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Brian Batko's Steelers chat: 03.31.25
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Steelmke
10:40
Under what scenario would the Steelers not draft a Defensive Lineman with #21? What is the likelihood of that happening? To me it would be incredible irresponsible to not draft a Defensive Lineman given current personnel and performance. Thanks
Brian Batko
10:42
Any number of scenarios really. A player at another position falling to them they love, such as a running back or tight end, or even quarterback. Who knows? There's good depth to the D-linemen in this draft, I'm confident in that.
Yogi in Yonkers
10:43
Good morning, Brian. Why the dissatisfaction with Kyle Allen? I know he didn't get a lot of PT, but to my eye he looked to be a poised, professional quarterback. So now we've upgraded to Skylar Thompson? Have you seen his career stats? Give me a break.
Brian Batko
10:45
I don't assume there was dissatisfaction with him, at least not as a No. 3 guy. But they surely feel better about Mason Rudolph as a possible starter than Allen, who went undrafted and has been a career backup. Skylar Thompson has a ceiling of QB3 but probably more likely to not make the team in my opinion. I've seen the stats. I've written about them.
Bob
10:45
Do you think there is any chance the Steelers trade Watt for some much needed draft capital instead of extending him since he is getting old and is always hurt for at least part of the season? He also deserves a chance to win a playoff game once in his career too.
Brian Batko
10:46
Only if he wants to do that, Bob. And I've gotten no indication he wants to do that, Bob. He sounded exceedingly committed to being here when he talked publicly after the season and of course we know there are ways to get those messages across through other channels if that were the case.
Z
10:47
Brian - I am in the minority.  But I think Omar surprises us and gives Pickens a 2-3 year extension.  This offseason seems to be built on building the best situation for a rookie QB in 2026.
Brian Batko
10:49
You are in the minority there, Z. I would be pretty stunned, but here's another leg for you to stand on: If the Steelers are driven in some way to follow the Eagles' blueprint, that's a team that is paying big money to two receivers, AJ Brown and Devonta Smith. But they're making roughly the same money and I don't think there's any way George commands the same salary as Metcalf, so still strikes me as quite unlikely even when you don't factor in the distraction component.
pete
10:50
If PSU's # 44 is available do you take him ?
Brian Batko
10:51
No, not for me. Tyler Warren could end up being an All-Pro tight end but I just don't know that it's so much of a slam dunk that I'm devoting even more resources to that position beyond Pat Freiermuth and Darnell Washington already in the fold.
Greg from Johnstown
10:52
Hi Bats, is it true that if the Steelers wait until after the draft to sign ARod it would be more beneficial towards their 2026 comp pick formula ? Could this be the reason for the delay ?
Brian Batko
10:53
I won't pretend to be an expert on the convoluted comp pick formula, but no, Greg. As I understand it, only players whose contracts expired factor into it, regardless of timing, and Rodgers was released by the Jets.
Donny D
10:53
Good morning Brian -  Thank you very much for the chats & articles - As a bridge QB, do you see Rodgers being that much better than Rodolph? For me, the Monetary savings with Mason allows the team to shore up other areas - Rodgers is not going to take this team on his back to a super bowl appearance.
Brian Batko
10:56
Not necessarily, but because I've been fairly negative on the idea of bringing in Rodgers, I'll try to put myself in the headspace of the Steelers entertaining the move. They've been spinning their wheels at QB and in general with these 9-8/10-7 seasons and early exits from the playoffs. Does Rodgers at least give you a bit more upside or variance in potential outcomes from the QB position? Sure, it's possible. That doesn't mean putting the team on his back, per se, but he is Aaron Rodgers.
Obx Jim
10:58
Hey Bats….How was the weekend?  Not having a 2nd rounder seems like a gap that needs to be filled….Pickens seems like the logical choice to try to move…since would would lose him for nothing if we don’t sign him (he’s going to want to get paid and he’s too risky for that with what we are already paying DK)…do you think they can find any takers before the draft?
Brian Batko
11:00
It was nice, Jim, thank you. Hung out with the neighbors, celebrated my sister-in-law's birthday, first soccer practice for my daughter. Good times, good times. As for the second-rounder, I'm OK with it because it netted DK Metcalf, and I'd been advocating for using the first or second pick on a receiver anyway.
cal from nh
11:01
trey lance anyone? at least there is upside. I would prefer to rodgers. do you agree? thanks brian
Brian Batko
11:02
Man, we've reached the Trey Lance stage of this? I'm out, Cal, I'm out!
11:03
And I am now literally out, as we're gonna call it a chat there before someone stumps for bringing Teddy Bridgewater back out of retirement/high school football coaching. Thanks for joining today and have a fantastic week.
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