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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 03.25.25
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Ray Fittipaldo
11:57
Welcome and let's get started.
SS
11:57
Ray, Is it just me, or does the entire AROD fascination seem to not align with Arthur Smith's offense? That, and Tomlin's natural conservative nature, makes this seem like a big reach.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:00
The Steelers would not be pursuing Rodgers if it was not a good fit all around. Smith favors a run-first offense, which at this stage of Rodgers' career, isn't a bad thing. Every QB wants a good running game. I'm sure Smith will tweak some things to take advantage of Rodgers' skills. He's never worked with a QB close to his level. His was OC with the Titans for two years and worked with Ryan Tannehill, who was a mobile QB who could make some plays in the passing game too. Then as HC with the Falcons, he had late-stage Matt Ryan and a bunch of underwhelming options after he retired. Then with the Steelers Wilson and Fields. It's not like there is a long history. Any good OC can coach different types of QBs and have success. If it happens, it will be interesting to see how Smith and Rodgers get along and how the offense looks.
jay
12:01
Thanks for the continued chats Ray. The QB situation aside, is there anything that stands out or is different from previous off seasons?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:02
Omar Khan continues to take big swings with trades. He connected this year with the DK Metcalf deal. They also guaranteed the second year of Metcalf's deal, which is something else Khan has done that his predecessors did not. Probably a sign of the times.
Josh H
12:02
Let's say the Steelers trade back into round 2 and select Jalen Milroe, do you think that would squash any chance of taking a QB 1st round in what seems to be a better QB draft class in the 2026?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:03
Not at all. Even if they take a QB this year QB would still be very much in play in 2026. Only way it's not is if they're floored by the way the rookie QB competes in practice and preseason games, and they come to an understanding he's the guy for the future.
Adam T
12:03
Good morning Ray, are you surprised the Steelers kept Cole Holcomb for 2025? What do you envision his role being next season?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:05
It's an interesting situation because when Holcomb signed in 2023 he was the team's three-down linebacker. The signing of Malik Harrison for a bigger contract tells me Harrison is the new Elandon Roberts and that Holcomb fits somewhere as a backup. Maybe as the backup to Patrick Queen, maybe as an option in sub-packages. In the end, he's coming off a major knee injury and no one really knows what his level of play will be. He could just be insurance  in the event of a Queen injury.
Josh H
12:05
What percentage would you put on Rodgers signing with the steelers as we sit here today?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:06
60%
Josh H
12:06
Take need out of the equation and just solely off BPA, at pick 21, Matthew Golden and Kenneth Grant are both there, who do you choose?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:07
Good question Josh. Golden has a lot of hype after the way he ran at the combine. He can probably step into any offense and help right away. Grant too, but he's likely just a two-down player to being his career. I'll say Golden, but they need a player like Grant more.
Linebacker Lounge
12:08
The FA DL Bargain Bin signings make little sense. I realize they need depth, but they need starters! Did they miss the boat by not being aggressive getting one of the top tier FA DL man? They can get one in the draft in Round 1, but they need multiple!
Ray Fittipaldo
12:08
I'm with you. Even though they lost draft picks in the Metcalf trade I could still see them taking two DL. And any of those free agent signings are for depth. If one of those guys starts it's not a good sign.
Guest
12:09
Hi Ray! There were 24 seasons between Bradshaw and Ben. I’m old enough to remember them. Could it be we’re just getting started on the QB quest?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:09
They better hope not.
Linebacker Lounge
12:09
Moves to date, seem like Steelers are banking on compensatory picks in 2026. What say you?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:10
It's evident they're collecting them but for what reason remains to be seen. To trade up for a QB next year or to rebuild the roster?
DaquidoBazzini
12:10
Hi Ray…Interested in what your personal assessment is of Jaxson Dart? Not how high he will go, but overall talent/ceiling.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:12
Day 2 value. I think he's good, has some swagger but he didn't run all that well. Drafting QBs is such a crapshoot. You have to have the right coaches in place to tutor him. You have to have the O-line, the skill players around him. It's not as simple as evaluating a guy and projecting him to the NFL. I think Dart needs to go to a team that has structure around him.
Ray Romano
12:12
I believe it would would be wise to double up on D line in the 1st and 3rd round. One of those to start and one to eventually replace Cam. Does anyone stand out in the mid rounds as a possibility? How about Joshua Farmer from FSU?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:14
Yeah there are a bunch of Day 2 DLs. Pegues was in for a visit. I expect they'll bring in a bunch of DL for visits before it's all said and done. The value for DLs on Day is probably on NTs, which means maybe they'll go for a 3- or 5-technique in the first round. Or maybe they'll just take the best DL on the board and then will out the depth from there.
Dobbins
12:14
Along with Gainwell, if I sign with the Steelers, that almost guarantees that the Steelers will take WR or QB in 3rd round?  RB would be set with Warren as bell cow?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:15
I don't see the Steelers signing another free agent RB. They already have Warren and Gainwell on one-year deals. They can draft an RB and he can become a future starter, or at the very least, a rotational player.
Michael
12:15
Ray, What do you think about taking a wide receiver in the first round and flipping a day 2 pick for Pickens to draft a d-tackle? Do you think that's likely?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:16
I don't know that it's likely, but I like the idea.
Linebacker Lounge
12:16
Have the Steelers mismanaged Free Agency? Missed out on top tier DL, holding there spending money for a possible one year band aid QB, adding another CB on the 18th hole, and another small RB with a fumble history?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:17
DLs were expensive, but it felt like they needed to get one. Maybe not a guy like Milton Williams making $26 million a year, but a bigger splash than what they did, which was next to nothing. Now they're solely relying on the draft to get a starter and quality depth.
Sunner in Orlando from Lebo
12:18
Are the Steelers still considering trading Pickens for a second to go draft a receiver or a DL or do they go with him to pair with DK? I can't see them paying Pickens 30 mil per.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:18
You are correct. They won't pay big money to two receivers. If Pickens stays, it's only for a season. That's why there has been speculation about a trade. It makes sense if you can get a second-round pick in return.
Mike in Virginia
12:19
A lot of people are calling for the Steelers to double up at DL in the draft, but I see so many holes (starters and depth needs) that I find it hard to support that. Assuming they take DL in the first, what positions do you feel need to be drafted before they consider going back to DL?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:19
RB, maybe QB and WR then DL again. But it could be in any order.
Nate
12:19
While only 12 of the top 30 have been reviled, I find it very interesting there have been 4 mid to late round DL. Are we trending away from potentially selecting d line in round 1?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:20
Take one early take one late
Morgan
12:20
Hi Ray, do you think qb Shough is a viable candidate to be drafted by the Steelers in the middle rounds?  Thanks.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:21
Shough was in for a top-30 visit so you know there is genuine interest. He's an intriguing player if you don't overdraft him. He is a very natural thrower of the football. nd he moves well. Teams will just have to get past the injuries and his age.
Nate
12:21
Any idea if/when we will start to see projected 1st round talent have their official visits?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:22
It can happen anytime. If they visit with players at pro days they might not bring them in, but sometimes they do.
Shooter McGavin
12:22
Would I be correct in assuming Mike Hilton's play has declined? I thought he would've caught on with someone by now. Maybe even come back to Pittsburgh, given the need.
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