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Brian Batko's Steelers chat: 02.02.26
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Wide Right
2:37
Brian, do you think the Steelers being married to the 3-4 is silly? They play a 4-2-5 most of the time anyway. I think they should have requested permission to interview Jim Schwartz.
Brian Batko
2:37
I don't know that they're as married to it as they say. To your point, it's somewhat moot given how much subpackage they (and every other team) use.
Yuri
2:39
Hello Brian.  How do you see the Steelers offensive scheme changing under Coach McCarthy?  Will this be something that will have to evolve or can it be installed immediately?  Thank you Brian.
Brian Batko
2:40
Hey Yur. Probably a lot more 11 personnel from McCarthy, based on his time in Dallas, so they'll need to get more/better WRs in here. Which is fine, because that's an area that's been lacking anyway.
Philip in bk
2:41
two parter. Do think the coaching cycles over the last few years has depleted the coordinator canindates to the point that there’s not really that many hot qualified candidates and hence all the retreads this one?
sorry. Hit send too fast. Also considering how many flop isn’t it crazy that all new coaches get a 5 year contract? Thanks.
Brian Batko
2:42
Eh, not really. Because it's always cyclical, hence the term coaching cycle. There are good teams every season which means there are coordinators bolstering their stock every season.
Jim Bow Dean
2:42
McCarthy heavily used a traditional FB in Green Bay, specifically John Kuhn. He didn’t use one as much in Dallas but did on occasion and has been quoted as saying a FB is “a must on offense”. Do you think that will happen in Pittsburgh?
Brian Batko
2:44
My guess is no, just based on his most recent history, but it's worth acknowledging that designing an offense for Dak Prescott and the Cowboys is a different task than designing one for [QB X] and the Steelers in the rough-and-rugged AFC North. McCarthy was coaching a dome team and trying to build a roster that could light up the scoreboard if the playoffs went through Jerry World. If the playoffs are gonna go through Pittsburgh again, you need to be able to beat up teams physically.
Rich
2:45
Do you think it is a good situation that MM is hiring mostly his old cronies?  I know coaches like to hire people they are familiar with but this same staff didn’t exactly do well in the playoffs much like MT.  New fresh ideas are needed.  Thank you.
Brian Batko
2:46
Maybe the optics aren't great, but even if they'd have brought in a younger, first-time head coach, that guy probably would've hired people he's crossed paths with, too. It's just the nature of the business, as you said, Rich. In this case, it's an even more familiar list of names given McCarthy's Pitt and Pittsburgh ties.
Steely McBeam
2:47
Where do you see Steelers priorities in the upcoming draft? I would think wide receiver, safety, guard, cornerback and defensive line would rank high on their list. Thank you
Brian Batko
2:47
Unless they have their hearts set on a QB again, yeah.
chuck Mac
2:48
Your guess on another year of AROD?.  With the draft weak and table scraps for free agents...why not and just set the table for 2027???
Brian Batko
2:48
I just fail to see how it sets the table for 2027. Did 2025 set the table for 2026?
Ryan
2:49
Hi Brian, why isn't Mike Tomlin's name in contention for the coach of the year?  He won the division with an old QB and an old defensive unit.  That has to be worth at least a nomination.
Brian Batko
2:50
Because he was deeply, deeply involved with bringing in said old QB and old defensive unit. Also there are at least a half-dozen other candidates who had much better seasons with similar impediments.
Greenwood
2:50
Brian, thanks for continuing the chats. When it was thought there were some potential franchise QB's in the coming draft, word was Steelers would use their considerable number of picks to trade up. Now that the QB class looks less than stellar, is that still being discussed? Or perhaps we go for WR? I'm sure new coach throws a wrinkle in all past chatter.
Brian Batko
2:51
Sure thing, Greenwood. I do still think it's being discussed. Because I imagine Omar Khan and Co. didn't accrue all those extra picks and work the comp formula expecting to make all of them, then have 11 or 12 rookies make the team. Just not a particularly effective use of resources.
John
2:52
I know they'll in need of one, but if the WR class is plenty, why draft one in the first pick. Wouldn't DL, OL, S be more worthwhile?
Brian Batko
2:53
Because I don't think it's plentiful enough to wait til the 2nd round, John. So far, I really, really like Jordyn Tyson and Carnell Tate.
Mongo
2:54
Man, the recent team machinations remind me of Washington from the early to late 1970s until they hired Joe Gibbs.  Retread players. Out of touch coaches reaching for some proverbial brass ring. Do they truly, honestly think they're only a player or two away? What's your gut tell you?  Not what the team is saying.
Brian Batko
2:56
My gut tells me that it's not hard to change your fortunes thoroughly and quickly in this league, with how much parity there is. The Patriots hit a 3-run homer with Drake Maye. The Seahawks have strung together a bunch of base hits.
Steeler Joe
2:56
To springboard off Greenwood's comment -- maybe they trade some picks this year for more picks next year, when they'll be ammo for trading up in a better QB draft?
Brian Batko
2:57
Yeah, I don't think that's out of the realm of possibility for an analytical GM like Omar Khan. HOWEVER SJ, this year is a cautionary tale of how we shouldn't get ahead of ourselves overestimating next year's QB class. We were so sure 2026 would be better than 2025 and it's not.
Henry Hill
2:58
Greetings Brian; chance Darnold goes Darnold and gives the Pats their 7th Lombardi? I'm concerned it'll happen.
Brian Batko
2:58
My gut is still talking to me from Mongo's question and that's he's telling me, HH
Jake
2:59
I keep seeing posts about Jones moving to G and I completely agree it’s worth a shot. I know I’m going way back, but didn’t Haselrig go from T to G? If so that move def worked out for both parties
Brian Batko
3:00
Before my time, but RIP Carlton Haselrig. You might be misremembering, though. He actually went from college wrestler to guard.
BelfairRoxi
3:00
Brian first timer here. Read your chats always and enjoy them. I was very upset with the McCarthy hire at first, however the way he is building his staff with older experienced assistant coaches with younger underlings I view as a major positive. If McCarthy is a BRIDGE COACH, he IS building a staff that is certainly an upgrade over any Tomlin had and at the same time bringing younger understudies to learn the Steelers culture AND  BRIDGE to the next generation. Your thoughts?
Brian Batko
3:01
That's a good note of optimism to end on for today - and from a first-time chatter, at that.
FirstTimeLongTime
3:01
Hey BB - just bought a bar. Need to have an IPA on draft.  What's a good recommendation as I'm not someone with elevated tastes  (gimme an IC or a PBR)
Brian Batko
3:02
Maine Lunch
OK friends, I'm outta here. Gotta get my week in gear. Thanks for stopping by and Ray Fitt will be in tomorrow at high noon. Enjoy
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