You are viewing the chat in desktop mode. Click here to switch to mobile view.
X
Brian Batko's Steelers chat: 03.13.23
powered byJotCast
View Full Chat Next Page
Brian Batko
2:00
Oh hey there. Free agency is now underway in the NFL (miss me with the "legal tampering" stuff, it's free agency) so this is a well-timed Steelers chat. Cam Sutton is gone already, off to Detroit. Should be a busy day on here.
Eric Carr
2:02
And now with the Sutton news I'm ill that we didn't get in on Ramsey.  Could've restructured or extended. Thoughts? Was hoping Omar would be more aggressive
Brian Batko
2:04
If they didn't wanna pay $11 million per for Cam Sutton, it stands to reason they weren't gonna pay $18 million for Jalen Ramsey. I have to believe here that they don't believe in Sutton's ability to play up to his standards physically for another three years and/or they have a bigger plan in place for a marquee free agent. Otherwise, they're signaling to the entire league that they're going CB at No. 17, and maybe even trading up for one.
Hopson
2:05
Good afternoon.  Porter, Jr., Gonzalez, Witherspoon.  Which one do you like best and why?
Brian Batko
2:08
Joey Porter Jr., for bringing an element of length/speed/physicality that the Steelers don't have but desperately need to match up with top WRs. And, you know, his name is Joey Porter Jr. That counts for something.
tomorrow
2:09
I'm just curious how sports writers actually feel about Aaron Rogers. Announcers during games constantly claim that he is the best, an elite QB. I just never thought that he stood up with QBs like Ben, Brady, and of course Mahomes. I don't understand why teams needing a QB would even look at him at this stage of his career. What do you think? Thanks
Brian Batko
2:11
I can't say I speak for all, but this sports writer believes he's one of the most talented QBs I've ever seen. Not sure I can think of anyone better in terms of pure passing ability. But I also don't see him doing much more at this point in his career.
Big Hoss
2:12
Sounds like Da Bears are after LB, Edwards and or Okereke.    That would set the tone for pricing, but remove 2 options from Steelers list, I assume.   I hope its no vander esch.   Rather pay up and get Edmunds brother.   Any idea if Tranquill, Long or Holcomb are on their list?
Brian Batko
2:14
Perhaps that's another factor with why the Steelers didn't pay up for Sutton. They might have had a set number they didn't want to go higher than because of a plan to pursue someone we assumed was out of their price range, i.e. Tremaine Edmunds.
Mike
2:15
I think drafting the UCLA QB as a "slash" would be a good idea. What do you think of Dorian Thompson?
Brian Batko
2:17
Eh, he doesn't do much for me. If they want a developmental QB like that, they could've kept Chris Oladokun around last year.
Javi
2:18
Hello Bats. Will Steelers be more involved in FA under Khan than they were with Colbert? I know they like to mold team through draft but any splash FA signing you think they go after?
Brian Batko
2:20
So far, it's a resounding no. By this time last year on the first day of free agency they'd already signed Mitch Trubisky. And, obviously, they made a decision pretty early to let Sutton walk. But let's see where this goes. It's barely been two hours. We're still learning what to expect in the Omar Khan era.
Big Lou
2:21
Will the steelers trade WR D Johnson for extra picks and to help with the cap?
Brian Batko
2:22
Highly doubt it, Big Lou.
The real guest
2:22
Brian, How can the highest paid D in the NFL have serious holes at DL, OLB, ILB, CB and S? Appears somebody off the field is not doing a very good job.Wonder who that is?
Brian Batko
2:24
I hear you, but it's March 13. A lot of teams have "serious holes" right now on the first day of free agency and before the draft. You also are exaggerating a bit to say they have a serious hole at OLB, where T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith are one of the league's best tandems.
pozone6031
2:25
steelers need a backup QB do you think they might go for Minshew?
Brian Batko
2:26
They need a No. 3 QB, and Minshew should be better than a No. 3 QB somewhere. I think their third quarterback will be a very cheap player, maybe even an undrafted rookie.
Steve
2:28
Why would the Steelers squander the benefit of having a starting QB on a rookie contract by paying Mitch Trubisky to be the highest paid backup in NFL?  Mitch is a solid player, and seems to be a good locker room guy, but $6M+ more than other backups is a luxury the Steelers shouldn’t entertain.  We have holes in the starting lienup
Brian Batko
2:30
You're gonna start seeing those backup QB deals go up as this free agency period plays out under a higher cap. But I get where you're coming from. I'd worry more about building the supporting cast around Pickett than the depth chart behind him, and would be content to sign someone for less money and less talent.
TSH
2:31
Hi Brian,  I expected to hear more players cut and existing contracts restructured to create more cap room preceding FA yet the only two changes thus far include WJIII and Platel?  Do you think the restructuring of contracts and cuts are on the way or will things remain status quo?  Thanks Much!
Brian Batko
2:31
Almost certainly more on the way. Last year they didn't cut Zach Banner until the second day of free agency, with Joe Schobert getting released a couple days after that. It's a fluid puzzle they're putting together.
Silly in Philly
2:34
Why do they call it “legal tampering”?  It’s a silly concept.  It’s like saying “legal forgery” or “legal robbery”.  It’s oxymoron’ish!  Just wanted to get that off my chest-  thanks for your time!!
Seems like CB is now the pick at 17, eh?
Brian Batko
2:35
As of this moment, yes. But I'd be surprised if they went into the draft with a hole that glaring. Kevin Colbert rarely did. Unless Omar Khan can sit there and say with a straight face that they're confident in Ahkello Witherspoon having a bounce-back season and Arthur Maulet as a full-time slot corner.
Jay_In_Indy
2:36
So, we didn't resign Sutton.  Do you think we are freeing up some cap space for... perhaps another player in free agency and if so, who do you think are the most viable candidates?
Brian Batko
2:39
There are actually a number of free-agent corners now available who were linked to the Steelers in their respective drafts. Byron Murphy, Greedy Williams, Rock Ya-Sin. Dane Jackson is a local guy who earned a starting spot with the Bills, but he's a restricted free agent.
D-Ru
2:40
Are you surprised by how quiet the Steelers have been? No signings or restructures or hardly even a peep for the last month.
Brian Batko
2:40
Yes, I am. Makes me think they're more content with this roster and the way they finished the season than us on the outside are. Or they just know this is a big year for them to crush the draft and reload that way.
Taylor G
2:41
With letting Sutton go does this mean the Steelers is looking to extend Highsmith
Brian Batko
2:42
It could signal that, yeah. Gives them some extra cash to work with now and in the long term. In theory, the more money you spend on your pass rushers, the better they are at their job, and the better they are at their job, the less you need elite cornerback play.
Timbo
2:44
Hey there Brian.  Sutton leaving creates an obvious need at corner but I would argue even more so for a dominant D lineman.  A dominant D line makes the corners (as well as ILBs) that much better. Agree?
Brian Batko
2:46
That's why all eyes now turn to Larry Ogunjobi. If you'll recall, his free agency last year was a bit of a saga due to a failed physical, and he ultimately didn't sign with the Steelers until the summer. So his decision could take a while.
Dave from VA
2:47
I watched the workout with KP and the receivers in FL.  I applaud the effort from all involved but don't you think they should have been practicing go routes and deep routes.  It seems like that would have been more useful as those were the problems last year.  Your thoughts?
Brian Batko
2:47
Is there a video of the full workout? Did you find it on the black market?
Turk in MD
2:48
Edmunds and Kazee both got the same contract last off-season.  Why would the team not favor bringing back Kazee?  He showed far better ball skills and filled in nicely when Edmunds was out.  Thoughts?
Brian Batko
2:49
He's older, hasn't been as durable, not a squeaky-clean resume off the field. But sure, there are aspects of his game that are superior to Terrell Edmunds. The Steelers might be able to leverage those two against each other if they want to bring back one on a moderate deal.
Nab from germany
2:50
Chance getting bigger for CB with 1st Pick?
Brian Batko
2:51
Definitely. Especially considering that when you lose Cam Sutton, you essentially lose a slot corner AND an outside corner.
Connecting…