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Brian Batko's Steelers chat: 02.26.24
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Brian Batko
1:59
OK folks, we're gonna get started now. Combine begins tomorrow with our Gerry Dulac, Ray Fittipaldo and Chris Carter on the ground in Indy. My agent advised me not to work out for teams because my tape says it all. Your questions please?
Old School
2:00
Hi Brian. In an unrealistic scenario where at pick #20 in the upcoming draft there is a center, a D-lineman and a cornerback all of equal talent, what position would you pick if you were the Steelers’ GM?  Thank you in advance for sharing your genius.
Brian Batko
2:01
As we sit here today, center. The release of Mason Cole to end last week makes it abundantly clear now the Steelers are ready to upgrade there. I might change my tune to DL depending on who they sign in free agency.
Theon
2:02
B-ri, thanks for the chats! Curious about this should we/shouldn't we debate about the Center from Oregon. Feels like we should have learned our lesson taking Pouncey 14 years ago. Best player in the draft at his position and at a position of immediate need? yes please, sign me up!
Brian Batko
2:03
I'd say the Steelers have not shied away from the "obvious" picks in recent drafts. Last year was a bit more difficult to predict, but in 2022 they needed a young QB and took the rookie from next door. In 2021 they needed to replace James Conner and took the big back from Bama. In 2020 just about everyone linked them to a WR and they picked one. In 2019 it was all about the Devins and they got the second of the two. Jackson Powers-Johnson has that feel to me, so far.
Changes?
2:05
Seems like the Steelers have the same issues every season.  Poor preparation leading to slow starts.  Predictably.  Lack of discipline.  Poor fundamentals, such as tackling.  With essentially the same leadership structure, can you give me reasons to be more optimistic that things will change next season?
Brian Batko
2:07
Not sure I entirely agree with your premise. Slow starts? They started 2-1 and then 4-2 last year. They won at the Bengals to kick off 2022. They were 11-0 in 2020. When it comes to predictability and whatnot, well, they changed their offensive coordinator (finally, many might say).
Surly in Sheraden
2:08
With the increase in the salary cap, does it materially impact the Steelers FA approach (or will the increase in the cap basically be offset by a corresponding increase in FA salaries)?
Brian Batko
2:09
I never put too much stock into the cap increases because as you allude to, it's a benefit to all teams. But specific to the Steelers, it probably helps matters in figuring out what to do with Cam Heyward/his cap hit. Might make it even more of an easy call to exercise Najee Harris fifth-year option. When it comes to free agency, yeah, everyone has more money to spend now. I expect the Steelers to stick to their usual philosophy of not breaking the bank on any one target, but we'll see.
John
2:10
When will the Steelers win their next playoff game? 2024?  2025?  2026?  Later?
Brian Batko
2:11
No clue, John, but you're asking me to guess so I'll guess. Let's go with 2026. My thinking is they're still stuck in the same situation next season as they were this past season with regard to QB play. And if that forces a reset in 2025, might be tough to get over the hump right away. So, 2026 is my answer.
Dwayne Johnson
2:13
Brian, thanks for the chats. Part of me thinks the Steelers are close to hitting rock bottom, and so it's tough to get excited about the combine. But assuming that I'm being overly bleak, what's their single most pressing roster need?
Brian Batko
2:14
Center. I'm not buying the potential Nate Herbig/James Daniels/Spencer Anderson solutions at all. If anything, convincing Daniels to move back there might have the best chance, but I believe it's been since 2019 that he played center.
the real guest
2:16
Brian, I have the probability of the Steelers trading for Fields or Wilson slightly lower than the probability Big Ben is coming back. Do I have that about right?
Brian Batko
2:16
Hmmm I'd say slightly higher...but only slightly
Yates
2:17
Hi Brian-  How close to the official start of free agency signings do you expect we will need to be before we know outcome with Mason R?
Brian Batko
2:17
They could take it all the way up until the start of the new league year. I imagine it won't be an easy negotiatio.
mrbig
2:19
when do you think they will add another bye so the super bowl can be presidents' day weekend?
Brian Batko
2:20
Let's keep rolling with the 2026 train
Titan in Charlotte
2:21
BIG game tonight. Graduated in 88 but still follow the Titans from a far…Good Luck to them! With money falling from the sky, do you think we are a big time ILB FA signing?
Brian Batko
2:23
Yes, absolutely, shoutout to Shaler boys basketball in WPIAL semis tonight. Sure, I do think a higher cap could entice the Steelers to make a bigger splash at a position of need like that, be it for a Devin White or Patrick Queen. Especially in a year where they don't have much to worry about when it comes to re-signing or extending their own. Good news for Pat Freiermuth in search of an extension, too.
Slim Picketts
2:23
Is the Steeler brass that naive to think KP is the answer to lead this team to I guess a playoff win or just pride that this pick was a mistake?  Sad to say the Steelers have become just an also ran.  Thank you.
Brian Batko
2:25
I think it's in the DNA of the Steelers that they're OK with being wrong, but they don't want to be rash. In other words, they're willing to admit mistakes and move on from draft picks that don't work out, but you almost never see them do so with a player who goes on to have success elsewhere, at least not in the first couple of rounds. And I don't think it's naivete so much as trusting their evaluation processes that led them to those picks at one time.
Warren
2:26
Brian, is Shaler athletics back?
Brian Batko
2:28
Reigning state champs in baseball, state runner-up in softball, WPIAL champs in boys volleyball, now boys basketball shooting for a WPIAL finals appearance. You tell me, Warren.
Brian in NC
2:28
Thanks for doing these chats, Brian. Seems like the Steelers have whiffed multiple times in the last decade when targeting a specific position for the first round pick. Last year, it seemed like they used free agency to sign mid level players to shore up weaknesses, creating more flexibility to focus on BPA in the draft.  Do you think they’ll take that approach this year?
Brian Batko
2:31
Most likely. They never really leave themselves in a position where they absolutely need a rookie to be ready from Day 1. In fact, the priority of their free-agent signings tend to indicate the priority of their draft needs, too. Patrick Peterson right off the bat last year, then Joey Porter Jr. with that 32nd pick. Mitch Trubisky in 2022, then Kenny Pickett at No. 20. Going back to 2019, they signed Mark Barron at ILB, then pivoted to Devin Bush at the same position. And it's smart. Gives you two bites at the apple to fill a need via veteran or young talent.
Ryan
2:31
Good afternoon Ray with Mason Cole getting Released do we draft Frazier and do we draft Taylor or the byu punter
Brian Batko
2:31
I will not respond to this, Ryan
Colonel
2:32
This offseason is starting to feel different to me. I get a sense that the organization has determined that things need to change. Are things really different or is it just more wishful thinking from a fan grasping at any ray of hope?
Brian Batko
2:34
Too early to tell. The nuts and bolts of Art Rooney II's end-of-season presser sounded a bit different. The obvious cuts have been made more expeditiously than in years past. But other than that, nothing really jumps out at me. Plus, they've been moving differently in years past already. Somewhat more aggressive in free agency last season and certainly in the draft. More willing to sign over-30 vets. You might be grasping at a Ray Fittipaldo of hope to a degree.
Marc from Germany
2:35
Hi Brian! Out of left field: I'd love to see Joe Milton, Tennessee QB in the late rounds to the stillaz! If you draft a delelopemental player, shouldn't he have one freakish talent, you can't teach like that dudes arm and then teach the rest?
Brian Batko
2:37
Funny you say that Marc, I was just reading up on him a bit today and sort of had that same thought. Your arm strength doesn't really matter if you can't throw the ball straight, but hey, if you can coach accuracy, Joe Milton might be worth a stash in the late rounds.
Polevetsian Dance No. 2 by Borodin
2:38
B, I understand your reasoning for including McCarthy in your QB PPG BigBoard, as the Steelers most likely take a QB high for the reason's you state but... to equate him to Pickett as "Basically the same guy" is way off base. The only advantage Kenny has is the extra time at Pitt, which I believe would benefit J.J. at Mich. (reading D's, etc..)However skill set, accomplishment(s) compared between the two, even with K.P.s NFL Exp. isn't even close. The other player the BigBoard ignored from Mich is Blake Corum. Corum exhibited "The 'It' Factor from Day 1, years ago. He gets my highest recommendation, unlike Bush... that I warned to not draft. Your thoughts on Corum's future, sir?
Brian Batko
2:40
Blake Corum might be the best RB in the draft. I didn't include him in the P-G big board because the Steelers aren't going to draft a RB as high as Corum should go unless something drastic happens between now and late April.
KRUT
2:41
Hey Brian- I see that KC signed the Punt God (Araiza) to their roster.  It seemed like a no brainer that the Steelers would take a flier on him, but what do you know- the best team in the NFL decided to get better.  Do you think the Steelers will at least try to sign Townsend if/when he is released in favor of the PG?
Brian Batko
2:41
That would make sense. The Steelers need to turn over all stones to improve at the position now that Pressley Harvin is out.
artie bridge
2:42
Brian, are you surprised the Steelers released Mason Cole?  Gerry Dulac wrote the team liked him, would have preferred to see him as a back-up center/guard.  Doesn't his release now jump the need for a center to round one or two in the draft?
Brian Batko
2:44
A little bit, but he's due a roster bonus at the start of the new league year, so if the Steelers knew they were just done doing business with Mason Cole, then the timing is right. Would've been a bit high of a cap hit for a backup. And to your last question, yes it does, but that could change if they have a big free-agent signing in mind.
Pat from Ellwood city
2:45
Hi Brian do think the steelers will center first round
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