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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 07.22.25
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Ray Fittipaldo
11:57
It's good to be back after a few weeks off. I hope everyone is having a great summer. Me? I'm ready for some football. Let's get the chat started.
John from kentucky
11:57
good morning! Do you think the Steelers are done making moves? I would like to see them add another Wr. Thoughts?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:58
Not necessarily. I think we have to see how free safety plays out this summer. Will it be Juan Thornhill or Jalen Ramsey? Or someone else we're not talking about at the moment. Receiver is a question mark too although not as much after acquiring Jonnu Smith. I am a bit concerned about the receiver depth though. One injury there and it's looking mighty thin.
Sunner in Orlando from Lebo
11:59
With the addition of Sawyer, will the defense be willing to rotate the OLB's a bit more to maybe save TJ and Highsmith from wearing out at the end of the year like the last 5?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:01
Teryl Austin has said Watt and Highsmith determine when they want to come out of the game. He didn't have any issues with that last season. He wants his best players on the field as much as possible, and he trusts them to know when they need a break. It is a bit different this year because Sawyer probably is better than any fourth OLB they've had in a while. But I don't expect the rotation to change drastically.
Guest
12:01
Will Corey Trice and Donte Kent get a chance to try out for the free safety position in training camp?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:02
I wouldn't be surprised if we see some different faces back there, but I don't expect Trice to be one of them. The coaches want big, rangy corners, and Trice fits the bill. Also, he's barely played at corner due to injuries so I don't expect them to add a new position to his resume.
Tampa Too
12:03
Ray, so if Aaron Rodgers does the unthinkable and leads the Steelers this year to a Super Bowl victory and then retires does he go into the Hall of Fame as a packer or a Steeler?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:03
joy
Steel in Indy
12:03
Ray, thanks for the chats!  Old enough to still think this game is won in the trenches.  I believe that the Oline will make some strides this year, if they remain healthy.  Have they done enough to bolster the Dline?  If they have above average play from both, think there is significant upside for the season.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:06
They tried to address the position in the offseason, but I think it's going to take more than a year to rebuild this unit. Derrick Harmon was their top pick and has already been named a starter. Yahya Black, who came in the fifth round, could get a chance to be in the rotation because he's known as a run-stopper. We'll see if he can make a quick transition to the NFL. But other than that the only other move was signing veteran Daniel Ekulae to a very reasonable contract. To me, DL is one of the biggest concerns as they head into camp. Lots of questions to answer.
Sunner in Orlando from Lebo
12:06
I know there were no pads on this spring but who looked like the better receiver between Wilson and Austin? Any rumors on who they may sign off the waiver wire or do they wait for camp cuts?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:06
Austin for sure. And if they want a WR of any consequence they won't wait until roster cut-down day.
Sunner in Orlando from Lebo
12:07
Hi Ray thanks for he chats! How will the offense look any different from last year with Smith as the coordinator and conservative game plan which was hard to watch? Will he let Rodgers check out of a bad play which were many last year or will he be bound by the play call?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:07
I sure hope so. Otherwise, you're putting the handcuffs on one of the NFL's all-time greats who has seen it all in his two decades in the league.
Josh
12:08
Any chance Rodgers pushes a sled tomorrow?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:08
I knew this one was coming joy
Surly in Sheraden
12:08
A lot of talk about a possible WR addition, but isn’t Safety more important to add to (the depth at safety seems worse than at WR)?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:08
You can certainly make an argument for that.
John in Florida
12:09
Good morning Ray, thanks for doing this chat on the eve of training camp. The Steelers have made many changes this offseason, bringing in 30+ year olds like Rodger’s, Ramsey, and Slay while extending 30 year old Watt. They now have one of, if not the oldest roster in the league. Do you think this older roster can hold up through a 17 game season plus possible playoff games? It’s great to have veteran leadership, but if the trade off is more rest time or injuries, what have we gained?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:11
You're definitely rolling the dice when you have so many elderly -- I mean veteran -- players. They actually have decent depth at OLB and at the very least they have numbers in the secondary should a guy like Slay go down. Honestly, it's all about Rodgers and whether he can stay healthy. If that happens, I think the Steelers will be in contention for a playoff berth.
martian
12:13
Ray - any word on if another WR will be added, and if so, who it could be? Lots of cap space left.
Ray Fittipaldo
12:13
I think they're going to let camp play out a while before making any moves.
Bud
12:14
Ray, for this year who would you rather have, Ramsey or Jaire Alexander and why?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:15
Great question. Alexander is younger, but he has a checkered past. Ramsey has had some issues in his previous stops, but he's the better player At least he was in his prime.
Bob
12:15
Have been reading that Tomlin is going all in for this season with picking up older players (i.e. over the hill gang) and if he does not get at least a play off win, he will resign after almost 20 years as HC.  What are your thoughts?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:16
I don't get the sense he will resign if that happens. Love the Over the Hill Gang reference. Those were the Redskins of my youth.
KDub
12:16
Do you think the Steelers could be in the market for a depth piece along the DLine or are they satisfied with what they have?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:17
Not unless a lot of the guys on the 90-man roster are underwhelming over the next few weeks.
Ryan
12:17
Good afternoon Ray who will you be watching at camp I’m looking forward to seeing your reports to see how the rookies and everyone Else looks go Steelers
Ray Fittipaldo
12:18
So many things to watch up in Latrobe. I'll be keeping a close eye on the rookies, of course. In terms of veterans, this is a huge camp for Broderick Jones. And, of course, the new guys will be interesting, all of them from Rodgers, Metcalf and Smith to Ramsey on defense.
Bubbymopsupfornobody!
12:19
Ray, I think one of the most discouraging things about the Steelers’ roster is there are so few up-and-coming at reserve positions on the offensive line. In years past they always had a third fourth or fifth round draft pick in n their rookie year or second year, blossoming as a potential starter or a solid reserve. It just seems like lately it’s been UDFAs  and waiver wire pick ups. Do you think they might use some of those extra compensatory pics next year to address this?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:20
One of those unproven guys last summer was Ryan McCollum. He made the roster and played pretty well when Zach Frazier was injured. Sometimes the UDFAs and low-round draft picks just need a chance.
Bubbymopsupfornobody!
12:20
Ray, thanks for the chats! What do you think the biggest remaining need is? Third/starting safety.? Wr? Or reserve OL?
Ray Fittipaldo
12:21
WR or FS. I'm not as down on the depth on the OL as others.
Chuck Mac
12:21
After 4 games ??  4-0, 3-1, or 2-2??  Don’t even think anything worse Ray😄
Ray Fittipaldo
12:22
They better be 3-1 or 4-0. They'll be in bad shape otherwise.
Mass Fan
12:22
Welcome back! Not a lot of respect from national folks. Similar expectation to the Pats!! What impacts this most? AR is old, coaching not good enough, schedule is tough, other??
Ray Fittipaldo
12:23
I highly doubt the Steelers are viewed on the same level as the Pats, but I get your point. They have a lot to prove. Given the way last season ended, I'd say the coaching has to step up. The Steelers didn't just lose five straight to end the season they were overmatched in every way on offense and defense.
Blake
12:24
Training camp injuries, especially with the rookies, which area can least afford a training camp injury that lingers through the season.
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