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Brian Batko's Steelers chat: 03.17.25
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Brian Batko
12:31
You forgot RB. Still think they need a bigger body to complement Jaylen Warren and Kenneth Gainwell, pick up tough yards between the tackles, etc.
Martian
12:31
Good morning BB - chances the steelers decide to ride with Mason and look to draft vs paying old statues?
Brian Batko
12:33
Hmm let's say 49%. I'll say this about Aaron Rodgers, from watching him late last season, I feel like he's slightly less statue-ish than many are presuming due to his age. Probably moves around about as well as Rudolph and certainly better than Kirk Cousins/late-career Ben Roethlisberger.
Pittfan
12:34
HI Brian. I've been one of the many people critical of the Steelers off season. At some point I've resigned myself to giving them the benefit of the doubt and wanting to believe they know what they're doing. In the case of the next QB, do you think they're ready to roll with Mason? Would you go with Mason over Russ, Winston or Flacco?
Brian Batko
12:36
Over Russ? Definitely. In my mind, that train has left the station and is making stops in Cleveland and Jersey, which is pretty bleak when you stop to think about it. Jameis Winston and Joe Flacco? If one is still available after the draft, I'd maybe circle back and sign him to compete with Mason.
Louden
12:38
Make me feel better. If Mason is under center week 1, name me 3 starting QBs worse than him
Brian Batko
12:39
If the season started today, Tommy DeVito, Will Levis and Kenny Pickett.
Nick
12:39
Good morning! I’ll just ask, if you had to bet $1000, who would you bet is the Steelers starting QB this season?
Brian Batko
12:40
Rodgers, but I absolutely would not want to bet any sum of money on it. I only say that because it appears to have the fewest obstacles to happening than the alternatives, both for him and them.
BPOS
12:40
Does it surprise you that the Steelers are pursuing Rodgers with all the drama and controversy he brings, not to mention his reputation for being difficult to work with and he's just a shell of what he used to be.
Brian Batko
12:42
Yes and no. QB-needy teams do desperate things. Sure, he's been difficult to work with at times, but he also has many former teammates who respect him and even admire him. For all we know, Arthur Smith and Mike Tomlin like the guy (from the outside) and want to work with him.
Johnny U
12:42
It seems like the only Steeler news the past few years has been more negative and not very complimentary.  Now Najee pointing out the obsolete facilities. Do the other owners have much say in the operation of the team?  They can’t be pleased in the down slide of a once stellar organization.   Thank you.
Brian Batko
12:43
I don't think anyone is pleased, Art Rooney II included. Obviously, he's not quite as down on the overall product as many fans because he stays the course with his head coach year after year, but the man isn't living in a bubble with regard to critiques, fan frustration, etc.
Vincent LaGuardia Gambini
12:44
It amazes me that so many "analysts" are saying Steelers will select a QB at 21. Based on free agency so far and team needs, the chance they take a DL is about 99%. They desperately need a young stud, plus this QB class is not great. Things are setting up great for 2026. They have stockpiled some picks. The QB class is excellent. The draft is in Pittsburgh. Move up as far as they need to get their guy, have Big Ben announce the pick. It's TV Gold. Thoughts?
Brian Batko
12:46
Not sure I'd go 99% but I'm with you on first-round DL being far-and-away the odds-on favorite. What I caution against is assuming next year's QB class is going to be great, or even better than this one. Of course it could be. But that's 12 months away, prospects can rise and fall throughout next season and this is the Steelers we're talking about, they'll surely find a way to go .500 or better.
TX Pressure
12:47
Rodgers threw for the 2nd most passes in the NFL last year and was inefficient with a QBR ranked 22nd below Russ and Fields.  The talk is he got better in second half but he went 2-6 and in two wins he got more than half his TDs and in two games he had 0 TDs and one game a 1.1 QBR rating.  Rodgers is old and not getting better.  Russ is better, even Rudolph is better.  The ownership and GM really need to step back and see what is best for this team not just next year but going forward.
Brian Batko
12:49
To be fair, the Jets organization was highly dysfunctional. Now, the question the Steelers and any other suitors have to ask themselves is how much of that was a result of Rodgers and how much of it was a negative impact on his play. Overall, I agree that the juice isn't worth the squeeze with the drama he'd bring.
Walter K
12:49
Wow! Im thrilled to hear how you think a team w no QB, no RB, no OL depth, and insufficient DL starters is not far away from contending....please explain
Brian Batko
12:51
Look around the league and how fast fortunes can change, Walter. The Bengals went from 4-11-1 to a Super Bowl in a year. The Commanders from 4-13 to NFC title game. The Lions from 3-13-1 to 9-8 to NFC title game. So yes, I do resist the notion that the Steelers - or, again, any team in this league - is "many many years away from contending" if they make the right moves. A big if, I know.
demosthenes98
12:52
Hey Bats!  Just saw that Christopher Carter is on the Steelers beat full-time now.  Is he succeeding you, Ray-Ray, or Gerry, or are yinz going to a four-man rotation?
Brian Batko
12:52
We're going to a four-man front to try to stop the run (of QB questions)
artie bridge
12:53
Bats, When does ARII say "Enough!  We move on from Rodgers NOW!"
Brian Batko
12:53
Not soon enough, artie
RV
12:53
Any insight as to what Plan A was at qb? Doesn’t seem like they were that anxious to sign Fields, and definitely not Wilson.  Can’t really discern what they hoped would happen unless it was Fields for cheap, and that seems more of a hope than a plan. And having ‘cheap’ be your over-riding priority doesn’t seem like the best idea when it’s the most important position
Brian Batko
12:55
Based on offseason comments from the brass, reporting locally and nationally, and just intuition, my guesstimate is that Plan A was Justin Fields for a more affordable price. They may have misread that situation, but in their defense, it's hard to predict what other teams are going to offer someone on the open market and what a player is going to prefer when he has options.
Dude
12:56
Are you the idiot ppg writer that suggested the human pick six (JWinston) as a legit option for Steelers? What a jabroni!
Brian Batko
12:57
Well, Jason Mackey wrote a column on it, but he's not alone in that. I could be convinced that Jameis at his price is a better option than Rodgers at his price, though.
Z
12:58
Hey Brian - am I the only one concerned that this front office might cave into the coaches wishes and go with another "safe" QB.  Someone who is a game manager.  I'd be looking towards next year and trying to find someone with traits who can be a top 10 QB instead of the Pickett type.
Brian Batko
12:59
I'd be all for using a pick on one of these second or third-tier QBs in this draft. Will Howard, Quinn Ewers, Tyler Shough, Riley Leonard, even Jalen Milroe. And if your starter falters at some point this season, see what you have in the rookie. At least you're giving yourself more swings at the position.
Rooney
1:00
Mason is better than what week 1 Steelers starting QB in history? I'll go with Kent Graham. Thats about it since 70
Brian Batko
1:00
How about 2023 Kenny Pickett? I know the preseason was great and all, but ...
OK folks we're gonna have to close the chat on that dour note. Thanks for regaling me with your comments and questions as always. Have a lovely week.
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