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Brian Batko's Steelers chat: 03.11.24
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Brian Batko
2:01
Hi and welcome to the Russell Wilson Era of Steelers chats.
Benny
2:02
Does the Front Office and Ownership really think this team is 1 QB ie Wilson away from competing for a championship?  I understand this gives our aging core defense a chance to compete, but I don't think it gets us over the edge.  We are delaying the inevitable: Finding a Long Term QB Solution
Brian Batko
2:03
Maybe they do, but maybe they don't. Maybe they aren't sure. Those of us on the outside always look at moves like this with some grand, sweeping narrative attached to them when in reality the Steelers might've just seen a value they couldn't pass up a position where they needed to improve. And the rest, they'll figure out later.
Doyle37
2:03
With the signing of RW and the probable not singning of Rudolph, shouldn't the steelers have enough cap to sign Queen ?
Brian Batko
2:05
Possibly! Whether it's Patrick Queen or Devin White or anyone else who figures to be in demand in free agency, giving any QB that cheap of a deal allows you to max out at other positions.
SteelAddiction
2:06
Hey Brian, thanks for the chat as always.  How can anyone find fault in bringing in Wilson on a dirt cheap one year deal?  Seems like there is nothing to lose and everything to gain.
Brian Batko
2:06
I think any complaints with it would be more about the Russell Wilson distraction/circus/whatever you wanna call it. It doesn't make for a very conducive situation for Kenny Pickett, so if you're someone who truly believes in his ability and feel like he got a raw deal so far, this would not be the move for you.
Steeltree
2:07
Russell Wilson makes Steeler better than any other QB in FA yes or no.
Brian Batko
2:09
In free agency? Probably, when you consider the salary. But Kirk Cousins might be a better player at this stage, albeit at a far higher price point. And I'm not so sure a Justin Fields trade wouldn't be a better gamble.
CDKPE
2:10
Who is the bigger diva, Ben or Russell?
Brian Batko
2:10
If we're speaking literally, Ben Roethlisberger is a far larger human being.
Team(less) Concept
2:11
I've heard all of the reasons that the Wilson signing is good - he might be better than the current guys, he's cheap, it's low risk, etc..  I haven't heard any talk of the team concept though.  Russell is a diva.  He often rubs teammates the wrong way.  He gets special treatment.  Talent alone never succeeds without being a team first.  We should have learned this with AB, JuJu, Bell, Claypool (the list goes on and on).  Is this a foreign concept to the Steelers during the Tomlin reign?  Do they not understand the importance of being a team and the culture that goes along with that?
Brian Batko
2:13
Let's be fair here. Russell Wilson has a certain reputation, for sure, but it seems like for every teammate who might've been annoyed by him there's one who felt grateful to have him around. And we don't know what sort of "special treatment" he will or won't get from the Steelers yet. Some of that kind of stuff would seemingly be kicked around by the powers that be before decided whether to pursue him, and maybe even discussed with Wilson himself during their exploratory meeting in Pittsburgh. Remains to be seen.
artie bridge
2:13
Hey Brian,Here's a surprise topic:  Russell Wilson!  What does the signing mean for 1) Mason Rudolph? 2) Kenny Pickett? and 3) new OC Arthur Smith?
Brian Batko
2:15
1) Probably will have a new zip code next soon. 2) Prove them wrong or get used to the sideline. 3) Time to start studying up on a new QB
Stash
2:16
BB, how concerned should a yinzer be about RW's personality quirks?  After all, I seem to recall that we won two Super Bowls with a passive-aggressive type who is on nobody's list of greatest team players.
Brian Batko
2:17
I'd say it's a fair concern, but hey, that so-called quirkiness might be a good fit for an offensive unit that had a leadership void last season. Just remember that leadership is often only as good as the production.
Bryan
2:18
Hi Brian...if the Steelers were to add another offensive talent to help strengthen that side of the ball for Wilson, where do you see greatest need or opportunity?
Brian Batko
2:20
They need a center. That's been my stance all along. Nate Herbig isn't the answer there. And now you can look for a center with the knowledge that he'll likely be snapping to Wilson, so that might shape your acquisition there to some extent.
JC
2:21
Hi Brian.  Can you explain how Kevin Dotson became a highly paid guard for the Rams, but was a marginal guard with the Steelers before the Aug 2023 trade?
Brian Batko
2:23
Not as if I'm some offensive line savant, but here's a broad view of it: Kevin Dotson was extremely comfortable as a right guard in college and ended up playing left guard here. The Steelers could've moved him there in 2022 but instead signed James Daniels to play on the right side. And sometimes players just need and benefit from a change of scenery. He had some issues with penalties and lapses here his final season.
Sal
2:24
Hey BB! Do you think we will see a new C, CB and SS signings during this week?
Brian Batko
2:25
Yeah I think they'll address all three of those in some form or fashion in this first wave of free agency. Might not be big names you're super familiar with, but they generally use March to get starter-caliber players who are affordable enough that you won't feel like you're pigeonholed going into the draft
Mrbig
2:26
The "Khan Artist" is already flexing his muscles... yes?
Brian Batko
2:27
Omar Khan is something else, yes. I mean that in the truest sense. To me, it seems like he's a more cold and calculating GM than Kevin Colbert. Sure, Colbert could make tough decisions and did so at times, but Khan is developing a pattern of more analytical, value-based moves in my opinion.
PghFNinCali
2:28
Hi Brian.
What does the signing of RWilson do to the future of KPickett? Would you believe anything the Steelers say about fair competition after seeing what was done with MRudolph?
Brian Batko
2:30
I think Kenny Pickett just has a very high bar to clear now to cleanly beat out Russell Wilson. It's hard to imagine Wilson sitting on the bench.
Joe the yelper
2:30
Hello Brian.  I do not like the signing.  It is a great deal for this year so we can go 10-7 and maybe make the playoffs.  But for another year we have no clear plan for the future.  If Kenny isn't the answer we might as well suck and hope for a QB next year.  We have slowly become Marvin Lewis and the Bengals.
Brian Batko
2:32
My devil's advocate response to that would be you're acting like Russell Wilson is 44. They didn't just sign Joe Flacco or bring back Ben for another season. If he has any sort of rejuvenation, enough to go 10-7 at least, there's a real chance that he could be re-signed. I lean toward thinking his best years are behind him, of course, but not gonna rule out the possibility he has some good seasons left.
Baghdad_Ben
2:33
BB - I don't get it. We won't win a Super Bowl with RW so why do it? He is either ok with being a back up and coaching up KP or they have to think that KP learning from RW under Arthur Smith's system as a backup (got tired of initials) is the best way to make Kenny the guy. Just potentially puts the verdict on Kenny out another year. If we do that, we have no QB for next year. Start it all over.
Brian Batko
2:35
To improve the team, the offense and the QB room in particular. My sense with this move is the Steelers don't really care too much about a "verdict" on Pickett at this point. Their jury might be in already for all we know, hence pursuing Wilson.
Paul from Beaver Falls
2:36
Have the Steelers unofficially given up on Kenny?
Brian Batko
2:37
Well, no. It's not like they're outright cutting him or leaking plans to trade him. But short of that, this is about as much of a no-confidence vote as I could imagine this offseason. I think bringing back Mason Rudolph would've been a slightly more Pickett-friendly move, and signing a Ryan Tannehill type would've been the ultimate show of faith.
Ben
2:38
hey brian - the thing that Pickett needs to learn from Rudolph is to be ready for your opportunity. If Pickett is indeed a starting nfl qb, than nothing has changed for him. He needs to be ready when the time comes whether that is September or later. How many NFL qbs played 16 or more games last year? He’ll get his chance. What he does with it is still up to him.
Brian Batko
2:39
Right, that goes back to my original point in the first question-and-answer. You want depth at every position, even one such as QB where the old adage "if you have two quarterbacks you don't have one" is well-taken. As I said in our reaction podcast with Adam Bittner, the cost for Wilson is so low that Mike Tomlin shouldn't feel pot-committed to him for any reason other than the perception of dysfunction. If he's struggling early in the season, just give him the Trubisky Treatment and now you're back to square one with Pickett.
Arthur not Art
2:40
Brian thank you for the time and the chat. Not much to talk about today, huh? Unless Wilson's completely lost it, would you say we know the following, whether there is or isn't a legit competition - KP will be a backup in 2024.  The signing makes financial sense, fills a need, and should make them more competitive in 2024. However, doesn't it kind of blow up 2025 and beyond? Does this change their approach this year to drafting a QB or will they still wait until next year to try and find another starter?
Brian Batko
2:42
I won't completely write off Pickett. Similar to the in-season scenario I just outlined, if he lights it up in camp/preseason, rolling with him over Wilson isn't exactly a bad look given the cheap one-year deal. But again, it's Russell Wilson we're talking about here. I don't put good odds on him being a backup.
brewalker
2:44
Could another Bronco in Justin Simmons be joining the Steelers? Would make a nice tandem with Minkah!
Brian Batko
2:45
He'll be 31 in November. That would give me some pause.
Zell
2:45
Do u think we'll trade Diontae J if we can get a 2nd round pick?  I think trading him is risky
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