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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 03.18.25
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Ray Fittipaldo
11:59
Welcome and let's get started.
Stairway to seventh seed
11:59
Ray: It has become almost like accepted gospel that the 2026 QB class is much stronger than this year’s, but why? Manning has never played. Iamaleava, Sellers, and Nussmeier had weaker stats than Jackson Dart last year in the same conference. Klubnik doesn’t stand out physically. Allar seems to always shrink to the occasion in big games. My favorite is Haynes King, but he will turn 26 right at the end of his rookie year. Am I missing somebody or do scouts just expect some of these guys to ascend?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:01
There are never sure things when it comes to drafting QBs, but almost every draft analyst calls this a down year for QBs. I understand your trepidation in crowning the 2026 class, but I think there is more depth and players with more potential than this year's class. Allar is probably the best example. He has the tools. He just has to put it together. He's the type of QB NFL teams bet on. But as you know, those bets don't always pay out.
Stairway to seventh seed
12:02
Ray: The Steelers are hosting Dylan Sampson, but do you think with having Gainwell and Warren in the fold they will look to draft more of a bigger power back?  Short yardage was a huge problem last year.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:05
It seems that way, but I don't have a problem with smaller backs as long as you have quality backups in case they get injured. That's my biggest worry with players with small stature. People say Warren and Gainwell are too similar. But I think if you bring in Gainwell after Warren, or vice versa, you continue to put pressure on the defense because they can do multiple things. They can run it, catch it and stay in for pass pro. I think you are probably less predictable with the same type of back than you with big backs who might be pegged as run options on early downs, which is how the Steelers fell into a lull last season. Way too predictable.
Bob
12:05
Hi Ray, Has Russ really burned enough bridges that the Steelers are willing to let him sign with another team while waiting on Rodger’s decision?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:07
Sure seems that way as the days go by. Art Rooney II said in January their preference was to sign either Fields or Wilson. Well, it's been eight days since Fields signed with the Jets, and the Steelers have been flirting with Aaron Rodgers ever since. And they appear in no real hurry to get a QB in place.
Father time
12:07
How long will they wait on Aaron? Will they really let this go on until the draft?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:07
I can't imagine they will let it drag on that long, but we're already into a second week of this nonsense.
Yinz fan
12:07
Will they attempt to add another wr to make trading George easier? I would assume that would need to be done in FA?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:09
They could always trade Pickens on draft day and then draft one. Or they can draft one and then trade Pickens in the fall if they'd rather have the pick in 2026. Lots of speculation about the Steelers getting a QB in 2026 rather than this year. You need ammunition to go up and get one if you're not among the league's worst teams. They're already stockpiling comp picks for next year. Could they have the same plan if they plan on dealing Pickens?
Dave
12:09
How much do they like Dart?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:10
I know they met with him at the combine. Beyond that, I don't have a lot of information at the moment. Watch for whether he takes a top-30 visit to the Steelers and who attends his pro day. That will provide more clues.
Mark
12:10
Any more moves coming? Or just fringe stuff like Thornhill?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:10
Anything from here on out will be depth moves like you've seen the past few days.
Brian
12:12
Do you think the Steelers have taken CB (either slot or outside) off their board after the underwhelming signings of Slay and Echols?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:12
I wrote about that very subject today: https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/steelers/2025/03/18/nfl-free-agenc.... After those moves I can't see them taking on on Day 1 or Day 2. Maybe Day 3. Did you know they've only drafted four corners in the past eight years? Lately, they're happy to go year to year with older CBs.
TD
12:13
Could they get a 2nd round pick for Pickens?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:13
Maybe a late second but more likely a third. And you don't take anything less than a third because he's likely to return a third-round comp pick if he leaves via free agency next year if he walks.
Maryland Steeler
12:13
When do you think they will extend TJ Watt?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:14
This summer. Or if it's like the last time Watt signed a new deal, late summer.
Comp Picks
12:15
Hi Ray, thanks for doing these.  There's been a lot of talk of the Steelers accumulating comp picks next year by losing FAs and signing those released by other teams.  Seems like a solid strategy for now to possibly move up next year, but my question......if they receive comp picks, they cannot trade those picks correct?  In turn would they trade their own picks in the same rounds as their comps to make an "equivalent" trade?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:16
That used to be the case, but comp picks can be traded. That started a few years ago I think.
Word Salad Sandwich
12:16
Ray, what do the Steelers hope to gain by commiting significant cap dollars to either Rodgers or Wilson? Are they delusional enough to think either one is going to lead them to a SB or even a deep playoff run? It seems to me they are so desperate to win a darn wildcard game they are willing to set the team back to accomplish this rather modest goal.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:17
Well, they don't appear in a hurry to commit significant cap dollars to Wilson. And no one really knows how much the offer is to Rodgers, or what the final offer will be if there is negotiating. But I can't imagine it's more than $25 or $30 million.
Kachemak
12:18
Can we finally agree that we need that run stopping Nose tackle even if they only play 2 downs?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:18
I think it might be that time, but when do you get that type of player? There is still debate about the value of players who play two dons and don't offer much in terms of sub-package football.
Patrick
12:18
Hi Ray, If this year's QB class is not as good as next year's why would the Steelers pick a QB this year when they might have to pick one next year?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:19
Maybe you like a guy and think you can develop him. Why did the 49ers take Brock Purdy? It's not a bad strategy if you don't have your future franchise QB. Keep taking one until you find that guy.
Mickey
12:19
Overall, how do you rate what the Steelers have done this off-season? I say C-. Think they overpaid for Metcalf and didn't materially improve any other positions. Hard to get a sense of what they're doing. What say you?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:21
I think it's safe to say the QB situation did not go as planned. And I'm not a big fan in general of acquiring players like Slay for one final swan song. I think the Metcalf trade can work out in a positive way for the offense. It was obvious they needed another weapon. Now they need someone to throw him the ball.
Darkness Retreat
12:21
Ray, as fans we'll probably never understand the weight of the decision to put your body through another grueling season and the twists and turns both emotionally and mentally. Money is a great motivator, of course, but I can't shake the angst about Aaron. You have a team, a fan base, an owner and other players shaping their futures based on yours. You have a basic question: To Play or Not To Play? If the soul search is so deep, you're probably not that into HER. I guess the question is: at what point does a our Roberto Duran collective look at the individual and say 'No Mas.' It really feels like Steeler nation is prepared to see what Mason can do, draft who we draft, and get on with it.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:23
So the Steelers are Roberto Duran and Rodgers is Marvin Hagler? Hmmm. I appreciate the effort in trying to draw the analogy. I don't get a strong sense anything is imminent, but some of the speculation on Rodgers waiting another month to make  decision is crazy. I do not see the Steelers waiting around that long.
Brian in NC
12:23
Thanks for your insight in these. Khan has a reputation for not overpaying, but I wonder… $10m for a 34 yo CB??  Slay is older now than Patrick Peterson was when the Steelers released him because he was too old. Am I missing something? Do you think he’ll be worth that?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:25
That's what they're hoping. Slay came across very well at his news conference last week. He's willing to be a mentor. He seems like the ultimate team player and should fit in well the locker room. The concern is whether he falls off a cliff the way Peterson did. Some might argue Peterson fell off the cliff when he played for the Vikings, but I digress. It's hard for scouts and pro personnel people to truly evaluate older free agents. It's not like they're going to come in and run a 40 for you. You pretty much have to trust the tape and the person that they will do everything in their power to remain a good player as they age.
Salary Cap
12:26
Correct me if I am wrong:  Downside to not signing any starting DL in FA (or anyone else for that matter, outside of Slay) is they don't have a 2nd round pick and cannot go back to back (unless somehow Pickens can bring in a 2nd - which I doubt that).  Upside is cap savings for '25 rolls to '26.  Is that correct?  And is it dollar for dollar?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:27
I would be surprised if the Steelers don't spend to the cap. They always spend to the cap because they try to put together a roster that can compete for a Super Bowl. But I will admit. It's getting harder and harder to see how they will spend all of their money this year. I know a new Watt deal will be significant and the QB contract will factor in, but they'll still have some money after that I think.
Henry Hill
12:28
I agree with Jason Mackey's article last week saying the Steelers should sign Jameis Winston. Big arm, relatively young, mobile, cheaper than Rodgers, just have to deal with his ints. Your opinion?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:29
No thanks. I'd rather have Joe Flacco or Mason Rudolph as the starter. And Winston isn't very mobile. He might be more mobile than Flacco, but he's not running around and making plays very often. (Someone cue the TD run in the Cleveland snowstorm)
Patrick
12:29
Do you think Russell Wilson is content to continue to wait because he really wants to be back in Pittsburgh or are there other reasons?
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