Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 08.19.26
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Ray Fittipaldo
11:07
OK just got back from Mike McCarthy interview. It will be Will Howard and Drew Allar only against the Jets on Friday night.
Please post your questions.
Turk in MD
11:08
What exactly is going on with Troy F?  It's been stated in previous chats that he may be our best OL.  (Maybe that's Frazier now).  Is this just getting familiar again with playing from the left side or something else?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:09
I think he's still getting used to playing on the left side. He's done interviews in camp saying as much. There is still 3 weeks until the regular season for him to get that ironed out.
NYSteel
11:10
Is it possible that Samuel starts ahead of Porter if Porter does not get back to practice and learn the defense and contract negotiations have broken down/reached a stalemate?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:11
I would say as long as Porter is signed by game week he would start. If he doesn't sign until Friday or Saturday then I could see Samuel starting. And yes I know Watt signed on Friday and played, but he's a different animal.
Buddy Dial
11:11
For years I've been hoping for a full back if the steelers genuinely want to run the football. How much do you think MM will employ a fullback  ?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:12
It certainly seems like Riley Nowakowski is in their plans. Likely will depend on the opponent. Might be 5 snaps one week and 20 the next.
Turk in MD
11:12
Looks like the start DL of the future is Benton, Black, and Harmon.  Harmon looks legit.  Black (it's been reported by the PPG) needs to improve his technique but is a natural NT. My question is whether Benton is just a good rotational player or is he the next Tuitt?  His contract suggests that he is?  I'm not sure...
Ray Fittipaldo
11:13
He's a much different player than Tuitt, who could rush the passer and play the run well. We've seen flashes of pass rush from Benton, especially last season. As far as run defense goes I don't think he's in Tuiitt's league. If Tuitt played now he'd get much more than Benton got.
11:14
In my first 53-man roster projection I had the Steelers moving on from Johnson. Here is the full story https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/steelers/2026/08/19/53man-roster-p...
NYSteel
11:15
Does Kaleb Johnson get cut or traded or make the team?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:15
Question to previous answer.
NYSteel
11:15
Are you worried about the o-line? They looked awful against the Packers starters.
Ray Fittipaldo
11:16
The were some issues in pass pro, but the one sack was on Homer and not the OL. I'd even say it's on the scheme more than Homer. You can't expect a RB to block Lukas van Ness 1-on-1. I didn't think the run blocking was very good, but I don't think they were emphasizing that either. It seemed like they focused on the passing game in the opener.
Buddy Dial
11:16
What percentage of defensive plays do you think we will see Watt moving around on the defense  ?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:17
They won't show anything like that until the regular season. So TBD.
Paddy
11:17
Is Max Iheanachor's injury neck-related, and is there any elevated level of concern there? He was supposed to be back in a few days initially and now it's set to be at least 2 full weeks with McCarthy saying he's unlikely to play Friday.

Neck issues can be trickey, and it's a little concerning to me.
Ray Fittipaldo
11:19
We have not been told the nature of the injury, but speculation has been it's a stinger. And yes those can be bothersome. According to McCarthy's initial discussion with us it was not considered a serious injury so I doubt it's escalated into something that will keep him out long term, but we'll see. McCarthy said the other day it's unlikely Iheanachor would play against the Jets.
MikeM65 in Florida
11:20
The Steelers seem to be dishing out quite a bit of money to players who have never made a pro bowl and even aren't full time starters.  Is this the new norm in the NFL?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:22
I definitely think they are projecting with Herbig and Benton. I think they'll be starters by next season. In these types of situations, where players are behind established veterans, yes there is some betting on the future. And no, I don't think it's the norm across the NFL. Unique situations with Watt and Highsmith blocking Herbig and Cam Heyward playing well deep into his 30s.
The Robber
11:22
Hello Ray,NFL cutdown day can be a roller coaster ride for players. Initially you may make the 53-man roster, but then you’re waived the following day when your team grabs a recent cut from the waiver wire. If the Steelers go shopping the day after cutdown day, what position would they look to upgrade?  And who might be cut to make room for the new acquisition?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:23
Safety most likely. Not sure their depth is good enough there.
George C. from Scott
11:23
Do NFL teams still have a Turk? I remember that from the Noll era, but you don’t hear about someone specifically designated much anymore.
Ray Fittipaldo
11:24
There might not be one specific person do it, but yes there is a guy or guys who are assigned with contacting players and then having them meet with the GM. We get to see those uncomfortable moments once in a while during the season too when you see someone gat tapped on the shoulder in the locker room when there is a move.
Turk in MD
11:25
I appreciate the need to keep a veteran back up QB on the team should/when the 43-year old QB gets injured.  Do they think Howard or Allar could be the backup in 2027?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:26
I think they're trying to find out if they can be the backup this season. Howard will start against the Jets and the coaches will get to evaluate him against their starters for at last a few series.
Jana
11:26
Being an x offensive lineman what is your opinion on if this O line will mesh this year all things considered???
Ray Fittipaldo
11:28
It's an interesting group. Frazier is a really good center. I think eventually the left side will be good. Fautanu has not looked real comfortable at left tackle yet, but I think he will. The starters on the right side are placeholders. Eventually it will be Max Iheanachor and Gennings Dunker. How quickly do they become starters is the question. That's the O-line of the future, but Iheanacr's injury and Dunker coming along slowly means it won't happen early in the season.
Turk in MD
11:28
Any update on how long before Max is back?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:29
I don't think it will be this week.
TVC15
11:29
Hi Ray, Is there any trade value for Kaleb Johnson instead of just cutting him?  Seems like some team would give a late round pick to take a chance on his potential.
Ray Fittipaldo
11:29
I doubt it.
BPOS
11:30
One has to wonder if JPJ is wanting to be paid like a top 3-5 CB when its likely the Steelers and the rest of the league put him just outside the top 10.  What do you think the risk is he and his agent have LeVeon Bell like delusions and simply refuses to play. It feels like we'd be ok regardless so I think the Steelers have more leverage there no?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:31
Bell's own agent did not want him to hold out. That was all Bell. So no, that won't happen. It might come down to the wire, but I still thinks this deal gets done before the start of the regular season.
brian
11:31
Hi ray, Do you think the CB play we've seen in preseason from our two corners has given the Steelers some leverage with Porters negotiations knowing they have good back ups?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:32
It's nice to know the depth is good, but Porter is an upper echelon player at the position. He makes the defense better if he's on the field.
Stairway to seventh seed
11:32
Ray: is part of the 3 vs 4 QB issue dependent on whether Allar can clearly separate from Howard in demonstrating long term potential?  If they leave the preseason thinking Allar is definitely a high potential future starter, is there really a need to also keep Howard?  If they do keep 4, will that mean that Allar is probably not the answer?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:33
Yes there is because Rudolph is not signed beyond this season. I think you want both on the roster next offseason even if the plan is to draft another QB.
Peter
11:34
If MM has seen everything he needs to from Rudolph, is he locked in as the #2, or do the Steelers want to avoid him getting injured so a trade can occur?
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