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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 05.13.25
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Ray Fittipaldo
11:58
Welcome and let's get started.
AK
11:59
It would be nice to be able to get a #2 WR, but I believe that anyone who is unsigned at this point is available for a reason, which would mean trading for one.  It seems unlikely they would do that at this point, agreed?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:00
No I think they could still make a trade. They could give up a late-round pick and get a cheaper option.
Donald F
12:00
Hey Ray, if you had to put a percentage on the chance of Aaron Rodgers signing here, what would that be?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:00
60%
Steel Russel
12:01
Will the New Orleans QB opening draw Aaron Rogers attention.  Seems like having on offensive new coach would play more to his liking
Ray Fittipaldo
12:01
The Saints are a mess so no.
AK
12:01
One would think Patterson’s days on the roster are numbered, yes?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:02
Perhaps, but usually with the Steelers if they don't view a player as part of their plans they'll cut ties with him in March so he has a chance to hook on with another team. They kept Patterson. Why? Not sure, but I think Arthur Smith likes him. And perhaps the ankle injury was part of the reason for his poor play in the final few months of the season.
Fred
12:03
The Steelers could have traded Pickens to the Browns for Pickettjoy.  Need a little levity in the chat.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:03
And then flip Pickett for a third-round pick!
Stan
12:03
“Maybe that’s the way the Steelers should approach receivers now. Let other teams draft and develop them and carefully select the ones you want on your team based on their track record.” Defensive backs as well, albeit for a different reason. (Joey Porter shows promise but it’s premature to declare success.) Good article Ray, but I do look forward to the day I won’t be reading ones like that. Same goes for the Pickens timeline article from Brian.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:05
I'm with you, but that's the position they're in right now. I think the Steelers will always be a draft and develop team, but you do have to pick your spots with certain positions sometimes. The Steelers aren't the only team that deals with mercurial receivers. It's an epidemic across the NFL. Given that, I don't really have a big issue for how they approached the Metcalf and Pickens trades.
Josh
12:05
Hey Ray, often wondered from a journalist perspective on these international games, being that the post gazette has multiple steelers reporters, will all the steelers reporters get to attend the game in Ireland?  Or does the paper just send maybe one or two of you to travel over there?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:06
We are sending four writers and a photographer to Dublin for the Vikings game. So we'll have wall-to-wall coverage that week on the happenings around the game. I booked my flight this morning.
Hickster
12:06
I just don’t understand why Will Howard wasn’t a higher prospect ? OSU fan here, other than the Michigan game he played nearly flawless. Size,Strength,Brains, experience. What’s the knock ?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:08
I guess we'll find out this summer/fall if there are any knocks or if the Steelers got a steal. By the way, a little nugget I learned from his high school coach concerning that Michigan game. Mike Milano, the retired head coach at Downingtown West, told me Howard was concussed early in the game. He said you could pick out the play he was hurt if you re-watch the game. He said the Ohio State coaches scaled back the playbook after that. I don't know one way or the other, but that was the first I heard of that.
Fred
12:08
There is still conjecture about the Steelers trading for Cousins.  Please no.  What would the Falcons get for him at this stage, a 6th or 7th rounder?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:09
Yeah it wouldn't be much. And I'm not convinced the Steelers would do that, but we'll see. I think they'd get a lot of negative feedback going down that road again. Signing a four-time MVP is one thing after Russell Wilson, but signing a similar player wouldn't go over well in my opinion.
George P
12:10
How much stock do you put into the Khan quote that they're comfortable with the receiver room as is after the Pickens trade?  Is that just GM speak or do you truly believe they're OK with the way that room is filled?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:10
What's he going to say? I'm desperate for a receiver, rob me in a trade?
Rambler
12:11
QB seems to be a position that is going to be settled at the next draft. Since there seem to be point values assigned to where you select and the Steelers seem to consistently draft around 21st, even with the 3 compensatory picks (probably 3rd round) will the Steelers have enough points to move into the top 10 to get one of the top QB choices in next year's draft?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:11
They can always trade future No. 1 picks as well. Future picks an any round to get the deal done.
TX Pressure
12:11
Does Will Howard have better WRs with the Steelers or the Buckeyes last year?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:13
You could make an argument OSU had better receivers, but not by a wide margin. Basically, what you're saying is DK Metcalf and Roman Wilson better than Emeka Egbuka and Jeremiah Smith? I know Smith is going to be a high pick in 2027, but you can't compare a 19-year old to NFL players.
Art from NC
12:13
Hi Ray- Watt, Highsmith, Herbig, the Ex-Raven and Sawyer- all seem more than capable at this point, but how do you keep all 5?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:13
Malik Harrison, the ex-Raven, will end up playing mostly inside unless there are injuries.
TX Pressure
12:14
Khan has said that he is good with the WR room they have now and also said they are competing for a Championship this year - don't mind them being optimistic for fans and media but hopefully they don't really believe this behind closed doors - do they?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:14
He also said they're open to adding a player. I think they'll try to improve the roster between now and training camp.
Yates
12:15
Ray-   Rank order top 3 WR vets Steelers should target. Thank you.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:16
If they sign Rodgers they should try to get Allen Lazard. Kennan Allen put up good numbers last season with the Bears. I know he's 33, but he still had something left last season. Gabe Davis produced some big plays for the Bills when he was there. He signed a big deal with the Jaguars and didn't live up to it, but he could be someone they add for depth.
Paulie Gualtieri
12:17
I don't understand some fans wanting to go with Mason, or even Will Howard, this year. Their logic is see what they got and if one of them is great they become the guy, problem solved. If they stink, yippee! Better draft pick. This is profoundly dumb. The chances of that happening is extremely slim. Rodgers is best chance to win this year, and they should want to win as many games as they can every year. They have plenty of draft capital to move up and get their guy in 2026. Besides, having a better draft slot is not a golden ticket. Ask Jets, Giants, Jags, Cardinals and other teams that seem to have high draft pick almost every year. What do you think?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:18
It's easier to move up if you finish out of the playoffs. The Steelers want to get a QB next year so that's the easiest way to do it, but everyone knows they won't take. They're going to try to win as they always do.
AK
12:18
The biggest improvement in the NFL that I’ve seen over the years is the quality of place kicking.  Why are the kickers so much better than they used to be?  Is it because the kickers are much bigger than before?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:20
Like anything, they improve from generation to generation. Players of all positions generally after better today than years ago. That's due to a number of factors. In the case of place kickers, it's all about specialization and honing your craft. I think football is getting more soccer style kickers earlier and they realize they can get scholarships so they specialize in it.
Kevin
12:20
There is minkah tj and cam on defense but who is the leader on offense or who will take on that role for the offense?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:21
Probably Metcalf and the QB.
Guest
12:21
Hi Ray, what's your take on our offensive line depth? Due any recent signings or draft picks significantly improve the line?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:22
I think it's OK, and I think their offseason reflects that. If they're not happy with someone in September they can always scour the waiver wire. But it's not bad right now. You have Spencer Anderson, who is a jack of all trades. McCollum can play guard and center and Calvin Anderson will look to be the swing tackle again. There will be competition, of course, but those three probably have the inside track on roster spots.
Kevin
12:23
At this point it seems that Rodgers just doesn’t want to do offseason workouts, it there a chance he’s just waiting to sign till after mini camps and otas
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