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Brian Batko's Steelers chat: 02.27.23
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Brian Batko
2:00
Hi everyone, welcome back to the chat. The combine starts tomorrow, at least for media purposes - Omar Khan and other GMs/coaches will take to the podium - so we've got plenty to talk about.
MD1
2:01
Brian:  I think it is professional malpractice that the Steelers find themselves right at the cap a year after Ben's cap charges have gone away.  My question is this: given the current state of the roster, do you think they should do their normal amount of restructuring and backloading new contracts to get the best roster that they can have for 2023?  That would allow them to continue the non-losing seasons streak, but eventually the bill comes due and this approach prevents them from having more cap room when they might actually contend again.  Sure the cap goes up and you can fit in the dead money and backloaded charges, but so what, all that matters in future years is cap space RELATIVE to other teams.  The Steelers have done this for years and it made sense when they had a QB and a roster that could contend every year.  Now all this does is ensure that they will never be able to add impact free agents even say when Pickett or the next QB hits his prime.
Brian Batko
2:03
Whew, that's a long one right off the bat. I think I get what you're asking here. To me, it's too early to say the Steelers should push all their chips into the middle, if that's what you're getting at. Need to see more from Kenny Pickett. But that's where the trade deadline can help in individual seasons, too. If we're at, say, Week 7 and he's looking like a stud but the rest of the roster needs an infusion of talent here and there? It'll be very interesting discussion.
Amy
2:05
Some guy claiming to be a beat writer for the team says Rudolph is done with the Steelers.  I don’t know much about the guy but hasn’t this been obvious since around August?  The real question is if they keep Trubisky and if they draft their QB3. What say you about Trubisky and QB3
Brian Batko
2:06
I would say yes, it seemed abundantly clear that short of a drastic change in the depth chart (which never happened) Mason Rudolph was disappointed with how things shook out for him. To your second point, if Mitch Trubisky is on this roster at his current cap hit, he better be your QB2.
Zamo
2:07
Love your work BB and all the chats/videos! I’m hoping at 17 we get a big body that’s a difference maker and starter day 1 (OL, DL or ILB). There are plenty of corners available and this class is deep. Seems like we can grab 1 (or 2 depending on Sutton) with picks 32, 49 or 80.  Thoughts?
Brian Batko
2:09
Thanks, Zamo. I mostly agree with you, but haven't fully settled on my order yet, be it for positions or players. Nor should you, given that it's still February and the combine hasn't even started yet. We're generally on the same page though as far as roster-building and draft value. Although I would stay away from ILB at 17 overall.
tom
2:11
What is the scoop on ILB Herbig from Wisconsin? His brother Nate went undrafted out of Stanford, made the Eagles, then picked up on waivers by the Jets- the guy plays like a bulldozer on run plays- lays linemen and linebackers out. If the ILB plays with the same drive as his brother he might be worth a later look
Brian Batko
2:13
Agreed. Any guy with NFL bloodlines is on my radar, just given the Steelers' propensity for those types of players in recent years. And at this point, with inside linebackers, I almost don't care what the draft gurus say about pure athleticism, range, etc. What did that get the Steelers with Devin Bush? Just give me guys who are gonna be willing to get off blocks, stick their nose in there against backs and we'll find someone who can do the rest of the job well enough.
Steve
2:14
I was looking forward to the Ravens dealing with managing Lamar Jackson's massive cap hit for the coming years.  Not sure it would pass analytical scrutiny but by my eye test told me we did not need to fear Lamar Jackson when he took an even higher percentage of the cap.  Agree/disagree?  Any thoughts on the Lamar story in general?   Thanks!
Brian Batko
2:16
While this past season was concerning on multiple levels (injury, commitment, contractual) I'm still not in the camp that believes Lamar Jackson staying with the Ravens long-term is somehow a good thing for the Steelers or any other competing franchises. I just think he's a really good player. People talk about the guy like he's pushing 30. He just turned 26. My guess is he's gonna keep running and throwing for a while.
Mike from DC
2:17
Hey Brian, do you think Tremaine Edmunds is a realistic possibility in free agency?
Brian Batko
2:19
Possible, yes. But a lot of teams will make a play for him, so the Steelers better make a flurry of moves to find the money, and perhaps they should overpay Terrell, too, to make it happen. My guess is it won't come to pass.
Ryan
2:20
With free agency starting soon who is the next guy that gets gets resigned i know kuntz was resigned
Brian Batko
2:22
I'll guess Larry Ogunjobi, because I do think he'll ultimately make his way back here.
Robert Lane
2:23
Jordan Addison will be the Steelers first pick. Commence hair pulling in 3,2,1?
Brian Batko
2:25
Ehh that would surprise me, Robert. It should certainly be tempting to reunite him with Kenny Pickett, but it'd be too much of a luxury pick at this point.
Javi
2:25
Hello Bats. I know Edmunds has been mostly solid as tandem with Minkah but are we settling a bit if we bring him back? I think we need more out of that position. That being said is it more important to get lockdown cb or upgrade that position?
Brian Batko
2:27
CB is more important. You're always gonna have to settle to some extent with the safety who plays next to Minkah Fitzpatrick. Terrell Edmunds has shown me enough that I'm comfortable with him as that guy, as a starter. But they also should keep looking to upgrade when possible with a rookie, who will be cheaper long-term option if you can find him in the middle rounds.
Gene
2:28
do you think the Steelers would draft a guard or center if the top rated tackles are gone at 17 or just the BPA?
Brian Batko
2:29
No, especially with the lack of top-end talent at guard/center in this particular class.
BPOS
2:30
Is Art Rooney publicly close to any other owners and if so, whom? I often wonder how he feels about all the mess around Daniel Snyder.
Brian Batko
2:32
Well, he's related to Giants owner John Mara. I suppose that's pretty public and pretty close. But I don't know how he feels about some of the palace intrigue surrounding NFL ownership.
Will
2:33
Who do you think is more likely to get replaced during this offseason/draft process, Dan Moore or Kevin Dotson? Have also seen scenarios where they draft a RT and move Chuks to LT if Dan Moore were the odd one out.
Brian Batko
2:34
That's a good question. Probably Dan Moore, but it wouldn't shock me if both lose their starting positions depending on how many O-linemen the Steelers draft and how high.
Noh Canada
2:34
Brian thank you for your time and the chats. Was the refusal to get rid of Canada Tomlin’s and ARII backed up his coach or is ARII really telling his season ticket holders that he believes Canada is better than every OC candidate, including Eric Bienemy, for next year and into the future so there’s no reason for our tam to explore other options. Does this impact Tomlin’s tenure here when it fails for the 3rd season in a row?
Brian Batko
2:36
He's always going to back up his coach. That's the whole point of chain of command, organizational hierarchy, etc. You hire someone to make decisions and trust those decisions accordingly. And, as you allude to, if you eventually lose faith in said person to make those decisions, that's when change needs to happen. I'm not saying I think Mike Tomlin would be fired if the Steelers struggle in '23 and Matt Canada's offense is largely to blame. But it would have to factor into the overall calculus moving forward.
STEEL72
2:37
Good morning, Brian. Now that mock drafts have officially gone bonkers and attached us to everyone... do you think the Steelers will make one big splash FA signing that may alter our draft needs?
Brian Batko
2:39
No, I don't anticipate that. The draft needs will come into focus more following free agency, of course, but remember even last year the Edmunds re-signing happened less than a week before the first round.
Bill
2:40
What is your opinion of the limitations of short quarterbacks in the NFL?   Kyler Murry is maybe 5'9" at best. Bryce Young is about 5'10". Russell Wilson 5'10". Can any of these guys see the field over the offensive and defensive linemen?
Brian Batko
2:43
It is a real concern, but size is a concern at every position. It's football we're talking about. Now, the Kyler Murray experiment in Arizona isn't exactly going well. The Russell Wilson era in Seattle was largely a success but I think you're seeing now is a player whose lost some of his athletic ability and the size is becoming even more of an obstacle.
21-58-66
2:44
Brian - thanks for the chats. I see the status of Sutton and Larry O as really defining how the first three picks will roll. Any idea when there might be clarity?
Brian Batko
2:45
Not yet, but Omar Khan is slated to meet with reporters in Indy tomorrow at the combine. Obviously he won't reveal the Steelers' intentions, but perhaps he'll tip his hand one way or the other on that front.
krystle
2:46
Do you believe that management has a real interest in Bud Dupree? I actually prefer Bud over Highsmith, however, does it send mix signals to Highsmith? Who I thought management was working on a contract extension. (Barring Dupree does get cut by the Titans)
Brian Batko
2:48
If Bud Dupree is willing to accept a marginal deal and a No. 3 role to be back with his old pals, then I'd say it's worth a shot. I don't think it would send mixed signals to Alex Highsmith, who learned under Dupree. To me, there's no question at this point Highsmith has eclipsed Dupree.
Yogi in Yonkers
2:49
Sutton is becoming a hot topic around the league and his stats seem to bear that out. % chance he will stay?
Brian Batko
2:49
Ah I'll say 66%
Steelersfan1987
2:50
Hi Brian who do you think there will be another quarterback position battle in training camp again or do you think Kenny Pickett has secured the job? And  Do you think we can trade up to get Jordan Addison
Brian Batko
2:50
Only if Ben Roethlisberger comes back
KC
2:51
Obviously talking about the draft becomes the big story right now, but with no glaring number one need for the first round it makes more sense to wait until after free agency to think about who the Steelers may draft. So, any free agent targets you think the Steelers will be going after? (such as ILB like Long or Edmunds)
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