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Brian Batko's Steelers chat: 03.28.22
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AK
2:40
I really hope that the Steelers are not thinking of signing Mathieu.  Do you think he's too expensive and too old?
Brian Batko
2:42
Well, we don't know how expensive he is just yet. He was pretty young when he entered the league, only 20 on draft day in 2013, so he'll be 30 when the season starts. It comes down to whether you think he still has a few good years left in him, and I believe he does. But certainly the Steelers have been much keener on signing younger free agents than older ones.
JDY
2:43
Hi Brian I had a question with all the money the Steelers have spent this off-season do you still think we can get Minkah Fitzpatrick signed to a long-term extension before training camp or before the first game of the regular season
Brian Batko
2:44
Yes, I think they'll get that done. Mike Tomlin LOVES him. Kevin Colbert probably LOVES that he traded for him. And Minkah seems to like his role here, which was cause for consternation in Miami. Would very much surprise me if they don't agree on a long-term deal, even if the Steelers have to make him the highest-paid guy at his position.
David Woodley
2:45
Of 18 QBs drafted after pick #15 since 2000, only two, Jackson and Rodgers, have been above average. The rest are journeymen or busts. Do we REALLY want to play those odds, esp with a bunch of QBs who'd be second round picks in other years?
Brian Batko
2:46
Maybe. Let's not forget there have been some guys outside the first round since 2000 who have been good, too. Obviously, it's not easy to strike gold that low in the draft, but doing so is really a boon for building the rest of your roster.
Guest
2:47
Report Steelers signed a outside lb Avery from the Eagles is this true?
Brian Batko
2:48
Yes, it's true. Gives them a guy who can probably be their top backup to T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith. The Melvin Ingram saga showed that there's a needle you need to thread there. Ingram was good, but he wanted more than that role offered. Avery not quite as accomplished, so he likely won't expect much more than a rotational spot.
Jacob
2:50
I’m not trying to be rude to the guy, but what is it exactly that is so uninspiring about Mason Rudolph?
Brian Batko
2:52
It's not rude to point out that he had a couple awful throws against a bad Lions defense when he got his chance last season, or that he threw a really bad pick against the Browns in 2020, or that his 2019 run as a starter ended because he was skipping passes like ground balls in Cincinnati.
Bob S
2:53
Mike Tomlin recently said that acquiring a QB in 1st or 2nd rounds is a goal this year.  Who do you think would be the most likely QB?
Brian Batko
2:56
I don't recall seeing that exact phrasing from Tomlin, but Malik Willis seems to fit what they're looking for the most when you talk about mobility, Matt Corral if you're talking about accuracy, both of which Tomlin/Colbert have pinpointed this offseason. Seeing as how they have Trubisky and even Mason Rudolph ready to play now, either of those two being the pick - maybe sitting out a year, too - might make more sense for the Steelers than Kenny Pickett.
ev
2:57
Hello Brian, how likely is a FA RB addition?  An article mentioned Alex Collins is available.
Brian Batko
2:58
Wouldn't shock me. They've tried to find complementary backs in the draft and aren't exactly striking gold in Benny Snell or (especially) Anthony McFarland. But I wouldn't sign one for more than vet minimum. Najee Harris just needs a sidekick, not a co-star.
AO
2:59
What is the rationale for the 2 & 3 year contracts for the signed free agents, as opposed to longer contracts?
Brian Batko
3:00
In case they don't work out. The Steelers usually do a good job of back-loading these deals and not putting themselves in a bad spot if a guy isn't a fit.
OK everyone, we're all out of time today. It's been real, it's been fun. See you next week.
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