STEELERS CHAT

HIGHLIGHTS

Highlights from Ray Fittipaldo’s Tuesday Steelers chat, which you can join weekly at post-gazette.com. Questions and answers have been edited for clarity:

• BB: Why would the Steelers add to the running back room? Seems to be pretty low on the “needs” list … thanks.

Ray Fittipaldo: Well, maybe it’s merely the Steelers scouting department having good memories. In 2016, Wendell Smallwood, who was signed earlier Tuesday, ran for 79 yards on 17 carries and scored a touchdown in a 34-3 Eagles victory in Philadelphia. And judging from Smallwood’s career stats, that likely was the best game of his career. Not sure why they added a player like Smallwood. Maybe another shoe is to drop, but he only had 22 carries last year. It’s not like he was a much soughtafter free agent. Obviously.

Billy: When do you think we will see Cam Heyward get a new contract? Will it get done before the start of the season?

Ray Fittipaldo: That’s one of the top questions between now and the season. The pandemic has not made this easy. Teams weren’t doing contracts from May until July. A few, such as Patrick Mahomes, got done this month. But not a lot. I do know the Steelers value Heyward and he is their top priority. In a normal year, he’s probably already signed by now, but this is not a normal year, and it’s up in the air as to whether the team does a long-term deal with him. With a minimum $175 million salary cap floor for next season (down from $198 million this year), it’s going to be hard on a lot of teams to sign star players.

Tunch: Will [Stefen] Wisniewski be unhappy if he ends up as the all-purpose back-up? I have to imagine he envisioned starting?

Ray Fittipaldo: I talked to Wisniewski after he signed, and he was told he would have an opportunity to compete for a starting job. He wasn’t promised anything. Obviously, having the offseason wiped out hurt his chances. But he has been in this position before. Most recently in Kansas City. He’s a pro and knows how to prepare. If and when he is called upon, he’ll be ready. And that’s part of the reason the Steelers signed him.

Leroy: Do you think this will be Ben [Roethlisberger’s] last season with the Steelers. With such a high cap hit next year, do you see them moving on?

Ray Fittipaldo: And be stuck with a $44 million cap hit or whatever outrageous number it is? The Steelers plan to have Ben for two more years. After that, it’s up for discussion.

Bill’s Dad: What are the chances [coach Mike] Tomlin’s clock/game management has improved? Any word on utilizing advanced analytics like the rest of the league?

Ray Fittipaldo: The Steelers always have used advanced analytics. They just didn’t really have a name for it. As for the clock management/game management thing they did have Teryl Austin in the booth last season to help him on challenges.

Steelrz99: If Kerrith Whyte isn’t on the big roster, do they put him on the practice squad? I thought he showed promise last year. Would other teams be interested enough to sign him off of the practice squad?

Ray Fittipaldo: Perhaps. The Steelers had injuries last season and signed Whyte off of the Bears practice squad. So anything is possible. He has a skill set NFL teams desire — speed.