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Brian Batko's Steelers chat: 02.02.26
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Brian Batko
2:00
Hey everyone, not sure why Omar Khan is glaring at me in the chat photo but I'm happy to be here.
Gary
2:01
Bats how’s the family. .Did you have good weekend sir
Bats, what’s your go to adult beverage during superbowl
Brian Batko
2:02
Pretty good weekend other than getting my car stuck in a mound of snow overnight from Friday into Saturday. That was not my finest moment. Anyway, I'll probably have an IPA. Maybe I should go grab a Seattle brand. Elysian, perhaps.
Lou
2:02
Brian! What’s your favorite all time biggest superbowl play in history?
Brian Batko
2:03
Think I'd have to go Ben to Santonio Holmes. We were watching at my uncle Mike's house on his birthday, a family full of Steeler fans, and that was quite memorable.
Mark from Cali
2:03
Good Morning Bats! Do you think the negativity from the fans is because the legacy of three coaches in 56 years is over? I am guessing McCarthy will only be here a few years. Thank you.
Brian Batko
2:05
Good afternoon, Mark. I would say the negativity is based more on the process of the hire and because they broke from the mold that DID work to the tune of three coaches in almost 60 years. Lot of folks seemed ready for a breath of fresh air, and while Mike McCarthy is new, he's a very familiar face.
Chris
2:05
Would Tomlin's departure make Cam Heyward leave? And if that's the case, would it also lead to Connor Heyward stepping away as well?
Brian Batko
2:05
Not sure, Chris. All I know on that front is on his podcast last week, Cam Heyward barely mentioned the Steelers hiring Mike McCarthy, let alone analyze or praise it in any way. That struck me as a bit odd.
Ed Seth
2:07
TJ’s play this season should worry the Steelers.  I wouldn’t want to deal with this.  I see no way out.  Do you share this concern?
Brian Batko
2:09
Yes, I can see that contract becoming an albatross if his production  doesn't bounce back from this 7-sack season. But in fairness to Watt, he also made some humongous plays. The interception against Baltimore, strip sacks against the Bears and Colts, the other INT against the Vikings in Dublin. Those were game-changing moments he delivered.
Stairway to seventh seed
2:09
Brian: what do you think the results would be of a poll of Steeler fans asking if they would rather see the franchise focus on building a team that could seriously contend for the Super Bowl for a 4-5 year period say from 2028-2032 OR go all-in to try to win one playoff game as soon as possible (which seems to be what AJRII wants to do)?
Brian Batko
2:11
Well there's no guarantee that you will build a team into a serious contender even if you do take that more long-range approach. And I'd say if they do take a step forward by getting a playoff win, that would mean enough went right that you're feeling good about bigger goals sooner than later. I understand your sentiment, though. To me, in the NFL, most fans are willing to trade A LOT for one Super Bowl and all that comes with it.
Belicheat
2:11
I have a trick question: (the answer is no one will ever know) How many Super Bowls would I have won without cheating?  thinking_face
Brian Batko
2:14
I don't know but Mike McCarthy's new chief of staff, Steve Scarnecchia,  has some Spygate history himself.
Pittfan
2:15
Hi Brian. It seems there are a lot of good football minds who are on the Will Howard train. Why? Is it wishful thinking or is there some legitimacy to it? I loved the pick but I've been told by you and your associates to calm down because he's a 6th round pick.
Brian Batko
2:17
With all due respect to Will Hahrd, whom I thought was worth more than a sixth-round pick, it's easy for "good football minds" with no skin in the game to say nice things about a likable player. There are also a lot of good football minds in the NFL whose job security is more directly tied to their player evaluations and they collectively passed on Howard 184 times.
BPOS
2:18
How much say, if any, will McCarthy have in adding additional roles to the coaching staff? We all know Tomlin had the "less is better approach".  Will he be free to add a reasonable amount if he deems helpful or will it be highly scrutinized by Omar and Rooney.
Brian Batko
2:20
He's already adding a different role than Mike Tomlin had in the aforementioned Scarnecchia. Also sounds like Frank Cignetti Jr. might be some sort of senior offensive assistant, although Mike Sullivan had that title his final season on staff. McCarthy made it sound in some of his sit-down interviews that he has about the same number of staff spots to fill, so we'll see on that.
Howey in Florida
2:23
Any thoughts on why Chris Shula wasn't selected to be a HC?
Brian Batko
2:25
Well the Steelers and Titans went older with more experience. Dolphins and Ravens chose defensive coordinators with more familiarity with their organization/front office. Raiders are going offense and Shula declined to interview with the Browns, reportedly.
Michael
2:26
Brian, I’m assuming they won’t pick up B Jones’ option yr and the plan is to let him and Cook battle it out?  If Cook wins out, would they try to trade Jones or keep him as the swing tackle?
Brian Batko
2:26
I wonder if they'd try him at guard
Shane in Colrain
2:27
Is anyone outside of New England rooting for the Pats?
Brian Batko
2:27
Just friends and family
CG
2:28
Could Broderick Jones transition to guard?
Brian Batko
2:28
Don't know, but I'd rather try that before giving up on the guy completely, you know?
The Robber
2:29
Hi Brian, I thoroughly enjoy your chats!  I’m not sure if you read Christopher Carter’s analysis regarding the best Steelers draft picks per round. I gave that article some thought and realized, in the past 55 years, the Steelers scouting department reached their zenith 55 years ago!  In approximately 275 attempts (55 years multiplied by rounds One through Five), the scouting department could not eclipse what they achieved in the early 1970’s.  Man that’s a LONG dry spell!
Brian Batko
2:29
Thanks Robber. That was Noah Hiles, but yeah, not really a coincidence that one of the most dynastic runs in NFL history had some of the best draft picks in franchise history.
Deja Vu
2:29
I’m feeling like this coaching hire and QB situation reminds me of Buddy Parker and 35 year old Bobby Layne. They replaced him with 35 year old Ed Brown on 1963z. Now that was a depressing time. Just like today.
Brian Batko
2:30
I'll have to take your word for it on that one, Deja Vu.
Hambert
2:31
Hi Brian, What do you think of the following draft by position: 1a WR; 1b trade back into the end of the 1st using our 2nd and one of the extra 3rd rounders to get Ty Simpson; 3a CB; 3b S; 4 G; 5 IDL?
Brian Batko
2:31
Not real big on Ty Simpson, to be honest with ya, Hamberto
Linus
2:32
The Steelers will not/not draft their franchise QB in the upcoming draft due to the underwhelming QB draft class. Your comments please.
Brian Batko
2:33
The Steelers will not not NOT draft their franchise QB in this class, yeah.
obxandy
2:34
Brian, Hello and thanks for all your chats and articles. I am a regular reader. I'd like your opinion of a trade idea with the Raiders for #1 pick in 2026 draft so Steelers could choose Mendoza. Steelers send Broderick Jones, Nick Herbig, Steelers Round 1 and one of their Round 3 picks in 2026, and Steelers Round 1 2027 pick. Of course such a move would only be made if Steelers think Mendoza is a potential franchise QB. What, if anything, might need to be added to tempt the Raiders? Thank you.
Brian Batko
2:36
Hey Andy, thank you. But I think the only thing that would tempt the Raiders would be some sort of veteran QB falling into their lap who isn't Fernando Mendoza. I'm not even sure who or what that would be, though. Kyler Murray? And then the Steelers would just have to try to do the same thing to acquire the No. 2 pick from the Jets.
Mikey 412
2:36
Hey Bats, appreciate everything.  Please tell me we don’t over draft for Ty Simpson…..
Brian Batko
2:36
If McCarthy sees him as a great fit for his offense who knows Mikey ...
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