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Gerry Dulac's Steelers chat: 01.31.24
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Gerry Dulac
11:28
OK kids, let's get our chat started. fire away....
Bill
11:29
Should the Steelers cut Cole Holcomb? Like Devin Bush, its highly unlikely he can be productive coming off of major knee surgery and the $ 6 million could be better spent on someone more effective next year.
Gerry Dulac
11:33
I don't think they should, nor do I think they will. At least, not yet. I think they have to see where he is in his recovery before making that decision. But, yes, he is due $6 million in salary this season. If they cut him, they would save an additional $6 million in 2025 between salary ($4m) and roster bonus ($2m). His cap hit this year would only be approximately $3.2 million.
Bill
11:33
Please tell me that Presley Harvin won’t be on the team next year. He kind of represents the mediocritiy of the Steelers, some potential but never delivers.
Gerry Dulac
11:33
Well, I can't promise that...
Bill
11:33
Do you have any concerns about Aurther Smith? He's not exactly an offensive guru nor seems to specialize in play designs or anything like that.
Gerry Dulac
11:34
And you base that on....what? Extensive film study? I have no problem with the hire. An experienced OC with a proven record.
KDub
11:34
Gerry thanks for the chats and your work covering the Steelers! I don't get the angst over the Arthur Smith hire. People act like they're going to do nothing but run and be allergic to the forward pass. Seems to me they're getting a guy to play to their strengths. An air raid offense isn't going to work here but that's what some seem to want. They got an experienced guy who has had success doing what they want to do and he's got head coaching experience. Last time they went this route it was Todd Haley and that worked out pretty well. What say you?
Gerry Dulac
11:35
I say I like the hire.  And, once they interviewed him, thought he would be the guy. Checks all of Mike Tomlin's boxes. What did the naysayers want -- another guy who has never been an NFL OC?
Tony
11:36
Do you think Cam Heyward will finish up as a Steeler? Do you think the Steelers do a void year contract with him since he doesn't want to take a paycut?
Gerry Dulac
11:37
Oh, he'll have to take some type of paycut. They aren't going to pay him $16 million this season in salary and have him count $22m against the cap. They will come to some agreement.
Jay
11:38
Good morning Gerry.  Cowher was much better at picking his staff, how much of it is DR willing to be competitive financially with coaches?  If the rumors are more accurate that Art is more frugal with coaching salaries,  maybe it is unfair to fault MT on his poor staff.
Gerry Dulac
11:40
Yes Cowher was, but I will point up that both the Chief and Dan Rooney were never considered high-rollers who tossed around money like it was Christmas morning, either.
JP
11:41
I think AR II handled MT’s contact situation quite deftly with a balance between unequivocal public support and behind the scenes messaging/maneuvering. There was certainly some sort of message at the beginning of 2023 when AR II deviated from the established practice of renewing the coach’s contract with 2 years remaining. He allowed MT the freedom to keep complete control of his 2023 coaching staff by retaining Canada. When it became obvious to everyone (probably even MT) that Canada didn’t have the support of the locker room, he stepped in and forced a change without humiliating MT (unless AR II was your source), and even then AR II didn’t contradict MT’s version of events. I believe MT’s extension (or nature of extension visa vie years/amounts) was at least partially dependent on the extent to which MT accepted Omar Khan’s and AR II’s input on the OC search. He then reaffirmed his unequivocal support for MT in his year-end press conference and stated that MT had final say in the OC search, which is as it
Gerry Dulac
11:42
Somewhere in the midst of that lengthy observation is several granules of truth.
Lefty
11:42
Arthur Smith is the one and only candidate they interviewed who meets the criteria MT and AR2 laid out. What happened to casting a wide net? Do you think there were candidates who turned down their interview requests?
Gerry Dulac
11:45
I think they thought they couldn't afford to keep waiting and interviewing and possibly lose a candidate they really liked. Honestly, now, how many candidates would turn down a chance to coach one of the most successful, most proud, most storied franchises in the NFL without at least taking an interview??? C'mon. Are you kidding?? They're not the Carolina Panthers.
JP
11:45
Tomlin only interviewed 3 candidates for the OC job.  Where would Tomlin be if the Rooney's stopped the HC search in 2007 after only 3 interviews?
Gerry Dulac
11:45
He'd be hired
Lucky
11:45
Maybe Brian Grease for QB Coach? What you think?
Gerry Dulac
11:47
I think it's not happening. I'm told Mike Sullivan will be back as QB coach unless he gets an OC job elsewhere. And that's a smart move. The QBs love Sullivan and he would be a great buffer for them while they transition to a new style of offense
Paul Blart
11:47
How much freedom do you think Arthur Smith will have in choosing his offensive staff?
Gerry Dulac
11:48
He could have input, not freedom. But, as of right now, there are no openings.
JP
11:48
Arthur Smith’s Contract is reported to run through 2026. Kenny Pickett’s contract, without and extension, will run through 2025 or 2026 depending on whether the Steelers’ exercise his 5th year option. While not known yet, MT’s contract will likely run until at least 2026 if not 2027. I’m taking bets that at the beginning of the 2027 season, MT will not be coach and Smith and Pickett will no longer be with the Steelers. Which side of the action would you recommend?
Gerry Dulac
11:48
Three years in the NFL is a long time
JP
11:49
I think the Steelers’ relatively swift hiring of Arthur Smith makes sense only if the Steelers reached out to Klint Kubiak and possibly Darrell Bevell and were spurned. We know Zac Robinson accepted an OC position without interviewing with the Steelers. Otherwise, I think it was premature end to coach search and a sign that either Tomlin is too resistant to “something” (change / a bright young up and coming coach who may be so successful he leaves in 1 – 2 years to become head coach) or that those coaches (Robinson, Kubiak) don’t consider the Steelers OC job as desirable as the other opportunities they have. Arthur Smith may be the good ground and pound offensive coordinator, but the next Mike McDaniels, Sean McVay or Kyle Shanahan he isn’t. What do you think?
Gerry Dulac
11:53
Soooo...Atlanta is a better job than the Steelers? A better organization? A better recent history? I know it's nice to think that taking a chance on a young coach who has never been an OC can be tantalizing. But he wasn't hired to be a head coach. He was hired to be a coordinator. And the more former head coaches you have on your staff, the better. Don't forget that. That's the other reason I like the hire. Tomlin needs more coaches with a proven NFL track record on his staff. Look around, he doesn't have a lot.
KN Phoenix
11:53
Hello.  Thank you as always for the chat.  I do not know if it was meant to convey a message to MR camp, but Mr. Rooney also mentioned in his press conference that Steelers would like to bring Rudolph back.  Do you know if the Steelers have already approached MR or when do you expect them to approach him about a contract ?  I believe that they do not have to wait till the start of the free agency to do so since he is still part of the team . Am I correct ?  . Thank you very much.
Gerry Dulac
11:54
That's correct. But it's up to Rudolph to decide if he wants to at least test free agency to see what's out there before re-signing with the Steelers.
The Big Lebowski
11:54
I'm curious, do you watch Pat McAffee's show and if so, what are your thoughts?
Gerry Dulac
11:54
No
The Big Lebowski
11:54
What do you expect Coach Artie Smith to change with our offense?
Gerry Dulac
11:54
Everything.
TxSteeler
11:55
ARIII was adamant Monday that Mike Tomlin made the the call to move on fro. Canada. Do you stand by your report that it was ARIIIs final decision?
Gerry Dulac
11:55
It wasn't his FINAL decision.
Sal
11:55
Do you foresee any potential offensive staff changes with Smith coming in?
Gerry Dulac
11:57
Right now, as I stated earlier, there are no openings on the offensive staff. Doesn't mean one won't be forthcoming, but I don't think they are going to clear some space just to accommodate Smith, not unless Mike Tomlin has already decided to make that move. But I do believe he would've made it by now.
Sal
11:57
Thanks for your chast Gerry. I have seen the negative reaction of Art Smith hiring because of his stance in Atlanta but do you remember the same animosity when Haley came back after having bad results as KC HC?  So let the guy work !
Gerry Dulac
11:57
Bingo.
KN Phoenix
11:57
Hello.  Thank you as always for the chat . Do you like Arthur Smith hire and if so , why ? I know what he said in his press conference, but do  you see Mr. Rooney influence on this hire ? Why did they only interviewed 3 candidates ? I believe they could have interviewed 49ers Klink Kubiak this week or other candidates. Thank you very much.
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