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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 10.07.25
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Ray Fittipaldo
9:58
Good morning. Welcome to my Steelers chat. Post your questions and we'll get started soon.
Andy Carnegie
10:00
Hello, what's the word on Warren?  Is he out this week or questionable?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:01
We'll get an update from Mike Tomlin at noon today when he holds his weekly presser. I did not see Warren in the locker room yesterday so I wasn't able to get an update from him. My educated guess early in the week is he'll be available and ready to play, but as always we'll let his practice participation be our guide.
TVC15
10:01
The Steelers are 4.5 favorites at home against the Browns. Is  this a trap game they will lose?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:03
There is no excuse to lose to the Browns in this game. They starting a rookie QB making his second NFL start. On top of that, the Browns traveled back from London Sunday after they lost there, and they have to travel to Pittsburgh for this game. I understand the Browns have a good defense. It might be a close game, but there be no excuses if they find a way to lose this game. It could be 14-13 or 10-7 or whatever, but find a way to win.
KMan
10:03
Good morning Ray. Are we seeing real trends that the O-Line is improving, or is it a level of competition thing? And is Jones showing signs that he'd getting better, or just treading water?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:06
There was definitely improvement against the Vikings, but it came with a jumbo TE playing 48 snaps and a 325-pound OL playing TE for 19 snaps in those personnel packages. It was successful, and the Vikings were vulnerable to the run so good for the Steelers doing what they had to do to win that game. I'd like to see them run out of their basic 12 personnel package. They have not done that well yet. If they're going to be a threat in the AFC they have to get more out of Pat Freiermuth and Jonnu Smith. They barely played against the Vikings because Washington and Spencer Anderson played a lot. As for Jones, he's been getting better, but he's not a finished product by any means. His technique still has to improve in pass pro.
Brian in CT
10:06
Why did the Steelers have to use their bye after the trip to Ireland but the Browns did not have to use a bye this week?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:07
The Steelers can request when their bye week is placed, but the NFL has ultimate control. I'm not sure what the Browns requested, but the league does not have to honor those requests.
ssa76
10:07
People forget it, but Harbaugh was close to being fired before he made a desperation switch to Lamar. Do you think that if the Raven's season continues the way it's begun he'll be on the hot seat?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:09
Probably, but he has a lot of equity down there. That's a pretty stable organization from top to bottom. However, your point is well made. In 2018, the Steelers were 7-2-1 and found a way to blow the division to the Ravens, who did a great job of fusing Jackson into the offense on the run. It was an epic collapse by the Steelers, but the Ravens did a great job of getting back into the race too.
ssa76
10:09
Was Jones's fumble recovery the best play he's made all year?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:10
If only Chris Berman was still doing Primetime..."Rumbling, fumbling, stumbling." That's all I could hear when I saw Jones scoop up that ball and gain a few yards.
Jimmy the Fist
10:11
It's amazing how many folks I see on X on a regular basis complaining about having an old, washed QB and how the Steelers need to find their next QB. Yes they do, but that's certainly easier said than done. I imagine they'll try hard in the 2026 draft to get one. As for Rodgers, what games are they watching? You could make an argument he's their MVP through 4 games. Thoughts?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:14
I wholeheartedly agree. Even if you have a top draft pick there are no sure things at QB coming out of the college ranks. Just look at the 2026 class. Lots of hype coming into the season, but many of those guys have had rough starts. The reason NFL GMs make the big bucks is they have to dig deep on these guys and figure out if their situations are bad in college or whether they're not top prospects after all. It's going to be an interesting offseason with the combine and pro days if these QBs continue to struggle. Remember how Dan Marino struggled in his final season at Pitt? Sometimes it goes beyond the QB and his talent. And yes, Rodgers is the Steelers' MVP through four games. He might not have monster numbers, but he's playing winning football.
Big Bria
10:14
The last time Baltimore looked this bad early in the season they fired their OC and went on to win the Superbowl. Do you think their DC could also be fired mid-season? I have never seen a Baltimore defense look so uninspired.
Ray Fittipaldo
10:16
They're injured too. There are some pretty big names like Hamilton who have been out, but that's not an excuse. The Steelers have found ways to win with many of their top players on defense being out. And yes, if the Ravens continue to play this poorly they'll have to make a change. They're giving up something like 36 points per game. The NFL record for points per game over a full season is is something like 32. That's how bad they've been.
August West
10:16
Have they soured on Kaleb Johnson - or will he get more chances to show that he belongs?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:17
Tough start for him as a RB and of course as a KOR. You won't see him at KOR again after that gaffe against the Seahawks. And unless there are injuries to Gainwell and Warren you might not see much of him at RB. Doesn't necessarily mean they've soured on him. It might just be that they like Warren and Gainwell more art this stage.
Travis
10:17
Good morning Ray. I appreciate your coverage and perspective. If Rodgers would re-up early on, say by the end of February, and the Steelers were able to see something in Will Howard, is there a scenario where they do not take one of the quarterbacks in this class and perhaps go and draft another offensive lineman in the first round?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:19
Yes, but that's a long way off. I think they'll do their due diligence and have these QBs rated on their board like all the other prospects. They won't reach for a QB. I keep telling people the 2027 draft is promising for QBs as well. So believe me they won't be pressed into picking a QB just because they need one to develop.
NCSteelers
10:19
If Austin is out this week what makes you think that Roman Wilson can get separation from his defender become a viable #2? Apparently he hasn't gotten much separation through the first 4 weeks of the season....
Ray Fittipaldo
10:20
Who says Roman Wilson will step into that spot. I think he might have a role, but I think you might see more of Scotty Miller. He developed a good rapport with Rodgers in the summer.
Zeiseter
10:20
Any word on Trice ? And with Ramsey out, might we see more of Peppers especially since he's had the bye week to get further acclimated.
Ray Fittipaldo
10:22
I think you'll see the Steelers ride with Porter, Slay and Echols at CB this week. As for replacing Ramsey at free safety I think you'll see a combination of Thornhill, Clark and/or Peppers. If someone is playing well early they might just ride with them, but it might have to be a group effort.
Ryan
10:22
Ray what do you think about the play of Kenneth Gainwell he looked good when Warren didn’t play against the Vikings Go Steelers
Ray Fittipaldo
10:22
He's been a very nice surprise. He was good in Philly, but he was never going to play much because they have Saquon Barkley. With more snaps I think you could see him put up some nice numbers.
NCSteelers
10:23
Do you think we will see more of the Big 3 linebacker unit on the field at the same time with Watt, Highsmith, and Herbig with Highsmith possibly returning this week? With the way that Herbig has played must find ways to put all 3 pass rushers on the field from time to time...
Ray Fittipaldo
10:24
Yes, I think you will see that. That was the plan before Highsmith was injured early in the Week 2 game against the Seahawks. You can't play with three OLBs all the time because sometimes you'll need more DBs on the field, but it can be a big part of what they do on early downs.
IUP 99
10:24
Winning games that are supposed to be gimmes have plagued Tomlins teams for many years. While there are no gimmes in the nfl, the Steelers have failed to take care of business many times when they’re supposed to win. Now it’s early October and all of a sudden the Steelers are in the drivers seat in the North with upcoming games everyone is chalking up as wins. Very frightening. Will history repeat itself this season or will we actually get the wins we should?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:25
These are two games the Steelers have to win if they fancy themselves as true contenders in the AFC. This goes beyond the division. Look around the AFC. The Chiefs are 2-3. The Steelers not only have a chance to win the North, but they have a chance to get a high seed. They have to take advantage of this stretch because the schedule does get more difficult after the Browns and Bengals games.
Chuck from Michigan
10:26
Hi  Ray, always enjoy your chats.  Khan/Weidl always boast about building up the OL/DL with large bodies to dominate that side of the ball.  Do you think Steelers will benefit from drafting a few more “studs” on the DL and switching to a 4-3 defense? I think that could better stuff the run and allow for speedier LB’s to be deployed for both run and pass defensive schemes. Appreciate your thoughts.  Thanks.
Ray Fittipaldo
10:28
Yes, they are not done rebuilding the trenches. I am sure they will draft another DL this year. Heyward is still playing great, but his time is coming to an end. Harmon was a good pick this year. They need to find another player like him for 2026 and beyond. And they might have to draft a guard in the spring. Isaac Seumalo is in the final year of his contract and he hasn't played particularly well. Maybe they have plans for Spencer Anderson to take over that job, but either way I think they'll draft a guard to compete for that job.
Wiscoken
10:28
Hi Ray, Payton Wilson's play the first two games was suspect.  Since the DL has improved, opening up a bit of space (really since Harmon has gotten into lineup), his game looks much better. Was this the primary issue, and do you see him finishing the year building off this momentum? Hoping he proves to be a strong every down player vs. role/spot LB.
Ray Fittipaldo
10:29
Good points. I also think inserting Holcomb into the lineup in base helped him. The way Teryl Austin described it was it took a little off his plate. He's still going to play a lot, but it seems like he's been able to focus in and be really good on second and third downs.
John from kentucky
10:30
Any word on wr2? Olave maybe?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:31
I never say never with Omar Khan as the GM, but the trade deadline is a ways off. I think there is another month or so before that comes. I definitely think they want to see how serious Austin's injury is and whether they can excel with guys like Miller and Wilson in more expanded roles. If it doesn't look good over the next few weeks then sure they could make a move, but I don't think it's a front-burner issue for them now. I think they want see how this unfolds in the next few weeks before they make any big moves.
Jersey Danno
10:32
Ray, Who's QB3 this week?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:33
Logan Woodside is in that role if they activate him to the 53-man roster, but he's currently on the practice squad. There is no rule that says you have to dress three QBs. They could only dress two until either Thompson or Howard comes back from IR.
Darrin
10:33
Vegas still has Baltimore as the favorite.  Why should we have any thoughts that the division is ours?
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