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Brian Batko's Steelers chat: 03.17.25
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Brian Batko
12:00
Hey everyone, time to fire up another Steelers chat and I'm sure you all have a lot to get off your mind. Have at it
Stairway to seventh seed
12:01
Pursuing free agency with an eye on gaining compensatory picks is something I am glad the Steelers have finally done, but do you think they did that just because the draft is a home game next year?
Brian Batko
12:02
There's something to be said for advanced scouting of next year's projected class, particularly at QB, and I understand that the draft coming here is a huge deal for the Steelers and the city. But I think it goes without saying that the location of the draft really shouldn't be a factor in roster-building.
Bob
12:03
Wy would you extend a rapidly declining Watt when you are many many years away from contending? We have so many holes to fill and so far with the exception of Metcalfe all their FA signings have been other teams cast offs because they are not very good or very old.
Brian Batko
12:03
I'm not convinced that he's rapidly declining or that the Steelers - or any team for that matter in today's NFL - are many many years away from contending.
Jeff M
12:04
Hi Brian, Can teams be penalized if the 2 WRs fight each other after a play?
Brian Batko
12:04
Let me check with the league on that one
Mike in Virginia
12:05
If you had to guess, would you say this team is more leaning DT in the first and QB in the third, or the other way around? With a RB in the fourth?
Brian Batko
12:06
More of the former than the latter, RB in the 3rd, 4th or even the 5th given the depth of this group. I'm pretty much convinced we can't rule out anything with the Steelers and their yearslong endeavor to find a QB. First round, 7th round, no round, who knows?
Jack
12:06
Why can’t Mason be the starter for 2025?  He’s very underrated.
Brian Batko
12:06
He can be, in my opinion. Kind of the perfect "swing guy" who can take on that role - because he's done it - or settle into backup territory - because he's done it.
Josh
12:06
Hey Brian, do you think the steelers will ever bow out of the Aaron Rodgers sweepstakes?  At some point they have to move on right?  I cool with letting Mason take this season if need be, but I get a sense that the Steelers may not want that.
Brian Batko
12:07
Hey Josh. I think the Steelers like getting good deals in free agency. They like getting good value on what they believe are good players. So that's why Omar Khan can be exceedingly patient, sometimes to a fault, but also why they could be willing to wait this out. Mason Rudolph is a nice CYA move, if you clock that acronym.
Josh
12:08
Am I missing something with the Dart stuff?  There is always that player that jumps up the draft boards, but I thought headed into the senior bowl Dart was considered a day 2 pick?  Maybe even day 3.  I can't live with this team reaching for another QB and wasting more time.
Brian Batko
12:10
I wouldn't say you're missing anything. I just think every year, every draft, the QB position has the widest variance of opinions on prospects. Everyone always has a hot take on the QBs. And within that, there always seems to be a couple guys who are particularly polarizing. Shedeur Sanders and Jaxson Dart seem to be those two guys in 2025
Butcher
12:12
Brian , thank you for the chats over the season. We whiffed on DL in FA, although the prices for the few true starting prospects went nuts. (Milton Williams) And the same can be said for QB ( I get not giving 40 mil, 30 guaranteed for fields after 14 wins in 4 seasons). Love the Metcalf trade in a vacuum , but doesnt the lost second hurt us in the draft where we need a DT (actually 2) and a QB potentially in the first 3 rounds?
Brian Batko
12:14
Well they also badly needed a WR, probably in first or second round, so I don't have an issue with giving up that pick for DK Metcalf. Seems clear to me the Steelers didn't think any of the DL or QBs available were worth getting into a bidding war for.
Lou
12:15
Hi Brian. Let’s say the Steelers are going to draft a qb round 1. Which do you think they could get that has real potential?
Brian Batko
12:17
Dart has potential but it's always tough to gauge those guys coming from a wide-open, QB-friendly system. And the Steelers really put a lot of emphasis on taking passers who thrived in adverse weather conditions because that's gonna be a challenge in their division. I'm not sure if Dart dealt with the elements much or at all between USC and Mississippi.
Wayward
12:18
How long do they wait on Rodgers to make a decision?
Brian Batko
12:18
Depends if they play Sunday or Monday in Week 1
Maryann
12:19
Hi Brian, I have been watching Steelers football since late 60s, and never had this QB quandary except minor with Bradshaw, Hanratty, and Gilliam but it wasn’t an embarrassment.  We weren’t groveling for a QB like this.  I’m happy running with Rudolph.  I can’t  watch Rodgers in a Steelers uniform.  How do you feel?
Brian Batko
12:19
Not too far from you. It's kind of sad to be in a spot where you're hoping a 41-year-old QB whom the Jets told "thanks, but no thanks" chooses you over the lowly Giants.
Stillers fan
12:21
My fellow fans say “Anything less than a SB is a FAILURE!!!”
Brian Batko
12:21
OK
Chill Dave
12:21
Hi Bats, The Steelers always focus on the current season, but wouldn't it be a good idea to trade Pickens for a pick in next year's draft?  They likely need all the ammo they can get to acquire a QB in that draft.
Brian Batko
12:22
Sure, but there's a balance there between how much it's worth to you to get something back for a guy who's most likely gone in free agency versus utilizing him for one more season to (hopefully) form the best WR duo in the league outside of Cincinnati.
PPG<Ed B
12:23
Assuming we dont add a legit QB, Mason is the worst QB in the league no?
Brian Batko
12:24
On paper, maybe. But he's better than Tommy DeVito, who's the only Giants QB under contract right now. And last I checked, he's probably better than anything the Browns have working at the moment.
Stillers fan
12:25
also Steelers fans, “just play mason” 🙄
Brian Batko
12:25
Ah, that was the other half of that thought
the real guest
12:25
Brian, If I were to equate this FA season to a football game I would say the Steelers are entering the 2 minute warning and are down by two scores. What say you?
Brian Batko
12:25
After returning the opening kickoff for a touchdown!
Carl
12:26
At what point does Rooney get embarrassed to such a degree that he finally lets Tomlin go? Rooney and Steelers look like total clowns. QB position has been debacle since Ben hurt his elbow. Canada was a disaster and we replace with Smith. D is not dominant and keep scapegoating coordinators. Pickens and Johnson quit. If Rooney isn’t embarrassed he’s not watching what is happening.
Brian Batko
12:27
This QB saga is a bad look for the Steelers, but I still think (right or wrong) the franchise is viewed in a much rosier light league-wide than it is in places such as these chats. I agree with many of your points, though.
Jim Bow Dean
12:28
Last season they went to Wilson as soon as he was healthy and stuck with him when the offense faltered down the stretch. Now they appear to want nothing to do with him. What happened?
Brian Batko
12:29
He faltered down the stretch. Had some awful turnovers. Clashed with coach(es). Other than that ...
JPinPDX
12:29
Good morning Bats. Mason Rudolph starts week 1 ... you in or out?
Brian Batko
12:30
At this point, I'm in.
Patrick
12:30
The draft provides an opportunity to complete this roster for 25 and the future.  Besides the obvious... DL and WR, I think they need to look at S, OT and OG at least for this season.  What do you think their priorities should be?  QB can wait unless Tyler Shough is available after the 3 round.
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