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Brian Batko’s Steelers chat: 03.30.26
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Brian Batko
10:01
Hey everyone, good morning, great to see you! We'll get started in about 10 minutes while some more Qs filter in. But first, I'll ask you all something: is there a Steelers blunder that comes to mind comparable at all to Duke's Cayden Boozer yesterday vs. UConn?
10:10
OK gang let's get to it
Epiballo
10:10
How about snapping the ball over Big Ben’s head that resulted in a Cleveland TD to open a playoff game?
Brian Batko
10:12
Eh, that was brutal but totally different to me because it opened the game. The turnover in the backcourt yesterday ended that game. And the season for Duke.
PittTimInJax
10:13
When will certain fans understand what Pittsburgh Steelers have compared to MOST NFL teams? Yes, I'd like more Super Bowl victories but (look at Denver and NE this year) we normally have a team that competes and if we got a couple of breaks like Denver and NE did this year we could be in a Super Bowl! "Fans" stop being so negative and count your blessing.
Brian Batko
10:15
Yeah I believe what, only eight teams have won a Super Bowl more recently than the Steelers? And in the meantime, they've been competitive every year, legitimate contenders many of those years. So I hear you on that. But they haven't been legitimate contenders lately and a BUNCH of teams have won a playoff game more recently. So it cuts both ways.
Zamo
10:17
Morning BB!  Hope you and fam had a great weekend!  We definitely need WR help and keep hearing about different types/sizes of receivers.  I’ve never been a fan of small shifty guys. Roll with Cooper/KC/Boston.  We only have 2 right now we can rely on so go get the best one and play them anywhere.  Dionte Johnson was a 3rd round pick that worked out for the most part.  We can get a shifty receiver/returner later in the draft right?   Last, I would love to see another DL added in with a day 2 pick.  Cheers bud!
Brian Batko
10:20
We did Zamo, thank you. Nice little local fish fry action Friday evening, 1-year-old birthday party Saturday and a chill Sunday. Yeah, I suppose what you're getting at there is you're not overly interested in the Zachariah Branch, Brenen Thompson, Antonio Williams, Deion Burks portion of this receiver class, which is fair. From what I can tell about Mike McCarthy, he really prioritizes flexibility/versatility in his receivers, guys who are very comfortable playing inside or outside. So let's keep that in mind come draft time.
G Money
10:22
Would the Steelers consider moving Fautanu to LT, and go into the draft to select a RT.  Fautanu played LT in College if I'm not mistaken. I think Bro Jones should move to guard.  He's played 2 1/2 seasons at T in the NFL and it doesn't look promising.
Brian Batko
10:25
I think Troy Fautanu is capable of making that move but the better question is do you want to do that if you're the Steelers, especially when he's getting comfortable not just with the right side but the chemistry building with Mason McCormick? My guess there is no. As for Broderick Jones moving to guard, I suppose you could try it as a last resort, but it'd be a lot of technical adjustments to make for someone who was already a fairly raw prospect with technique issues coming out at his natural position.
Takoma Tom
10:26
At what point will the Steelers stop waiting on Rodgers?
Brian Batko
10:27
Funny you should ask, TT, because Gerry Dulac is in Arizona for NFL league meetings and got an Aaron Rodgers update yesterday from none other than Art Rooney II https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/steelers/2026/03/29/nfl-steelers-a...
Retire21.
10:27
Is the AR thing about $? If so,  will Steelers have the courage just to walk away.?
Brian Batko
10:30
Not really sure, to be honest with you. It wouldn't surprise me. And like any money matters or negotiation issue it's always "about money" to an extent even if it's not about money. For instance, it might be up to him to decide if he wants to play, but the price at which he'd be playing could be a factor there.
TXSteeler
10:31
McCarthy and the Steelers FO promised more young and energetic staff members. The only one you can really point to is the new OLB Coach…and he’s offset by the loss of the former DB Coach. Get that they can’t be all like this but cmon
Brian Batko
10:35
I don't necessary agree with that. Ramon Chinyoung, the RBs coach, is more of an up-and-comer than an established longtime NFL position coach. Jahri Evans the assistant OL coach is a future Hall of Fame player, most likely, who's relatively young in his coaching career.
BTOWN Panther
10:35
The Champs are hosting their Pro Day on April 1. Who are the top 3 most likely Hoosiers not named Omar Cooper Jr to be drafted by the Steelers?
Brian Batko
10:38
Great question. Congrats to IU football, what with all their Western PA connections on the coaching staff molding that program. I'll go with ILB Aiden Fisher, WR Elijah Sarratt and TE Riley Nowakowski. Now I would add that one Hoosier who might be able to improve his stock with good athletic testing numbers is their free safety, Louis Moore.
Beaver Falls Kid
10:40
Hi Brian. Some quick research shows only seven 2025 opening day QBs were NOT drafted in the first round.  With Will Howard on the roster as a roll of the dice prospect, why would the team use a draft pick on a mid round QB next month? Shouldn’t they make a pick on another position of need or use that capital to trade up down or into 2027?
Brian Batko
10:40
Because even if it's unlikely, if you do hit on the next Jalen Hurts or Dak Prescott, let alone Brock Purdy, it's extremely valuable to your overall roster construction. Like, build a Super Bowl-caliber team kind of valuable.
Henry Hill
10:42
Can't we just celebrate the fact that Duke LOST?!
Brian Batko
10:42
No because it ruined my chances of winning any bracket pools
Josh
10:43
A lot of speculation on Rooney giving a soft deadline to Rodgers decision being before the draft. But am I dumb to think that even if Rodgers does tell Rooney that he’s coming back that we still might not get a formal announcement until early June again?
Brian Batko
10:44
You're not dumb to think that, Josh. It's fair to have your own conspiracy theories about the NFL's king of conspiracy theories himself.
Jim Bow Dean
10:45
If a team wants to hire Tomlin right after this season, would the Steelers still hold his rights? Do we know when his contract was going to expire?
Brian Batko
10:48
I believe it depends on the language in his contract, Jim Bow. If it's like Sean Payton's was, then he might be able to pull a Sean Payton. But I also think Payton had more years left on his term, and obviously Mike Tomlin was nearing the end, albeit with that quirky option year in there too.
Frankie Z.
10:49
Brian, not a fan of drafting Ty Simpson, but it seems like the Steelers could take him. What’s your evaluation of him?  Thanks.
Brian Batko
10:51
He's probably a victim of the so overrated that he's actually underrated thing. But Dan Orlovsky isn't doing him any favors there. Like with most prospects, you obviously can find a lot of really good on his tape and a lot of really bad. I do believe that the highs for Ty Simpson make him the second-best QB prospect in this draft, but his overall lack of discernible traits is what gives me pause for him being a first-rounder, maybe even a second-rounder.
Jersey Danno
10:51
Hey Brian. What are you hearing about Howard?  Are the coaches really that high on him?  Would that block them from taking a chance with Allar?
Brian Batko
10:53
They really do like him, I know that much. And it's probably a good sign for Will Howard that it isn't even the same coaching staff that signed off on drafting him, aside from his position coach Tom Arth. Point being, Mike McCarthy comes in here from the outside with zero prior connection or investment in Howard, and yet he's still talking about him the way he is. So, all in all, I wouldn't say that precludes them from taking a chance on a Drew Allar or Cole Payton, but to me, it makes it a lot less likely that they'd reach on a QB.
Bob
10:54
Why can't AR2 just move on from Rodgers? Grab Cousins to mentor Howard at the vet minimum and just move on with Howard this season.
Brian Batko
10:55
I feel like I get some version of this question each week and I give this answer each time: The Steelers want to contend every year and clearly they feel Aaron Rodgers gives them the best chance to do that. It's that simple.
Dobby Has a sock
10:55
How about the kickoff blunder by Kaleb Johnson that played a part a part in losing the game?  Also - who do you see us taking 1st round? Or do we trade back for more capital?
Brian Batko
10:56
That was an even worse brain lapse, because he clearly didn't even know the rule, or just checked out mentally and let his effort wane, but the Duke turnover ENDED THEIR SEASON (combined with the made shot by UConn, of course).
Tin Cup
10:56
Tomlin had game management blunders all the time. It got to the point where they were not even discussed post game because they occurred so often.
Brian Batko
10:57
And yinz thought the Mike Tomlin criticism would end when he stepped down?
dpreble001
10:58
BB, if Steelers draft. a RBinthis this draft, does that indicate that, Johnson was a mistake?
Brian Batko
10:58
I don't think they're gonna do that, unless it's someone they really like as a returner, but yeah I suppose that would be an even worse sign for Kaleb Johnson's future.
Kent Nix
10:59
Do you think that the Steelers will draft a QB in the later rounds, or sign someone later for that 4th arm they like in camp?
Brian Batko
10:59
They have so many picks that I am on board with the idea of picking one at any point on Day 3, maybe even with that last third-round comp pick, and just letting the depth chart sort itself out with Mason Rudolph, Will Howard and Rookie X.
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