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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 03.12.24
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Ray Fittipaldo
1:56
Quiet day in free agency so far so give me something to do! Get your questions in.
Gary - LA
1:56
Hi Ray. I appreciate your insightful chats. What do you think are Steelers’ next targets in free agency? Thank you.
Ray Fittipaldo
1:57
It's been quiet for ILBs, CBs and safeties. I think we'll have some news today. I think all three of those positions are big priorities this spring. And plenty of good players available.
1:59
Hold on a minute... we might have some news.
2:06
Looks like Patrick Queen is coming the Steelers. ESPN reported this a few minutes ago. Trying to confirm now, but it looks like the Steelers got their answer at ILB.
Steve-o
2:06
Don't you love when breaking news happens during your chat?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:06
Ha ha, I knew this was going to happen. Batko will write for the web so I'm still here for your questions.
Wayward
2:07
Given the Queen news, do they release Holcomb and keep Roberts?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:08
Roberts was excellent last season. Of course they are keeping him. Holcomb situation is tricky. He did major damage to his knee while playing for the Steelers, not recovered yet. Would be a bad look if the Steelers released him in my opinion. I think in best case scenario, if he is healthy by midseason, Holcomb is back in the mix as a third ILB. But that's a big if.
JP
2:09
So what does this mean for FA Center? I'm assuming Brian Allen is out. Draft in the 1st round? Still need another Center.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:10
Most of the top free agent centers are off the board so it does look like it will be a priority in the draft. But this is a good and relatively deep draft for centers.
Guest
2:10
Did ravens grabbing king Henry have anything to do with paying up for queen?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:10
I don't think so. Ravens have Roquan Smith and can't pay big money to two ILBs. The Steelers have a huge hole at ILB. That's all there is to it.
Steve-o
2:12
What would Holcomb's cap savings be if he's cut in June or whenever?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:12
About $4 million, but again, I don't see the Steelers doing that. I know injuries are part of the game and it's a brutal business, but let's see what his recovery looks like in the late summer/fall.
Matt -VA
2:13
After signing Queen is Simmons next?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:13
I'm not sure they have the money for that after signing Queen, but they definitely need a safety.
King for a Day
2:14
So, is the Patrick Queen the Steelers get the one from the time they signed Roquan Smith or the one from before who looked like a bust? He looked great at LSU, but I can't figure if he finally broke through or if it was Smith.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:15
You're right. Queen was much better after Smith arrived, but it might also have something to do with Queen maturing as a player and coming into his own.
DJJ
2:16
Center is definitely a position of concern. Is the first two rounds a possibility?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:16
Or maybe a likelihood?
Mike in MD
2:16
Do you think that Patrick Queen is a better choice than Devin White?  I heard some complaints that White was starting to freelance in his coverage in the last two years
Ray Fittipaldo
2:18
I think Queen for $39 million over three years is a good deal. Seems the ILB market might be down a little, but if Queen is as advertised it solves the issue in the middle of the field that was so problematic last year after Holcomb and Alexander were injured.
The Big Lebowski
2:18
With Queen signed what does the Khan Artist do next?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:18
CB, S, WR and center, although not a lot of centers left in free agency.
Steeler Joe
2:19
PatPete says he might still come back. Might he?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:20
I heard his podcast. He said he was willing. He said money isn't the issue. He just wants to win a championship. So maybe he comes back on a cheap deal as a slot CB/safety.
Brian
2:20
Hi Ray. Thank you for the chats. Very much enjoy them. Any information from sources that the Wilson signing was at least partially a result of Steelers management being told of Mason's intent on signing elsewhere? Getting a QB with Wilson's pedigree at 1.2 mil is hard to pass up, but one wonders what effect this will ultimately have on their evaluation of KP--unless that evaluation has already been made. Your thoughts?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:21
By bringing in Wilson, I suspect the evaluation has been made or is well along.
LarryG from Punxy
2:21
Thanks for taking the time for these chats.  I really hope that we can get Fautanu and Frazier in Rounds 1 and 2, as listed in your March 7 mock draft. I think Powers-Johnson will be gone before we pick in Round 1, and this draft is a little deeper in OTs.  But do you think Frazier will still be available where we're slated to pick in Round 2?  Maybe move down a few spots in 1 and up a few in 2 would be necessary?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:22
Frazier is getting some draft momentum, but we'll see where he ends up. As I said this is a good draft for centers and he's likely one of the top three.
Coach15
2:23
Is it safe to assume that now with a now established-veteran QB, the defense MUST now play better than what they have, bc they have a QB that can make SOME plays?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:25
The defense played well for the most part until the ILBs were injured. I know they had the stinker in Houston, but other than the opener against SF the first half of the season was a pretty solid showing for the defense. Things really didn't go south for the defense until December.
Nate
2:25
PATRICK QUEEN!!!!!! I am so excited. How about you Ray?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:26
I think he's a good player and another sign they are going for it this year, trying to keep the window open for this aging defense. He's a good young player who will help. It also takes ILB off the board in the first three rounds of the draft so the picture is coming into focus more for the draft.
Adam in ATL
2:26
Looks like MT was right when he told Queen he was on the wrong sideline. Do Steelers still draft ILB to develop under Roberts/Queen?  Cooper, Wilson, Trotter Jr all look like studs.  Mark Robinson experiment over now?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:27
Maybe a Day 3 ILB. Roberts is in the last year of his deal so they do need a potential replacement for him, or Holcomb.
Big Snack
2:27
Hey Ray. It seems that the Steelers are all in, which is something we are not used to seeing from them. Is it because they see the window on the careers of some guys like Cam and TJ slowly closing so they know they've got to get better fast, or is it just a philosophy difference between Colbert and Omar?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:29
I wrote about that on Monday after they signed Wilson. They try to compete for Super Bowls every year, but they haven't won a playoff game with TJ Watt, and he's been here for seven seasons. Like Art II said in January, it's time to start winning some playoff games.
Chuck in MD
2:29
Hey Ray...I was leaving the gym, looked up, and saw the Patrick Queen signing. I proceeded to walk into the door. Am hoping for  T and C...in 1st 2 rounds.
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