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Brian Batko's Steelers chat: 05.05.25
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Brian Batko
12:00
Hey everyone, little bit of a lull in the calendar between the draft and Steelers OTAs but we're still here to talk some ball. Howdy.
Happy Gilmore
12:00
Brian, if Mike Tomlin hits 9 years without a playoff win would YOU fire him? I know AR2 won't.
Brian Batko
12:02
You're right, he won't. But as for me, I can't really say yes or no without knowing the details of how that season played out. No playoff win after a 13-4 regular season is a lot different than no playoff win after a 2-15 regular season.
Capicola&Cheese
12:03
Brian do think we as fans are over-reacting or is there validity to concern for those who want the Steelers to compete at high levels?  It feels to me that the Steelers have really mismanaged their quarterback situation - worst offseason I can recall.
Brian Batko
12:05
I'll say this, I do think Steelers fans are at least somewhat spoiled, perhaps more so by the stability than anything else. My point is that Jets and Giants and Raiders fans would probably tell you the Steelers are competing at high levels most years. But I also don't blame anyone who feels like the elite stratosphere of the league has passed the Steelers by and they aren't exactly getting closer to catching up.
Ralph Cifaretto
12:05
It amazes me how many people are talking about Mason being the starter and Rodgers not coming here. People have their head buried in the sand. Everything the Steelers have done this off-season points to them knowing for months that Rodgers is eventually going to sign here after he handles whatever personal stuff he wants to handle. Lots of people are going to feel foolish. Do you agree?
Brian Batko
12:06
Did you see Aaron Rodgers was at the Kentucky Derby? Maybe that's a positive sign the major personal issues in his inner circle are calming down somewhat and he can begin to more seriously ponder his football future.
TVC15
12:08
Hi Brian, ¡Feliz Cinco de Mayo! The Steeler defense ended the season with such a bad playoff loss can 2 or 3 new bodies really fix things? The Ravens were reportedly mocking the Steeler defensive schemes after the game. Was there something going on the public didn't know about injury-wise maybe?
Brian Batko
12:10
Happy Cinco de Mayo indeed. The performance against the Ravens was brutal enough that the Steelers are adding more than just two or three bodies. Darius Slay, Malik Harrison, Brandin Echols, Juan Thornhill, Derrick Harmon, Jack Sawyer, Yahya Black, Daniel Ekuale are all new to the equation.
Josh
12:10
Hey Brian, thanks for the chat.  I see some fellow insiders saying its already a forgone conclusion that Pickens will not remain with the team after the 2025-2026 season. I also do not see him signing a long term extension, but why is he not considered a possible franchise tag candidate?  Assuming he isn't traded at the deadline, after this season it seems like the 2026 QB room will most likely be 1st round rookie, Mason, Will Howard.  Not much money tied up there, wouldn't the tag be the best option either for the teams sake, or a possible tag/trade scenario should it go that route?
Brian Batko
12:12
He could be but players don't like being franchise tagged. Do the Steelers want to go down that road with someone as mercurial as George Pickens? The Eagles and Dolphins are good case studies of teams that have been able to pay two wideouts big money long-term but is Pickens as good as those second fiddles?
Tim
12:14
What players from last year’s roster that have yet to be released are facing the biggest odds to maintain their spot with the offseason and draft additions?
Brian Batko
12:14
Cordarrelle Patterson, DeMarvin Leal, Dean Lowry come to mind
Greg
12:15
What do you think of Mike Florio's theory that Rodgers is going to sign with the Steelers AFTER the schedule is released to hopefully avoid the number of primetime games the Jets were given last year?
Brian Batko
12:15
The Steelers always get a ton of prime-time games regardless of who's at QB, so not sure I buy that one
Chrissy
12:16
Hi Brian, as a fan of Mount Washington, do you think he will play a bigger role in the offense this season?  Thank you.
Brian Batko
12:17
I think it'll be about the same. DK Metcalf is going to get his targets, we know that. So I see fewer looks for pretty much everyone, assuming the roster doesn't change.
Gene
12:18
If the Aaron Rodgers deal fails do you think they would pursue Cousins?
Brian Batko
12:18
Maybe but I just think he's done. I'd prefer Mason Rudolph or Will Howard playing meaningful snaps at this point to Kirk Cousins.
Ray/OC
12:19
Good day BB:  Reacting to the TJ contract, my sense is do not sign him this summer, let him play out the year and re-assess next year.  If he is healthy and ready to go, Franchise him for the '26 season.  After that season, he will be worn down and ready to get on with his life's work and the HOF.  He is already starting to break down, what is your sense?  Thank you!
Brian Batko
12:20
My sense is they won't do that to a Steelers legend like TJ Watt and that I'm not as sure as you seem to be that he's "starting to break down." He's still only 30. If I'm a year late on predicting the demise of Watt versus a year early, than so be it.
Michael
12:22
Brian, has Broderick Jones done enough to receive his option yr and subsequent extension?  Is there a plan in place if not?
Brian Batko
12:22
Depends what he does this year, of course, Michael. If he falters, I suppose the plan is go back to the left tackle well in the draft and try to paper over it with free agency in the meantime. But as for immediate plans, Calvin Anderson as a journeyman veteran is not a great one if it comes to that
Big_Bri
12:23
I can’t help of thinking of James Harrison when I see Mark Robinson. It took a while for Harrison to catch on and be in the correct position to make plays but eventually he did and as they the rest is history. I also see that in Mark Robinson who seems to have all the physical tools but is not always where he is supposed to be to make the play. Do you think time is running out on him?
Brian Batko
12:24
Yeah it's never easy for a 7th-round pick. He's already exceeded expectations in that regard. But special teams is the way to do that, so credit to him for excelling in that phase. Still, I could see it going either way for him this year now that Malik Harrison and Carson Bruener are in the fold, to say nothing of Cole Holcomb and whatever role he might be able to have.
George T
12:25
Brian, I see where George said he want’s to stay and make it work here.  If he does and is productive do you see the Steelers keeping around for 2026 or will they trade him by November?
Brian Batko
12:26
George, I don't believe he said that publicly. It's been reported that's where his mind is but I'll hold off on taking that as gospel. I've just seen too many of these contract negotiations play out and the leverage maneuvers associated with them to assume this one goes off without a hitch.
sbaileylandNC
12:26
YO, YO, YO....are we going to win the Superbowl? We may be sneaky good. While Rodgers is nutty, he is really going to want to prove all of us who don't want him (me included) wrong.
Brian Batko
12:27
Maybe
Jeff M
12:27
Hi Bats, What would you guess is the steelers win ceiling with Rudolph and do you think Rodgers raises that number at all?
Brian Batko
12:28
My take is Rodgers on his 'A' game is still better than Mason Rudolph on his 'A' game and thus worth another win or two, in theory. So let's just go with 11 and 12, respectively, how does that sound?
epiballo
12:28
Hi Brian! Thanks for the chats. Given what the Steelers have done this off-season (and what other AFC North teams have done), what can we realistically expect from the upcoming season?
Brian Batko
12:29
Some wins, some losses, some touchdowns, some injuries. You know, the usual.
Western Mass Fan
12:30
Hey Brian- thanks for the awesome chats! I asked a fellow NE Steelers fan if this is the year Mason shows he was worth the third round draft pick- were skeptical but hopeful. My question is- why do you think he came back to the Steelers when his entire history with them is “we’re gonna try someone else?” It seemed like he had finally escaped to more opportunities.
Brian Batko
12:31
He did but that opportunity last year in Nashville wasn't exactly greener grass, Western Mass. Not to try to get into Rudolph's psyche, but my guess would be he's comfortable here with the locker room, the chance to play could present itself yet again and obviously the money might've been his best offer this offseason, too.
Tom in Dallas
12:32
Based on all of your communications and conversations with fans on the Rodgers situation, what is your take on the fan base?  Are more hoping he signs and is QB1 for 2025, or are more frustrated with the situation, don't want the circus, and would just prefer to have Mason as QB1 on week 1?
Brian Batko
12:34
Very much the latter, Tom. That's the vibe I get in Pittsburgh anyway. Not sure if the Dallas yinzers would collectively feel differently, but seems like everyone I talk to in real life gives me some version of "hey, let's just give Mason a shot, why not?" And that probably shouldn't be surprising. I presume Rodgers has a relatively low Q score around the league at this stage of his career and Pittsburgh's growing impatience with the QB carousel is its own beast.
KordellTolls
12:34
Bats, are you still confident Mike Tomlin could someday get the Steelers back to the Super Bowl? Or have we diminished our expectations so much that winning a playoff game for the first time in 9 or 10 years would be considered a success?
Brian Batko
12:36
Confident? Sure, if the Steelers find a capable quarterback. But I'm confident other head coaches could do that, too, if they get the right guy at the most significant position.
Nicholas
12:36
Hi Brian...do you see a quarterback competition between Howard and Thompson for the 3rd QB roster spot?
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