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Brian Batko's Steelers chat: 01.15.26
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Brian Batko
11:01
Hi everyone in Steeler land. Figured it would be good to chat today, given that I didn't do one Monday other than our pregame edition. But it's been a year this week! We'll start in about 15 minutes.
11:15
OK folks, key in the ignition, let's crank this up.
Living in My Fears
11:15
Hi, Brian. Over the past couple eventful days, a number of folks in the media have brought up the need for the Steelers to "modernize" the franchise. From your perspective, what does this entail (coaching staff size and/or duties, facilities, use of analytics, something else)? How much of a role did it play in recent playoff failures? And how likely is ARII likely to greenlight additional investment if needed?
Brian Batko
11:17
I think it's a lot of those things. Style of play, perhaps, too. Offensively, we all know how conservative this team has been in recent years. Defensively, the 3-4 structure is arguably in need of a revamp or even an overhaul.
Oscar
11:18
What will the Tomlin detractors do now?
Brian Batko
11:18
Celebrate, I guess.
martian
11:19
BB - as a hypothetical owner of the Steelers - who's your choice in Head Coach, and would you rather them draft a QB this year, or roll with Will Howard and continue to build around him, and decide on QB the following year?
Brian Batko
11:20
Haven't quite decided yet, martian. Is that OK? Am I allowed to take a little bit of time to think? My season just ended three days ago and my coach of 19 years stepped down two days ago. But we've had more time to follow the QB outlook for this draft. I wouldn't recommend drafting one in the first round, that's for sure.
Tom M.
11:21
It’s been reported that even though Tomlin resigned, the Steelers retain his rights such that they would get compensation from a team that would hire him. My question is why would he leave all that money on the table and not get them to relinquish those rights in return? That way he would be a FA able to go to a team he chooses at the highest bidder? Also, is it safe to assume he still has the no trade clause so he would still have final say?
Brian Batko
11:23
That was one topic Art Rooney II really didn't want to touch yesterday. And who can blame him? That's a situation where leverage/strategy comes into play, for all sides. Them, him and any interested teams down the road. Clearly, he left that money on the table because he decided it was time for a chance, no matter how much cash he stands to lose in the process. And yes, I've always thought it's safe to assume the Steelers wouldn't just ship him off to a team that wanted him, regardless of Tomlin's wishes. They wouldn't do that to him regardless of a contract clause.
scott smith
11:25
Hi Brian. What about Grant Udinkski for the HC job? I realize he's only 30 and doesn't call the plays as the Jax OC. But from his reputation and interviews, it seems like he could be on a McVay ascension. He seems like an offensive wizard and has great communication skills.
Brian Batko
11:26
Yeah, those are two major questions for me. But the more I look into him, the more I'm intrigued. Was a defensive end in college. Then got into coaching the offensive side of the ball and has done quite well for himself. My concern with that is always, how well can someone who just turned 30 command a room of NFL players? Of course, Tomlin and Sean McVay did it at a young age, but you have to be a special kind of coach to pull that off, I think.
Michael
11:27
Brian, do you think Tomlin’s option year would have been picked up in March?  Rooney said he was willing to run it back next year with Tomlin, but stopped there.  Thoughts?
Brian Batko
11:28
I noticed that, too. And that, combined with just the overall trajectory of the franchise - stagnant, basically - actually makes me think he would not have. Which would've made it quite awkward for all involved, in my opinion.
George C. from Scott
11:28
I am a little discouraged that ARII said he’d like a new coach that “fits the mold” of the last three coaches. And so far all the interview requests except for one is from the defensive side. Why are the Steelers so wedded to a 60-year old philosophy?
Brian Batko
11:29
We don't know that they are, George. In that same breath, he said they aren't going to narrow the box too much on candidates. So let's just be patient to that end. I honestly don't know the logistics of the order of interview requests, so I'm not putting too much stock into who's first or last.
obxandy
11:30
New head coach is likely to pick next Steelers QB. Any coach & QB possibilities that you see?
Brian Batko
11:32
Malik Willis is probably the belle of the ball when it comes to this free agency class. No one around the NFL has come calling to talk to any Packers assistants to this point, but their OC is Adam Stenavich and their pass game coordinator is actually a local guy, South Park native Jason Vrable.
Benson DuBois
11:33
Tomlin, Cowher, and Noll each had charisma and an intensity about them that resonated with the Steelers brand.  How important is it for the next coach to carry these qualities?
Brian Batko
11:35
Pretty dang important, in my mind. I feel like that's generally what helps build a strong culture in the NFL, which all three of those guys did. There are a lot of schools of thought on that, though. Stuff like charisma and intensity is subjective, whereas the stats of an offensive-minded or defensive-minded candidate and what they did with their units is more objective. But I don't want a coach who's maybe a really good coordinator or play-caller but a dud when it comes to dealing with a team.
Steve in Columbus
11:35
I would like to see the Steelers trade for Mac Jones.  He was a pro bowler in NE before Belichek put the defensive coordnator in charge of the offense.  I think he could be a good addition and then use all of their picks to build up the roster.  Thoughts?
Brian Batko
11:36
Eh, I think that's just a case of a guy who's OK but got put in a situation to succeed by a really good coach in Kyle Shanahan. I'd pass on that one.
Henry Hill
11:37
Greetings Brian; can the Steelers interview coaching candidates who are currently coaching in the playoffs?
Brian Batko
11:37
Yes, virtually
Atlanta Dan
11:37
Thanks for the chat and the great coverage of the Steelers by    your Post-Gazette colleagues and you over the years.  With a new head coach coming in who will not have any preexisting loyalty to players or previous contract decisions, based on current & anticipated future productivity, salary, and age, if the Steelers want to move on from one of the older members of the defense as part of rebuilding the roster is the best option to see what they could get in return for trading TJ Watt if he is interested in going?
Brian Batko
11:41
I'd say that's absolutely a domino effect here, Dan. You're looking at it from the team's side, naturally, but how about from the other side? As much as Cam Heyward and TJ Watt embrace being one-helmet guys, I imagine a lot of that is thrown into flux now that the only coach they've ever known won't be back.
Jim Bow Dean
11:42
Art talks about Tomlin always having them in contention. In contention for what? Certainly not Lombardi trophies. They haven’t been close to that for a decade. In contention for the playoffs? So what. The league is designed so nearly every team is in contention for the post season.
Brian Batko
11:43
And that's ultimately why it was time, I think, JBD. I believe his point was that the Steelers almost always make the playoffs, and you have to be in the playoffs to contend for the Super Bowl, but I hear you. It felt like they were miles away for the past five years.
Albany Adam
11:43
Do you think there’s a reasonable chance they go offensive for this hire?  Also any thoughts on which coordinators are going to be retained by the Rooneys?
Brian Batko
11:46
Yes, I do. It's too early to pinpoint much of anything. I'd be surprised if they go with a coach older than Tomlin or a college coach, but that's about all I'm ruling out, AA. Coordinator-wise, don't expect Arthur Smith or Teryl Austin back. Danny Smith, though? Special teams coaches tend to survive staff transitions sometimes. And that guy is a survivor.
62 Stack Monster
11:46
Brian, In spite of all the criticism that was bandied about, it's sad to see Coach Tomlin go. I prefer to see an offense-oriented head coach.  What are the chances that they will break tradition and take that route?
Brian Batko
11:47
45%, 62SM
TJ in VA
11:47
How about this QB plan as the FO interviews coaches - let Rudolph, Howard battle it out for starting QB with a middle of the pack draft pick like the Ole Miss QB as backup? No more retread FA pickups please.
Brian Batko
11:49
Sure, I don't hate that. Maybe you even find a serendipitous fit with someone like Trinidad Chambliss, Taylen Green, Cade Klubnik, whoever.
TVC15
11:50
Hi Brian, What a week for Tomlin! Going from chest thumping and blowing kisses (for the other team missing a gimme field goa no lessl) to stepping down after yet another blowout playoff loss. Is it at all somehow possible that the Steelers might be able to  find a head coach who might win 4 playoff games over the next 15 years doing even better than Tomlin did winning 3 over the past 15 years.  That bar is set incredibly high.
Brian Batko
11:51
To be fair, that Ravens win and his exit were more than a week apart. But let's not act like winning playoff games is easy in the NFL. Particularly for a team right now without a head coach, without a long-term QB, and in a division with Lamar Jackson and Joe Burrow.
Cdub
11:52
Which bloated could we possibly off-load to another team, TJ, DK, others?
Brian Batko
11:54
TJ is one I think you have to seriously look at. First off, there's no denying his production has waned. There's also not one, not two, but three younger edge rushers behind him in the pecking order who are either playing great now, have a bright future or both. That contract is a real albatross, though. You'd probably have to find a team that runs a similar defense, has cap space and might just be one pass-rushing piece away from winning a Super Bowl. I'll throw out the Patriots and Rams.
Mike in Virginia
11:55
Let's say the Steelers bring in a coach next year and it goes miserably. Terrible record, infighting, a real Cleveland/Jets situation. The season ends and technically you still have Mike Tomlin under contract for a year. Do you consider jumping ship on the new coach and try to talk him into coming back after a year off to reset?
Brian Batko
11:55
That's kind of a hilarious scenario, Mike. Kudos for creativity. You can't tell me anything other than that ship has sailed. There's no putting that jell-o back in the box, to use one of the more underrated Tomlin-isms.
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