JotCast | Gerry Dulac's Steelers chat: 04.03.24

Gerry Dulac's Steelers chat: 04.03.24

Gerry Dulac

9:41

OK kids, we will start our chat soon, so get your questions ready...

9:54

Ok, here we go...buckle up!!

Bill in LA

9:54

ESPN had a feature article last Friday saying the Steelers told Kenny Pickett that “Russell Wilson would get first team reps but there would be a competition”. So this was the Steelers changing their minds, now they don't believe in him! KP’s request to go elsewhere was about not wanting to be treated with disrespect like they did to Mason Rudolph. So I don’t think you were correct last week in saying that KP “did it to himself.” Rather its the Steelers consistent odd behavior relating to quarterbacks since Big Ben retired, that is the problem, not KP. Comments?

Gerry Dulac

9:56

I'll say it again for your purposes -- Kenny Pickett did it to himself. When they signed Russell Wilson, I said we'll find out about Pickett -- is he a flower who will wilt in the face of competition or is he a fighter who will battle for what he thinks is his? You got your answer.

Bill in LA

9:56

We never got any explanation, do you know the answer? Given Mason Rudolph’s fantastic performance and the Steelers saying they wanted him back, why didn’t they sign Mason? They could have had him for only $ 4 million! Why did they try to lowball him if they really wanted him back?

Gerry Dulac

9:58

For the same reason they signed Mitch Trubisky and drafted Kenny Pickett in 2022 -- they thought they had better options. I've also said this many times -- I felt bad for Mason Rudolph. He got dumped on two or three times by the Steelers. If anybody had the right to say it was time to move on -- Pickett's words when he arrived in Philly -- it was Mason.

JPinIndy

9:58

Good morning Gerry! What does your Magic 8 Bal say? Are the Steelers done in free agency?

Gerry Dulac

9:59

I would never say never. But I think the major moves are done, though I still won't rule out a trade of some significance.

Ranger 73

9:59

Hi Gerry - Steeler free agent activity has cooled down after some stunning opening moves. Do you think that it may reignite after the draft?

Gerry Dulac

9:59

It won't ignite to the point of what we just witnessed.

GPT

10:00

OT, WR, C, CB. Ideal first four picks scenario?

Gerry Dulac

10:00

Not bad.

The Truth

10:00

Before his infamous exit, did Kenny Pickett ever come off as a "brat" to you or your colleagues? Everyone always seemed to speak highly of his character, then everything changed once he left. Was he always like this, or were there signs of it?

Gerry Dulac

10:00

You saw it the first time things didn't go his way

The Truth

10:01

If the Steelers don't draft a big time center, likely in round 1, are we setting up the offense for failure again, ala Kendrick Green? After round 1 or 2, they're mostly a crapshoot. Is this a no doubt first or second round choice?

Gerry Dulac

10:01

I'm with you there my friend

KINGHCW

10:01

Any validity to the "rumor" of trading Highsmith to improve draft position. Hope not, looking forward seeing Alex, JT, and Queen on the field together.

Gerry Dulac

10:01

Yeah, right up there with Ben coming back

The Truth

10:02

One of the formulas to stopping great QBs is blitzing them right up the middle. Why do the Steelers not invest in big time D linemen or inside backers that can blitz? Or why don't they adjust their scheme to do that more often? When Pat Mahomes lost to the Buccaneers in the Super Bowl, they blitzed him right up the middle over and over. That was also Tom Brady's kryptonite. Just an observation. Thoughts?

Gerry Dulac

10:02

Uh....Patrick Queen.

Sleepy Steve

10:02

Chances the Steelers surprise and go DL with the #20 pick?

Gerry Dulac

10:03

Wouldn't be a surprise at all. In fact, it would be welcomed.

Andrew from Johnstown

10:04

Hey Gerry! Since the Steelers are in need of some WRs, is there any interested in a player like JuJu? The organization knows him well, obviously. Thanks!

Gerry Dulac

10:04

I like JuJu, but too many injuries and probably not the No. 2 receiver ideally they would like

Sleepy Steve

10:04

Why are your chats so early in the morning? I'm just waking up, man!

Gerry Dulac

10:05

I suggest you go to bed earlier. Kind of like Christmas eve. But glad you got up!

Sleepy Steve

10:06

Hi Gerry, why do the Steelers not give out the #1 jersey? K Gary Anderson is the last guy I recall wearing that number. Maybe a practice squad QB after that.

Gerry Dulac

10:07

I think Anthony Wright and David Trout wore No. 1 too

Guest

10:07

Good morning. First time I’ve been off during a chat, excited to turn in a question. As an avid golfer, you have witnessed John Daly’s career and had to wonder how good could he have been had he tried? Who comes to mind from the Steelers who had a decent career but seemed to fritter it away?

Gerry Dulac

10:08

Wow that is some analogy....I'd say Martavis Bryant. Might have had more talent than any receivers they've ever had

Barry H

10:08

If one of thr QBs shows signs of being a five plus year option will might the team break tradition and negotiate during the season. They are both on one year deals.

Gerry Dulac

10:09

They won't during the season. They will re-visit with Wilson after the season. That is the intention of both parties. I wouldn't be surprised if they did something sooner with Fields.

Sleepy Steve

10:09

Better chance of happening: Steelers trade up, or trade down at #20?

Gerry Dulac

10:09

Bill in LA

10:10

Russell Wilson was an above average quarterback with the Broncos last year, 26 touchdowns to 8 interceptions, had a 5 game winning streak. Given the Broncos had to pay Wilson anyway in 2024, why didn’t the Broncos just keep him for one more year as their starter?

Gerry Dulac

10:11

I'd say he was a little more than above average. Hey, I think the Broncos have proven beyond a shadow of doubt that anything they do doesn't make any sense.

Scott via Ky

10:11

At this point in your career, would you rather break a big story or write a creative artical?

Gerry Dulac

10:12

Big stories are like the star athletes -- everybody wants to see them

Sleepy Steve

10:12

What's your favorite road-city to travel to for a Steelers game?

Gerry Dulac

10:12

Baltimore. Cincy. Indy