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Brian Batko's Steelers chat: 01.22.24
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Brian Batko
1:54
Hi everyone, gonna start a little early because I probably need to bail a little early today. Steelers season is over and their next step is coaching changes. Let's get into it.
Ken
1:54
Why oh why would Pickens accuse the NFL of fixing the Steelers/Buffalo game?  I really didn't think the Refs did that bad a job that particular game.
Brian Batko
1:55
Because he's George Pickens? It's always someone else's fault, Ken.
Stairway to seventh seed
1:56
Brian:  The Steelers "live in their fears" of losing an emerging player that they drafted in free agency so they have expanded the practice of re-signing stars (Ben, TJ, Minkah, etc.) a year before they hit free agency to re-signing "good" and emerging players like Diontae and Highsmith.  Because players typically are overconfident in themselves, most of them are not going to sign ahead of time unless you pay them in the top range at their position.  I think both Diontae and Highsmith probably got $4-$10m more per year than they would have gotten as free agents after having down years in what would have been their contract year.  Are they about to do the same thing with Friermuth?  He has flashed at times, but had a very unproductive year, is injury prone, and can't block.  Paying him as a top-10 TE would be ridiculous wouldn't it?
Brian Batko
1:58
Not necessarily. You're right that there are some concerns with Pat Freiermuth. Biggest for me would be his injury history. The end of this past season was probably the best I've seen him block. Dawson Knox got 4 years, $52 million from the Bills. Cole Kmet got 4 for $50 million. I wouldn't be opposed to that range for Freiermuth, who should be more productive with a better OC/better QB play.
David
2:00
Am I crazy for wanting the Steelers to pursue Baker Mayfield?
Brian Batko
2:00
No, but that doesn't seem too likely. The Bucs should absolutely bring him back, though.
mrbig
2:00
Tomlin is staying... I guess the steelers have accpeted mediocrity? I remember us fighting for home field advantage during the regular season... now sneaking in the playoffs with help only to go 1 & done is what we should aim for?
Brian Batko
2:01
That's some real "who do you think you are?" type stuff, mrbig
JD
2:01
Brian, will the new offensive coordinator be able to hire his own offensive assistants i.e., line, wide receiver, qb, running back?  Does this happen most of the time in the NFL when a new coordinator is hired?
Brian Batko
2:04
Yes, but sometimes assistants are retained, particularly if they're well-regarded by the head coach or maybe someone in the front office. Or have a prior relationship with the new OC. The Steelers should be open to expanding their offensive staff. Even if you're high on some of your own returning assistants, from Mike Sullivan to Eddie Faulkner or Pat Mayer, let the new OC bring in his own people to secondary roles, pass game specialist, run game coordinator, things of that nature.
Ryan
2:04
It was great seeing Diggs drop that pass last night, wasn't it?  I wish someone from KC would have offered him a drink of Gatorade.  Most of these receivers in the NFL are divas and nothing but headaches.  Ours included.
Brian Batko
2:07
No, it wasn't great. It made me sad. Because that pass by Josh Allen was one of the most jaw-dropping throws I've ever seen. Well, my jaw literally dropped shortly thereafter when Tyler Bass missed that kick. I'll tell you what though, on the topic of diva WRs, how awesome is Mike Evans? You never really hear a bad word about that guy and all he does is produce. A 1,000-yard season every year he's been in the league. He was awesome yesterday again, too.
tom
2:08
BB  Why would any OC worth hiring want to even interview with this team, before an extension is announced for the HC?
Brian Batko
2:10
1) There are only 32 of those jobs on the planet 2) There are even fewer where you actually get to bet on yourself and call your own plays for a defense-oriented/CEO-type head coach. 3) They can do their own research and comfortably surmise that the extension is coming soon.
Jay
2:10
Hello Brian.  Offense is way below average, is it safe to say the top 3 picks will all be offense?  Dire need for WR, C, T, then DL or MLB.
Brian Batko
2:12
No, I don't think so, not with the way this offense has been built through the draft the last four years. They have a lot of talent, at least outside of QB, and I can't see them drafting one of those high again. What they need is someone to come in and make better use of those young offensive pieces. I actually think there's a chance the top three picks could all be defense. DL, ILB, DB (a bigger-bodied safety or an every-down slot corner kind of guy, if not an outside corner to pair with Joey Porter Jr).
Lovemaker
2:14
A popular opinion I've seen from fans on social media is the Steelers OC job isn't that attractive because of the QBs on the roster. I think that is ridiculous. Any good coach has a massive ego and a ton of confidence. I think any coach worth hiring would love the challenge of resurrecting Pickett's career. Besides, he's a great kid that works hard. Coaches dream. What are your thoughts?
Brian Batko
2:16
Like anything, I think there are differing opinions on the Steelers QBs throughout the NFL. That's exactly why you cast a wide net with interviews, to not only see who might be the best fit for Kenny Pickett (and to a lesser extent Mason Rudolph) but also to glean information about how the rest of the league views your personnel. I generally agree with your premise. As I wrote earlier, there are only 32 NFL OC jobs each season, and last I checked even the 0-16 Browns had one.
Out of Our League
2:17
One thing I noticed when watching the games this weekend was all eight teams looked prepared, enthusiastic, and played hard. They were well coached. The coaches were involved in the game and didn’t just stand around or look like a cheerleader. I haven’t seen that in Pittsburgh for over a decade. We seem very far from belonging in the same group as these teams. Is that something that can be corrected by taking the same approach every season and making minimal changes?
Brian Batko
2:20
What I saw more than all that was QB play that's simply a tier above what the Steelers have, or have had since 2018. I'm sure the Chiefs' left guard was prepared and the Bills' inside linebackers were playing hard, but that doesn't do much good if you don't have Pat Mahomes and Josh Allen firing lasers all over the field for three hours.
Ryan
2:20
Good afternoon Brian what did you think about the play of Najee and Jaylen during the season both looked good
Brian Batko
2:21
As I've said before, arguably the best RB tandem in the league. And they complement each other so well that picking up the option year on Najee Harris might be a no-brainer now.
Steeler fan in SC
2:22
Is Mitch Trubisky gone? If so, when will they cut him ?
Brian Batko
2:25
He should be. Nice enough guy, but it was a disaster here, for him and the team. All those moves start happening when the new league year begins in March and I believe Mitch Trubisky has a roster bonus in his contract, so you can bet on him being released before that kicks in.
Steeltree
2:27
Brian thanks for the great perspective you bring.  My take on the QB  situation is this - Pickett - who knows for sure what’ he can or can’t do at this point after 2 seasons in Canada’s offense.  Rudulph has shown where his ceiling is but is good enough if the team around him is very talented.   So I’d love to see them bring MR back as option 1B and KP as option 1A.  And if someone like Pinex  sic from Washington falls to them in the second round scoop him up and add him up the mix.  One thing Jordan Love and Rudulph showed us this year is it sometimes takes awhile for it all to click.
Brian Batko
2:29
Not sure about comparing Mason Rudolph to Jordan Love, who was in his first full year as a starter this season. But sure, I'm not opposed to your line of thinking. The risk involved is that you might just waste another year spinning your wheels with subpar QBs while TJ Watt, Minkah Fitzpatrick and Alex Highsmith are in their primes. Michael Penix intrigues me, for sure. In a league where superpower QBs rule the roost, his arm talent is hard to overlook.
Jake
2:31
Penix, DeJean, Sweat, and Mims are all there at 20. Who you taking ?
Brian Batko
2:34
Oh boy, we're getting in the weeds on draft questions already? I still have a ton of research to do, and all four of those guys will be on my radar, but at this early juncture my gut reaction is Amarius Mims. He and Broderick Jones helped Georgia win the national title last year, he can play right tackle and let Jones move back to left, and you can hopefully be set at that position for the next 5-10 years with two Bulldogs dominating up front
Coach15
2:34
What is ONE thing that will be improved/an upgrade, for the 2024 season, other than the OC?
Brian Batko
2:36
Hmmm. Overall, I believe the QB room will be better. Replacing Trubisky with a younger guy who has some traits and potential, plus the possibility of Kenny Pickett getting better has me in that frame of mind
Pistol33
2:37
Hey Brian! Thanks for the chats and insight!! Have you heard anything on guys they might like on the OC front and who are some names you think fit ? Thanks
Brian Batko
2:39
I have not but I did just take a pretty comprehensive look at possibilities that are or should be available to the Steelers in this hiring cycle. Not in any particular order, but I've grouped them into tiers of guys who have what Mike Tomlin seems to be looking for: previous NFL OC experience. Most intriguing to me would be Joe Brady if he's not retained in Buffalo, Klint Kubiak from the 49ers and Eric Bieniemy, assuming he doesn't go back to the Commanders.
CoalportKid
2:40
What did you make of Seumalo's QB comments? That guy gets great PFF grades, but does your eye tell you he is elite?
Brian Batko
2:42
You've got me looking in two different directions on that one, CK. I give him credit for giving an honest take on that whole situation. All of us on the outside can see that's the biggest issue facing this team. And I do think he played well this season, especially the second half.
Gene
2:43
What do you think is the biggest need the Steelers need to address in 2024 ?
Brian Batko
2:46
Could go a lot of different ways with that. New OC is obviously the most pressing need and a lot of the offseason is on hold until that hire is made. But addressing QB is always paramount, and it's a matter of how they go about doing that. Assuming they aren't gonna make a major move there, I see a rather large hole at ILB, because I can't trust the health of Cole Holcomb or viability of really anyone else who was in that room other than Elandon Roberts.
Fizz
2:46
Brian what are the odds they resign Rowe and release Kazee to free up some cap space. In his limited action Rowe definitely still has it and played much better than Kazee what say you?
Brian Batko
2:48
Eric Rowe is 31 and Damontae Kazee is 30, so while I think both were decent this year, it's time to get younger at safety. That said, I agree that I'd prioritize Rowe. He looked better to me, albeit in a small sample size, and is a more logical fit with Minkah Fitzpatrick, who's best utilized as a deep safety.
Jim
2:49
Any word on who the Steelers are interviewing for OC?
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