Gerry Dulac: Gerry Dulac's Steelers chat transcript: 04.15.26

Gerry Dulac: Good morning. I know it's tax day so I hope I can give everyone a good refund answer on their questions. We will start shortly

Gerry Dulac: OK, let's get started....

Lou: Hi Gerry. Do you think the Steelers will go WR with first pick? After all, they could be one injury away from their situation last year if DK or Pittman go down.

Gerry Dulac: It wouldn't surprise me at all. Remember, Mike McCarthy is an offensive guy so he wants offense. And he has just two WRs behind DK and Pittman - Roman Wilson and Ben Skowronek. His teams have always had multiple WRs so I am expecting that to be the case - and if not in round 1 certainly in rd. 2.

dpreble001: Gerry I've seen mocks with Steelers taking the DT from Ohio St would you be on board with this selection?

Gerry Dulac: I'm always on board with continuing to build and deepen their defensive front, though I'm not expecting that to happen in round 1

Ahead of BiLA?: Gerry - glad to hear about the new owner of the PG. We appreciate all you do and look forward to supporting your work in the future.

Gerry Dulac: Thanx, and you did get in before BILA

Rich in TN: Good Morning Gerry... No question.. Just wanted to express my gratitude for news on the PG future and all great reporting ya'll do there. Thanks for all you do keeping us informed out here in Steeler Nation. All the best. CHEERS

Gerry Dulac: Thanx man!

Takoma Tom: Can you tell Omar and AR2 to stop shopping for starting QBs at the dollar store? They've only had moderate success and no future. There's a reason another team is paying them to leave.

Gerry Dulac: I'll let them know

Josh: Hi Gerry, last week a person in the chat asked about a potential trade of Nick Herbig, to which you responded that if a trade of an edge rusher did happen, it would be someone who starts in front of Herbig. To me, it feels like the only way Watt would get traded is if he asks to be traded. It's a very big if, but if they did trade an OLB, do you think it's Highsmith who would be dealt in that scenario?

Gerry Dulac: Well, they REALLY like Highsmith. But, hey, they're not going to trade Herbig. More than likely, he will opt to test the market and seek a big deal in free agency.

Josh: Do you think offensive line in round 1 is the Steelers fall back plan if who they really want isn't there at 21? Fano was a surprise visit that I didn't expect to see.

Gerry Dulac: Nothing surprises me anymore. I don't expect that, but, hey, they could use a left guard.

SMF: Hi Gerry: Thanks for the chats. In my view the Steelers had two absolutely horrible losses last year. Of course, the playoff to Texans 30-6 (after 7-6 at half) and the Browns 13-6. Both were lost because the OL was overwhelmed and dysfunctional preventing both running and passing and keeping their Defense off the field. AR8 if anything needs protection. That is why the draft this year MUST fix the left side (LT, LG) or the Offense will not progress. That should be priority #1.

Gerry Dulac: Well, I hate to tell you, it's not priority No. 1. It has been in 2023 and 2024, but I think they have other plans. Again, though, nothing surprises me on draft day

Jim: Watched the Phillies and Bucco games on MLB last night. Shirt sleeve weather both sites. The Phillies house was full and only 9000 attended the Pirate game with a first place team. Perplexing.

Gerry Dulac: They musta stayed home to watch the WNBA draft

Stairway to seventh seed: Gerry: congratulations to all of you on the PG deal. A lot of people seem to be getting excited about the prospect of taking the Guard from Penn State at 21. Do they realize that when calculating the 5th year option price, Guards get lumped in with tackles. This really will make a 5th year option expensive for a Guard. Doesn't that make taking a Guard in round 1 pretty unappealing? Are the Steelers so focused on winning now that they don't care?

Gerry Dulac: Believe me, whatever you have thought of - whether an immediate issue or future problem - they have thought of and more. When it comes to that stuff, they have thought of everything

Takoma Tom: Since a Baltimore company bought the PG will you start covering the ratbirds?

Gerry Dulac: Haha.

Takoma Tom: Any plans on the PG hiring Dianna Russini?

Gerry Dulac: OK, that's two in a row...don't try for a third

SMF: Hi Gerry: Thanks again for the chats. With the exception of AB84, Tomlin teams never had a receiver for short third downs over the middle like Brady; who always had someone like Danny Amendola and Julian Edelstein. Do you think McCarthy is going to get a receiver for these short slants in critical situations?

Gerry Dulac: Actually SMF, I think that's exactly what they need. They already had two 6-4, 225-230-pound guys. They need a guy who can get in and out of his breaks and get open. Someone, though, a little bigger than Calvin Austin.

Barry in MD: Can Rory 3peat or maybe a season grandslam

Gerry Dulac: Not if he has another Masters hangover like last year, which I'm kind of fully expecting

Southside Johnny: Good morning, Gerry. In your opinion, who's the Steelers number one selection? Thank you.

Gerry Dulac: I do not know who, but maybe what. Even that, though, can be difficult to pinpoint. The only starting spot on the roster that might be up for grabs is left guard, so, yeah, that could be an option. But I don't think that's Rd. 1. You can pick from WR, S and maybe DL

Stairway to seventh seed: Gerry: one of your chat responses set off a firestorm on talk radio last week hinting that maybe Watt or Highsmith would be traded. Many Steeler media folks said that Watt's contract is not tradeable". Why do they say this? Crosby at $29m per year almost got traded for two #1s. Hendrickson got $29m per. A deal for Watt right now would save the Steelers $12m in cap space in 2026 ($32m if after June 1). The acquiring team would be on the hook for a 2 year $64m deal fully guaranteed with a $39m option on a 3rd year that they could just let lapse. It seems very doable to get something for him unless 31 other teams think his play has fallen so far below that of his former comps that they have no interest.

Gerry Dulac: Yeah, I heard. But what I have also said the time to trade Watt has likely passes, and by that I mean the Steelers couldn't get for him now what they could have received for him at this time last year. And, at the time, I pointed up that signing Watt - understandable, given his stature - could be a bad business decision. I'll leave you to decide if indeed it was. Your answer might lie in how he performs in 2026.

Barry in MD: If Shipley ever wins the Masters will Primantis cater the Tuesday dinner?

Gerry Dulac: I bet it's on the menu

Chill Dave: Hi Gerry, I seem to remember you mentioning in a chat (probably around combine time) that the Steelers loved Omar Cooper Jr. Are you surprised they haven't had him to the South Side? Assuming they interviewed him at the combine, would that be enough to draft him with their first pick?

Gerry Dulac: They do like him...a lot. And they still have to the end of the week to have Top 30 meetings.

Takoma Tom: Any chance Herbig gets traded? I'd keep him and trade TJ or Alex.

Gerry Dulac: I don't think that happens now...if at all. All 3 OLBs are under contract for 2026 so play em all.

MPN586621: Gerry, considering no draft pick is a sure thing and every free agent comes with some sort of "baggage". Shouldn't there be an all out effort to resign the young proven players and ditch the overpaid vets? Obviously there would need to be a taker at the right price for such vets. All that brings me to Watt. He was a great player signed to a lucrative extension past his prime. Do the Steelers need better vision at the helm to push the success needle further?

Gerry Dulac: Like what young proven players? If they are young, proven and good, they do sign them.

Epiballo: Hey Gerry! Great news on the P-G! Relief through Steeler Nation! ARII expects/hopes AR to decide his future by the draft. I'm skeptical …are you?

Gerry Dulac: Sure. It's AR!

JPinPDX: Good morning Gerry. I was excited to see that the PPG will live on and we'll continue to benefit from your, Ray's and Brian's excellent analysis and humor. Thanks for what you do!

Gerry Dulac: Ray is funny??

Silent Bob: Hi Gerry - It was too bad to see Gainwell leave. I do wonder if a key to his success had to do with the Steelers situation. First, they only had one downfield receiver threat. Second, a big part of their strategy was keeping AR from getting sacked. Those two together led to dumping the ball of constantly and he was the beneficiary. Even just with the addition of Pittman, they should have less of a need for the checkdown. Thoughts?

Gerry Dulac: Me too, but that's the free-agent world of the NFL - you can't keep everybody. And he was a backup. Sure, he might have benefitted from their scheme, but that's why some players flourish in one situation and not another.

Josh in Texas: Just a general question about wanting a Big 10 QB who played in "cold weather" games in college. Doesn't the Big 10 end right around Thanksgiving? So how does playing maybe two or three actual cold weather games in their entire collegiate career make them a "cold weather QB"? There's a big difference between late November in PA, OH, or even say MI, than December-January games in Pittsburgh.

Gerry Dulac: Well, they are more a cold-weather QB than a guy for Texas, Oklahoma or Florida. Unless you play in a dome. Then it doesn't matter

Epiballo: A few months ago, the Steelers were expected to trade up for a WR … then for a few other positions. Then they'll stay at 21. Then they'll trade back. Who they pick has been all over the map. Has this been the most crazy pre-draft you've seen in a while?

Gerry Dulac: No. You're just paying attention to many mock drafts. Wait till 2028. Or 2029. It will be insufferable.

sal: Happy Wednesday Gerry !! Have you been able to talk to new staff ?? I know is too early but any takes on the staff from what you have seen??

Gerry Dulac: No, waaaay too early. I'm sure there will be some reductions because the PG, for years, has been way ahead of other papers nationally in terms of staff size and travel budgets. But, largely, the people on the "new staff" will come from the "old staff."

GB: Gerry, assuming Aaron Rodgers comes back, how should the Steelers handle developing a QB of the future? Do you prioritize getting the young QB real game reps this season, or stick with the veteran and risk repeating the short-term "fill the gap and compete" approach we've seen?

Gerry Dulac: They let him play all the preseason games

Pittfan: Hi Gerry. I like the Metcalf and Pittman pairing. If there's one player the Steelers see regularly that's scary every time he touches the ball is Zay Flowers. He's Antonio Brownesque. A player like that would be a great compliment to the 2 big bodies. Do you see anyone in the draft like Flowers?

Gerry Dulac: Couldn't agree with you more!!

Epiballo: Of the many QBs linked to the Steelers so far, which do you see has a higher ceiling than Howard and thus is a potential pick?

Gerry Dulac: I can't evaluate their floor or ceiling, that's their job. But I would have to say Carson Beck for several reasons, one of which they have visited with him several times. That being said, I learned a long time ago teams bring in players for top 30 meetings merely as a smoke screen to throw other teams off their scent.

Dave Moody: Good morning, Gerry, and thank you for the chat. As we approach the draft, there's a lot more Ty Simpson smoke going around about the Steelers drafting him in the first round. Do you see any way this is even remotely possible in the first round? Also, I enjoy reading you and your peers articles and insights. Do you have a good feeling about the PG coming up with a format to continue your awesome content in the near future?

Gerry Dulac: I do not. THAT would completely surprise me. He's not a Steelers-type QB

Epiballo: As a Steeler fan in Texas, YAHOO! WOOHOO! EXCELLENT! Your articles and chats will continue!! Love ya, Gerry!!

Gerry Dulac: My man...thanx!

Beaver Falls Kid: Hi Gerry. Are the Steelers making plans for a new practice facility? We keep hearing the existing one is a little outdated with little room for expansion. And maybe this is one source for the team's low scores on the player surgery. Thanks for your thoughts.

Gerry Dulac: I don't want to say they are making plans, but it's on their mind and has been discussed. Their lease on the south side expires in 5 years. There is not room for expansion there, not nestled between the railroad tracks and the river. And not if they're sharing the building with Pitt. It's time to move out

YinzerWally: I just do not understand this group who mock Tomlin for a Steeler career of non losing. They demand a tank. Funny many years ago when I was a pre schooler, we got a number 1 pick in Bradshaw who was going to be our savior. Ironically he was but we had the crowd cheer his injurfies, him beneched for Hanratty, and of course Joe Gilliam. My point, play to win every year use an HoF for another year (poor us) and you just never know maybe we will get a 6th rounder as our next. Does this stuff bother you too?

Gerry Dulac: It does, but I tend to treat it, as Tomlin used to say, like elevator music. It's there but I'm not listening

Jim: Good mornng Sir, From what you have seen or heard, and your own personal prediction, do they pick at 21 or trade up or down?

Gerry Dulac: I think they pick at 21. I don't think they trade down. That's not been in their DNA

RAM: BTW, congrats on the PG's new ownership. Hope it worked out for all you sports guys!

Gerry Dulac: Thanx!

RAM: Hey Gerry! Quick draft/non-player question: if the Steelers don't use all 12 draft picks either by selection or trading to move up, will those unused picks transfer to next year's draft!

Gerry Dulac: They do not. And they don't need 12 picks. That's a waste of draft capital. They need to put together several packages and get that number down to 8 ...tops.

Between the Twenties: Assuming it raised their concerns at all, did the Steelers ownership made any noteworthy efforts to raise the esteem or opinions of NFL players in the operation of the franchise?

Gerry Dulac: None

Dave from Dovuh: Glad to hear the Post-Gazette has a plan forward! Hopefully the new management continues these chats. Keep up the good work!

Gerry Dulac: Thanx for the note

Chill Dave: Hi Gerry, you've reported the Steelers have interest in Sadiq - who projects to do everything well. But if they were to draft a TE in the middle rounds, would they be looking for another pass catcher or someone who will primarily contribute in the run game?

Gerry Dulac: A pass catcher. They have a run blocker...and a good one

Tim: Thoughts from you on any players next Thursday that the Steelers may move up to grab and give up a lttle capital to do so? On a side note, so happy to hear I will still have you, ray, brian and paul as my go to Steeler insiders beyond May. Thankful

Gerry Dulac: If they thought a big-time safety were in their range, I could see that

ATL AL: Gerry, what is your craziest draft story?

Gerry Dulac: I got too many to document here. Maybe a book one day

Rollingrock33: What's your best guess currently for first pick.

Gerry Dulac: I still have a week to come up with it.

Bill in PA: 8 days away from Draft, is No. 8 going to announce a decision? Your X post is saying something?

Gerry Dulac: Haha...Bill in PA! I like that. They think he might by next Thursday

BigFan: Top TE and a Top WR on the board at 21…. Where do you think the Steelers go with the pick ?

Gerry Dulac: Depends on the grade they have on each. More than likely, the top WR in the draft would be gone by then. So, too, with the top TE, though he has better chance to still be hovering.

Peter: When will Mason Rudolph be traded if Aaron Rodgers comes back and the Steelers draft a QB?

Gerry Dulac: All that is still to be determined

Burghie: Hello Gerry, how many players do you believe the Steelers would trade up for? Because I could imagine Jordyn Tyson being around at 15 and they could probably get away with swapping firsts and then giving up one of the plethora of day 2 picks that they have? I'll hang up and listen

Gerry Dulac: I don't know that they would trade up for a WR because the draft is pretty deep with them. Also, they made a big move already when they traded for Pittman

Tommy in Florida: Good Morning Gerry, Do you believe Hines Ward will get into the HOF? He was such an amazing player and changed the WR position for the better.

Gerry Dulac: I still have my doubts because it gets harder every year. That being said, he should get in. He always has my vote. But he needs to get to that final 15 first

Burghie: "Aaron will have an answer before free agencyWe expect Aaron to have an answer before the combineWe hope to have answer before the draft; how long until we hear that Aaron Rodgers is not coming back afterall?

Gerry Dulac: Which is why I think he's coming back. And so do they

Mike-EE: Hi Gerry, would it be best for the organization to let AR go off to retirement and give Howard and a newly drafted QB a chance to earn the spot? If they fail, another QB can be drafted in 2027

Gerry Dulac: No. They don't see it that way. They are not a bottom-feeder team. They have been to the postseason five of the past six years. Only one team can say that. They feel they are close enough to make a run. They are not prepared to make such a rash decision, even though they eventually will

Big C: Gerry, did the Steelers have Kayden McDonald in for a visit? I don't see his name listed, but I thought he was one of the first guys they had brought in. Getting a guy like him to put between Harmon and Benton, with Cam and Black also there of course, would make the d-line a team strength for years! Don't you agree?

Gerry Dulac: I'll have to check my list, but I would agree

Mike-EE: Gerry, how many roster spots are potentially open for rookies? My estimate is no more than 5. What do you do with 12 draft selections? They were supposed to help trade up for a QB but this class is poor.

Gerry Dulac: Exactly right. That's why they need to pare their picks to 8, if not fewer.

Burghie: Gerry, Vega Ionae is a very clean prospect, however, Fano can play tackle and guard/Proctor can play tackle and guard/Freeling can play either tackle spot (I think you know where I am going with this); so does Ionae's inability to play both tackle and guard shy the Steelers away from taking him?

Gerry Dulac: I don't think so. Not if they really like him

Burghie: A lot of non-golf followers (Stephen A. Smith) are trying to spin the story of Rory having an unfair advantage since he played Augusta before The Masters. Guess they do not realize all players are able to, and it is not like he played tournament conditions beforehand.

Gerry Dulac: Among the most ridiculous things I ever heard. Not surprising, though, for him

AB: Hi Gerry, any view on the likelihood of a potential trade up for the Safety Caleb Downs? Seems unanimous that he will be excellent. Or maybe even Styles?

Gerry Dulac: It would be excellent. Doesn't mean it will be feasible. That's what makes Rd 1 so exciting.

Gerry Dulac: OK kids, we're out of time. Thanx for all the kind words about the return of the PG. While it was a relief and good news to the people who work there, it is also great news for the city and journalism!

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