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Brian Batko's Steelers chat: 02.09.26
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Brian Batko
12:00
Hey everyone, hope you enjoyed the game last night. Though I'll admit, I didn't find it the most entertaining. But let's chat about Seahawks over Patriots, Steelers, or whatever else you're thinking
Jim Bow Dean
12:01
If AR returns wouldn’t that just about rule out drafting one in 2026? They won’t keep four on the roster and I don’t see them releasing Howard or Rudolph. Unless the play games with IR again.
Brian Batko
12:03
I wouldn't say Aaron Rodgers returning would rule out drafting a QB. Will Howard is a sixth-round pick and Mason Rudolph is an affordable veteran with one relatively cheap year left on his deal. You like a QB in the draft, you just let those three battle it out and go from there.
Bat's Best Bud
12:04
Hey Bats, thanks for the chats!  Assuming Rodgers decides to ride off into the sunset, who would be your top 3 trade targets at QB and who would be a QB you'd take a chance on in the draft?
Brian Batko
12:08
Not sure we can assume that, BBB. But if he does, my top three trade targets would be Tanner McKee in Philly, Joe Milton in Dallas and ... maybe Jacoby Brissett? Basically a bet on upside or just a veteran stopgap. Draft-wise, Drew Allar will be a value eventually.
CoalportKid
12:08
Is Broderick Jones better than Will Campbell?
Brian Batko
12:09
Maybe
Mikey 412
12:09
Hi Bats 🦇, appreciate everything.  I remember not long ago waking up the Monday after the super bowl and feeling the overwhelming sense of pride and excitement.  That is all.
Brian Batko
12:09
I remember not long ago avoiding TVs at all costs so that I wouldn't have to see Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce and the Chiefs hoisting the trophy yet again
D
12:10
Seeing the Patriots and what they've done the last 10 years, do you think the Steelers should be a little embarrassed?
Brian Batko
12:10
Frustrated would be the word I use. Disappointed, maybe. Not sure about embarrassed.
Lou
12:11
Brian, what do you think is more important…the drafting and development and filling out a good roster or the actual coaches putting in schemes?
Brian Batko
12:11
The former, but I think good coaching and scheme can elevate a relatively weak roster, or take a good roster to great.
62 Stack Monster
12:12
Brian, Mike Vrabel cut/drafted/signed/traded 30 players to get the team to a SB within 2 years (?).  Will R Steelers follow suit or will they stand pat?  I watched that game, and we are miles away from competing.  (Yes, the Steelers beat NE this past year, but NE had 5+ turnovers in that game...)
Brian Batko
12:15
Are we sure the Patriots weren't miles away from competing in that game? I think the Steelers feel pretty good about their recent drafts, though. Not sure there will be as much of an overhaul. Plus, the Belichick transition was probably even more pronounced than the Steelers and Mike Tomlin parting ways.
Tom M.
12:15
McCarthy has already stated he would like Rodgers back. Do you think the Steelers will have an answer from Rodgers as to if he wants to return by the start of free agency in March? If not, how do they plan for the season?
Brian Batko
12:16
Yeah, I believe they will. Last year was an outlier for Rodgers in that he was cut by the Jets and that whole situation was a fiasco. There should be more stability in his professional life with this decision, and thus a sooner resolution reached.
Pittfan
12:17
Hi Brian. After hearing from Tomlin's insiders about his intention to step down after last season, it appears he did try to load up with more experienced players for one last shot at the golden ring. What do you think the current pecking order is with player decisions? After ARII is Omar now the final decision maker?
Brian Batko
12:19
That's a good question. My early read on Mike McCarthy is that he is deferring to Omar Khan quite a bit on roster management. Maybe that's how he wants it at this stage of his career. I guess I'd look at it this way: Khan will lean on McCarthy (and Andy Weidl) quite a bit when it comes to specific acquisitions, while McCarthy will lean on them when it comes to the overall philosophy and approach.
Realist
12:19
For the first time since I was a little kid, I didn't watch the SB.  Looks like I didn't miss anything!  Hopefully the Seahawks will lose a bunch of FAs and won't repeat!
Brian Batko
12:21
Kenneth Walker, Rashid Shaheed, Boye Mafe and Tariq Woolen are among their unrestricted free agents. They're the odds-on favorite next year, too, as of now.
Pat Hater
12:22
On behalf of Steeler Nation (and most of the country): Thank-you Seahawks.
Brian Batko
12:23
Steelers and Patriots remain tied atop NFL history with six Super Bowls apiece
Silent Bob
12:24
Hi Brian - I thought a big part of the Steelers problem at WR was the guys are too small. Remember that picture with Rodgers over the summer: Metcalf, Meuth and what looked like high school kids. Yet JSN from the Seahawks is the best in the league at 5’11”. Roman Wilson is about the same height and a lot faster. Long windup to why does is RW trending towards a bust? Does he just not put the time in to master the intricacies of the game that separates the top players from all the rest? Brady said about JSN that the way he runs and keeps his shoulders aligned makes him really hard to defend and is a great route runner. Thanks
Brian Batko
12:27
Are you thinking of a different JSN? He was just under 6-1 at the combine. Size was not a knock on him coming out of Ohio State. Body type-wise, Roman Wilson is probably a lot more similar to Zay Flowers from the Ravens, who's having a lot of success as a diminutive receiver. Wilson will get a fresh start with McCarthy and his staff but if Aaron Rodgers is back ...
Epiballo
12:27
The Patriots are the losingest team in Super Bowl history with six loses … I like the sound of that! Why does that make me happy?😃
Brian Batko
12:28
Something tells me Bills fans would trade histories with them, though
Jim
12:28
I keep seeing us giving up draft picks to move up, isn't this the perfect time to use all of our picks to restock with young talent? I know we have plenty and I can see maybe using one or two to move up to get a player you want, but we need to restock.
Brian Batko
12:29
There's just no way I can see double-digit rookies making the team in 2026. Also, the early returns from the draft gurus is that this class isn't quite as strong as recent ones. Maybe that has something to do with the COVID year players finally starting to subside.
Maryland Steeler
12:30
Brian, why have some of the veterans been so silent in regards to Mike Tomlin's departure and Mike M. arrival? It feels like it is strictly business and about contracts and money which is where their loyalty lies as opposed to team and city loyalty (the way I felt as a kid during the 70's)?
Brian Batko
12:32
Cam Heyward broke that silence during the media car wash at the Super Bowl, and it sounds as if he's on board. Same with Alex Highsmith, who was at the introductory presser. Who else do you want to speak up? Guys like TJ Watt, Jalen Ramsey, DK Metcalf, Jaylen Warren are pretty low-key by nature.
FC
12:33
GM Brian, now that was a terrible game! On to my question. Are the reports correct that Heyward wants to renegotiate again??  If so, let him walk, enough already with this guy renegotiating. Thoughts?
Brian Batko
12:35
He probably does, based on last year's hold-in and then the season he had. Second-team All-Pro. But the incentives are an interesting precedent, so we'll see how the front office responds to him wanting to renegotiate at 37. Let him walk, though? He has another year left on his deal. There's no letting him walk, and cutting him would leave a huge hole on the D-line.
CT Steel
12:35
good morning.   I read today that the Seattle defense was near the bottom in salary.   Do you expect a new coaching staff in Pittsburgh to get us better results with the highest paid defense on paper?
Brian Batko
12:37
Yeah, they were in the bottom 10. That certainly does speak to the job that Mike Macdonald did with that unit. I do expect the Steelers to be better than they were last year, but only if the aging players are more productive and some younger guys step up. Those are big ifs.
Tampa Too
12:38
Brian. What are your thoughts about the Steelers pursuing Malik Willis in free agency?

He’s a young mobile quarterback, who looked good in the games that he started for Green Bay this past year.
Brian Batko
12:39
I like that option better than a trade or draft pick, as the person earlier asked me to identify. Look, it's a fairly small sample size for Malik Willis and I get that. But I watched the games. I know what I saw with my own eyes. He made some huge throws and was really dangerous with his legs. To me, it's a bet worth making - as much as any other uninspiring options on this year's QB market.
Jimmy Jimmy
12:40
Hey BB this my first time doing this but I’m just curious but do u think the Steelers failed Rudolph in the early stages of his career ?? Such as starting Duck over him even when Rudolph was healthy and letting him leave to the titans
Brian Batko
12:41
This is not my first time answering this question. Here's a mailbag from last season on the topic https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/steelers/2025/11/20/mailbag-rudolp...
Sully
12:43
You want to be a believer. Look at Sam Darnold in USC   win over Penn State in the 2017 Rose bowl. Personally I was amazed and Im in my seventies.
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