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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 06.10.25
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Ray Fittipaldo
1:50
Welcome and let's get started.
Broadway Bo
1:50
will Payton Wilson be a starter at ILB?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:52
I asked DC Teryl Austin that very question early today. He believes he can be a three-down backer. Here is part of Austin's response: "I think you have a really conscientious player who has the work ethic and the drive to do it. He’ll get it done.”
GMJoe
1:52
Ray, this Watt holdout is petulant. What part of the cost-benefit makes this behavior sensible?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:53
Look around the NFL. A lot of players are holding out. It's just the latest ploy by agents to get new deals for their players. None of it means anything. It's all posturing and a business decision.
Josh
1:55
Hey Ray, we keep seeing articles that say TJ should have a contract extension by week 1 of the season.  Understandably it's not just a run of the mill type of contract given what Myles got guaranteed.  But we're in June, why does this need to drag out clear until training camp or after?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:56
If both sides are motivated to get a deal done then they can get one done before training camp. If one side is not then that's where you see things drag on.
Lou
1:57
Hey Ray!  Who do you think is AR bunk mate at camp? Cam right?!
Ray Fittipaldo
1:58
Tomlin is usually pretty thoughtful about those assignments, but if I had to bet Rodgers probably gets a single. There are a few of those at Saint Vincent.
Guest
1:59
Hi Ray - with Rogers now in the fold, do they “go for it” and make a few more moves to try and be realistically competitive in the division by adding at WR and CB?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:59
Not sure who they'd sign at CB. They signed Slay for $10 million in March and already have Joey Porter. But at receiver, yes, I expect them to try to improve that group.
Jeff M
2:00
The Steelers in the past have refused to negotiate with players holding out. Does TJ skipping mini camp count as a hold out and delay contract talks until he shows up at training camp, if he does at all?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:00
He can show up and the deal could get done that day, but you're right, the Steelers won't be moved by Watt staying away from minicamp, or training camp for that matter.
Sherry
2:01
Thanks for the chat Ray, First impression of Aaron Rodgers?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:01
Rodgers is doing his first interview around 3:15 following practice.
Tom P.
2:02
Ray, will the addition of Slay and development of Bishop allow the Steelers to play something other than Cover 3 or 1 the vast majority of time?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:02
I just want to know if they can line up right.
Beal
2:03
What are the odds the offense is above average this year?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:03
Not sure what above average would constitute but if they averaged 24 ppg they'll win a lot of games because I think the defense will be good again.
TVC15
2:04
How many NFL head coaches hired since the Steelers Super Bowl loss to the Packers are better than Tomlin? I mean besides Jim Tomsula. Jim Harbaugh? Bruce Arians? Andy Reid? Kyle Shanahan? Sean McVay? Dan Campbell? Nick Sirianni? And those are only the slam dunk ones.  Why do people think it will be so impossible to (gasp!) move on from Tomlin?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:04
I love how Tomsula is your first mention joy
Big Ben's Ghost
2:05
Your prediction on how many TD passes Mister Rodgers throws in 2025 as a Stiller?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:05
27
JJ
2:05
More media in town for the US Open or Aaron Rodgers?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:06
Today? Aaron Rodgers although I'm guessing that will change by the weekend.
yaaawn
2:07
Went from 36 year old Wilson for $10 mil to 41 year old Rodgers for 10 mil. Did he have 5 wins last year? Tomlin is ridiculous.
Bud
2:07
Ray, I see reports of Baltimore being interested in Jaire Alexander? If they can use him certainly the Steelers' need is bigger?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:07
They actually had Wilson for $1.1 million.
Tom P.
2:07
Ray, communication issues played havoc with the defense even at the end of the year. Queen was the Green Dot holder. He lost that job in Baltimore. With the return of Holcomb and emergence of Wilson could that change if these issue keep reoccurring?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:08
They're paying him too much money to bench him.
Cal from nh
2:10
How does Rodgers change the view on next years first rounder?  If he plays very well and wants another year will the Steelers keep him and add a rookie with the pick stockpile? Garrett Nussemeier would be a guy they might not have to trade up for who could learn how to slice and dice like arod. Or regardless of his performance do they look to aggresively trade up for a top 5 qb pick?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:11
They'll cross that bridge when they come to it, but the plan is to get a QB in the draft next spring.
Ron K
2:13
Do you think the Steelers can start the season with the WRs as is?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:13
They can, but I look for them to make a move.
Steel Mike
2:14
Why does it seem like Pitts Sports writer/Reporters are not allowed to to make negative statements about Tomlin?  Are you instructed by your superiors to avoid this?  It seem the national media are now starting to turn on Tomlin and realize he is not the coach for Pittsburgh anymore.  His outdated coaching style and stubbornness of not adjusting is getting old.  Ever wonder why he has no coaching tree?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:14
joy
MrMark
2:18
Are we going to see the Minkah of 2022 or will we get the same player from the past couple of years?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:20
They want him to make more splash plays, but it's not so simple. Teryl Austin on Fitzpatrick's lack of turnovers: “That’s his calling card. He hasn’t had as much success as we would have liked. I think the he works and prepares those things will come. He’s just had a dry year or so.”
Paul
2:20
Hi Ray, the writing is on the wall: trade Watt now. No LB is worth $50 mill a year that's ridiculous
Ray Fittipaldo
2:21
It's $40 MILLION, but I get your point about the skyrocketing salaries.
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