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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 04.15.25
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Ray Fittipaldo
11:58
Welcome and let's get started.
Craig
11:59
What would you expect the Steelers to do at QB if they don't sign Rodgers?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:59
Play Mason. And although some might think such a scenario would make the Steelers inclined to take a QB in Round 1 I don't share that view.
Josh
11:59
If Shedeur and their top DL is both on their board at pick 21, who do the steelers take?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:00
The top DL.
Sunner in Orlando from Lebo
12:00
I am beginning to believe the Rodgers does NOT want to be a Steeler. I can't blame him either as this team is not an Aaron Rodgers away from a Super Bowl and he could get killed behind the current O line. I'm sure he will wait until after OTA's to decide if and where he will play. What say you?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:00
I've stopped trying to predict when and what he'll do.
epiballo
12:00
Many star players changed teams towards the end of their careers. Franco ended his career in a Seattle uniform, and he, in my opinion, was a more impactful player than Watt (if you count Super Bowls). Where do you come down on this: trade or extend (to the tune of a Miles Garrett contract)?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:01
Extend him. Give him $90 or $92 million full guarantees and structure the deal in such a way that it's easy to get out of in Year 4 or 5.
Steeler Joe
12:02
Hey, Ray -- love the chats. The over/under on draft day trades  by the Khan artist is 1.5. Which way are you going?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:03
I'll go under, but I'd love to see one that gets them back into the second round. And, by the way, they've brought in a bunch of players this spring who are projected as second-round picks, including one today in Ohio State RB TreVeon Henderson.
epiballo
12:03
What trades (if any) do you think are real possibilities before/during the NFL Draft? Will they really take Sanders if he falls to 21? I'm pulling for the Saints to take him earlier.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:04
Pickens for a second or early third. I don't think they'd take Sanders, but it would depend upon who was left on their board.
epiballo
12:05
What do you think the win total will be under Aaron Rodgers and Mason Rudolph? Is the potential one or two games worth the money for a 42-year old QB, or is more a matter of making the playoffs or not?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:06
9 or 10 with Rodgers and 8 or 9 with Rudolph. This team is still built around the defense. And Tomlin wants to be able to control tempo with a ball-control offense. Rodgers is probably worth another win, maybe two, but I don't think it would be a huge drop-off if Rudolph had to play this year.
MrCJJr
12:08
Hello Ray. Thanks for the chats and your insight. Question: Where do you think TJ's salary per year will end up? Less than the $40M/yr that Garrett got or more?
I remember the last contract TJ signed made him the highest paid edge rusher.
I'm thinking he'll be under Garrett but more than say Crosby (which I think is 2nd behind Garrett). Thoughts?
Thanks
Ray Fittipaldo
12:08
Maybe the compromise is giving him more in full guarantees.
Linebacker Lounge
12:09
A few weeks ago, ARII said they would wait “a little longer” for AR. Please define a “little longer”?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:09
I'm guessing the draft, but again, who knows? They've waited this long. What's the point of giving him a deadline now?
Greg H
12:10
Ray, if both Derrick Harmon and Kenneth Grant are there at 21 do the Steelers try to trade back towards the end of the first to pick up a 3rd thinking one of the two will be available later?  Also, all this talk about their interest in any QB is just smoke, right? RIGHT????
Ray Fittipaldo
12:10
They'd have to know for sure they'd get one or the other, but I'm guessing they'd just make the pick at 21 otherwise.
Jacob
12:11
Thanks for the chats, Ray! I’m a big fan of yours.
I’m not an Aaron Rodgers hater or fanboy. To me, he could help, but we don’t need him. Having said that, I just want the story to go away. When will we have an answer, and what do you predict it will be?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:11
I still think he'll sign, but I have no idea when.
Linebacker Lounge
12:11
Where does all the cap money go, should AR not sign? Missed opportunity on high end DL FA or a top flight more youthful corner to a 3 year deal. What say you ?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:12
They can always roll it over to next year, but no one is left worth signing to big money.
Freeze Frame
12:12
Ray, if we reinvigorate DL with youth and power and the ability to collapse the pocket from the inside - wont this help make TJ even more dominant?  As well as improve every position group on D side of ball.  Let’s get two monsters!  Deal Pickens not TJ.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:13
Yes and yes!
Dave Moody
12:13
Hello, Ray, and thank you for taking my question. Is Sanders too tempting a pick for Tomlin at 21, or are we practical and draft a stud DL?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:13
I sure hope they're practical and draft a DL.
TVC
12:13
I know there are teams worse than the Steelers but with almost half of all NFL teams making the playoffs is it really that great of an achievement to make the playoffs 4 out of the last 5 years just to get blown out by halftime? Is it really something to crow about?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:14
No but the consistency is impressive. You just wish they'd have better showings once they get there. They just get out-coached every single year.
Dr. Sardonicus
12:14
Hi Ray, I have to assume that AR won't come to the Steelers and maybe shouldn't be signed if he did change his mind.  Why not use AR's cap space to re-sign TJ and get that over with?  Hopefully so it doesn't carry over to next year.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:15
That's not a bad idea, Doc.
Just Sayin
12:15
Have any of the Steelers DL actually improved under Karl Dunbar? Is giving him a first round talent like giving your grandmother a lamborgini? Hopefully a high level guy will not need as much development.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:16
Not really, but to be fair it's not like the Steelers have given him many high picks to work with. Benton in the second in 2023 is the highest.
LK
12:16
We have two VERY GOOD outside linebackers besides Watt.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:17
Agree, but Watt makes HIghsmith and Herbig much better. And are we convinced Herbig could be a full-time starter at his size? And are we sure Highsmith getting six sacks a year would be enough if they dealt Watt? I say no.
Silent Bob
12:17
Hi Ray - what is your thought if Sanders falls to 21? if you were Omar, would you take him?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:17
No
Bob
12:18
Hi Ray, I’m not even going to pretend to understand how Aaron Rodger’s thinks but it appears to me that he is going to drag this out as long as he can to see if he gets any better offers (Vikings) and he is using the Steelers as a back up plan.  I know there’s no on field activity until June but how long do the Steelers let this go on?
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