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Brian Batko's Steelers chat: 03.24.25
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Brian Batko
11:50
Hey everyone, we've got Steelers questions rolled up already so let's start the chat a little early. Hope you all had a great weekend.
Tom
11:50
What, in you opinion, did Russell Wilson do wrong that the Steelers did not want to bring him back?
Brian Batko
11:52
The tangible issues would be the turnovers down the stretch. I'm talking fumble at the goal line in Baltimore, though that certainly was a case of trying to make a play. The pick-six later in that game was far less forgivable. But the INT in the end zone vs. KC was roooooough, too, regardless of what George Pickens did or didn't do. And then I think there was a general lack of cohesion between him and Arthur Smith, which certainly does not help.
Seven
11:53
Hi Brian, thanks for the chat. If the Steelers sign Rodgers, how does the contract get structured? Is there much chance that it is multi-year? If not, do they eat the entire cap this year, or use phantom years to spread out the cap hit?
Brian Batko
11:54
I feel like it usually makes sense to slap those void years on there and push the cap charges into the future, but with the amount of space they have right now, perhaps they won't have to do that. And no, I wouldn't think they're going to do more than one year for him at this stage of his career.
Zamo
11:55
Hey BB!  All this QB draft talk is something I hope goes away unless the brass really LOVES someone. I would like to see the Steelers draft DL (multiple) WR’s and a RB.  All the moves Omar and Andy are making is to load up and get someone in 2026. Why draft someone in rounds 3-5 when those picks can solidify needs elsewhere.  This QB class stinks and we saw what happened in 2022. Been there done that.  Hope this regime doesn’t make the same mistake.  Go get your guy next year and don’t even bother this year until round 6-7 at the earliest.  Agree or no?
Brian Batko
11:58
Hey Zamo. The reasoning would be to maximize your chances of hitting on a QB. Good ones, or even ones with any sort of promise at all, are valuable assets. That's never been as obvious as it was this offseason. With that in mind, I would be fine with spending a 3rd-5th on one, depending on who it is.
Wayward
11:58
Brian, if Grant, Harmon and Nolen are all on the board in the 1st, who do you think the Steelers take?
Brian Batko
11:58
Kenneth Grant, followed by Derrick Harmon, followed by Walter Nolen is my guess
George T
12:00
Hi Brian, when the season ended everyone was saying we need to draft WR, DL, CB, and RB. With trading for DK and signing a couple of CB. Now with a WR off the biggest need should we look at drafting a couple of DL. Is there one you would trade up for or trade down to get additional draft pick since the DL class is so deep.
Brian Batko
12:01
As I write anytime the trade-down idea gets broached, it takes two to make that happen, and the depth of this draft sure makes me think teams aren't going to be eager to move up very much. So I'll just throw out a few names who are more on the radar for rounds 3-5 than earlier: Jamaree Caldwell (Oregon), Ty Robinson (Nebraska) and CJ West (Indiana).
Butch
12:01
Are we really going to pay ARod $30 million to cost us higher draft pics?  This is essentially what will happen!  I call it bad business!
Brian Batko
12:02
I don't disagree, Butch.
Cisco Pike
12:02
Hi Brian, love your chats. I've asked this question to Ray with no reply. Maybe today I get lucky! Assuming the Steelers go 10-7 and out, or even 9-8/8-9 and no playoffs, is there anyway that kind of result could be viewed in a positive way? What would have to happen/change for fans, critics, etc. to think "OK, that felt different from past years even if the record was similar." Or is it playoff win or bust? Shorter, what does improvement look like beyond playoffs wins, if such a notion even exists?
Brian Batko
12:03
Thanks. I highly doubt Ray is ignoring you. He (and all of us) just get a lot of questions, so sometimes you get left on the cutting room floor. I've been in the state of mind for a few years now that winning a playoff game would count as tangible improvement. Still not the end goal, of course, but in terms of leveling up? That would be, by definition and just by the vibes it would bring.
TX Pressure
12:04
Bats just trying to understand from both perspectives.  Rodgers threw for 3,900 yds and 28 TDs but he also threw the 2nd most in the NFL.  His EPA per attempt was negative, bad throw %, competion %, QBR were all worse than Russ he had one game with a QBR of 1.1!  Rodgers had a better line, better offensive weapons his own WR yet averaged less yards and points than the Steelers.  Looking at the numbers the Steelers would be better with Russ but Rodgers would be better with a team that had a better line, better coaching, better offensive weapons (Vikings, Dolphins) Rodgers is better waiting for a QB to go down than go with the Steelers.  Steelers need to go younger and more mobile - like a decade at least younger.  Help me understand how this works for either party - just don't see the match?
Brian Batko
12:06
For Aaron Rodgers, it could give him a more stable environment (gestures wildly at Jets franchise for decades) and entrenched coach and solid-to-great supporting cast (DK Metcalf, George Pickens, Pat Freiermuth) plus a defense that, if it reaches its potential, should give him plenty of complementary football. For the Steelers, they get a veteran who's been there, done that, and is still good enough to be the best out of a lot of bleak options. That's the elevator pitch.
FC
12:06
GM Brian, any updates on Holcomb or Johnston? Have you seen either working out?
Brian Batko
12:08
Cole Holcomb began working out at the end of last season and could've returned later in the playoffs, per Omar Khan. So next hurdle for him to clear is just getting out there and hitting again in camp. As for Cam Johnston, he posted a clip of himself running about a month ago, which is great. Hopefully, he can still generate the same power with his punting leg.
Fort Wayne Nate
12:09
Heard you talking about Ty Robinson the DL earlier with Adam. Have you seen any of his FullBack highlights at Nebraska? They used him in goaline situations and he helped them get at least 4 TD's this past season.
Brian Batko
12:11
I hadn't seen that, no. Thanks for the heads up. But I did watch him run the 40 and he was like a darn armoire with legs moving at 4.83 speed. Physically imposing dude. I remember being impressed with him when I was watching some Colorado-Nebraska the night before Steelers-Falcons in Atlanta. At least I'm pretty sure it was that weekend.
Carl
12:13
Is Mason Rudolph the worst nightmare for Tomlin? If he succeeds in starting and delivering another meaningless winning season it makes the bust QB pick of Kenny and the QB quagmire that much more embarrassing for Tomlin.
Brian Batko
12:14
There are no further levels of embarrassment to the Kenny Pickett situation, Carl. You know that saying you see on throw pillows or canvas art that's like "Don't cry because it's over; smile because it happened"? It's like the opposite of that.
Pittfan
12:15
Hi Brian. Is Mike Tomlin the Jerry Jones of NFL head coaches?
Brian Batko
12:15
No, there is no Jerry Jones of NFL head coaches because if he were a head coach he'd fire himself.
obxandy
12:16
Are there any capable DL that Steelers could trade for?
Brian Batko
12:18
Maybe the monstrous Bears nose tackle Andrew Billings, formerly of the Bengals? His 2024 season ended with a torn pec but he's pretty much an ideal two-gapper for the Steelers' base defense.
Renegade
12:19
Did Steelers re-sign Jeremiah Moon?  You left him off your Roster update today if so.
Brian Batko
12:21
Not officially yet, but I've seen it reported. I didn't think we needed to stop the presses.
Silent Bob
12:21
Hi Brian - What do you think of the following assessment of mine on OK? My mental model is seeing him at the high stakes poker table. He traded an above average WR last year & bet he could replace him. Lost that one. He took advantage of cheap QBs on one year contracts & bet he could sign one long term. Not in a good spot now. Concerned they will over-reach for a QB again this year & be set back even further. Or, on the other hand, when a team swings and misses on a first round QB it is just going to take years to recover?
Brian Batko
12:24
OK. Omar Khan. Got it. Not sure I've seen him referred to by his initials much, if at all. Anyway, he traded an above average WR who was also a complete dud when it comes to everything beyond being an above average WR, so I wouldn't necessarily say he lost that one. Obviously, the second part of that plan didn't exactly come to fruition. Definitely some truth to your final point there, though, Silent Bob. I'm not saying the Steelers need to flail around wildly trying to find their next long-term QB, but their more low-stakes approach (to use your analogy) hasn't panned out so far.
GPT
12:25
What are you food and beverages of choice when meticulously breaking down film?
Brian Batko
12:25
Oh I'm actually eating the film itself, GPT. Tastes great.
Dave
12:25
Will Pickens future depend on if a WR is on the board at 21?
Brian Batko
12:26
The Steelers taking a WR at 21 with Pickens still on the roster would feel as if they're telegraphing something there
The Ham
12:27
Any word on how Fautanu's rehab is going?  Is he expected to be fully ready by start of training camp?
Brian Batko
12:27
Haven't heard anything on that front, but I would assume so
Grahambo
12:28
Bats, thanks for all your hard work covering the Steelers. It seems to me that using our 21st pick on a QB is a colossal waste. Need DL help. What do you think?
Brian Batko
12:30
Yes, I don't see any QB in this class being worth that outside of Cam Ward and maybe Shedeur Sanders but even then I'm somewhat skeptical on the latter. Need a first-round talent on the D-line very badly, yes. Only way I'd entertain going in a different direction is if a surprise BPA falls (Ashton Jeanty, Will Johnson, Tyler Warren?) or if they move Pickens and re-open a vacancy at receiver. I really like the Ohio State OL Donovan Jackson, though. Strikes me as someone who will be a surefire NFL starter for a decade or more.
Yates
12:31
Brian-  Several days after the season ended both AR and Omar stated preference to resign Fields or Russ. What happened after the season ended to pivot away from Russ?   Or was the Russ part of the stated QB preference always a negotiating tactic with Fields?  Credibility of front office continues to dwindle.
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