You are viewing the chat in desktop mode. Click here to switch to mobile view.
X
Brian Batko's Steelers chat: 05.19.25
powered byJotCast
Brian Batko
10:00
Hi everyone, welcome back to my Steelers chat. Thanks for stopping by.
Tim
10:00
Looking at the schedule and the roster today, what is your Steelers best case scenario for the 2025 season?
Brian Batko
10:02
Ehh I'd say the realistic best-case scenario is 12-5. Maybe Aaron Rodgers has a lot of juice left in the tank. Maybe other teams absorb injuries. You never know.
DrWatson
10:02
Gerry Dulac says he believes the chances of Aaron signing with the Steelers is north of 90%. Do you believe this as well ?
Brian Batko
10:02
Last time someone asked me, which was last night, I threw out 80% so yeah I'm right around there.
TVC15
10:03
I am all in favor of signing Aaron Rodgers and I am hoping that last year was hard for him still recovering from a significant achilles injury and he might be better this year. But if the Steelers do sign Rodgers and the Steelers get blown out in the 1st round of the playoffs, miss the playoffs altogether or, (GULP!) have Tomlin's 1st losing season, who gets the blame? Tomlin? (I doubt it) Rodgers? Smith? Or finally throw Austin under the bus?
Brian Batko
10:05
Mike Tomlin can only outrun it for so long. He went lone ranger, as he admitted to Jay Glazer, last year turning to Russell Wilson. It sounds like Rodgers is a similar situation, too. I don't think the Steelers would ever fire Tomlin, but if Rodgers signs and things go poorly, I really do wonder if both sides wouldn't agree that it's time to move on.
Yogi in Yonkers
10:06
Hi Brian, I'm a Steeler fan going on 60 years and I never thought I would hear myself say this. But the arrogance and tone deafness of the FO and coaching staff are making me apathetic. I've been a Tomlin defender in the past, but he needs to go. Period. I'm calling BS on this idea that Dan Rooney didn't fire coaches. He fired Buddy Parker, Mike Nixon, Bill Austin. He made Chuck Noll's job contingent on firing Joe Walton and Tony Dungy. And when Bill Cowher wanted to work PT from NC, Rooney accepted his resignation. Do you agree that this swirling cesspool of Canada, Pickett, Wilson, Fields, Rodgers, etc. would never have happened if Dan were still with us?
Brian Batko
10:08
I truly can't speak to your last question there. And maybe I just woke up on the right side of the bed this morning, but while I agree with a lot of your points on the big picture, there are things to be excited about with this team in 2025. DK Metcalf, Kaleb Johnson, Will Howard (in whatever form his participation takes), etc.
Lou
10:09
Hi Brian. With Rodgers at the QB helm, what do you think will be overall style of game plan with Arthur Smith?  More freedom for AR or handcuffs?
Brian Batko
10:10
More freedom. I think that's a lot of why Tomlin is attracted to Rodgers in the first place. He's probably the best of a lot of cheap options in terms of his mastery of the game combined with the ability to still do some of what he used to physically. If he's getting them in and out of the right plays pre-snap, it could be a boost to the run game, as well. So we'll see.
Jeff M
10:11
Hi Bats, The Steelers seem to be adding some good young players and possibly building something that will allow them to complete once they finally figure out the QB, hopefully in 2026.However, their 2024 collapse wasn't just about lack of talent. They were completely out coached. MT isn't going anywhere. Do you think they can improve in that area without significant changes in the coaching department.
Brian Batko
10:12
We're gonna find out because the changes in the staff were minimal, Jeff. Aaron Curry left and was replaced by a respected, experienced LB coach in Scott McCurley. And Gerald Alexander came in for Grady Brown as the secondary coach, a unit that likely needed a change of scenery, voice, what have you.
Dennis in NC
10:13
Good morning BB! Today is my B-day so shout out to me! Any idea as to what the plan is for the draft next year? Will the do as other cities have done and basically close off downtown..etc? I plan on coming to enjoy the festivities and visiting the city of my favorite team!
Brian Batko
10:17
Happy birthday, Dennis. Pretty impressive day with the likes of Malcolm X, Kevin Garnett, Lainey Wilson, Sam Smith, Andre the Giant and, of course, you. But yes, that should be a fun weekend spanning the stadium area to downtown. NFL fans will be everywhere. I'm something of an admitted draft curmudgeon and even I'm getting a bit excited for it.
Steelers Fanatic
10:17
Hey Brian,  it looks like the Steelers have been screwed again with the schedule by scheduling the off week early and the tough games late.  I understand the league saying that the computer handles this scheduling, but is there anyone who looks at these results afterwards and introduces some human sanity into the process?  They don't hesitate to get involved if there is a good TV match up to consider.
Brian Batko
10:19
Yes but you have to understand that everyone's going to find something to complain about with the schedule. No one gets a perfect draw. And when you already know who you're playing - a tough division in the NFC North, a tough AFC West draw in the Chargers on the road - there's only so much that can fall into place to make those matchups seem any less challenging. The Steelers got some nice advantages, too. Dolphins at home in December. Seahawks in a 1 p.m. game traveling cross-country. It works both ways.
Chet
10:20
Do you really think the Steelers and Aaron Rodgers have a back door deal in place? Would they give him playbook to study without signing?
Brian Batko
10:21
Not sure I'd say backdoor deal but I do think it's more likely that something like that is in place than they're just completely flying blind on this and Rodgers is seriously contemplating retirement.
Jim
10:23
When do you think we will hear about the signing of a #2 WR? Don't you think we need one?
Brian Batko
10:25
I'm not convinced they will add another, Jim. As much as I'm skeptical that Robert Woods can still be an NFL-caliber starter, they must have had something in mind when they signed someone of his experience level and career. To me, it feels like he's insurance for Calvin Austin III and Roman Wilson, which is a leap of faith projecting them to be WRs 2 and 3 in some order, but here we are.
AK
10:26
I have found Dan Orlavsky to be an even worse commentator than he was a QB.  The idea that the Steelers will lose their first six games is preposterous.  Maybe is Skyler Thompson is the starting QB, but pi probably not even then.
Brian Batko
10:27
AK, you need to give the misplaced a in Orlovsky to Skylar and then turn around to trade that e for another o. Sorry, that's about the most diplomatic way I can respond to Dan Orlovsky's pseudo-prediction of 0-6.
Sunner in Orlando from Lebo
10:28
The national pundits are hammering the Steelers offseason saying they are going to be a 5-win team. Is this your opinion as well? I believe Rodgers or Rudolph can get them 9-10 wins. I see the defense playing better as well with the FA additions and the draft picks. Am I too being too optimistic?
Brian Batko
10:28
No, you can pencil me in for 9 or 10 wins, OrLebo.
Happy Gilmore
10:29
Brian, if Mason Rudolph ends up starting does he get more money in the form of incentives?
Brian Batko
10:31
My guess would be he has some sort of playing time incentives in his deal, which is also what Mitch Trubisky had a few years ago when he signed here. It makes sense to do that for both sides when it's a potential bridge QB.
Silent Bob
10:32
Hi Brian - What do you think of my slogan for this year: 'anything but 9 and 8!' If they win 4/5/6 games, they'll have a clear shot at their franchise QB. If they win 11 or 12 games, it would mean their OL is playing up draft position, they put together a solid WR group, the running game is a strength and the DL is no longer getting pushed around. Even if they give up a lot to trade up for the QB, they will have a lot of positions solved. Only wish I could make the slogan rhyme...
Brian Batko
10:34
What if they go 10-7, Silent Bob? I understand where you're coming from. Being perpetually in the middle is the worst place to be in sports. But what I do believe the Steelers are trying to do is quietly rebuild/re-tool while staying competitive. A la the Rams, Bills, and now 49ers given their mass exodus this offseason.
CoalportKid
10:35
How do the finances work for draft picks this time of year?  Do they receive regular paychecks?  What about folks who aren't under contract?
Brian Batko
10:36
They get a signing bonus when they put pen to paper. That's the big thing for any rookie, from the first pick to an undrafted guy. But there's not much drama in rookie contract negotiating like there used to be because the amounts are slotted. Only matters like guarantees and injury protections come into play with the agents nowadays
KordellTolls
10:37
What's a better comparison for Mike Tomlin - Ray Malavasi, Barry Switzer or George Seifert?  All 3 were gifted good players and championship teams then floundered on their own.
Brian Batko
10:38
I suppose out of that trio George Seifert. Will Tomlin coach the Carolina Panthers next?
TX Pressure
10:39
All signs point to Rodgers signing early June but what I don't get is the fit with the Steelers.   Rodgers threw for the 2nd most in the NFL last year and was inefficient, 25th in QBR and Jets were 31st in Rushing.  So now he goes to a team that was 28th in Passing plays and 5th in Rushing plays (complete opposite) with a worse O line and WRs?  Make it make sense!
Brian Batko
10:42
Because his new OC might have a different agenda than the Jets' dumpster fire of an offense did. Arthur Smith was there for the long meeting with Rodgers on the South Side and I assume they discussed what the philosophy would be and came to an agreement of sorts.
Stormcrown
10:43
The team's stance on the Harmon injury seems to be 'it'll be fine,' but what does that actually mean? Should we expect a low chance of him lasting the season before surgery? Or is it a longstanding thing that they think has stabilized? Just no information on this whatsoever that I can find and it seems pretty relevant
Brian Batko
10:44
It could mean just that, he'll never need surgery and he'll have a long, healthy career. But as far as the history of that shoulder and the medical minutiae, I do not know, Stormcrown.
Seven
10:45
Hi Brian. Any idea what the new throwbacks are going to look like? Golden Triangles?
Brian Batko
10:47
Yeah I think these bad boys are a pretty good guess, just given that the Steelers haven't recycled them yet, to my knowledge. And I believe Art Rooney II said they'd have a "new" throwback to unveil vs. the Packers.
epiballo
10:48
An article said that Will Howard has a major obstacle to overcome, i.e., he was always in the shotgun in college and has not had to go under center. This seems like a big deal. What do you think?
Load More Messages
Connecting…