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Brian Batko's Steelers chat: 01.27.25
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Brian Batko
12:38
On one hand, yes. On the other hand, look at how badly turnovers have hurt teams in this postseason. There's no one-size-fits-all offensive mentality that works. The key, of course, is to have a QB like Patrick Mahomes who can effortlessly push the ball downfield while also protecting it in the biggest moments of the season. He and Josh Allen have combined for one interception since Nov. 17.
Tim
12:39
As we shift to thinking about the daft, what would you rate as our most significant needs: CB, WR, d-line?
Brian Batko
12:40
Until they actually make a move at QB, QB has to be first, but I'm assuming they bring back at least one or both of last year's guys. So with that said, I'd probably go DL-RB-WR-CB-S. Doesn't necessarily mean I'd draft them in that order, but those are where the primary roster holes are in my mind.
Nate
12:40
Will we find our "franchise" qb of the future in this draft? Jalen Milroe.
Brian Batko
12:41
They're picking 21st so I doubt it.
Drunk uncle
12:42
Hey Bats,,,what’s your favorite adult beverage.Hows the family Bats
Brian Batko
12:43
Probably some sort of IPA. Family is doing fine, thank you for asking Drunk uncle.
Commissioner
12:43
The Steelers are starting to sound like the Pirates. They tell the fans what they want to hear but then all we hear is crickets. Why should we expect true changes that will change this organization’s direction or are we just being gullible at this point?
Brian Batko
12:45
I imagine being compared to the Pirates must be like nails on a chalkboard for Art Rooney II, should these criticisms ever come across his desk. But I certainly would not go that far. They're probably more akin to the Penguins these days, right? And I feel your frustration, Commish, but you might be a tad gullible if you do expect franchise direction type changes from the Steelers, at least at this point in time coming off another 10-7 playoff season.
Scranton
12:46
Steelers are so far away from competing with KC/Buffalo.  Is it time for a complete rebuild?  They've wasted the primes of Heyward and Watt.  Is it time to trade away the big names, go in the tank for a year or two to draft higher and come out on the other side?  Wouldn't that be better than these last 15 years of purgatory?
Brian Batko
12:46
Eh, it's my guess the Steelers would rather let the careers of those two guys play out naturally. Unless they want to be somewhere else to chase a Super Bowl but I don't get the feeling that's the case. Not right now anyway.
Seven
12:47
Thanks for your time Brian. AR2 from all descriptions is a fine man and a a good NFL owner. But, to be a great NFL owner you have to have to be ruthless at times. His dad fired his uncle as the team's scouting director in the '80s. He steered Chuck Noll toward the exit. He fired the GM during the Cowher years and brought in a guy that built Super Bowl champions. His dad disappointed the obvious candidates when he hired Tomlin as head coach in 2007. Until Art2 makes some tough and maybe unpopular decisions, this team is dead in the water.
Brian Batko
12:48
I'm sure anyone in power of a pro franchise loses sleep at night trying to better the team while also resisting the urge to be a Jerry Jones type.
Barry "Bananas" Foster
12:49
Watching the final four teams this weekend, I feel more empathetic toward Tomlin and Khan.  What I learned is that there are perhaps 3 E-L-I-T-E NFL teams and that being elite relies on some degree of luck finding and retaining transcendent players (Mahomes, Kelce, Allen, Barkley) and there aren't enough of those type of players to go around.  On top of that, you have the variable of a devastating injury to a key player that can scuttle the best laid plan.
Brian Batko
12:50
Correct. It's not easy to win and win big on a regular basis. But it's possible. The Commanders just flipped the script from 4-13 to looking like they're gonna be contenders for years to come. Now, obviously, picking second overall went a long way toward that and choosing Jayden Daniels at that spot made all the more difference.
Michael
12:50
Brian, what is the timeframe for resigning either Wilson or Fields?  Which do they prefer?  Is Wilson to Las Vegas a realistic possibility?  Thanks
Brian Batko
12:52
I initially figured there's no way Russell WIlson and Pete Carroll would reunite in Las Vegas. But Russ is a big brand, Ciara is a big brand and Vegas might be looking for just that type of bridge QB either to a rookie this year or next. Then I saw some of the NFL insiders putting it out there that those two have mended fences. So sure, I'll say it's a possibility.
Jim Bow Dean
12:53
A team’s actions tell you what they are thinking. Doesn’t the fact there has been zero changes tell us the Steelers are perfectly content with the status quo.
Brian Batko
12:53
It's not uncommon for the Steelers to make assistant coach changes well into February. So while they likely won't be the kind of major shake-ups you or other want to see, let's not assume they're standing pat.
Steve
12:54
good morning. After investing draft picks and free agents in the offensive line I feel they are still underperforming. Anyway they could bring in munchak as a line coach or at least a specialist to help?
Brian Batko
12:54
Depends if he'd want to move back to Pittsburgh. He left for Denver to be closer to family. And has been out of coaching the last few seasons.
Vito Jr.
12:56
I think it’s time for the Rooney family to sell the team. They’ve become complacent in management of the team. Ownership is not a birthright. It’s okay to take the money and retire.
Brian Batko
12:56
I don't think that's gonna happen, Vito.
OldTom
12:56
At this point, doesn't it seem the only likely way to get back to the Steelers Way is letting Russ walk, signing Fields, drafting one receiver high, signing another one as a free agent, and then draft only big, nasty, studs, mostly on DL.  Then find a new DQ and tell Mike to let him and Smith control their departments.  Quit big footing every detail  or goodbye.  He can be fine as a big picture guy.
Brian Batko
12:57
That's as good a plan as any, OldTom. But I don't think they're changing DCs at this point. And I have no issue with Teryl Austin in general. I just think a new voice, new energy on the coaching staff on that side of the ball can't hurt after the putrid performances we saw down the stretch.
George T
12:58
Hi Brian, I have been a Steeler fan for over 60 years and was a season ticket holder from 1970 to 1986 when I had to move away so I have seen the great and bad times. I believe the Steelers need a lot of help and get younger and the best way is through the draft.  I would sign Justin Fields and look to trade a number for players for draft picks. OLB is one place we could get a high draft pick and I would look to trade George Pickens for another WR or any draft pick we can get. I would also look at trading down for more picks.  We need to draft DL, CB, WR, and RB the order is not important.
Brian Batko
12:59
So basically you want them to blow it up and rebuild around Justin Fields. It would be different, yes. But I'll pose this food for thought: While the Steelers would never say it, they essentially have been rebuilding since Ben Roethlisberger retired and Mike Tomlin has been the one trusted with ushering them through that. It's just not going particularly well because they've taken a lot of half-measures rather than the more drastic ones you suggest.
Ron
1:00
I feel Steeler fans would not care to have a bad year or 2 for a change in head coach. Andy Reid only won 2 games 1st yr in KC
Brian Batko
1:01
It always sounds fine in theory and on paper (or in chat rooms) doesn't it? But living through it would be another thing is my guess. Anyway, if you're ever gonna be comfortable going that route, might as well be in 2025 so they can pick first overall when the draft is here in Pittsburgh in 2026.
OK everyone, with that pipe dream on your mind, I'm gonna shut it down. Thanks for stopping by and I'll be on vacation next week, so please don't miss the chat too much. Enjoy the Super Bowl.
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