JotCast | Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 09.03.25

Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 09.03.25

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Joe

10:25

We only hear about Cam’s hold-in. What’s going on with Boz? He’s actually justified in asking for more money

Ray Fittipaldo

10:26

That quietly went away. He returned to practice and he's kicking on Sunday. The Steelers will make him the NFL's highest-paid kicker over the offseason.

Turk in MD

10:26

Maybe the Warren contract shows a shift in how Tomlin views the RB position - committee vs. feature back? specialist vs. 3-down back?

Ray Fittipaldo

10:26

The NFL is a sub-package game now. You need different types of guys at all positions.

Tommy from Florida

10:27

Good Morning Ray. With the seemingly knee jerk trade of Micah Parsons to Green Bay involving minimal compensation [two first round picks and Kenny Clark], why wouldn't Omar Khan have, at least, explored the idea, or made Dallas an offer? If we made a similar offer and included a player like Highsmith/Herbig, this would've kept Parsons out of the NFC. Furthermore, the first round picks involved would be similar in compensation; Both teams [GB/PITT] generally end up drafting very close to one another. What are your thoughts? Thanks.

Ray Fittipaldo

10:28

So you're advocating the Steelers have the NFL's two highest-paid defenders AND they play the same position. That doesn't make a lot of sense.

Tom M.

10:29

The Steelers seem to have confidence in going forward with Austin as their #2 WR since they haven’t brought in anyone else. They’ve extended Warren so why do you think they haven’t also extended Austin?

Ray Fittipaldo

10:29

Because they want to see how he does this season. Warren has a longer track record.

10:29

Hi Ray, will we see a bomb on the first offense drive of the game or will it be runs on 1st and 2nd down again?

Ray Fittipaldo

10:30

My magic 8-ball says play-action on the first play to Pat Freiermuth down the seam.

Ryan from Ohio

10:30

I always had a great deal of respect for Cam but to be named a team captain and then asked about playing Sunday and hearing “we’ll see “ is not being a leader. What are your thoughts?

Ray Fittipaldo

10:32

In 2021, TJ Watt did not sign until two days before the season. He was not selected as a team captain. When Tomlin was asked about it he simply said the players choose the captains and he delivers the news. In this case, if the players truly do choose the captains and Tomlin does not intervene, then they hold Heyward in higher esteem than they did Watt four years ago. It's also possible Watt declined his captaincy because of his hold-in.

JPinPDX

10:33

Good morning Ray. I'll set the over/under for sacks allowed by B Jones in Week 1 at .5 ... which way you going?

Ray Fittipaldo

10:33

I'll be optimistic: under

Tom M.

10:33

I’ve seen it reported that if Cam sits out, he would need to return some of that roster bonus. Do you know if that’s true?

Ray Fittipaldo

10:34

If he's on the 53 he keeps it. So they'd have to place him on the non-football injury list to make him pay that money back.

Broadway Bo

10:34

Hello, Ray. Why would the Steelers move Mount Washington to tackle? He is a receiving threat that if utilized will open up the offense.

Ray Fittipaldo

10:36

First of all, it's not easy to switch positions. It's actually hard. But the reason they would do it is because developing tackles is hard in the NFL. The college game has struggled producing good offensive linemen.

chuck mac from Houston

10:36

Metcalf catches? over under on 3???

Ray Fittipaldo

10:36

Over.

Guest

10:36

How concerning is the season‑opening absence of DT Derrick Harmon due to a knee injury, and how do you expect players like Yahya Black or Isaiahh Loudermilk to step in?

Ray Fittipaldo

10:37

Black is Harmon's backup on the depth chart, but they could go to one of the veterans. Like Tomlin said yesterday, they're all going to play regardless.

Brother M

10:37

Does the Rodgers vs. Jets “revenge game” storyline really matter?

Ray Fittipaldo

10:38

You'd be surprised at how professional athletes are motivated. Might it be overblown? Sure, but I'm sure he's looking forward to playing the team that unceremoniously cut him in February.

Metcalf Szn

10:38

How big a factor will Justin Fields’ mobility be against the Steelers defense?

Ray Fittipaldo

10:39

It's big. I don't think Fields can beat them solely with his arm. The Steelers have a very athletic linebacking corps so they're set up well to limit his effectiveness in the run game.

Cuddle Me Arthur

10:39

Do you see this matchup being a defensive slugfest?

Ray Fittipaldo

10:39

Yes. My official prediction is 13-9.

chuck mac from Houston

10:40

Rodgers TD passes? over under on 2??

Ray Fittipaldo

10:40

Under