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Brian Batko's Steelers chat: 02.17.25
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Brian Batko
10:00
Good morning everyone, another Steelers chat to begin your week. Who's got it better than us?
G Money
10:01
B Money, can you please tell me what the Steelers identity is from a purely football perspective?  What are they really good at?? Where do they excel?  (One caveat--can't say "Tomlin's never had a losing record)
Brian Batko
10:01
Sup G Money. I think every player they scout in the draft, they ask themselves, can this guy make sure we never finish with a losing record?
David
10:02
What are the chances Steelers draft Jaxson Dart at 21?
Brian Batko
10:02
I'll go with 6.3%
Jim
10:02
Everyone is saying we need DL help which we do, but I don't see us taking one in the first round because we value the offensive side of the ball in drafts usually. Do you think this is the year we go defense in round 1?
Brian Batko
10:04
That's just recent history, Jim. Prior to the Najee Harris pick (and sort of the Chase Claypool pick the year before) the Steelers had gone defense first in seven consecutive drafts and eight of nine. So, sure, they could pivot back to the other side of the ball for the first time since 2019. But it'll depend on how Omar Khan, Andy Weidl and the scouting department study and stack their board, where they believe the value lies, etc.
Josh H
10:04
Hey Brian, there is a lot of chatter about the QB situation here.  I believe Fields should test free agency.  But as far as anyone building an offense to suit him, do you feel his best fit is still Pittsburgh? I just think he's looked at as a stop gap QB no matter where he signs.
Brian Batko
10:05
Hey Josh. Certainly most players test free agency once they get to that point, though obviously some do end up returning to their former team. But it's beneficial to see what's out there. As for Justin Fields, I agree with you that he's got familiarity here, he knows the staff, and if Arthur Smith is as complimentary of him behind closed doors as he is with us in the media, then that seems like the kind of coach Fields would want to keep playing for.
RJ
10:06
Bats, I watched you on the KDKA sports show last night I have a couple comments and would like your opinions, please. First, I totally disagree with Mike Decoursey regarding the 4 nations when he alluded with his opinion that he thought the fights were a pre set disgrace. Well, he obviously had his eye plugs in as the Canadian fans BOO'd our National Anthem.The USA players took exception and this fired them UP and the Tkachuk's asked for a dance partner and team Canada obliged. It's HOCKEY, not Steelers football. The USA had to stand and listen to the BOO's. Sometimes emotions have to be let out, like a dog in the morning. This spiced up the rivalry. I think, if Canada makes the Thursday night final, Mike better not tune in because more fisticuffs might occur. Second, I too think Fields should be brought back on a two year deal. Don't rush looking for a new QB, that said, If Fields is brought back the Steelers need to adapt their offense and run a true RPO style like the commanders and Ravens.
Brian Batko
10:09
Whoa, that's quite the missive, RJ. But thanks for watching and joining the morning-after chat. I won't go too deep into the hockey stuff because it's not my forte and this is a Steelers chat, but was it really emotions being let out or was it a few guys saying, "OK, guess I have to fight you now, let's do this"?

And I'm with you on Fields, which is obvious to any loyal chat or mailbag readers, listeners, what have you. As for the RPO game, Steelers didn't do a ton of it this year but Arthur Smith's last two Falcons offenses ranked top-10, so we know he's not opposed to it.
62 Stack Monster
10:10
Brian, With the Steelers, I often hear that they are not developing players.  Isn't that just an excuse for lacking talent and evaluating the talent on the team?  I mean, how many Dan McCullers do the Eagles carry year in and year out?
Brian Batko
10:13
Not necessarily. I wrote about this for my mailbag last week. You can point to some of their recent high draft picks as reaches that were viewed as reaches in the moment, too. But plenty others looked good on paper and just didn't pan out for whatever reason. At some point that's the job of coaches is to get the most out of their personnel. Doesn't Mike Tomlin always say he doesn't run from coaching, he runs to coaching?
Surly in Sheraden
10:13
The reports that refuted the Lawrence rumors were very strong and both sides said it would never happen.  But why such a strong refute from the Steelers? I would have been happy if the rumor was true, as it would at least give me some hope that they are trying to get out of this mushy middle cycle that seemingly has no end in sight.
Brian Batko
10:15
Because it was nonsensical from the beginning. The Jaguars don't even have a GM right now.
Mad Dog
10:15
Brian...do you find the off-season interest in the steelers to be much much more than in the past?and why,pirates being awful for so long? Internet?I sadly follow everything as well....thank you
Brian Batko
10:17
Feels like it increases every year, Mad Dog. The complaints grow louder, but the interest doesn't wane. It speaks to the passion of the fan base, the years and decades of equity built by all the winning here and of course the overall obsession with the game of football in this country. But sure, Penguins and Pirates and even Pitt men's basketball having more success would minimize Steelers talk in February to some extent.
Football Fanatic
10:17
Good morning, Brian.  I think much of the Steelers problems come from the top in the Rooney's preoccupation with having their great players retire as a lifelong Steeler. Guys like Watt and Cam have been great players for the Steelers, but the reality is that age catches up with all players and at some point their reputations may exceed their current playing ability.  Big Ben also falls into this category.  They still haven't gotten over Franco playing elsewhere. The game has changed and the days of players like Bradshaw and Greene ending as Steelers are long gone.  Under the current system, draft picks and younger players are the best way to rebuild, and keeping players too long reduces their trade value.  They should have drafted a quarterback 3-4 years before Ben retired, and had him ready for when Ben's skills diminished, but they didn't want to rock the boat.  Do you agree?
Brian Batko
10:20
Not sure I share the sentiment that the Steelers have been too blindly loyal. Ben Roethlisberger didn't have a lifetime contract. If anything, he was miffed by the way his tenure ended. As for your last point, that's exactly what they did with Mason Rudolph. Now if you mean they should've gone first-round, then OK, that's easy to say now.
Word Salad Sandwich
10:21
Brian, are the reports true that the QBs are being handcuffed with respect to audible? Are they also being told to avoid throwing inside the numbers?
Brian Batko
10:24
Arthur Smith always got a little defensive when this came up in his weekly pressers. As he put it one time, which made me hungry, it's not as if the Steelers QB goes to the line of scrimmage with a Cheesecake Factory menu and can change the order anytime however they want. He says that's not fair to put that much on the player, particularly with the play clock ticking down, defense shifting, etc. I imagine some QBs are going to want more freedom to do their jobs at times, but isn't that probably true of any person in any walk of life who has a boss or bosses? These are routine workplace sources of tension. Throwing over the middle, well, let's just say playing turnover-free football is clearly a priority over there.
The Ape
10:25
Please tell me that they're not going to trade for a quarterback and give up draft picks when the crying need is to acquire more picks to shore up a team that makes Swiss cheese look solid.
Brian Batko
10:26
I don't think so, but after last offseason, I never say never with respect to the Steelers' QB plans. As much as I agree with you, I've also heard no shortage of readers and listeners say Matthew Stafford is the only appealing option to them this offseason. Well, what do you think it's gonna take to get him from the Rams if they want to move on? Draft picks.
Carl in Carrick
10:27
Good morning.  The Steelers offensive scheme seems outdated compared to many others in the NFL.  While Tomlin is coach, do you think he will ever adapt his approach and draft strategy to be more similar to the current successful offenses like Detroit and Kansas  City?
Brian Batko
10:29
Mike Tomlin wants to win. That doesn't mean won't have his own stubborn views on how best to do that, but he wants to win and he wants to score points and have efficient offenses. If he had Patrick Mahomes at his disposal, he'd probably be all for throwing the ball around. Detroit, if you didn't notice, was third in the NFL in rushing attempts this season. The only really potent offenses right now that aren't particularly good at running the ball are Cincinnati and Kansas City, and again, you see who those teams have taking the snaps.
Soggy
10:30
Good morning Brian. Now that we are into full blown mock draft season, are there certain sites or sources you like better than others?
Brian Batko
10:32
Daniel Jeremiah from NFL.com is one of my go-to draft analysts for sure. Lance Zierlein, too. But we'll also be slinging plenty of our own draft content over these next couple of months and then some, so keep an eye out for our Steelers-centric big board, mock drafts, et al.
Trey
10:32
How aggressive will Omar be this free agency when it comes to the receiver? Even though he defended the talent in that position room last season, he has to realize that a room similar to that will not cut it in 2025.
Brian Batko
10:34
Agreed, Trey, and that whole situation last year was the Steeles saying one thing publicly and doing another thing privately. They didn't end up with Brandon Aiyuk but we know they were trying. They also looked into Christian Kirk. So I do think Omar Khan will try to make a bigger move this year in free agency, but there aren't a ton of appealing options out there past Tee Higgins. One thing we did learn last year from the WR saga is that he isn't going to overpay for one.
DEE
10:36
I was just wondering when we are going to see some of our own free agents signed?  When are they able to start signing them?  Thanks!
Brian Batko
10:36
They can now but that business tends to happen when free agency starts March 10 because the players generally want to see what their market is rather than default back to their previous team.
Southside Jimmy
10:36
Hey Brian, when do you expect a decision to be made about Fields and Wilson?  Knowing who the quarterback will be may affect free agent receivers and other players considering where to play next season.
Brian Batko
10:37
Eh, just show them the money and they'll come catch passes whether it's Justin Fields, Russell Wilson, Skylar Thompson or Skylar Diggins.
JC in NY
10:38
Good morning Brian. I am of, what seems to be the minority, in that I do NOT think Mike Tomlin is a good football coach. I think all his strengths are more suited to the elements of his job that are outside the white lines. I'd much rather he be the Steelers GM than Head Football Coach. How would you rate Mike Tomlin on a scale of say 1 to 10 when it comes to just the inside the white lines aspect of his job? Would you say, judging by just what you see and not the wins, that Tomlin does a good job of getting the most out of his teams? I personally think stability and culture can win you a lot of games in this league and since Tomlin inherited both, as well as a first ballot hall of fame QB, well - I'm sure you see where I am going here..
Brian Batko
10:41
These days you might be in the minority if you think he's a GOOD football coach, JC. I'd probably rate him a 7 or 8 at this point in time. But to answer your question, yes, I do think he's gotten the most out of his teams at times. The bigger issue is whether that's still enough of a reason to keep him. At what point does it become about elevating the franchise versus squeezing something out of the collection of talent?
TVC15
10:43
Hi Brian, Can we finally admit out loud that Tomlin inherited a Ferrari from Cowher and now it is stripped and up on blocks in the front yard? And don't give that 8-8 season immediately before because that was the season of Big Ben's motorcycle crash, burst appendix and concussion.  The team Tomlin inherited won the  Super Bowl 2 seasons before and even with that 8-8 season was 39-15 in the previous 3 seasons. And since Dick LeBeau left the Steeler defense (Tomlin's supposed specialty) is not that great.
Brian Batko
10:45
I've never been in that camp, honestly. To me you don't have to cut down Tomlin's achievement with that group to acknowledge what Bill Cowher and company had already built. Look, I was in high school when they won that Super Bowl and was hardly looking at the team through the lens I do now, but everything I hear and read about those days makes me think Tomlin was the right guy at the right time and what that group needed to get back to those heights. And, yes, it certainly helped that he had Ben Roethlisberger, but there are very few coaches who didn't benefit from great QB play to hoist the Lombardi Trophy.
Guest
10:46
Hello Mr. Batko.  First time on this forum. Thanks for the access.  Of the three major pro teams in Pittsburgh, do the Steelers have the highest Win % next year versus Bucs and Pens?  Seems like they are all treading water at 50% win rate…
Brian Batko
10:47
Hello, Mr./Ms. Guest. Please use a name next time so we can get to know each other better. I simply will not be predicting the Steelers to go under .500 until I see it with mine own eyes, so yes would be my answer there.
Calthrop
10:47
Chances the team uses Pickens as a trade piece to get themselves a quarterback?  We draft them well, we just ditched DJ over the same behavior, and it remains unclear in what way we will leverage resources into a new qb. Hoping for far better draft position next year doesn't seem like a real thing.
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