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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 03.04.25
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Ray Fittipaldo
1:55
Welcome and let's get started.
the real guest
1:56
Ray, I see Justin Fields as the low risk, low dollar, low reward choice and to tell you the truth it is the choice I hope they make. What say you?
Ray Fittipaldo
1:59
It's the choice I would make as well and for several reasons. If Fields is their guy I do wonder why the deal isn't done. If Fields want to test free agency I question how much he really wants to be here. Maybe it's all a negotiating ploy, but he didn't have a market last year when he was sent to the Steelers for a sixth-round pick. Did his market change all that much that they want to see if something better comes along? If so, they better be careful. I don't get the sense the Steelers want to sit around and wait through the early days of free agency to find out who their QB will be.
Guest
2:00
When should we see the Steelers sign either Russ or Fields? I know before next Monday at noon, but is there a day we should consider?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:00
I don't sense that anything is imminent. When money is involved deadlines create action so maybe we'll see something over the weekend like late Sunday into Monday morning.
Guest
2:00
Any free agency prediction signings?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:01
A CB who can start or compete with Cory Trice Jr. And DL and WR too.
the real guest
2:01
Ray, In terms of yrs/$$ and % guaranteed what do you think Fields market value is? I don't think it is much.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:01
2 for $30 is what I was thinking.
NC Steel Fan
2:02
Is it time to skip the 3-4 D?  I feel like it used to be an effective defense when coordinators would blitz but we seldom have been blitzing the last several years and are trying to get home with only four.  Also, you used to be able to find OLB/tweener DE’s later in drafts (Porter, keisel, Aaron Smith, etc…) but doesn’t seem like we found any of those either lately. What are your thoughts?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:04
All good points. They're basically only in their 3-4 25% percent of the snaps per game. The rest they're in sub-packages. I'm of the belief you get the best players and fit them into a defense that works whether it's 3-4 or 4-3. Mike Tomlin will tell you it really doesn't matter with them playing in sub for the majority of games.
LarryG from Punxy
2:04
I think we need DL in Round 1.  Who are our best viable options?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:06
Guys like Kenneth Grant, Walter Nolen and Derrick Harmon. Maybe one or two others. Harmon was one of the best testers at the combine. He ran a 4.95 in the 40. For someone who is 315 that's moving! Nolen didn't work out. Grant didn't do much either because of a hamstring injury. I would expect the Steelers to go to their pro days or bring all three of those guys in for top-30 visits.
the real guest
2:06
Ray, Imagine how good your D is when you let Darius Slay walk to save 4.3 mil in cap hit and the move makes sense. Wow somebody in Philly knows how to draft. Agree?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:07
Howie Roseman has it going right now for sure. But before you say the Steelers sign Slay please consider how the last old CB they signed in free agency did. Patrick Peterson was a shell of his former self in his one year with the Steelers and no one signed him last season. I'd much rather spend double the money and get a 25-year old who is on the ascent.
Stairway to seventh seed
2:07
Ray: did the combine dramatically change your view of any players from a Steeler perspective?  For instance you mocked Stewart to them a few weeks back and he weighed in at only 267.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:09
Yes, the combine always changes things. Stewart, for example, dropped 15 or 20 pounds. So now for a team like the Steelers he'd be a hybrid edge/DE. Definitely a smaller DE in the mold of DeMarvin Leal. But more than likely he goes to a team that will use him purely as an edge rusher. I have to tell you though he was really disruptive with his hand in the ground when he played inside for the Aggies. I'd be tempted to move him around as a defensive coordinator.
Bedford
2:10
Please tell me the infatuation with Fields in this town?  He has been in the league FOUR years--and hasn't improved.  This is the same town that gave KP a little over a year, before running him out of town--so whats the difference.  Anyone that watched the first 6 games knows the offense was dysfunctional with him behind center, and squeaked out wins on FGs.  Yes, he can run fast--but is a one-read QB without accuracy.  Not exactly a 'franchise QB' resume.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:11
I think the infatuation is he'd be cheaper than Wilson and thus the Steelers would be able to spend more resources on other parts of their roster, which is much needed. I don't even the boldest Fields fan would suggest he's a future franchise QB. But I think he could be a decent bridge QB until they find their next one. It's hard. Look around at all the teams in search of one.
Chuck from Michigan
2:11
Hi Ray, I am hoping that the Steelers find a buyer for George Pickens and get a 2nd round pick in return.  If successful, take your first three picks and grab BPA’s for one WR and two DL.  If Kenneth Grant or Emeka Ebuka is there at pick 21, grab one of those guys and execute the rest of the draft plan.  Appreciate your thoughts.  Thank you.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:12
I'd be fine with that as long as one of those early picks is used on a receiver. They'd also have to spend some $ in free agency on a starting WR, which they might do anyway. I could also see them keeping Pickens and then dealing him in the fall if they're out of contention or he's a headache again.
Danny
2:13
When do u think the steelers will make some cuts
Ray Fittipaldo
2:13
Can happen anytime. You'll see some of those before Monday along with some guys signing before free agency.
Danny
2:13
When u were at the combine what dlinemen did u like
Ray Fittipaldo
2:15
All those guys I mentioned a little while ago -- Harmon, Grant, Nolen. All different, but the Steelers could make it work with any of them. Harmon is a 5-technique, Nolen a 3-technique and Grant a nose tackle although all three are position flexible. I like defensive linemen in the second and third round range too. Really good year for them.
Sunner in Orlando from Lebo
2:15
Can the Steelers realistically sign Slay as a corner opposite Porter? That would be money well spent. Still think they should sign a FA DL and WR like Cupp and draft a DL in the first round, draft a receiver second round and draft a QB 3rd round then spend the rest of the draft drafting the best players available. What say you?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:16
I hate the idea of going year to year with veteran corners. Eventually you have to find a young guy who can grow with Porter. As I said earlier, spend some $ and get a younger free agent.
RV
2:16
I know that Omar and Steelers are patient, but its starting to feel like free agency is going to arrive and we still won’t have a qb signed…leaving us to scramble for our third ( or fifth, sixth) choice.  Valid concern ?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:16
Yes especially since Khan said at the combine that the types of receivers they go after in free agency and the draft will depend on which QB they sign.
PghFNinCali
2:17
With all the needs the team has, would it be crazy to see them pick a QB in the first round of the draft?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:17
Yes crazy talk. And I've seen the Jaxon Dart mocks. Did we not learn anything from the Kenny Pickett Experiment?
Sunner in Orlando from Lebo
2:18
How do you approach the money to resign Watt and Minkah? Do you possibly trade either or both or sign both? Do you break the bank on Watt when he is a luxury right now as the Steelers are not close to being a super bowl contender. (Much like having an elite closer on a 70 win team in baseball)
Ray Fittipaldo
2:19
Good analogy with the closer. I like that. I think the Steelers will pay Watt and give him a small raise (because the cap went up). He's a legacy guy and Khan said he wants him to be a one-helmet guy. I wouldn't think about re-signing Fitzpatrick given his lack of production the past two seasons. If he does not have a good 2025 they can cut him next offseason with little hurt to their cap.
574 Fan
2:19
The sense that I get from Fields is he wants to at least test the market (he’s been silent, and he is unsigned to date). Russ gives the opposite vibe - like he would sign now if an offer were on the table. Of course this is all reading between the lines, but do you get a similar sense?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:20
I do, but it might just a ploy by his agent to get the most money possible for him. The Steelers won't overpay for either QB. That's why Khan said "all options are on the table" last week at the combine.
Sunner in Orlando from Lebo
2:21
Is Dan Moore gone? I should be happy if he moves on but what if Jones is worse at LT vs RT? That kills the run game and causes our QB to run for his life every play like the last 5 games last year.
Ray Fittipaldo
2:21
Yes Moore is gone. The Steelers used the No. 14 overall pick on Jones. They have to find out about him at left tackle.
AK
2:21
As much as the Steelers need a WR, regardless of whether Pickens is traded, don’t they need d-linemen more?
Ray Fittipaldo
2:21
Yes!
Silent Bob
2:22
Hi Ray - People are questioning why the Steelers didn't get Deebo. Why would any top WR come to a team that does not even know who its BACKUP QB is gone to be...nor its starter? Not knowing your QB seems like a really weak position to be in a few days before FA starts. Is this a sign of dysfunctional leadership - disagreements on which QB to target? Or, the QBs are in control so why sign with a team before evaluating options? Seems unlikely they will be able to attract a top WR in FA.
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