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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 02.18.25
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Ray Fittipaldo
11:58
Welcome and let's get started.
SteelGotIt
11:58
Hello Ray, If you had to rank the following QB options for the Steelers next year in terms of likelihood, how would you order them? Stafford, Russ, Fields, Draft, Rodgers, Cousins, other Free Agent, Trade.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:00
OK, best guess right now because they don't even know yet... Fields, Wilson, Rodgers/Stafford, Cousins, other free agent, draft. And, by the way, some of these never have a chance of happening.
#LetRussWalk
12:00
Could we see Benton shifting over on the D-Line to get him more action on the field? Deep DT class would allow us to add a young NT to fill that role. Way past time to get younger on the D-Line. Cam can’t play forever!!
Ray Fittipaldo
12:04
The Steelers defensive coaches are meeting tomorrow before the combine and I think of the things Mike Tomlin, Teryl Austin and Karn Dunbar have to figure out is how they want to use Keeanu Benton. They invested a second-round pick in him and he didn't take a big step forward this season. On top of that, their run defense was trash late in the season. I'm not saying Benton was the reason, but he's your starting nose tackle. He's on the small side for a NT. Will they go get one of these monstrous DTs in the draft in a few months and bump Benton out to 3-technique? I might lean that way. Or do they simply draft the best DT available and make it work with a rotation. Many of the DTs in this draft are versatile and the Steelers would have to find the best ways to use them early in their careers.
Paul
12:04
In your opinion what is the best way to improve the performance of the offensive line?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:07
Get healthy first and foremost. Adding Fautanu will be big. That will solve a lot of problems at right tackle. Then you have to get Broderick Jones to play to his potential on the left side. If you look at the sacks and pressures in 2024 the majority came from left and right tackle. Zach Frazier was a rock in the middle. Seumalo was fine at left guard and McCormick was OK at right guard. I'm not saying they were great, but they weren't giving up tons of pressure. Then, with the running game, they need better cohesion. It was good early in the year and fell off late in the year. I know a lot of that had to do with Wilson taking over for Fields and losing that QB run aspect of your offense, but if Wilson is the QB in 2025 they need to be much better at the point of attack. They need to own the line of scrimmage. They were getting owned late in the season.
artie bridge
12:07
Ray, What do you think is a fair price for the Steelers to retain Najee?  And how much do you think he would command on the market?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:09
I think they'll let him test free agency. That would be the smart thing to do. This is a loaded RB draft class. I'm not sold that Harris or another other free agent RB will command big money, but we'll see. He might not get as much as some are thinking. And if he's cheap I wouldn't have a problem bringing him back on a short deal as long as they draft an RB to develop as the future starter.
the real guest
12:09
Ray, A lot of folks want the Steelers to duplicate the Eagles DL. I would love that but 2 of the Eagles starting DL are north of 320 lbs and one of those guys is north of 340 pounds I can't see MT drafting one guy that big let alone two. So if the Steelers draft two more 290 ish pound DL what exactly are they duplicating?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:11
At some point, Omar Khan and Andy Weidl are going to have to have more say in the personnel if the Eagles blueprint is going to work. You don't hear a lot in Philly that Nick Sirianni is super involved in the scouting process. That's because it's Howie Roseman's draft. He picks the players and Sirianni coaches them. So you're right, if Tomlin calls the shots you might not see the Eagles model here. But if Khan and Weidl have their say there are plenty of 320-pound plus DTs in this class who could help the run defense and push the pocket on passing downs.
Chuck from Michigan,
12:11
Ray, if I am the Khan artist, I sign Justin Fields to 3 years at $35 million, Najee Harris to 3 years at $25 million, trade  Pickens for a second round pick, and draft Derrick Harmon, DL-Oregon and Tyliek Williams, DL-Ohio State with draft picks 1 and 2.  Appreciate your chats and thoughts?  Thank you.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:13
Not a bad number for Fields. I might even go two for $25-27 million. As I just said, I'm not in a hurry to sign Harris... As for your draft picks I like them. Harmon could be there at 21 and same for Williams in the middle of the second round. How about a trade-up for Walter Nolen in the first? He's going to be a really good pro, I think.
the real guest
12:14
Ray, the Steelers have many needs but at some point isn't there a plan that takes priority. For instance, the lines come first, then your QB then the skilled people. It seems nuts to me to talk about 1st round WRs when your OL hasn't been established, your DL is falling apart and you don't have a QB. What say you?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:15
I agree with you, but they've done enough on the O-line in terms of the draft. Now it's up to the players they've drafted to produce. I'm all in on beefing up the D-line early in the draft. I know a lot of national people are mocking receivers to them -- and I get it -- they need receivers, but I agree the trenches have to be addressed first.
Guest
12:15
Ray, just saw 2 prognosticators of the draft on ESPN passing on Michigan DT Kenneth Grant and going for a WR.  Why would they do that?  They have pretty good luck with WR in lower rounds.  Always interested in your insights.  Thanks!
Ray Fittipaldo
12:16
I saw Field Yates take Jaxon Dart at 21 in his latest mock draft. That's a big 'WHAT WOULD THEY DO THAT?' I'm fine with getting a receiver on Day 2.
jwheaney
12:17
Please evaluate  cornerback Joey Porter Jr. performance over the last two years.  Thanks!
Ray Fittipaldo
12:18
He's been an average or slightly above average starter. For the 32nd pick in the draft the Steelers need to get more out of him. Tomlin always talks about taking that big step in Year 2, but I'm not sure he improved all that much. Could be circumstances with the defense, etc. but they need better secondary play overall.
Steeltowntim
12:19
The Steelers need a big type of DT like Hampton to shut down the run game but they say these guys are only 2 down players so it seems they avoid them early in the draft but don’t you think it’s the goal to have 3 and long and sub for him than just keep the same team
Ray Fittipaldo
12:20
That's going to be a talking point from now until the draft. The Ravens ran roughshod over them in the playoffs. It was embarrassing for the Steelers to give up 300 yards on the ground. Will they change their previous thoughts on big DTs in Round 1? I think that's something they
will be discussing for the next few months.
Pittfan
12:21
Hi Ray. If Fields really wants to stay in Pittsburgh, I'm sure his representatives have approached them with a price. I'm also sure they know what other teams are willing to pay him along with assurances he'll be given a fair chance to compete. We're all smart enough to know tampering goes on all the time. My question is, what/who do you think the Steelers are still considering? If Justin was the top choice do you think he would signed by now?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:21
Between $12-15 million a year probably.
Tmac
12:21
Hi Ray - Thanks for the chat.  How careful are reporters to not offend/criticize players so the reporters can maintain access.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:21
That doesn't happen.
Brian in NC
12:22
Thanks for doing these.  The depth at DL would seem to match the Steelers need, but the  draft won’t necessarily fall their way and the best DL (or WR, or CB) available when it’s their turn might not be a wise choice for that pick.  Seems to me like it would be prudent to sign at least mid-level free agents at those positions so they can take BPA when they’re on the clock.  What do you think?  Thanks
Ray Fittipaldo
12:22
Yeah I like that and they almost always do that. You want to fortify your roster with starter-capable players at each position and then draft BPA at certain positions on draft day.
Pinky Tuscadero
12:23
The majority of the fan base seems to want Justin Fields back. This morning there are rumors about a possible interest in Daniel Jones, and people are in hysterics on social media about how bad Jones. If you look at every QB stat available to us, Jones has had a markedly better career than Fields. Even won a road playoff game. The year end collapse has caused this fanbase to lose their collective minds. Thoughts?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:25
My most recent memory of Jones is him not changing the protection against the Steelers and allowing TJ Watt to end the game with a strip sack. He's been in the league how many years now? And he can't make a change at the line of scrimmage at a crucial spot in the game? No thanks. I know he's athletic and maybe was a victim of the NYC spotlight, but QBs have to do the simple things to help their team win.
Farmtastic
12:26
Hi Ray, at this point you'd have to think Tomlin realizes he's not going to win a playoff game with an aging, underperforming defense and a predictable, conservative offense. If we assume Fields (or whomever) is QB1 in 2025, do you think he lets Arthur Smith open up the passing game a little? The offensive line should be in a better spot next year as well to open up the run game.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:27
Not only were they predictable, but they couldn't execute down the stretch. That's why they couldn't score more than 17 points in any of those games. The offense was completely broken by year's end. So yes, I'm up for anything that is far different from what I saw in December and January.
Old school
12:28
I’ve seen it occasionally said that Troy Fautanu would likely make a good NFL guard.  But no mention of Broderick Jones potentially moving to guard. If Jones continues to struggle playing tackle what are your thoughts on him playing guard? Thank you.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:28
I guess that would be an option if he flops at left tackle this year. It worked for Bechton, but he has a much different body type. He adjusted well to being a mauler.
ChrisinNC
12:29
Good Afternoon Mr. Ray! Since it's offseason and we seemed to have punted on the next few seasons in general by retaining HCMT I have a general Steelers question. Who would you put as a 5th WR behind our all-time big 4 of Swann, Stallworth, Ward & Brown? My vote would be Yancey Thigpen though an argument could be made for Lois Lipps! What say you sir, I'll hang up and wait for your answer.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:30
Hmmm, I feel like I need more time to think of all the receivers in franchise history, but at first glance I'd probably go with Louis Lipps over Thigpen.
KJ
12:31
Hello Ray, once again, thank you for the chats! To the best of your knowledge, is the fact that Russell Wilson not allowed to audible out of a called play at the line of scrimmage during the last five games of the season not being held against him?  He audibled to great and enormous effect in Cincinnati, then was inexplicably handcuffed the rest of the way...
Ray Fittipaldo
12:33
Here's my take on that. If you're not a QB who is going to win with his legs, if you're older and have experience like Wilson does, one of the things he should be able to do well is get the offense into better plays at the LOS. So was it Smith holding him back? Or Wilson not being held in high enough regard by the coaches to get them into good plays? Or is it this odd development in the NFL where coaches micromanage the QB position and don't allow them to operate the way they did in other generations? To me, one of the benefits of having a veteran QB is his knowledge. I'd like to see more trust in Wilson if he returns.
KJ
12:34
What kind of "3rd year leap" can we expect from Broderick Jones this season?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:34
A big one.
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