JotCast | Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 08.26.25

Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 08.26.25

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Ray Fittipaldo

11:55

Welcome and let's get started.

Guest

11:55

Any reason Yahya wasn't drafted higher? He seems legit.

Ray Fittipaldo

11:58

I've been wondering the same thing. He did not have a lot of sack production at Iowa. if NFL teams are going to draft DL high they want those game-changing plays. But even if he never is an elite pass rusher -- and I think he has potential be a good rusher -- his ability to take on two blockers and be a force in the run game suggests he should have been higher than a fourth-round pick. I think he has a chance to be a good player in the rotation this season and could be a future starter.

dpreble001

11:58

Ray, any prediction on who the Steelers put on the practice squad?

Ray Fittipaldo

12:00

I thought they had some good young receiver in camp so guys like Max Hurelman and Ke'Shawn Williams are possibilities. I could see them re-signing Lew Nichols at RB because he had a good camp. Maybe some of the guys who are being released today too. We won't know the full list until 4 p.m. although a few have already trickled out. And there will always be guys from other teams too.

Michael

12:01

Ray, will Herbig be extended with Highsmith still under contract? Hopefully it won’t be a Vrabrel situation again?

Ray Fittipaldo

12:02

Highsmith is signed through 2027. Honestly, I think this season will be a big factor on how they proceed at the position. Highsmith has struggled some with injuries. If the injuries continue to hinder him this season then maybe they decide to go forward with Herbig.

Michael

12:02

Ray, if Broderick Jones grades out in the middle of the pack this yr, is his option picked up?

Ray Fittipaldo

12:03

That would be a big step forward to yes in that scenario.

STEEL72

12:04

Ray, would love to hear your take on Super-Bowl-winning qb Kenny Pickett's NFL trajectory. A 5th round pick in exchange for a dude who had to have thought he'd be taking over from Joe Flacco sooner than later and is now backing up Geno Smith in the near term. Should he simply be grateful to be out of Cleveland full stop or is he wondering what he's done to anger the football gods?

Ray Fittipaldo

12:06

It's obvious at this point he's a career backup. I go back to the 2024 offseason. He asks for a trade because he did not want to compete with Russell Wilson. Looking back, who was he to pull such a stunt. He had done nothing in the NFL to take such a stand.

Butcher

12:06

Ray, Cut down day! All things are possible on cutdown day... With leals release, and herbig still rehabbing, do we look for an edge or roll with what we have? Also do we carry 4 QBs with Thompson's great preseason? My thougt would be it gives us a trade chip to trade mason or Thompson if injuries happen, but it would mean less depth elsewhere. .

Ray Fittipaldo

12:07

I'm expecting Will Howard to go to IR. But if someone does want to offer a pick for Skylar Thompson I'd be all ears. I just don't think that's happening.

Pittfan

12:07

Hi Ray. Is Malik Harrison still considered an option for outside linebacker in case of emergency?

Ray Fittipaldo

12:07

He has that versatility, yes. But he's played mostly outside in camp.

Butcher

12:08

Second question- Kenny Pickett on his fourth team. (My thoughts are that when he requested a trade from Pittsburgh , refusing to fight the corpse of Russell Wilson for a spot, he told the world he was ready to hold a clipboard, but I digress).... We keep saying we compiled picks to move up the draft board next year, but college QBs always a crap shoot - who has a good or bad year, who comes out etc... if Quinn ewers came out a year earlier he would have been taken in the first. After the Pickett debacle, will the Steelers be gun shy about going all in on a QB if it isn't a guy that is a consensus pro? Or do the swing for reasonable value at whatever pick in the top two rounds until they hit?

Ray Fittipaldo

12:09

This is well-stated on Pickett... As for the approach to QB in 2026 and beyond -- they have to keep taking their shots. One of these times they'll hit.

artie bridge

12:10

Ray, How big a role - if any - do cost savings play in making final roster cut/stay decisions? To take one example, I see in the coverage of the punter decision that Waitman costs less than Johnston.

Ray Fittipaldo

12:11

This is true, but it's not a huge savings in this case. Maybe $2 million or so. But I guess every dollar counts if they were equals.

IL Steel

12:12

Will Austin and Jonnu be ready Week 1? When can we expect to see Harmon and Herbig?

Ray Fittipaldo

12:13

Austin and Jonnu seem like they're on track to play against the Jets. Harmon is expected to miss a game or two. Herbig also could be out early, but we'll have a better idea next week.

IL Steel

12:13

How has Queen looked this summer? Haven't heard a thing about him.

Ray Fittipaldo

12:14

He's been fine. Payton Wilson definitely getting more hype, but I don't think Queen's performance has been below the line.

12:14

Hey Ray, was kinda surprised they kept Corilliss as the punter, how about you?

Ray Fittipaldo

12:16

I am too. Johnston didn't have a bad camp. Waitman was better though. I go back to 2021 and how they should have kept Waitman over Pressley Harvin. He's a good punter.

John from kentucky

12:16

after the release of woods, do you see the Steelers going after thelein or meyers

Ray Fittipaldo

12:16

I wouldn't be surprised if they acquired a receiver.

Bob

12:16

Fair to say Black has been just as impressive as Harmon and will play as much in yr 1?

Ray Fittipaldo

12:17

Yes and no. Harmon is a starter. Black is not. Yet.

Ryan from Ohio

12:17

Seems as though the 2022 draft was one of the worst in sometime. Only players left are Austin and Heyward. Seems like a bad draft and picking a bust of a Quarterback at number one can really set a franchise back. Steelers seemed to rebound quickly though.

Ray Fittipaldo

12:18

Probably not the way Kevin Colbert wanted to go out.

Ryan

12:18

Ray what do you think about the play of Carson Bruner he looked good this preseason also when can we start signing players to the Practice Squad GO STEELERS

Ray Fittipaldo

12:19

He was very good on special teams. The practice squads are announced a day or two later after the players who are cut clear waivers.

Leaper

12:19

If they snag a receiver from the waiver wire, do they keep six or does someone get cut?

Ray Fittipaldo

12:19

They might have six on their 53 to start the season, but I don't think the sixth is currently with the team.

Gene

12:20

Do you think Trice makes the roster?

Ray Fittipaldo

12:21

No but he could go to IR for a third year in a row. Or maybe he's waived injured and he comes back to the Steelers later in the season if no one else picks him up. I'm not sure how many teams are itching to add an oft-injured player to their 53-man roster. Trice hasn't practiced in almost a month so I just don't see him making the initial 53.

fra

12:21

Hello Ray, where do you see the steelers ending up in the standings.

Ray Fittipaldo

12:22

2nd behind the Ravens. Bengals will be right there too. We could see three teams from the AFC North in the tournament.

BAB

12:22

Do you think the Steelers take a flyer out on Diontae for a receiver?

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