line?
D-nice
12:53
Thoughts on potentially going after Rodgers or Stafford at qb.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:53
Hard no on Rodgers. Stafford is intriguing because I think he has something left in the tank, but what would he look like behind the Steelers offensive line?
Dave
12:54
Hi Ray ~ thanks for your fine coverage for us readers.  My understanding is that Nutting would make a tidy profit each year, due to the revenue-sharing in MLB, even if the ballpark was <essentially> empty.  Would there be a point in which there are enough empty seats for home games that ARII would be forced to do something as the optics would be so poor?  Thanks
Ray Fittipaldo
12:55
Yes, but I don't think we're close to that with empty seats at Steelers game.
Johnny
12:55
Hi Ray,,The Steelers look like a team that needs to have a good passing game to open up the run & not run to open up the pass, what say you?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:55
That offense needs a whole lot of everything.
Marvin P
12:56
Follow-up on the earlier question about Minkah.  He’s made very few splash plays the last two years.  Should they cut him and find a cheaper alternative; especially if they’re going to play his replacement the way they play him?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:57
They don't usually eat that much dead cap money. I think the coaches have to be creative and find ways to free him up for more playmaking. His decline is truly head-scratching. He was a first-team All-Pro three times in a four-year span. He was a great player.
OK thanks for all the great questions this week. I have to get to a meeting. We'll do another chat next Tuesday.
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