Ray Fittipaldo: Good afternoon on the final Tomlin Tuesday of the season. I'm sure there are questions so let's get started.
Stairway to seventh seed: Ray: what grade would you give Pat Meyer for his work this year?
Ray Fittipaldo: Anytime a position group struggles the coach is going to take some heat. And Meyer is taking heat for the performance of the line. He is working with a young group and Tomlin said today they might have become "physically and mentally" fatigued late in the season. That's not absolving Meyer of blame, but he was pointing out one potential reason for the decline in play. Overall, it was not a good year for Meyer or his line, but Troy Fautanu should return healthy next season and all the young guys will be a year older. The player who has to take a big leap is Broderick Jones. It was his second season and he had similar struggles when he was a rookie.
Stairway to seventh seed: Ray: not to suggest it would have mattered, but was there ever an explanation given for how Trice went from being relied on to play Chase man to man in week 18 to not being able to get a helmet (over Sutton for instance) in Baltimore?
Ray Fittipaldo: Tomlin held his final news conference today and was not asked that question. It was all big picture stuff toward with the offseason in mind. If I had to take a guess it was a matchup issue or maybe the coaches felt Jackson was a better option since he was healthy again for that game. Trice started versus the Bengals because Jackson had a back injury that prevented him from playing.
Guest: What (if any) coaching changes do you predict?
Ray Fittipaldo: Tomlin acknowledged some of his coaches are not under contract for next season. I do know his coordinators are under contract. Given the way the season ended it feels more than just an assistant has to pay the price, but we'll see. Tomlin is never in a rush to make these decisions so I'm not even sure we'll have any news on that this week. Stay tuned.
SDTom: Hey Ray, agree or disagree...it appears the Steelers are once again "stuck in the 80's" with an abundance of slightly above the line seasons and limited success at QB. Wasn't until we went 6-10 under BC that we were able to get a franchise QB and turned things around. Hard to succeed without a high pick, which seemingly won't happen as long as MT keeps us at just above .500.
Ray Fittipaldo: I agree with you to a certain extent, but as Tomlin pointed out in his news conference today Lamar Jackson was not a high pick and neither was Jalen Hurts. I'll give youo another example. The Chiefs traded up from 27 to 12 to get Patrick Mahomes. There are ways to acquire franchise QBs without having a top-5 or 10 pick. You might have to get lucky or feel really strong about a player not on everyone else's radar, but there are ways to acquire talent when drafting lower.
Butcher: Ray, after the Tomlin press conference, it seems that Fields going forward as QB has gotten some comments. Personally, I feel it is the way to go with the draft and available free agents being what they are. Thankfully Sam Darnold flamed out enough that he shouldn't be given serious consideration. Am I crazy thinking that Fields (with maybe Daniel Jones as a vet backup) may actually make sense for Arthur Smith? Can build a mobile QB plan and work on passing through the year. If it doesn't work, we may actually be in a position to draft a QB.
Ray Fittipaldo: The fact that he was noncommital is telling. He doesn't want to come out and endorse anyone after the way they flamed out in the playoffs. I thought his comments today about Fields and QB mobility were interesting, but I wouldn't necessarily interpret them as feelings that Tomlin is leaning toward Fields. That might happen, but I think he was purposely vague today.
Butcher: And thanks for all the insight and time throughout the season, even though it ended painfully
Ray Fittipaldo: And thank you Butcher for reading every week. We'll keep doing these chats in the offseason, by the way.
JJ: Is Tomlin the Steeler's 'coach for life'? Can he do no wrong?
Ray Fittipaldo: Of course not. If Chuck Noll and Bill Belichick have expiration dates then surely Mike Tomlin can. The Steelers just haven't come to that conclusion yet.
Ryan from Ohio: Not what should happen this offseason, but realistically what will happen to make this team better next year?
Ray Fittipaldo: They have to figure out the QB position first and foremost. I think major changes are needed on defense too. I think they're easily schemed on that side of the ball. Lots of talent and the adjustments, or lack thereof, failed to help the stars produce.
Word Salad Sandwich: Was GP really late for the Chiefs game? Why is Tomlin such an enabler when it comes to WRs? Will he ever learn his lesson?
Ray Fittipaldo: Tomlin was asked today and said he could not remember. But I would not be surprised in the least bit. I reported in early October Pickens was repeatedly late for work during the week. Here is the link: https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/steelers/2024/10/09/mike-tomlin-ar...
Yitzer: Hi Ray, thanks for all the chats and reporting this year. As a long time Steeler fan living in the Baltimore area since 1980 I’ve been embarrassed to show my face. Has there been a more embarrassing performance from this team this yeah than that playoff game? Absolutely no fight at all.
Ray Fittipaldo: 2017 Jacksonville?
Ray Fittipaldo: 2020 Browns?
Jeff S: explain the Steelers cap situation. How can we pay $1m for a qb , best wr on a rookie deal , ton of oline on rookie deals and field a team like this while Baltimore , kc , philly, buffalo all paying significant $ to qb and wr but can still field a more talented team? Doesn’t make sense
Ray Fittipaldo: I'd say it's excellent team-building by those teams.
DaquidoBazzini: We all know what happens to the Steelers in the late season/playoffs, but why? My only guess is that Mike Tomlin & coaches come up with some good schemes in the off-season. They employ them in TC, and they have success with them through about 3/4 of the season. At that point, other coaches catch up with those schemes, but Tomlin has no answers in countering. Does that sound potentially correct to you?
Ray Fittipaldo: Potentially, but all good coaches make adjustments. Tomlin was getting credit when the Steelers were 10-3 for his halftime adjustments and shutting opponents down after halftime. But I think there might be some credence to your point maybe in terms of breaking tendencies and not being married to your identity.
Ben: Hey Ray - would you be willing to pay Darnold $30m/year or trade two firsts for McCarthy?
Ray Fittipaldo: Did you watch Darnold last night? And no on McCarthy.
TheStandardisStability: Tomlin did a Sgt Schultz when asked about Pickens being late for the Christmas game. You think the PR people didn’t warn him about the story coming out?
Ray Fittipaldo: Or maybe he forgot how he was going to answer. He doesn't usually get caught off guard like that.
steelmann58: Ray would you agree that Khan not adding a #2 WR hurt this team?
Ray Fittipaldo: Yes, but I think he tried. He stuck to his guns on compensation. And he can't make Brandon Aiyuk accept the trade terms. Ultimately, Aiyuk wanted to stay in San Francisco.
chuck mac from Houston: Is George Pickens completely unaware of how his comments will be taken by the fans and team? - does he really not care? - did he actually understand the question?
Ray Fittipaldo: I don't think he cares.
Jeff: Ray, what are the contract situations with the main coaching assistants. I would like a breath of fresh air at DC, both lines, WR ...
Ray Fittipaldo: Austin has a year left on his deal and I believe the same goes for Meyer although I am not 100% sure on that. Smith obviously is under contract too after coming onboard last year. So any coaches not under contract would coaches of position groups.
pathforward2025: Watching the Rams disassemble the Vikings last night I was struct by how unpredictable their defense is. Given that the Steelers have almost no disguise in their defense, should we assume we're going to see that same defense next year albeit with some different players?
Ray Fittipaldo: I was struck by the same thing. On the fumble return for a touchdown, the Rams blitzed two defensive backs. Lake came from one side and the guy who made the strip came from the other. When was the last time you saw the Steelers do that. They hardly bring on defensive back on a blitz.
jwheaney: As a Mike Tomlin supporter, I do recognize that changes need to be made...please outline the most important changes that need to happen...I appreciate your weekly chats...Thank you!!!
Ray Fittipaldo: They have to take a hard look at some of their more bloated contracts and then decide if those players are worth keeping at their number. Aside from that, they need fresh ideas on defense. They are way too easy to play against and it seems like Tomlin is out of answers in terms of adjustments.
Gene: I have been a fan since the 60’s and love the Steelers but the last 5 games seemed like they didn’t play with energy and a desire to win. Why do you think that was. Thank you
Ray Fittipaldo: They played really good teams. And I think on some level they lost confidence. Things snowballed on them and they could never put the brakes on the losing skid.
George T: Hi Ray, I have a question for you. Will you be putting out a year end grade for the positions as you did after each game? Also will you do a review of each player and stating in your opinion who should stay or leave.
Ray Fittipaldo: Cut Them or Keep Them will be published in the Sunday Post-Gazette print edition and published online Saturday or Sunday. Not sure which, so be on the lookout.
Linebacker Lounge: NFL Draft 1st round has to be DL. 2nd WR or CB - get the other in FA. Thoughts?
Ray Fittipaldo: I agree with you on the positions. What they do in free agency will tell us more about when those positions will be addressed.
Arthur not Art: How much of this staff is still around by MLK day? Who’s gone on O and on D? Does ARII increase the coaching salary budget to allow for better hires and additional coaching positions? Thank you.
Ray Fittipaldo: I think you'll see multiple assistant coaches go.
Sam: Scoreless first quarters are indicative of...coaching, yes?
Ray Fittipaldo: 100% yes.
KDUB: What would you do at QB next season? I was all in on Russ but the way the season finished I lean towards bringing Fields back and designing the offense around his strengths and see what happens.
Ray Fittipaldo: I don't have a strong sense of whether they'll retain Wilson or Fields, but they need to acquire a young QB to develop. I know this is not considered a good draft for QBs, but at some point in the near future they have to identify a player and do everything they can to acquire him.
Tim from Canada: Hi Ray. Thanks for the chats. Am I just overly hopeful that with a healthy o-line next year and a couple of good receivers from draft and FA, as well as shore up the d-line and corners with draft and FA, that we are in a pretty good place? Thanks.
Ray Fittipaldo: That's a lot of shoring up to do.
Guest: under what circumstances whould you sign Pickens, and what conditions would you demand in return.
Ray Fittipaldo: I would not
Arthur not Art: Hi Ray, who’s a big back they can replace Harris with? They need a Jerome Bettis type to pair with Warren and sustain drives
Ray Fittipaldo: They shouldn't have any problems finding one in the draft. This is a good draft for RBs apparently.
Arthur not Art: Hi Ray, is the poor performance by the Oline a function of their inexperience more than coaching or are their run blocking concepts unsound. I know they dealt with some key injuries but at least Frazier seems to have been an upgrade. Do you think Jones was a miss or is he just an LT trying his best to play RT? Thanks.
Ray Fittipaldo: I think it's a combination of hat you said, but ultimately it falls on the coach to coax production no matter the circumstances.
Eric Carr: Ray, what percentage chance to you give that Pickens is on the team in 25?
Ray Fittipaldo: 50%. How's that for being wishy-washy. Tomlin said today there remains "a heck of a lot of room for growth."
Tom M.: Do You have any idea what the trade value is for Minkah and Pickens if they decide to move them? It seems Minkah is trending down and Pickens is an obvious problem so I’m thinking the return wouldn’t be as much as folks might think.
Ray Fittipaldo: I can't imagine an opposing GM would be thrilled about acquiring his contract. He's due $32 million in salary over the next two years.
JDub: Good afternoon Ray do you think Benton is a long-term answer at nose tackle? He doesn’t seem stout enough to take on the required double teams to keep the linebackers free. He seems more suited for an end position. I think the 3-4 is really lacking without that big nose tackle
Ray Fittipaldo: I was expecting a bigger jump from Benton in Year 2. They need him to become an impact player. He's a second-round pick.
Ray Fittipaldo: Big QB news: Skylar Thompson has signed with the Steelers.
Mike Brown: Happy New Year Ray. You’ve just been named new GM of the Steelers and you’ve been given the authority to implement change as you see fit. What personnel decisions are you going to make to improve the team?
Ray Fittipaldo: I'd be like Chuck Noll in 1969. I wouldn't know when to stop cutting.
TV: Russell Wilson's stats were not terrible, but stats don't tell the whole story and he just didn't look good down the stretch. Do you think the Steelers chalk it up to the lack of talent around him and he is QB1 next year?
Ray Fittipaldo: Hard to say at this point. And I'm not sure the Steelers have decided to be honest. Tomlin today certainly didn't endorse him.
ForWhomKordellTolls: Ray would you trade George Pickens for DK Metcalf or Tyreek Hill, assuming they are available?
Ray Fittipaldo: Didn't Hill quit on the Dolphins in the regular-season finale. They don't need another guy like that. Metcalf seems more reliable so I'd be fine with him.
Jim: What is the world happened to Jones, he does not look like a first round pick, more like a turnstile. Still young, or out of position?
Ray Fittipaldo: Hopefully he's still growing as a player. He only started 17 games at Georgia. That's barely one full season. But I have to tell you, he's entering Year 3. He's got to figure it out soon.
Johnstown Johnnie: Ray, love the chats. With so many holes to fill on this roster, doesn't it make a lot of sense to trade someone like Watt, Fitzpatrick and Pickens.
Ray Fittipaldo: no, no, yes.
Spjack: Hi Ray. Had a dream last night that the Steelers got Mike McCarthy as their offensive coordinator? I know it was a dream but what are the chances? (I think I know lol)
Ray Fittipaldo: You must have been drinking at his family's bar.
Guy in the car: Art the Second is 71, if memory serves. Is there any succession plan currently in place for his eventual successor? I had heard talk of Dan Rooney, Jr. as a possible replacement. While I can appreciate Art’s legal background, I wouldn’t mind seeing the next person to take the reins having more a football background (I.e.’ coming up through the ranks). Thoughts?
Ray Fittipaldo: Young Dan Rooney is the plan, but Art has not given any indication that's coming anytime soon.
The Ham: Ray, if Jones goes to LT next year as expected, is he going to need more time to adapt to playing LT in the NFL?
Ray Fittipaldo: I should hope not. He says going back and forth is not a big issue for him.
Bud: If the Steelers decided to trade Pickens, (Raiders ??), do you think they would expect a 2nd for him?
Ray Fittipaldo: Only one year left on his contract. I'd take a 3 honestly.
John from Toronto: Hi Ray. Jackson got burned for a TD in man coverage and looked an unwilling tackler. In hindsight should Trice have played in his place?
Ray Fittipaldo: In hindsight, yes. Can't turn back the clock though.
Dave: What do you think Art Rooney end of the season message will be?
Ray Fittipaldo: Guarantee a Super Bowl?
AK: Is defensive line the Steekers #1 need?
Ray Fittipaldo: WR and CB too.
Guest: Wilson missed the first 6 games of the season, then faded down the stretch. At his age, is there any hope he can thrive during a full season?
Ray Fittipaldo: That's exactly what Tomlin and Khan will be discussing later this week.
AK: Patterson is a cut, yes, or notbresign?
Ray Fittipaldo: He's under contract for one more season and I would hope so.
Ray Fittipaldo: Ok sorry I could not get to all of your questions. There were more today than I can ever recall. I'll do another chat next Tuesday so please join me then.
First Published: January 14, 2025, 4:51 p.m.