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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 05.28.24
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Ray Fittipaldo
10:30
Welcome to my Steelers chat. Let's get started.
Tom M.
10:30
What do you think Khan’s plan is for the WR room? He seems to be very patient and lets things come to him. I’m thinking he’ll wait to late training camp and see who gets cut for salary reasons. Is that realistic or do you think he’s confident one or two of these new guys will develop into a good no. 2?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:33
I think they will evaluate rookie Roman Wilson and the new veteran receivers they signed over the next few weeks in OTAs and minicamp. They'll also evaluate in the first few weeks of training camp. If by then Khan doesn't feel like he has a legit No. 2 receiver on his roster then I think he'll look to make a deal. There will be options with post-June 1 cuts or trades.
TVC15
10:34
Hi Ray,  I read somewhere that the Steelers gave John Rhys Plumlee the highest signing bonus ($35K) the organization has ever awarded to an undrafted player. What is their fascination with him?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:35
I'm not sure yet. The only thing I've noticed so far is he's smaller than Russell Wilson.
35 Years Old
10:35
Why does Cam Heyward feel he’s entitled to a new contract when a.) he’s 35 and b.) he hasn’t exactly lived up to his contract when he was 33 and 34? He should show up and be happy the Steelers don’t cut him.
Ray Fittipaldo
10:37
I don't know that he feels entitled to a new contract, but he wants a new contract. NFL players have short careers with only so many years of earning power. You have to maximize it while you can. But it's also a business, and the Steelers have to make some hard business decisions and consider if Heyward, at his age and coming off a major core muscle injury, is worth the investment. Just because he wants a new contract before the season begins doesn't mean he'll get one.
BHritz
10:37
If either Wilson or Fields has a breakout season in ‘24 is it realistic that we could fit them into our salary structure in ‘25?  I understand that “breakout” is relative, as is “fit into salary structure” but I fear that we have painted ourselves into a corner and we’ll have to draft a 1st round QB in ‘25.
Ray Fittipaldo
10:41
They'll have the cap space to pay Wilson or Fields in 20205. They're in decent shape with the cap going forward. Wilson won't command a "franchise" QB deal at this stage of his career. If Fields ends up being the guy he won't command top dollar, either. Look at the contract the Bucs gave Baker Mayfield. It was a three-year, $100 million deal, but it's structured in such a way that they can get out from under it if things go awry before the deal expires.
Cam Needs Cut
10:41
Ray it seems the Steelers are content going into the season with a lack of top-end WR talent and the best player is borderline malcontent
Ray Fittipaldo
10:42
Unless they make a trade in August. And who knows maybe one of those veterans or Wilson can be a competent No. 2. I'm not betting on it, but let's see how things play out in the first few weeks of camp.
Jim
10:42
Do you think we will stand pat at WR and hope guys step up (Mims, Watkins?) or trade to get more talent?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:43
I think they'll wait to see how it plays out, but we all know Khan is patient and might be able to land a No. 2 in a trad, if need be.
Jim
10:43
Are we done building the OL? Do you think we will focus as much on the DL in the next few drafts now?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:46
Yes after taking three OL in this draft I'd be surprised if they take another OL high in next year's draft. Obviously, the hope is Mason McCormick or someone else can come on and take over for James Daniels as the starter in 2025. And you have to plan some for the eventual departure of Isaac Seumalo, likely after the 2025 season. But to your point, the DL is aging and the young players on the roster haven't exactly developed as the team had hoped. They need to get better and younger at the position. Keeanu Benton was a nice start last year, but they need to keep getting younger as older players like Heyward and Ogunjobi cycle out.
Sammie
10:46
Hi Ray, assuming Frazier wins the starting center job, would Herbig be considered the backup to him?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:47
That's likely the way it will play out. Herbig can also play guard so he's probably going to be the top interior backup at both spots.
WestCoast Steeler
10:47
We drafted like we are going to be a ground and pound team.  Can that style win in today's NFL?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:48
Yes, if you have a QB who can also make some plays in the passing game. You don't need a 5,000-yard passer to win in the playoffs, but you do need someone better than Kenny Pickett.
Jim
10:48
Do you think the plan is to resign Harris after this year or find a cheaper option and Warren for next year?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:48
I'm thinking cheaper option.
Ed in Carrick
10:48
is the third qb for the season on the roster or will they be grabbing a new one at some point during or after training camp?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:49
They signed Kyle Allen to the No. 3 QB.
Ed in Carrick
10:49
Does the team think either Trice or Rush can make the 53 or will they be practice squad?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:51
That's largely up to them and how they perform in the coming months. Both are bigger CBs that can play in press coverage. The Steelers want to play that style on the outside. Trice is coming off a knee injury while Rush played for three teams during his rookie season. Obviously, it's not the way either wanted to enter the NFL. They'll get opportunities this spring and summer to make their push for the 53-man roster.
Cam Needs Cut
10:51
Arthur Smith hates passing the football. Fact or fiction,
Ray Fittipaldo
10:52
Fiction, but he does value the running game.
Big Sid
10:52
While I’m sure he wouldn’t want to move inside, but could Moore play LG, if needed?  Understanding we don’t need a starter, could be in a pinch or is he strictly a LT.
Ray Fittipaldo
10:53
I've attended 90% of the practices since Dan Moore arrived in Pittsburgh. I have never once seen him line up at guard. If they felt like he had that capability I think they would have at least tried it in a practice by now.
Steeler Nut
10:53
Will Dan Moore be the starter at LT when season starts, and is it possible that Fautanu is the swing tackle his rookie year?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:54
They didn't use their first-round pick on Fautanu to be a backup as a rookie. Broderick Jones started 11 games last season as a rookie. Fautanu is older than Jones and had more college experience so I'm betting he starts more than 11 games. I'd actually be surprised if he's not the starter in Week 1, but we'll see on that.
Big Sid
10:55
Aren’t we perilously thin at CB - not only for the ‘24 season, but more so following this year with the exception of JPJ,  Minkah, and the unproven picks from last year?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:55
Much like receiver they are evaluating some young defensive backs this spring and summer. And much like the receiver position they'll have options to find starter-capable DBs in July or August.
Guest
10:56
I'm definitely not sold on Wilson.  He is up there in age, has declined, and I always thought he was heavily overrated his whole career anyway.  Fields has proven he is another good college athlete who is a NFL bust.  What is the backup plan when/if both fail miserably?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:56
3 more new QBs in 2025?
Guest
10:56
Thanks Ray for everything.   With the offense line, linebackers being shored up, do you think the D line needs help?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:57
I do, but I'm not sure how much they can upgrade between now and the start of the season.
Steve
10:58
Is there an underling issue with Cam? What is happening now makes no sense.
Ray Fittipaldo
10:58
The underlying issue is he wants to play beyond this season.
Guest
10:59
Good morning!  Do you see either Harris or Warren getting a contract extension offer this summer? Or would say it’s unlikely for either?
Thank you!
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