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Brian Batko's Steelers chat: 03.02.26
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Brian Batko
9:58
Hi everyone, thanks for joining for another round of Steelers discussion. Did you follow the combine? Free agency questions? I'm here to lead a respectful forum!
Takoma Tom
9:58
Bringing back Rodgers almost insures another .500 season and playoff blowout.  Why not take a step back and get a young QB and build for the future?  Mediocrity should not be the new standard.
Brian Batko
10:00
Hi Tom. Fairly large difference between ensures and insures in this context, but I'm not here for a diction lesson. This is something I've been thinking about a lot, as I'm sure you and other Steelers fans have been too. My answer to this would be Will Howard is a young QB who could potentially be the future, however unlikely that is for your average sixth-round pick. Taking a step back is one thing, but perhaps bolstering the supporting cast around Aaron Rodgers, from coaches to teammates, can actually allow them to take a step forward - by winning a playoff game.
Slippery Pete
10:02
Are you really a mongoose? Or is that just one of the many weird things said by a certain radio host.
Brian Batko
10:02
I'm really a mongoose. Not a human.
Titan in Charlotte
10:03
Happy Monday, what do we hear first, a trade, a free agent signing, or the loss of one of our free agents?
Brian Batko
10:04
Hey Titan. I never rule out a trade in today's NFL landscape, but it's risky to predict. I'll say we hear about the Steelers retaining one of their own before losing one. With Aaron Rodgers, Kenny Gainwell, Calvin Austin all hitting free agency, I'll take my chances with that.
RV
10:06
Good morning.   Any intel yet on free agents ( or specific positions)  the Steelers may be looking at?  Definite needs at WR, CB and S, and both o and DL.  Any sense where they may want to go with free agents the Steelers vs draft pick?  Thanks
Brian Batko
10:07
Not really, because they have so many picks that they probably could afford to infuse some youth at just about every position. But it also might make sense to go with a proven commodity at spots like guard (if Isaac Seumalo isn't back), wide receiver, defensive line and safety. And, obviously, quarterback.
Davidat8811
10:09
Hello Mr Batko where has Mike Tomlin been? Never saw a coach leave like him not even a sound bite especially after 19 years. Do you know of any other team trying to lure him into coaching? Very strange. Have a great day enjoy your work.
Brian Batko
10:10
He's been at Georgia gymnastics meets to see his daughter, NC Central basketball activities to support his friend LeVelle Moton, and probably just enjoying a year without taking in the combine, pro day circuit, etc. Obviously, he did release a statement when he stepped down, so it's not as if he vanished without a trace. But yes, I'm a bit surprised we haven't seen a sit-down yet via a media vehicle of his choosing.
Retire21.
10:11
To help relief the wide receiver, bare cupboard What’s one free agent the Steelers could pick up without overspending
Brian Batko
10:13
I like Romeo Doubs from Green Bay, which has a plethora of other receivers coming back, but he might get pretty good money. He's 6-2, still 25 and has 23 career touchdown catches in four seasons.
Dr. Jones
10:14
Not really surprised at the Steelers low grades in the NFLPA report card since this was trending that way the last few years, but I was a taken back that Mr. Rooney's ownership grade was 31 out of 32, and lower than perennial bad guys from the Jets, Bengals and the Panthers.  Even Jimmy Haslam scored better.  Why so much hate there?  Even Omar only outscored 3 other GMs.  I thought he was well regarded by the players?
Brian Batko
10:16
Good question, Dr. Jones, and I think there's an important distinction to make on this. The way I interpret it is that ownership got that rating as a result of all the other aspects that graded out poorly, not as an indication of interpersonal interactions with Art Rooney II himself. Of course that could be the case, but I'd be surprised if players have a low opinion of him in that sense. As for Omar Khan, he's probably known as the guy who plays hardball in a lot of the contract negotiations. But that's his job.
Lou
10:17
Hey Brian. Do you think the Steelers would sign a legit WR before the draft so that if a QB they like is there at 21 then they don’t have to “miss out” on him. Where taking a WR at 21 sets that back and if the draft is so deep, then just take a WR in both rounds 2/3?
Brian Batko
10:19
Ty Simpson is really the only QB in this class who seems to be a reasonable pick at 21, and even then I'm skeptical. But in general, yeah, the Steelers often have liked to sign mid-level free agents as a bridge, of sorts, to a draft pick at that same position. My first year on the beat, 2019, they acquired Mark Barron, Donte Moncrief and Steven Nelson, then used their first three picks on Devin Bush, Diontae Johnson and Justin Layne.
Pittfan
10:19
Hi Brian. Every year we (fans) get excited about the underwear Olympics in Indy. This year the Drew Allar performance has him climbing the draft boards. I don't think there was ever any question about his physical abilities. It's what's between his ears that has always been in question. Will he continue to make bad decisions when large men are chasing him?
Brian Batko
10:22
I don't know, Pittfan. No one knows for sure. All I can say is I think Drew Allar came off quite well in his media interviews, and I found it interesting that he said Mike McCarthy was really grilling him in their formal interview. And I think he pretty clearly has more natural arm ability than Will Howard. But you're right that there's more to playing the position than all that. Gotta have that "it" factor.
Wide Right
10:22
Are you sick of draft and QB questions yet?
Brian Batko
10:22
Nah, not yet.
TroutSeasonApproaching
10:23
Very much enjoy the chats and especially your mailbag series. No question, just thanks.
Brian Batko
10:23
Thank you, TSA. Hope you get some bites.
Andy
10:24
Brian I grew up in Pittsburgh but have spent the last 30 years in Baltimore. I’m thinking of going to Pittsburgh to experience the draft. However, on TV you really get to understand the players and hear the commentary. If you attend live what do you actually do while you are at the draft? As a fan do you get more out of it by watching TV?
Brian Batko
10:25
I don't know, Andy, you'd have to ask someone who's been. Can't say that I have. I'm typically hunkered down at the Steelers facility on the South Side waiting to talk to the picks via conference call, hear from the coaches, etc. But I'd say it depends on what you want out of the experience as a fan. If you do want to be locked into the commentary, the highlights, interviews, things like that, TV might make more sense. If you just want to rub elbows with like-minded NFL fans and discuss the draft in-person with human interaction, go on down to the North Shore.
Carl in Carrick
10:26
Hey Brian, what are your biggest takeaways from the combine?   Thanks.
Brian Batko
10:28
Hello Carl. Sonny Styles the Ohio State linebacker is just an absolute specimen with what he did. Same goes for Jeremiyah Love, the Notre Dame running back. I think those two need to go in the top 10, maybe even top 5, positional value be damned.
JPinPDX
10:28
Good morning Bats. What impressed you more this combine weekend? Some of the amazing physical performances or some of those wild mullets?
Brian Batko
10:31
You know what, I'll tell you the single most impressive thing to me that I saw at the combine (I wasn't in Indy, but from watching from afar): Texas A&M receiver KC Concepcion's media interview. He spent as much time at the podium as anyone despite being someone who has dealt with a speech impediment his whole life. I just give the guy so much credit for not shying away from that setting, inspiring others who stutter to keep persevering and being true to his self. Don't know how he'll pan out or not as a player, but makes him an easy guy to root for.
Nosmo King
10:32
Hi Brian. Thanks for the chat. Do you see the Steelers bundling draft picks for rounds 1-3 or later?
Brian Batko
10:32
Neither approach would surprise me, whether it's packaging picks to move up this year (or next year) or casting a wide net in this draft and remaking the roster on the fly with a youth movement. Knowing how Omar Khan operates, I'm sure it'll come down to what kind of deal(s) he can or can't get.
css1665
10:33
Good morning Bats...if M Willis price tag comes back down in the 2yr $40 million range as reported by Jeremy Fowler over the weekend don't the Steelers have to take that chance especially with McCarthy's coaching? then using FA and draft surround him with playmakers and upgraded OL and give the guy every chance to be a an above average QB
Brian Batko
10:35
I like Malik Willis a lot and am of the mind that you can't discount what the guy did last year (and even the previous year) despite a small sample size. Sometimes you just have to trust what you're watching. So yeah, sure, at the right price I absolutely believe the Steelers should be interested. But I don't think they're going to pay him what it's gonna take. Just look at this franchise's QB moves in recent years. It's pretty clear they believe more in the power of a good price than swinging for the fences with their fingers crossed.
Mike in Virginia
10:36
"My first year on the beat, 2019, they acquired Mark Barron, Donte Moncrief and Steven Nelson, then used their first three picks on Devin Bush, Diontae Johnson and Justin Layne." - This might be the most grim sentence I've ever read...
Brian Batko
10:37
Sorry, Mike. I haven't exactly brought a ton of luck to the Steelers since I joined the beat. So yeah, when we talk about who to blame for the playoff win drought, sometimes I think I should get a lot more grief. Me, personally.
Omar's Watchdog
10:37
If Omar decides to trade picks, will they be to move up in round 1 or to advance resources towards the 2027 draft where everyone now says our qb will be found?  Also, are there any Tyler Shough types in this draft that people are dropping down/off their boards for a specific reason unrelated to ability to read a D or throw the ball?
Brian Batko
10:39
What exactly does being Omar's Watchdog entail? Anyway, obviously, it depends on how they feel about the talent at the top of this class. Of course they're going to praise it publicly, but they've been burned by some trade-ups in recent years. Devin Bush, and now it's looking like Broderick Jones. As for Tyler Shough, I assume you mean he dropped because of his age? Not sure there's a QB quite like him in this class.
Ben
10:41
Hey brian - the argument that winning a playoff game with this crew is a step forward is questionable. It makes sense if you have young players taking a step forward and laying a foundation for something bigger in the future. Maybe you can make that case with a young offensive line, but winning one playoff game with Rodgers, heyward, and watt as your main guys? Not sure that carries over to much more than worse draft picks the following year and some additional revenue for the owner than a 7-10 or 6-11 season. Am I wrong?
Brian Batko
10:44
Hey Ben. I wouldn't say you're wrong, but more so it comes down to what you want out of this season as a Steelers fan. If you've got tunnel vision on every move bringing you closer to a Super Bowl, then yeah, you can sell me on the idea of bottoming out to get a franchise QB who makes you a Super Bowl contender every year. But if you're of the mind that incremental improvements to the roster and eventually finding the right fit under center is the way to replicate, say, Philly or Seattle runs of late, then that's the kind of strategy that's baked into a season with a playoff win.
KordellTolls
10:44
Bats has the NFLPA report card, along with the uninspired hiring of McCarthy, taken the shine off ARII and the Steelers? Seems like the media is finally waking up.
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