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Brian Batko's Steelers chat: 03.25.24
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Pittfan
2:38
Hi Brian. I hope this isn't a repeat question. Do you think Wilson signs with the Steelers if he knew they were going to pick up Fields? It appears he was coming in knowing Pickett was going to be his backup.
Brian Batko
2:39
That's a very good question. While it's hard to be sure one way or the other, I'd lean yes. But if the Steelers didn't guarantee him the job, then he knew he'd be facing competition from a young QB, and that much hasn't changed. If they told him he'd be in "pole position" then perhaps he signs here regardless.
Jake
2:40
looks like their throwing WR’s against the wall to see who sticks. No way we can go into the season w Pickens, Austin, Jefferson and Watkins. Would lead to Pickens getting double teamed every play.
Brian Batko
2:41
Right, so they won't. But at least they're checking some different boxes. Watkins has straight-line speed. Jefferson is a technician. Austin has that jitterbug quality. Now I think they'll draft a guy who checks a lot of boxes all by himself.
Andrew in ATL
2:41
Do you expect to see the Steelers make anymore moves in free agency? In particular is Tyler Boyd and WR in general off the table with the signing of Quez Watkins?
Brian Batko
2:42
Never gonna say a guy is off the table, especially not after this memorable offseason. Everyone has a price. But I do think the odds of Steelers and Tyler Boyd coming together are dropping by the day. I could be wrong, but never thought it was a slam dunk to begin with.
GMJoe
2:42
Pick 20 looks like a mismatch for the Steelers needs. Too high for the deeper positions, too low for the shallow ones. Do you lean trade up or trade down and why?
Brian Batko
2:44
I wouldn't be eager to trade up for a second year in a row. But hey, if they're legitimately pushing their chips in the middle to try to make a run here with Wilson on a vet minimum contract, possibly Cam Heyward's last year, and with TJ Watt about to turn 30, maybe they'll pull from future assets again.
Trappy
2:44
BB please tell me the Steelers have a plan at WR besides hoping it all works out.
Brian Batko
2:44
Who needs WRs in an Arthur Smith offense, right?
Double Standards
2:45
The Pirates get destroyed for bringing in players in their mid-30's that can't match the success of their early playing days.  The Steelers get exalted.  Why are the two treated differently?
Brian Batko
2:45
I don't agree with your premise
KmR
2:45
Any news on the punter front?
Brian Batko
2:45
They signed veteran Cameron Johnston to a three-year deal right when free agency started. What more do you want, KmR?
Jud
2:46
Do you think in A Smith's offense that 'Muth will be more productive?  Perhaps with better QB play comes better production?
Brian Batko
2:47
Not only that, but a healthier Pat Freiermuth should lead to a more productive one. He had a rough go of it last year, pretty much from the springtime on. I still believe he's a good player.
Lambert Lunatic
2:47
Hey BB, if their highest ranked players at C, OT, etc are off the board in rd 1, do they consider trading back a few spots if there’s a willing partner?
Brian Batko
2:48
If there's a willing partner, sure. Omar Khan showed last year he's got a knack for working the board and maneuvering to land guys they want.
Lou
2:48
Brian, who is the most realistic and decent DL they can draft?  Seems like they still need youth. Larry plays hurt all the time and Cam is old and playing hurt too.
Brian Batko
2:49
Tough to say because I don't think they're going to take one in the first two days. Then you get into the project/upside types in the later rounds. Keeanu Benton looks like a hit from last year, so it's not as if they're ignoring that position via the draft. But maybe wait another year before a Round 1 investment.
Tom
2:50
I'm sort of baffled by the signing of Quez Watkins. Does he really give you "veteran leadership?" Why not just grab multiple players in the WR stud class this year and let them develop under a quality WR coach?
Brian Batko
2:50
He's an NFL dude. They're just trying to provide competition at as many spots as possible, and I doubt he got much compensation to come here. No guarantee he'll even be on the roster come September.
Dick Tracy
2:51
I've noted that Kenny Pickett has spoken his side of the situation to the press... have I missed something from Justin Fields?
Brian Batko
2:51
You haven't, Dick. I do know Fields is on a youth football camp tour overseas, so probably some logistical hurdles there for his introductory press conference. Hopefully we'll get a chance to talk to him in-person here soon.
G Money
2:51
Why does everyone think HCMT is so brilliant when the playoff record is abysmal?  His production doesn't match the hype. And how does the Highest paid and oldest Defense stack up?
Brian Batko
2:52
Ah, yes, "everyone" thinks Mike Tomlin is "so brilliant."
Ernie Stautner
2:52
Why are we collecting #4 and #5 WRs. We have Pickens and…..??
Even if we take one #1 or 2, will they be ready?
Brian Batko
2:53
That would be the plan. The way colleges are churning out talented receivers lately, it's not outlandish to think one of those guys can play from day one. Pickens did.
Scott
2:53
Hey Bats, thanks for feeding us ducks. I love the activity this off season, but aren't the Steelers leaving themselves at risk in the WR room? If anything happens to Pickens or he doesn't handle the WR1 role well, they have almost nothing at receiver other than a newly drafted guy. Thanks.
Brian Batko
2:54
The receiver market is a wild place. It's pretty much a universal truth that they're the most mercurial players on any team. If the doomsday scenarios take place for the Steelers, they'd just have to adjust and make a move or two. I'd say Omar Khan has proven he's pretty good at adapting to the changing landscape on the fly.
Mark
2:54
First Claypoole, then Fields.  Does Omar have some compromising blackmail material on the Bears GM and if so, what do you think is the next move for the Steelers to gain something from da Bears?
Brian Batko
2:55
Maybe they can steal Caleb Williams? Actually, if he had that kind of dirt on Ryan Poles, I'd say they would've landed Roquan Smith. That's a missed opportunity.
Seren
2:55
Obviously the front office decides who is going to be on a team’s roster, while the head coach decides where everyone plays based on the roster, but how much input does a head coach have on who they want on their team? Case in point, how much input did Tomlin have on the decisions that Khan made during free agency? Do you think that Tomlin was as surprised as the rest of us with how the QB situation transpired?
Brian Batko
2:56
Of course not. He's heavily involved in the player acquisition process. I guess I'd say Tomlin is the guy who's gonna be preparing the meals each week, but Omar Khan is in charge of procuring the ingredients.
Alan in Alabama
2:56
Hey there. You don’t usually answer my questions but I’ll give it one last shot I suppose. Do we have any idea if the Steelers still have any interest in bringing in another center through FA or even a trade before the draft? They seem to be struggling with their own practice of shoring up roster holes BEFORE the draft so they don’t get boxed in. I guess they might have more faith in guys like Herbig than the fans do and perhaps they see him in the role of keeping the seat warm until a high pick is ready. I guess they also could take another look at Mason Cole, but do they have anymore footballs left or are they all floating down the river after some of his better snaps? Thanks, B!
Brian Batko
2:58
Sorry Alan, we get a ton of questions and can't always get to them all. I really don't believe they're sold on Nate Herbig either, but you want the outside world to think that, when it comes to leverage with free agents and plotting out your draft plan. To your point, had Herbig actually been a realistic option, I imagine they would've benched Cole at one point last season when the snapping issues kept popping up. But hey, perhaps an offseason fully dedicated to working at center could help Herbig, if that's what he's focusing on.
Javi
2:58
Hello Bats. Any later round QBs the Steelers might be looking at or will they just pick up someone off waivers for camp? How seriously should they take that 3rd QB slot they have to fill?
Brian Batko
2:59
Now that they've signed veteran Kyle Allen, they have the classic QB3 type guy. Probably lessens the likelihood of drafting one at all.
OK folks, I've gotta run and take care of some other P-G content business. Thanks for chatting, Ray should be back tomorrow!
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