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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 03.25.25
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Ray Fittipaldo
12:22
He's getting older, but that's never stopped the Steelers from bringing back former players before. They must see something in Brandin Echols.
Brian
12:23
Do you expect the Steelers to add a vet swing tackle after the draft/camp cuts?  The room is awfully young and I'm not sure who our swing tackle would be right now, which isn't encouraging.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:24
It's definitely a need. Maybe Dylan Cook can be the guy Maybe they'll draft a guy to compete with him. But picking up a guy on the waiver wire is an option too. That's how they got Calvin Anderson this year. He became the swing tackle after Fautanu went on IR.
Royce
12:25
When the quarterback question is finally answered, do you think Arthur Smith will adapt his scheme to that player and those players acquired in free agency/trade/draft?  Thanks Ray.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:25
Yes but especially if it's Rodgers.
Pittfan
12:25
Hi Ray. It looks like teams with two very good wideouts are finding ways to keep both. I don't believe the Steelers are planning to extend Pickens this season. If he shows he has grown up this year do you believe the Steelers will do what the Bengals did with Higgins, extend or franchise tag?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:25
I can't see Pickens growing up and even if he did I can't see them signing him to a big deal.
CoalportKid
12:26
Do the Steelers think of Mason McCormick as a bona fide starter after forced into action that first year? Is there LG/RG preference for him like with Jones?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:26
I can play both, but he played RG in college too.
Guest
12:26
Am I crazy to hope that the Steelers sign Aaron Rodgers? He will have 2 excellent deep threats and he is not afraid to throw over the middle.  Finally regularly scoring 30 points or even winning a playoff game won't be just some kind of heartbreaking fever dream.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:27
That would be the expectation, but the Jets only won five games with him as their QB last year.
King Beyond the Wall
12:28
I’m not sure why should I feel optimistic about Steelers defense they traded out one old corner for another. The front 7 is exactly the same. First round pick or not that is group that suspect against the run. All the bargain bin free agents sans DK or Arod. tell me they know this bridge year or rebuilding. Even with those 2 on board I still think that defense would get slaughtered in a playoff game
Ray Fittipaldo
12:28
Until they win a playoff game there will be doubters!
Ryan from Ohio
12:29
If Rodgers is signed, do you see the offensive game scheme opening up or are we signing a $30 million QB to hand the ball off 530 times over the course of the season?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:29
They'd be silly not to throw it more than they did last season.
PghFNinCali
12:29
Hi Ray! Who would you want to start the season at QB? Rogers, Wilson, Rudolph or Other?  I say draft mid round QB,  Play Mason (He showed his team he can be qb1) and draft quality players to fill other needs to make the team all around better until you find a QB.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:31
Several scenarios: Sign Rodgers and he leads an exciting playoff run. Sign Rodgers and they're mediocre (again). Sign Rodgers and it's a train wreck that leads to a high pick. Play Rudolph and get a high pick. I don't have a preference, but any of the four options could be fun.
Jmay
12:32
I don’t feel that negative about the possibility of signing Rodgers. I still think he’s a good quarterback, can still sling it, with great football IQ. I know mason would be cheaper but view it as a high floor/low ceiling option that leaves with a 21st overall pick again. What are your thoughts on this?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:32
Rodgers clearly is the best option, if there is no drama. That's a big if.
KordellTolls
12:33
Ray is Rodgers delaying his decision until the Steelers promise there will be Ivermectin and ayahuasca in the training room?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:33
Now you have me going to the GOOGLE machine again.
Linebacker Lounge
12:33
MT promised Russ the pole position, but apparently he had a disconnect with Artie. Did Arties voice prevail or is it simply MT prefers ARod more?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:34
Probably a combination of both.
TX Pressure
12:34
Who is setting the direction of the franchise?  Right now it seems like they think they are competing but are realistically 5-6 players away plus a QB.  Who makes the call in saying alright we need to get under some bad contracts, trade older guys and get draft capital to build this thing.  Right now it seems like Tomlin and that's a mistake.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:35
Their constant state of mind is being all-in. It starts with ownership, but Omar Khan and Mike Tomlin also believe they are close.
Guest
12:35
With this deep of a RB class, why is so much focus still on Warren being the sole RB1?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:35
I don't think there is. Drafting an RB to share the carries and touches is likely at this point.
TX Pressure
12:36
We talk D line but this O line does not have depth, losing Moore and Daniels and Fautanu off major surgery - will line be same, better or worse than last year?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:36
Has a chance to be better, but we'll see.
LH
12:37
I'm hearing that money is not the hold up with Rodgers, that a contract has been laid out for weeks. I know this is typical Rodger's style to drag this out, but if you are the Steelers how does this affect you planning for the draft or even next year. Because all he's going to be is a bridge as to what is to come
Ray Fittipaldo
12:37
I don't think it does at this point.
Braxton Nights
12:39
Why does Cordarrelle Patterson still have a roster spot?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:39
That's probably the most head-scratching development of the offseason.
Seven
12:40
The gap between Bradshaw and Big Ben could have been nicely filled in by Dan Marino, who the Steelers famously passed on. The Steelers seem all over the place this offseason. Now the infatuation with the over-the-hill Rodgers. Is Andy Weidl going to get frustrated at some point and take his player evaluation talents elsewhere?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:40
Well, he's not a GM so if he could run his own show I'm sure he'd listen.
Lambert’s Teeth
12:41
If they have agreed on money, and the 6 hour meeting last week went well, what is the hold up?  I hope that you are wrong with your 60% assessment, as I find little to no upside, and a lot of downside to Rodgers.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:41
I just think Rodgers like to take his time with these types of decisions.
62 Stack Monster
12:41
If Pickens is dealt away, who is the #2 WR?  Isn't this the same issue as last year?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:41
They'd draft a WR in the first two rounds if they dealt Pickens.
Mediocre Mikey
12:42
Is Terrell Edmunds likely out of the NFL at the tender age of 27? Isn't it shocking that he and Cam Sutton are the "best" DBs drafted and "developed" during Tomlin's entire tenure?
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