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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 06.04.24
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Ray Fittipaldo
10:16
Welcome and let's get started.
Dan
10:16
Hey Ray, thanks for the chat, always enjoy your insights. My question is about the QB situation. If Wilson has a solid year and we extend him, where does that leave Fields? Do you think he’ll be willing to re-sign if he knows he’s still backing up Wilson or will he be looking to go elsewhere? I’d love to be able to keep both QBs, but not sure how we can make that happen, thanks!
Ray Fittipaldo
10:19
If Wilson plays well and the Steelers have success with him at QB then Fields likely will be elsewhere in 2025. However, if Fields wants some security beyond this season and believes he has a long-term opportunity here he can sign a short-term deal. Would he take the Trubisky contract? He played for $8 million a year or a little more.
Yogi in Jersey
10:20
What is the percentage of likelihood that Holcomb ever plays for the Steelers again? Such a shame. That is one snake-bitten position for this team.
Ray Fittipaldo
10:21
Hard to say right now. He's not doing anything on the field right now. But the Steelers made moves this offseason to play without Holcomb. They signed Patrick Queen and drafted Payton Wilson.
artie bridge
10:22
Ray, do you think our receiving corps is as weak as the buzz suggests?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:24
After George Pickens there isn't a lot of recent success. So yes I'd say it's not a strong group at this point.
Steelbeav
10:25
Hi Ray, Nice work!  The Steelers may actually have a top 3 defense if CAM bounces back and everyone stays healthy, especially if Cam Sutton avoids suspension and signs with Steelers. The pressure we will put on QBs without having to blitz (send 5 + guys)  coupled with press coverage should cause carnage
Ray Fittipaldo
10:26
That's a lot of ifs. Obviously, Heyward's health is a big factor. How he comes back this year will be big because I have questions about the talent and depth behind Heyward.
Steelbeav
10:27
Which tackle do you think would be rated higher by the Steelers if both came out in the same draft? This years number 1 or last years first round pick.
Ray Fittipaldo
10:30
I think they were graded fairly close coming out. I think Jones is more of a prototypical left tackle while Fautanu played left tackle in college but can play pretty much anywhere on the line. Not that Jones isn't versatile. He played very well at right tackle for most of last season.
J D
10:30
Ray, if 1st round QBs are predominantly starting from day one, why shouldn’t first round tackles?  Can they play any worse than Moore?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:31
I think Fautanu has a good chance to start early. He'll have to play well in camp once the pads come on and obviously in the preseason games, but I'm not convinced he'll have to sit as long as Jones did.
Polevetsian Dance No. 2 by Borodin
10:32
The Steelers seem obsessed with moving O-Lineman from their best/ natural position to another? More definition of insanity.It's one thing to love 'flexibility' but another to try to force it.  In he 2023 National Championship, Penix' failure/ beat-down, especially late, wasn't on Fautanu, iirc, but I'd have to watch the whole game again. Now we have Jones telling rookies "you're going to get beat, you're going to lose" & that's leadership? He couldn't even secure the alleged position they drafted him to play. So... Sorry for the long way around the barn to ask; Why not have Fautanu play his natural position LT & keep Jones at Right where he seemed to learn at least one or two things, as he puts it. Is the fact that Penix was a lefty really that important? Heck, even the foul mouthed, fan hating, so called O-Line guru your colleague, Batko, interviewed pointed out the pathological trait of changing these guys positions of strength.
Ray Fittipaldo
10:34
Your entire premise is wrong. Jones playing on the right side was directly related to Dan Moore not being able to play on that side. Right or wrong, the Steelers coaches made the decision that Okorafor came out of the lineup rather than Moore. And you're reading way too much into what Jones said. His point was you have to have the mentality that you'll bounce back if you are beaten. Every player in the NFL loses reps during games. The idea is to win more than you lose and to learn from your mistakes.
Yogi in Jersey
10:34
What's your prediction on who will lead the team in tackles this year?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:34
My early guess is Patrick Queen.
SteelersSince72
10:35
Hi Ray, your thoughts on pros and cons of bringing back JuJu?  TY
Ray Fittipaldo
10:36
The Steelers need a legit No. 2 WR. If this was 2017 or 2018 I'd say OK. But this is 2024 and JuJu hasn't been that guy for quite some time.
KPD
10:37
I don’t understand Hayward’s stance? Hasn’t been healthy for 3 years and should be dancing a jig for the compensation he is getting. If he wants out, I say grant his wish and sign younger talent with the money saved!
Ray Fittipaldo
10:38
I'm not sure what you're talking about. Heyward played all 17 games in 2021 and 2022 and was productive. I don't think the Steelers should give him any new guarantees in a new deal, but let's get the facts straight.
TVC15
10:39
Hi Ray,  Will the Steelers ever contend for another Super Bowl under Tomlin?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:40
All depends on what you mean by contend? Does that mean getting to another conference championship game? Getting to another Super Bowl? Sure, I think that can happen, but with this core it better happen soon because this team's stars are aging. Heyward and Watt only have so many years left.
fredward
10:41
Hi Ray, how will Justin Jefferson's mega deal affect Pickens' future contract negotiations?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:41
Well, I don't view Pickens in the same light as Jefferson, but every mega contract has a ripple effect on the position.
Peavy
10:41
Hey Ray.  What do you think the Steelers would have to give up in a trade for Aiyuk as opposed to Samuel?  Thanks.
Ray Fittipaldo
10:42
A second-round pick maybe. But again -- and I always say this when I am asked about a potential trade -- the Steelers have to feel comfortable with the long-term deal with Aiyuk. I wouldn't be a big fan of renting him for one year and letting him go to free agency.
King Kahn Artist
10:42
Who snaps the ball opening day? Thank you, Sir.
Ray Fittipaldo
10:43
Zach Frazier as long as he plays well in camp and the preseason games.
Yogi in Jersey
10:43
It feels like just a matter of time before Peterson returns to the team They could certainly use his leadership if nothing else. Is the hold up on his end or the Steelers"?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:45
If the Steelers sign Cam Sutton I don't think Peterson comes back because he wouldn't have a big role. Your backups have to be able to play special teams. I think Peterson has a chance to come back if he's the starting slot/subpackage defender, but I think the Steelers have to decide on Sutton first.
DaquidoBazzini
10:45
Hi Ray- Any updates on who might be Bill Hillgrove’s replacement announcer wise?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:46
No but I would imagine they'll want someone in place by training camp.
TVC15
10:47
"All depends on what you mean by contend? Does that mean getting to another conference championship game?" --- I kind of mean at least not getting blown out by halftime in the first round. Even a close conference championship game loss would qualify.
Ray Fittipaldo
10:47
Then sure.
King Kahn Artist
10:48
Is everyone going to show up for mandatory Mini camp? And possible holdouts or hold-ins? Thanks.
Ray Fittipaldo
10:48
Most players are now advised to hold in rather than hold out. So a hold in is much more likely for someone like Heyward.
mrbig
10:49
why the resurgence of wr trade talks? WHat changed after June 1?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:50
You mean trade speculation among the fan base? The Steelers are evaluating guys like Van Jefferson and Scotty Miller and Quez Watkins and Roman Wilson now. They'll make a move if they believe they have to after minicamp or sometime during training camp/preseason.
Al from Bethel Park
10:51
I see a lot of talk complaining about the tough schedule toward the of the season.  I see this differently.  A lot of younger Steelers will be better by then, so the team will be a lot stronger.  Those fearsome opponents should get ready for some fear of playing the Steelers.
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