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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 05.20.25
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Ray Fittipaldo
11:58
Welcome and let's get started.
Zano
11:58
If Rodgers spurns the Steelers will they get Howard on the field at some point to see what he has?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:59
Mason Rudolph would be the starter for sure, and I would think they would want to bring Howard along slowly. However, circumstances would dictate how things unfolded. I am quite sure Mike Tomlin had no designs on starting Duck Hodges in 2019, but that actually happened. Ha ha. So I guess what I'm saying anything is possible, but in the end Howard would have to earn the right to get on the field as Hodges did six years ago.
epiballo
12:00
Hi Ray - thanks for the chats! So, no news is no news: Pickens has been traded, no one knows when/if Rodgers will be QB1 here, nothing on signing a FA WR, and Tomlin is still the coach. So, your thoughts on the tush push. Will the NFL ban the play? Will they again enforce no pushing or pulling a player downfield? Will Black prove effective in stopping the play? Thanks!
Ray Fittipaldo
12:02
That vote is coming soon and there has been some thought around the league that the play could be banned, or at the very least, some aspects of it could be enforced by officials. In the NFL, the league sometimes gives its officials "points of emphases" for the new season if rules are not changed. So if the owners don't outright ban the tush push you could see some sort of compromise where the officials would crack down on the pushing and pulling down the field. That's something that has seeped into the game and is not legal under the rules. The officials just haven't enforced it. We'll know soon.
A2theMFJ
12:03
Does a 3 yr extension for 120m get the job done for TJ?  Spreads the cap hit out into 29 but keeps him here at 40 AAV through 28 season?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:03
It's going to be about the guaranteed money. The Steelers likely have to surpass what Garrett got in guarantees for that deal to get done.
Retire21
12:04
Steelers have had HOFers retire elsewhere like Franco, Webster and Woodson but may we have an era where the bulk of a HOFer career is elsewhere. Rodgers would be a lock but what about Peterson, Patterson and Wilson...how do you rate their chances?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:06
I think Peterson is a shoe-in. I'm not a big fan of special teams players getting into the Hall of Fame, but a precedent was set with Devin Hester getting in. I wouldn't vote for him, but others might. Wilson will be interesting. That loss to the Patriots could be what keeps him out, but he has one Super Bowl, was clutch early in his career and probably has the numbers too.
KordellTolls
12:07
Ray, what's the delay in signing a decent veteran WR like Keenan Allen or Gabe Davis? Are Tomlin and Khan trying to replicate the disaster from last year? And if Aaron Rodgers signs, will OC Smith allow him to change plays at the line?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:08
I think they eventually will sign another WR, but I think they want to wait to see what Rodgers does. Is Keenan Allen a good fit for him and this offense? I honestly don't know the answer to that questions, but Rodgers wants his Wrs to be very detailed. Maybe Allen would be a good fit. Or maybe Gabe Davis. But I don't think that move happens until the Steelers know what's going on with Rodgers.
Butcher
12:09
Ray- thanks for the enjoyable chats and insights. Overall I think we have done a good job at drafting and not reaching , outside of possibly Broderick Jones (and that was understandable due to massive need - although he was a project from the get go) - I understand why we didn't draft a WR, since Pickens trade was not certain until Dallas made an offer that outweighed the possibly 4th Rd comp pick. But why are we waiting now? So Rodgers gets input if he signs? There are some quality vets out there that can play no 2. Keenan Allen (my choice) , Cooper, Davis, lazars, etc. Or are they banking money for a TJ extension , without having a final idea of Rodgers contract?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:09
See above answer
Bennie Fazio
12:09
It seems like majority of fan base doesn't want Aaron Rodgers. This fan base has no idea what they want. They complain every year (rightfully so) about 10-7 and losing in 1st Rd of playoffs. Rodgers is best chance of anyone available to end the streak, and they don't want him. Make it make sense Ray!
Ray Fittipaldo
12:09
I'm not saying it's the right move, but there is definitely a faction of the fan base that is rooting for a bad season so they can get the next franchise QB.
TVC15
12:11
Hi Ray,  Is the loss of Hall of Fame defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau what is really behind the Steelers futile playoff streak of getting blown out by halftime??
Ray Fittipaldo
12:11
I think that's part of it, but LeBeau's defenses had its share of struggles in the playoffs too, namely against the Patriots over the years.
Bob
12:11
DO you think that Watt is worth the reported $40M that he is demanding at his age? Or is he a luxury that a rebuilding team can't afford with all its holes that free agency could address?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:13
Unfortunately for the Steelers the Browns set the market. It's not really a matter of whether he's worth it or not. It's the business side of football. You can make an argument many of the top-paid QBs aren't worth the money they make, but the market is set. Either you pay or you move on to another player. And I just don't see the Steelers moving on from Watt unless the negotiation gets really ugly.
Beaver County Fan
12:14
This is a silly question, but things like this interest me. If Aaron Rodgers does eventually sign, what number will he take? His college number (8) is taken and number 12 is unofficially retired. Looking at the roster, 1, 7, and 12 are unofficially retired, and the only numbers below 20 available are 3 and 14. Would Waitman take a monetary deal to give up 8, or does Rodgers have enough gravitas for the Steelers to just give it to him and tell Waitman to pick another number? I know the only number that matters is the one on the paycheck, but some players feel strongly about their jersey number.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:14
Waitman is unlikely to be on the roster so I'm sure he'll take whatever Rodgers gives him.
epiballo
12:15
As of today, who do you see as the one or two college QBs the Steelers might target and how high will they have to trade up to get one?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:15
It's way too early to tell. Did you see how much things changed for Shedeur Sanders and Cam Ward over the course of 11 months? So much has to play out on the field, at the combine, pro days, etc.
TJ
12:16
Hi Ray, is it possible that Mason Rudolph could play very well in Arthur Smith's offense? I say give him a chance and let the AR drama walk. We are not going to the superbowl with AR so what's the point?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:17
They've waited this long for Rodgers so they're not going to walk away now. It's basically up to him whether he wants to play or not, and I have a suspicion the Steelers already know the answer.
David Alan Jones
12:17
Ray, do you think the Steelers will add another offensive tackle? I worry about the depth and inexperienced starters.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:18
There's always the waiver wire after final cut-downs, but it looks like Calvin Anderson and Dylan Cook will compete for the swing tackle spot. Anderson has more experience, but the Steelers have kept Cook around for a while now so they like him on some level.
Tim
12:18
With the schedule and as the roster stands today, what is your record prediction for the 2025 season?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:18
9-8
ZO
12:19
Sorry, hitting enter caused it to submit.  As I was going to say, If I recall correctly, you aren't one who necessarily believes that Steelers got their next franchise QB in Will Howard.  That being said, if for whatever reason, Howard gets a chance to start several games and  plays well as you could ask for any starting rookie, would you still "sell the farm" by spending major draft capitol to  move up in the top 10 of next year's draft?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:20
That's a good question, but honestly Howard would have to play so well that he'd have to convince them he's the next Tom Brady for them not to move up next year.
Chuck from Michigan
12:20
Hi Ray, what is your take on the Steelers signing RB Trey Sermon?  RB depth, pass catching versatility, or special team addition?  Solid player with good BigTen pedigree out of Ohio State and an 200 yard plus running performance a couple of years ago in OSU playoff game.  Appreciate your thoughts and chats!  Thank you.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:21
Good depth move. He's played in the league for the past few years, but even if he doesn't make the 53-man roster they can put him on the practice squad as they have expanded in recent years.
TVC15
12:21
Would Tomlin ever go the way of Herm Edwards and become a college head coach somewhere? William & Mary?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:21
"Never say never but never."
Swannie88
12:21
Hi Ray - Who will be second in pass receptions this year after DK?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:22
It's one of the biggest questions they have this offseason. Calvin Austin III? Roman Wilson? Or a player to be acquired later? Those are the options.
LarryG from Punxy
12:22
Do you think we are better off right now this season than we were at the same time last season?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:23
No because the QB situation is unresolved. If Rodgers does sign you can make an argument they're better, but not by much.
Ryan
12:23
Do you think another wide receiver of any significance will be signed?  Is there anyone out there you would consider?
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