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Brian Batko's Steelers chat: 04.21.25
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Brian Batko
2:34
Thanks, Rons. We'll have plenty of time for that, so your suggestion is duly noted. Neil O'Donnell was before my time, but I know my beat partner Gerry Dulac often compares them to each other.
Steel Russel
2:35
Is there no pride left in the Rooney family, AR basically said he is open to anything and if nothing comes through, he would honor the steelers with his presence?
Brian Batko
2:35
Yeah, it's a cluster ... in my humble opinion.
2:36
To be fair, that's not exactly what he said, but clearly he's not jumping at the opportunity to be here.
Kevin
2:36
Hello Brian.  Based on prior history what would give you (or the fans) any confidence that the Steelers can draft a QB in the next year or two and both develop and positivity influence their success on the field.  Seems like the head coach and staff are more of a detriment to the QB play than a positive influence.
Brian Batko
2:38
Nothing concrete but they do have different people in place than when Kenny Pickett was picked. Arthur Smith is almost certainly a better OC/play-caller than Matt Canada. Tom Arth is a legitimate QB coach. Matt Baker is an underrated presence as an offensive assistant, another former QB himself. I'm on record many times as saying their overall staff could use some more bodies/sets of eyes, but I like a lot of what they have in place.
ElderCmar
2:38
Hi Brian: Appreciate the depth coverage you and the sportswriters at the PG provide.. Are we basically done now with ARodg as a possible 1 yr plug in, and is Tyler Shough the most highly rated draft choice for my Steelers (after the 1st round, maybe 3rd round)?..  Thanks
Brian Batko
2:40
Oh I wouldn't say that. But what stands out to me about Tyler Shough is that he might be the best option if Aaron Rodgers is not in Pittsburgh by training camp. Because I think he's the QB who's most pro-ready and would be the most evident right away whether he's a hit or not. And thus, you have that data to evaluate going into the 2026 draft.
cal from nh
2:40
hey I have scowered every corner of my brain and every nfl roster for an alternative to drafting a first round qb, none of which I like. Other than rodgers, who should we pray for that is a possible target? Kyle Trask? Hendon Hooker? Colin Kaepernick? shader sanders is too like Kenny picket in the reports I read for me to love him, so who should I hope for?
Brian Batko
2:43
I think Malik Willis is a better trade candidate than those two, but if the Steelers just want to get as far away from the 2022 quarterback class as they possibly can, and then keep running some more, I wouldn't blame them. You could talk me into Tyson Bagent or Tanner McKee, but Hendon Hooker is somewhat interesting I suppose. It's all relative, of course.
Pistol33
2:44
They pick a QB in the first round they get what they deserve imo. What say you?
Brian Batko
2:44
OK, I take it Pistol33 is not a fan of this QB class...
62 Stack Monster
2:45
QB or DL?  I'd rather they trade down for extra picks if there is someone willing to do so.
Brian Batko
2:45
Yeah I'd be inclined to trade down too if there's a taker. But no guarantee that'll be the case in a draft that's generally deeper than it is top-heavy. How much of a difference is there from pick 20 to 60?
3Rivers
2:46
Draft six quarterbacks.
I was just kidding with draft six qbs. But that is the real urgency in getting a long-term qb. Is there a person who says qb is not most important poisition? Keep trying and miss no opportunity. A qb and two d linemen should be drafted up front. In whichever order makes most sense. Then a rb, a wr and a db.
Brian Batko
2:48
Now we're talking. The downside to that plan is how do you know when to stop? For instance, if Will Howard comes in here and looks good but not great in the second half of the season after taking over for a mediocre Mason Rudolph, then you're still not entirely sure what to do a year from now. I suppose in 3Rivers world, you just draft another one. At some point, though, there's an opportunity cost to building the rest of your roster.
Don in Sac
2:48
Do the Steelers or any team analyze drafts picks they didn’t make but could have to determine what they missed? For example Fred Warner lasting until the 3rd round.  What did they miss that could have led them to pick him in an earlier round? If the draft is the most important tool a team has you would think that would be a valuable exercise.
Brian Batko
2:51
I'm sure they do analyze and self-evaluate, yes. And Tomlin has made reference to such players before in his weekly Tuesday pressers. One that comes to mind off top is veteran safety Kevin Byard, who's played for Titans and Eagles. Tomlin said in 2021, "He was a ball guy when he came out of Middle [Tennessee]. I kick myself often. When you think about a guy like him that's played the way he's played since he's been in the League, he was a non -combine invite with 19 career interceptions at Middle Tennessee. I know better. A guy that has double digit interceptions in college, usually the ball is not hitting them in the face. They have some skills that are displayed." Byard was a third-rounder in 2016, btw. Maybe if the Steelers take him, they don't reach for Terrell Edmunds two years later, and maybe they take Lamar Jackson instead!
Guest
2:52
any chance ben would come back this year, he looked great throwing to his son
Brian Batko
2:53
You know, I think Ben Roethlisberger was content to just chill, enjoy life, full-time dad duty, drink some beers, do some podcasts. But then Rodgers had to call him out Thursday in that his take on Aaron waiting for the Vikings was inaccurate. Maybe now Ben is motivated to get back in shape, end the Rodgers farce himself and get out there. Ol' cowboy has spurs that still fit. Should've just let a sleeping dog lie, A-A-ron!
JohnfromBurgh
2:53
Hi Brian,  is there any concern inside the Steelers organization that Art Rooney 2 is mismanaging this once proud organization or is it just some of the fans.  Art Rooney in a coma, I know, I know, it’s serious. (Compliments to girlfriend in a coma)
Brian Batko
2:55
I'm not trying to subtly convey any particular message when I say I'm sure it's fair to assume that of the dozens of people who work for the Steelers, there are many different opinions held on what's happening, why it's happening and whether it should be happening. But don't mistake Rooney's measured answers for someone who isn't aware of public sentiment, that's for sure.
George T
2:55
Hi Brian, I know everyone is looking for a franchise QB but if you look back 55 years the Steelers have had only two franchise QB Terry and Ben. And there was 20 years between them. Also over these 55 years there have been more franchise in the NFL without one than having one. Also the number of teams having two over that time is even much smaller.  So it maybe 20 years until we find another one. Let’s not think by drafting one this year we will get one.  With this group of QB the best we can hope for is a good QB that may be a starter for a couple of years.
Brian Batko
2:56
Whether you draft one and miss on a potential franchise QB, or don't draft one at all, either way you still don't have a franchise QB and have to find ways to win without one. So the discussion in any given year comes down to who else is in this draft, how does their floor/ceiling at a position of need compare to the available QBs, and so on and so forth.
WestCoastSteeler
2:57
If its QB which do you prefer and why? Sanders, Dart, Milroe , Shough?
Brian Batko
2:58
I have it Sanders-Dart-Milroe-Shough on my P-G big board, but that's in a vacuum, and thus upside is very much part of the calculus there for those prospects. For instance, I think Milroe or Shough in Round 3 is a better value than Sanders or Dart in Round 1.
Jeff M
2:59
It has been reported that the Steelers have a take it or leave it offer on the table for AR. He said on McAfee he would play for $10m. Hypothetically, if the Steelers offer is for more than $10m’s would that be him fishing for another team?
Brian Batko
2:59
Or fishing for an offseason in which he doesn't have to be in Pittsburgh for OTAs/minicamp?
AK
3:00
The only people who advocate taking QBs in the first round two years in a row are clueless fantasy football morons.
Brian Batko
3:00
All right, all right, if we're in the name-calling portion of the chat it's time to SHUT. IT. DOWN.
Bob Nuthing
3:01
I hope you had a wonderful weekend. Any plans to have a Post Gazette draft chat Thursday night?
Brian Batko
3:03
I couldn't end with AK's potshot. Bob, stay tuned for our draft night plans. We'll be chatting live all night with various casts of characters both from Mike's Beer Bar and the South Side. Hope to see everyone then.
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