JotCast | Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 12.16.25

Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 12.16.25

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Ray Fittipaldo

11:04

They're a good nucleus, but I think they need to add another young player in the draft in the spring to add to the mix.

epiballo

11:05

Watching 'First Take' this morning, no one thinks the Steelers' recent play (Baltimore, Miami) is sustainable. They think, due to schedule, the Steelers probably will win the division, but not a playoff game. What say you?

Ray Fittipaldo

11:06

All depends on the matchup. The Bills would be a tough matchup for them, but I could see the Steelers beating the Chargers or Texans at home in a playoff game. If the playoffs started today the Chargers would be the opponent based on a tiebreaker over the Bills.

John S.

11:06

Ray, Thanks for the chats and always enjoy discussions. Good win and after a slow start, Offense seemed to start clicking. Any observations on major drivers of this smoothness: Crisp route running with veteran receivers, good game plan by O coordinator, AR given more latitude or just a bad team being proven?

Ray Fittipaldo

11:08

It was 14-3 and they had a third-and-11 at the Miami 28. I thought for sure they'd try to get a few yards and kick a field goal to make it 17-3. But they were aggressive and Rodgers threw a perfect ball to DK Metcalf, who made a great catch and run to score and make it 21-3. Those types of plays are huge. The Steelers have had a more aggressive mindset lately. I think it's a posture they want to stay in as the playoffs approach.

David D

11:08

Hey Ray, If Herbig is out and TJ doesn't play next week will Harrison or Leal get some snaps at OLB? Sawyer looked shaky last night?

Ray Fittipaldo

11:09

Leal got a few snaps late in the game. Sawyer looked shaky in coverage, but he didn't stand out as being bad against the run. I'm sure teams game plan for hi when he's in the game. They know he can be a physical player versus the run so he's attacked in coverage.

Chill Dave

11:11

Hi Ray, has Gainwell been the Steelers MVP this year? He just makes plays every game. I know they are invested in Warren and drafted Johnson, but Gainwell seems like a must-re-sign in the offseason. What do you think?

Ray Fittipaldo

11:12

OK I had to look up Gainwell's contract status. Apparently he is a free agent after the season. My bad. For some reason I thought he signed a two-year deal in March. But to my earlier point, they should give him the same money they gave Warren. It wouldn't cripple their cap, and they could go forward with two versatile backs.

Lee In SC

11:13

Hi Ray,Joe Burrow Dreaming here, but what would it take for the Steelers to trade for Joe Burrow? 3 1st round draft picks (‘26, ‘27, ‘28)? 2 1st round picks and Mason Rudolph? 1 1st round pick and either Watt/Highsmith Mike Tomlin Seriously, what would it take?

Ray Fittipaldo

11:13

Keep dreaming.

epiballo

11:14

Many think of the Lions as the 15-2 juggernaut they were in 2024. But they are 8-6 this year. They are favored at home, of course. But what do you think? Do the Steelers have more than a punchers' chance to pull out a win?

Ray Fittipaldo

11:14

If they can score touchdowns on four consecutive possessions again they'll have a great shot. They need that offense to show up in Detroit.

Doyle37

11:15

Is the Tomlin press conference today or Wednesday ?

Ray Fittipaldo

11:15

It's today. Starts in 45 minutes.

Doyle37

11:16

Since our #3 running back doesn't do much and we have #83 as a third option, wouldn't it be better to sit him and dress an extra Olineman, Dlineman or other player that might contribute more ?

Ray Fittipaldo

11:16

It might get to that point if the injuries continue to be a concern.

Mark

11:17

Hi Ray. Two random thoughts on ex Steeler quarterbacks. I have a new found respect for Matt Canada. He made Pickett look like a serviceable QB. No other OC has done that.
The Steelers did Fields a huge favor by benching him after the Steelers started 4-2. If they would have let him start the entire year, their record would have probably been 7-10 and he never would have gotten all that guaranteed money from the Jets.
What do you think? Thanks.

Ray Fittipaldo

11:17

I actually think the Steelers would have found a way to go .500ish with Fields and maybe even make the playoffs.

Noah Kravitz

11:17

Do you think this team has any chance to win against Detroit with what we saw yesterday? I believe that we saw an immensely better Steelers team against an opponent that was coming in hot.

Ray Fittipaldo

11:18

The offense has to play the way it did yesterday for 60 minutes, not just 35.

Jersey Danno

11:19

DK Metcalf or Vance MacDonald?

Ray Fittipaldo

11:20

McDonald's was all power and then runaway speed to finish it off. Metcalf's play had a little bit of everything. A big shrug off then a shimmy shake and then another stiff arm to get into the end zone.

Matey

11:24

From your perspective around the team, did this win feel different emotionally than recent ones?

Ray Fittipaldo

11:25

It did. There was a playoff atmosphere at Acrisure last night. The Steelers made that happen.

TVC15

11:25

Are all his replacements actually playing better than Broderick Jones?

Ray Fittipaldo

11:25

I'll say this: there hasn't been much of a dropoff.