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Ray Fittipaldo's Steelers chat: 08.12.25
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Ray Fittipaldo
10:47
Good morning on the final day of Steelers practice at Saint Vincent College. Posy your questions and we'll get started in a few minutes.
Harry Callas
10:48
Regardless of how the situation ends, how much damage do you think has already been done to Cam Heyward's relationship with the fans?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:53
The fans are almost 100% against Cam, which isn't always the case when it comes to contracts. However, I will point out that many fans didn't want the Steelers to sign T.J. Watt to a new contract. I think a lot of it stems from the fact that this team hasn't won in the playoffs in a long time. I'm reminded of the old quote from Branch Rickey when he didn't give Ralph Kiner a new contract. "We finished in last place with you. We can finish in last place without you." It's been amended to "We can get blown out in the playoffs with you we can do it without you too." The comments at the end of my story on Heyward from yesterday were proof of this. I don't think there was one person who defended Heyward. That's what he's up against with the fans. In the end, it doesn't really matter, but overall with families not being able to afford trips to the grocery store because of inflation they don't give a darn about Cam Heyward's bank account getting bigger.
Austin Bechtold
10:53
Hey Ray, I know that the public seems pretty frustrated with Cam Heyward, but how do you think the team feels about the current situation? Is there real bad blood on both ends of this?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:57
Well, since Heyward has been asking for an adjustment since February, I think you know all you need to know. Cam is dug in and I don't think the Steelers are going to fold either. Maybe if Cam agrees to accept a couple million as an advance they'd do it, but I don't get the sense they're going to advance him half the March roster bonus, which is around $7 million. Cam says he doesn't feel valued, but he's already collected $30 of the $45 million on the three-year deal he signed. And he's only played one season. If they advance him $7 million that would be almost 85% of the contract before he played a down in the second year of the deal. I can see why the Steelers don't want to budge.
rick51244
10:57
I don't understand the Heyward sit-in, and now he's saying he would consider not playing in the regular season?  He seemed happy with the negotiations one year ago.  What changed?
Ray Fittipaldo
10:59
He made first-team All-Pro. The Steelers guaranteed TJ $108 million. They sweetened the contracts of Jalen Ramsey and Jonnu Smith when they were acquired. I'm sure that ate away at Heyward as he watched those things happen. But honestly, it all goes back to the question I asked Cam yesterday: why didn't he take a one-year deal rather than a three-year deal? He didn't really answer the question. In the end, he was coming off an injury and a bad season. He didn't have much leverage. It was probably the only deal the Steelers were going to agree to.
Jersey Danno
10:59
GM Ray. Did you see anything Saturday night that will impact your next roster projection?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:00
Scotty Miller balling out again and Robert Woods playing deep into the second half. That told me Woods is not assured of a spot on the team despite his past resume.
Jersey Danno
11:00
Ray, I didn't get a chance to watch the game yet. It sounds as if the QB's were fine, but the running game was questionable. How did you grade the running game while the first team OL was in?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:01
Not great. They need to improve there and Arthur Smith acknowledged that yesterday when he spoke with us.
Pittfan
11:01
Hi Ray. I know it's very, very early but given the outcomes of the past week please indulge me: will the Steelers regret passing on Dart in round one, especially if Harmon becomes a JAG (just a guy)? Will they regret not taking Sanders in the 4th round? And will they regret not being more aggressive going after Fields? I'll ask you these same questions in season and after to see if your opinion changes. Thanks.
Ray Fittipaldo
11:02
It's the preseason so let's not get all that excited about how rookie QBs look. Remember how good Kenny Pickett looked a few years ago? Also, there is nothing to suggest Harmon is going to be just a guy. They're really excited about what he's going to be.
Steeler fan near Philly
11:02
Thanks for doing the chats.  Who do you think will end up being our prime kick and punt returners this year?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:03
Calvin Austin will return punts if he's healthy. He hasn't practiced in more than a week however. The kickoff returns could be handled by a number of players, but we've seen Kaleb Johnson doing a lot of it and Jaylen Warren did it last season.
11:04
Kenneth Gainwell too.
Tom M.
11:04
Sorry for the repeat submissions, I keep hitting enter too soon.          You and some of your colleagues have written about Cam’s holdout. Comments on the articles have almost been universally critical of Cam.  Since you also have other interactions with the fanbase, do you think those comments are reflective of the fanbase or just some folks venting?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:05
I think it's reflective of the entire fan base. Again, when people are paying more for things and not getting raises from their employers they don't give a hoot about Cam Heyward. And the more Heyward talks about this the worse it's going to get for him. The only people who are sympathetic toward him are his peers.
Jersey Danno
11:06
So if Washington called the offense over after his TD and they performed an elaborate celebration dance, that's OK. But dunking over the cross bar is a 15 yarder? Is that accurate or do the officials need to get in regular season shape as well?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:07
The way it was explained on the KDKA broadcast was the league is concerned about delays in the game when goalposts have to be readjusted if they're knocked off kilter. Almost like shattering a backboard in a basketball game. But hey, they still allowing dunking in the NBA, right? Because it's fun and the fans like it. No wonder they called in the No Fun League.
Tom M.
11:07
One more question about Cam’s holdout. Do you think this has done permanent damage to his reputation with the fans and do you think he cares?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:08
Permanent is a strong word and fans easily forgive players who produce.
Jersey Danno
11:08
Does Danny Smith have enough influence to keep a roster spot for Conor H.?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:09
He definitely has influence with the final few spots. And let's face it. They're not keeping Connor Heyward or Ben Skowronek for what they can do for the offense. The same goes for James Pierre on defense, if they keep him. Or special teams captain Miles Killebrew. They're all special teamers first who might get bumped up to duty on offense or defense if there are injuries but not until then.
Donna
11:10
Good morning Ray.  Do you think  people will look at Cam’s career and service in the community differently if he doesn’t play this season?  Thanks.
Ray Fittipaldo
11:11
They shouldn't. He's had a great career and has been great for community. Look at what happened with Franco Harris. There were hard feelings there for a while. Heck, he went and played for the Seahawks for half a season, but eventually both sides came back together and everything was OK. Franco was one of the franchise's greatest ambassadors in fact.
Darnell
11:12
Hi Ray, after watching the Jacksonville game, I’m wondering if your initial 53 man projected roster has changed, and if so, how?  Thank you.
Ray Fittipaldo
11:13
I think Scotty Miller will be on my next projection. Less sure of Beanie Bishop and James Pierre. Teryl Austin said yesterday they're both in dog fights to make the roster. And Pierre was up and down in coverage versus the Jaguars. And there are so many injuries at key spots that it's hard to say right now. When will Calvin Austin be healthy? Corey Trice? Will either start the season on IR? These questions will affect how they go about ultimately constructing their 53-man roster.
Rudy
11:14
I asked a similar question yesterday. Do you believe the Steelers should be practicing the Tush Push (with Washington  or other big players in the QB role)?  Seems like an easy way to move the ball short distances when requred. Does the defense practice to prevent its effectiveness?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:15
We haven't seen on snap of the Tush Push in training camp. But it's viewed as a dangerous play by some, perhaps even the Steelers, who voted to outlaw the play. So it does not surprise me they're not practicing it in camp. Maybe they'll have it in their arsenal during the regular season. We shall see.
Patti P.
11:15
Thanks for doing these chats.  Is there any update on Howard’s injury?  Thanks Ray!
Ray Fittipaldo
11:15
No update, but he was at practice yesterday standing behind the huddle and watching.
Epiballo
11:16
Thanks for the chats. Will the Steelers give in to Hayward? He makes an off the cuff remark at the contract signing and spins it to justify himself. Let him hold out, get fined, and end his Steeler tenure on a thud. What say you?
Ray Fittipaldo
11:16
I don't think it will come to that; I think they'll give him a small advance on his roster bonus or he'll just show up and play.
Epiballo
11:16
Will Sauls presence influence Boswell getting a reworked contract? His case is stronger than Heyward’s, in my view.
Ray Fittipaldo
11:17
No. Boswell is under contract. The Steelers have all the leverage. The current CBA is not set up for players to hold out into the season. It's too penal for them.
BPOS
11:18
Cam goes from most beloved Steeler to public enemy #1 that quick huh?  Not a good look airing this in the media.  Why even bother with multi-year contracts anymore as they seem to be meaningless if they play well, but let them play bad and they expect the team to honor it. Funny it doesn't go both ways, although I get that teams can break the contract. I expected a less aggressive posture from Cam than this. You didn't hear a peep from TJ save the subtle social media post.
Ray Fittipaldo
11:19
Football is a brutal sport. Players get injured. Teams should honor their contracts when they are injured. I'm not really a fan of that argument. And as you point out, teams can cut players with years remaining on a contract.
Lucky Lou
11:23
Hey Ray.  In addition to his obvious talent, do you think the Steelers signed Ben Sauls knowing Boswell’s contract situation and the possibility he might not play and also as knowing Boswell’s age and injury history?  Thanks.
Ray Fittipaldo
11:23
No, he's just a camp leg.
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