The opinions found in Asked and Answered do not reflect the views of the Steelers organization.
Let's get to it:
ROB BEBOUT FROM SPRINGFIELD, OH: T.J. Watt. Firstly, thank God he is signed to a contract extension. Secondly, since his extension is signed, do you believe he will retire a Steeler? I hope so.
ANSWER: T.J. Watt's contract extension binds him to the team through the 2028 season, and so when that contract expires he will be 34 going on 35. I'm not saying this will be the final NFL contract Watt ever signs, but there are not many guys playing his position whose careers extend beyond their mid-30s. And as General Manager Omar Khan said at the NFL Owners Meetings in March, "I'm hopeful T.J. will finish his career here."
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SCOTT SHEPHERD FROM BECKLEY, WV: How confident are you in our offensive line this year? I believe that Zack Frazier has the makeup and character to become an all-time Steelers great. Agree?
ANSWER: Regarding the offensive line as a whole, I am interested in seeing how Broderick Jones does now that he will be given a chance to actually play the position for which he was drafted (left tackle) and how RT Troy Fautanu bounces back from the injury that ruined his rookie season after such a promising training camp. As for Zach Frazier, while I believe he has all of the makings of being a quality-starting NFL center, projecting him as "an all-time Steelers great" at the position is a bit ambitious at this point, given that the franchise already has two centers – Mike Webster and Dermontti Dawson – enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, with a third – Maurkice Pouncey – having a deserving resume to join them in Canton. I'm not suggesting that Frazier can't or won't live up to your prediction, but that's a lot of pressure to put on a young player.
MICHAEL PODOLINSKI FROM HILTON HEAD, SC: Is there any reason why SNR and Fox Sports 970 doesn't post a schedule for their evening radio shows during training camp? It drives me crazy trying to stumble onto them. Thanks. Just trying to get my Steelers news from afar.
ANSWER: Here is a list of the evening radio shows that are scheduled for training camp, which begins tomorrow:
Thursday, July 24: Fox Sports 970; 6-8 p.m.
Friday, July 25: Fox Sports 970; 6-8 p.m.
Saturday, July 26: Fox Sports 970; 6-8 p.m.
Sunday, July 27: Fox Sports 970; 6-8 p.m.
Tuesday, July 29: WDVE; 7-9 p.m.
Wednesday, July 30: Fox Sports 970; 6-8 p.m.
Thursday, July 31: Fox Sports 970; 6-8 p.m.
Friday, Aug. 1: WDVE; 3-7 p.m.
Friday, Aug. 1: Fox Sports 970; 4-6 p.m.
Saturday, Aug. 2: Fox Sports 970; 6-8 p.m.
Sunday, Aug. 3: Fox Sports 970; 6-8 p.m.
Tuesday, Aug. 5: WDVE; 7-9 p.m.
Wednesday, Aug. 6: Fox Sports 970; 6-8 p.m.
Thursday, Aug. 7: WXDX; 3-6 p.m.
Thursday, Aug. 7: Fox Sports 970; 6-8 p.m.
Monday, Aug. 11: Fox Sports 970; 6-8 p.m.
Tuesday, Aug. 12: WDVE; 7-9 p.m.
JIM NEAL FROM FAYETTEVILLE, TN: Ok, so now that T.J. Watt has signed and makes my previous question about the salary cap silly, I have a new question. Surely with $25.228 million (updated salary cap as of the signing news) left, the Steelers will not stop shopping. What in your humble opinion will be the next big move you would love to see? Wide receiver, running back, or safety?
ANSWER: As I always caution in this space, don't be so sure the salary cap number you're quoting is as accurate as it's being portrayed. As for your question, because all teams will be in training camp by the time this hits the interweb, the kind of top-of-the-depth-chart player I assume you want to see added to the team's 90-man roster isn't out on the street just waiting to be signed. Maybe there's a trade to be made, but such a transaction might require more than just cash. As for the positions you cite, I would have no interest in a running back, because I happen to like the group the Steelers currently have at the top of the depth chart there in Jaylen Warren, Kenneth Gainwell, and rookie Kaleb Johnson.
MARTY SKAL FROM MARTINSBURG, WV: T.J. Watt was in his last year of his contract, and so now that he signed a 3-year extension do the Steelers have him for 4 years or 3?
ANSWER: With the signing, T.J. Watt is bound to the Steelers through the 2028 season.
DONNIE BROWN FROM VAN BUREN, ME: There are a lot of tight ends on the 90-man roster, but how many typically make the final roster/practice squad? Also, do we have any concrete evidence that offensive coordinator Arthur Smith is a tight end whisperer?
ANSWER: To put a specific number to "a lot," there are 5 tight ends currently listed on the 90-man roster – Pat Freiermuth, JJ Galbreath, Jonnu Smith, Darnell Washington, and Connor Heyward. Heading into the 2024 regular season opener in Atlanta, the Steelers had Freiermuth, Washington, Heyward, and MyCole Pruitt on the 53-man roster and Rodney Williams was signed to the practice squad a few days after that game. As to your final question, I have no concrete evidence what a "tight end whisperer" even is, or what goes into being christened one, and I bet you don't either.
BILL CONFAIR FROM JERSEY SHORE, PA: How many of the Steelers 2025 draft picks are signed?
ANSWER: All of them.
HOWARD ASHCRAFT FROM LANSING MI: When the players arrive for training camp, are their sleeping quarters assigned, or do they get to pick them?
ANSWER: All players are assigned 'sleeping quarters" in Rooney Hall once they arrive at Saint Vincent College. As for specifics beyond that, it most likely comes down to a case-by-case basis.
ALAN HART FROM GREENSBORO, NC: I've been a Steelers fan for close to 55 years, and I have seen great plays and outstanding players wearing the black-and-gold. Out of the outstanding running backs who have graced the playing fields of Forbes Field, Pitt Stadium, Three Rivers Stadium, and Acrisure Stadium, I'd rate Franco Harris and Jerome Bettis as the top two. How would you rate the top 5 in Steelers history?
ANSWER: There are 4 Steelers running backs enshrined in the Hall of Fame – Franco Harris, Jerome Bettis, John Henry Johnson, and Bill Dudley – and so those are in the top 5 for sure. As for me picking a fifth, there are times when I cannot deny the seasons of individual brilliance turned out by Le'Veon Bell, and there are other times when I would choose the team-first approach that characterized Willie Parker's career with the Steelers.
BRIAN BOYCE FROM SPRINGBORO, PA: I love T.J. Watt, and his is the only current player jersey I own. But I can't say I'm all in on his record-setting signing. Glad to have him but I would have been equally glad to have another No. 1 or No. 2 pick in next year's draft as well as salary cap cash in the pocket this year. That said, does the highest-paid defense in the NFL have any money left to sign a wide receiver or an offensive tackle?
ANSWER: I am one who believes in the business model of a team keeping its great players, and there is no doubt in my mind that T.J. Watt is one of the Steelers great players. And to General Manager Omar Khan's credit, the Steelers were able to keep Watt via this contract extension without bankrupting their salary cap. Besides, the Steelers invested first-round picks in the 2023 and 2024 NFL Drafts on offensive tackles, and so I cannot imagine the team looking to spend a significant amount of "salary cap cash" on that position.
