Let's get to it:
JEFF DANIELS FROM ALLYN, WA: Was there ever any discussion that you know of for picking Lamar Jackson the year he came out for the NFL Draft? I know they picked Terrell Edmunds that year, and I believe it was before the Ravens traded up to pick Jackson.
ANSWER: I see this as an example of viewing an issue in today's light without taking into consideration the situation as it existed back then. You are correct that in the 2018 NFL Draft, the Steelers used the 28th overall pick in the first round on SS Terrell Edmunds, and the Ravens did trade back up into the first round to select Lamar Jackson with the 32nd overall pick. I am willing to bet there was not a single individual working in the football department in any capacity of any NFL team at that time who believed Jackson would become a 2-time NFL MVP Award winner before he turned 28. My confidence there comes from the fact 4 QBs – Baker Mayfield, Sam Darnold, Josh Allen, and Josh Rosen – were drafted before Jackson in that first round, and the Ravens themselves had used their own No. 1 pick (26th overall) in that draft on TE Hayden Hurst. Based on how Edmunds' career unfolded, it's fair to characterize him as a good-not-great NFL player, but on the day of that draft the Steelers had a starting quarterback who had been voted to the Pro Bowl the previous season. In 2017 Ben Roethlisberger completed 64.2 percent for 4,251 yards, with 28 touchdowns, 14 interceptions, and a rating of 93.4. He led the NFL that season in both fourth-quarter comebacks and game-winning drives. You cannot seriously tell me that at the time of the 2018 NFL Draft if you were unilaterally in charge of making the Steelers' No. 1 selection that you would have picked any of the quarterbacks who were available at 28th overall.
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MIKE BARNA FROM YULEE, FL: What are your thoughts as to the reason that there has been such a drop-off in the play of Minkah Fitzpatrick? Never fully recovering from his injury, sub-par support from his defensive teammates, defensive schemes that the Steelers utilize, or maybe a combination of some of all of these? I never thought he was going to be a high-octane player like Troy Polamalu, but I had high hopes that he would be able to roam around and be a sniper like Troy was.
ANSWER: In my opinion, assessment of Minkah Fitzpatrick's play is formed strictly on takeaways produced and the splash resulting from those. While it's understandable based on the position he plays and his share of the team's salary cap, but I don't agree that there has been a significant drop-off in his play. Fitzpatrick is a good tackler and he saves a lot of yards doing that as well as touchdowns, and because opponents routinely stay away from his area of the field he ends up helping the Steelers by preventing things because of his reputation. There are things opponents don't even attempt anymore because of him. I believe one of the offseason adjustments for this defense will be to find ways to create more splash-play opportunities for both Fitzpatrick and T.J. Watt.
ERIC ASH FROM WELLSVILLE, NY: What is wrong with all the General Managers in the NFL? Fans are constantly proposing great trades where the Steelers get a superstar for some second- string players and/or low-round draft picks. Don't those GMs know their job is to help the Steelers? (Yes, I'm being sarcastic.)
ANSWER: Keep reading to the next submission.
CALVIN SCHLEY FROM FORT MYERS, FL: Do you think we have a chance to trade for Kyler Murray?
ANSWER: Kyler Murray, the first overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft and the starting quarterback for the Arizona Cardinals, is under contract to that team through the 2028 season at salaries of $18 million, $22.8 million, $19.5 million, and $34 million, plus bonuses over the next four seasons. During his 6 seasons so far, Murray was voted Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2019 and to Pro Bowls following the 2020 and 2021 seasons. Because the Cardinals have said publicly that their intention is to move forward with Murray as their starting quarterback, I would put the Cardinals' interest in trading him as no more than a smidge north of none, because I have learned never to say never.
HERB GRAHAM FROM TORRANCE, CA: When the Steelers lost to the Cowboys in Super Bowl XXX, did your receiver run the wrong route on the last interception or did the quarterback throw the wrong route?
ANSWER: In today's NFL the outcome of that play would be called a "miscommunication."
TODD McCANDLESS FROM WILDWOOD, MO: I just reviewed the Steelers roster and saw Markus Golden listed as Reserve/Retired. I don't recall him being with the Steelers, or on injured reserve in 2024. Was he and I am just not doing a good job in keeping up with the roster?
ANSWER: Markus Golden played in 16 games for the Steelers in 2023 as the No. 4 edge rusher, and in his 230 snaps on defense that season he was credited with 20 combined tackles and 4 sacks. On Aug. 1, 2024, Golden signed a 1-year contract and re-joined the Steelers at Saint Vincent College and told the media he was happy and excited to be back, but one week later he announced his retirement. Placing a guy on the reserve/retired list is a way for the original team to protect itself against a player quickly changing his mind about retiring and signing with a different team, possible for more money or a better opportunity, and not receiving any compensation in return.
FRANCIS SANTILO FROM COW COUNTRY, FL: If the Steelers sign some "has-been" at QB, how many fans will boycott the NFL?
ANSWER: Are you asking how many fans will claim to be boycotting, or how many actually will boycott? Because my experience is that those numbers tend to fall on opposite ends of that spectrum.
ERIC ASH FROM WELLSVILLE, NY: What is wrong with all the General Managers in the NFL? Fans are constantly proposing great trades where the Steelers get a superstar for some second- string players and/or low-round draft picks. Don't those GMs know their job is to help the Steelers? (Yes, I'm being sarcastic.)
ANSWER: Keep reading to the next submission.
CALVIN SCHLEY FROM FORT MYERS, FL: Do you think we have a chance to trade for Kyler Murray?
ANSWER: Kyler Murray, the first overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft and the starting quarterback for the Arizona Cardinals, is under contract to that team through the 2028 season at salaries of $18 million, $22.8 million, $19.5 million, and $34 million, plus bonuses over the next four seasons. During his 6 seasons so far, Murray was voted Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2019 and to Pro Bowls following the 2020 and 2021 seasons. Because the Cardinals have said publicly that their intention is to move forward with Murray as their starting quarterback, I would put the Cardinals' interest in trading him as no more than a smidge north of none, because I have learned never to say never.
HERB GRAHAM FROM TORRANCE, CA: When the Steelers lost to the Cowboys in Super Bowl XXX, did your receiver run the wrong route on the last interception or did the quarterback throw the wrong route?
ANSWER: In today's NFL the outcome of that play would be called a "miscommunication."
