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Brian Batko's Steelers chat: 05.20.24
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Brian Batko
1:58
Hi everyone. It's hot outside but it's chill in here for your weekly Steelers chat. Well, there won't be one next week on Memorial Day, but we're here now taking your Qs.
Lefty
1:59
Brian, do you believe Arthur Smith will have more autonomy to run the offense than Canada and Fichtner did?
Brian Batko
2:00
I would think Matt Canada had plenty of autonomy, particularly Year 2 with the new QBs coming in. But that's worth asking when we get to talk to Arthur Smith. Not sure if that will happen during OTAs starting tomorrow. He spoke during draft weekend but mostly about the new players.
the real guest
2:00
Brian, Given the Murders Row the Steelers face during their last 8 games what record do you think they need in their first 9 games to have a shot at the Playoffs. I think they need to go at least 6 and 3. What say you? Not a year for a slow start.
Brian Batko
2:02
Believe it or not, I haven't done much of a win-loss schedule pick'em since it came out last week. Your point is well-taken but keep in mind we felt the same way about the final 3-game stretch last year. They ended up facing Jake Browning, a Seahawks team that didn't make the playoffs and the Balti-less Ravens.
TVC15
2:02
If I look at it optimistically in the Steelers first 9 games maybe they only lose to the Cowboys and Jets and go 7-2. How man of those 7 wins can turn into losses before their season is over?
Brian Batko
2:03
All of them. Did you not watch the preceding 3-game stretch when they lost to the Cardinals, Bailey Zappe-led Patriots and Gardner Minshew's Colts?
Bobby C.
2:04
Hey Brian, the way I see the Cam situation is that the Steelers need him more than he needs them.  Hopefully, he will sign a cap-friendly  extension that will be good for him and the team.  Your thoughts?
Brian Batko
2:05
I assume that's Cam Heyward's strategy and thinking here, but I'd caution against that. A lot can change between now and the 2025 season, both Heyward's own effectiveness and the Steelers' ability to find a new DL. Free agency or the draft or both, that should be a priority next offseason.
Kevin
2:05
Do you think having all the division games close to each other at the end of the season helps or hurts the Steelers ?
Brian Batko
2:07
On-paper, it hurts. Those games tend to be the chippiest, hardest-hitting, most emotionally draining. Not to mention the AFC North being the best division in football, for my money, but obviously that's projection at this point.
TX Pressure
2:07
Cam not going to OTAs, not a big deal, saying and hinting on his podcast the reason is for an extension is a little bit of a big deal.  Steelers didn't have him take a paycut, taking the $20 mill cap hit and have a clean slate next year - 3 guys Cam's age played 6 or less games and one Calais Campbell played all 17 with 6.5 sacks and was on a one year $9 mill contract and still unsigned.  Cam has no leverage best thing would be play this out and if Cam can even just be above average do a two year deal for around $20 mill with 2nd year team option - what do you think happens?
Brian Batko
2:10
As my pal Joe Starkey would say, I agree with every syllable, half-syllable and quarter-syllable you just wrote. What do I think happens? Honestly, I could see it going either way - extension or not - but I just do not see the Steelers overcommitting or overpaying him right now. While nothing would shock me, that doesn't appear to be Omar Khan's M.O.
Why Cam?
2:11
The Cam situation is interesting.  He is a beloved Steeler and certainly appears to be a great person, but he's done and said a few things recently that seem out of character.  Missing OTAs as a recently injured player is one thing - even ownership has said so, but saying he's not showing up because of no extension and he needs to "eat" too, seems out of character (and selfish).  I would think more accomplished players like 43, 7, and 66 who actually won playoff games and are HOFers were either not re-signed, took cuts or were cut (plus letting go guys like Hines and even Deebo), why is he so different or special?  Win a playoff game.  This comes off as selfish.  He's not 25, he's 35+.  I'm sure others are taken aback as well!
Brian Batko
2:14
There's something to be said for looking out for No. 1, as well as your family. This is a business and longtime players like Cam have seen the harshest realities of it. But this is also a case of a guy who's heavily involved in the NFLPA, has been the Steelers' team rep for a while and he's even less likely to offer a hometown discount type of deal in those shoes. Maybe he wants to try to set a precedent for those who come after him. Or he's just that confident in his abilities to keep playing at a high level.
Wayward
2:15
Brian, Thanks for the chats.  With 3 rookie olinemen making the team how do you see that room shaking out beyond the starters?
Brian Batko
2:16
I think it'll be the likes of Spencer Anderson, Dylan Cook and others fighting it out for the last spot behind those 3 draft picks, Broderick Jones, Isaac Seumalo, James Daniels, Dan Moore and probably Nate Herbig. But if last offseason taught us anything, Omar Khan is not afraid to weaken his perceived OL depth and wasn't exactly in love with some of the players acquired by Kevin Colbert.
Doyle37
2:17
If the steelers don't get a #2 receiver and Wilson proves to be better in yhe slot, do the steelers occasionally flex out Freirmouth as  WR #2 ?
Brian Batko
2:18
There could be opportunities for that, but as much as I like Pat Freiermuth as a pass-catcher, there's probably a better use of your personnel. It's not as if Van Jefferson, Quez Watkins and Calvin Austin III are a tier below the other TEs on the roster.
Alan Steel
2:19
Since there appears to be a hole at CB and Justin Simmons is still available, in your opinion, would it make any sense to sign him and ask Minkah to fill in at slot when a slot CB is needed and use Justin as FS on those plays? Perhaps use both Minkah and Justin on the field on obvious passing downs as safeties if someone steps up and takes the slot CB? 2 ball-hawking safeties on the field could present a lot of problems for QB's. Thoughts?
Brian Batko
2:22
I can appreciate the outside-the-box thinking, but you don't need to overpay Justin Simmons to use Minkah in the slot. Damontae Kazee and DeShon Elliott are capable safeties. That said, I don't get the sense putting Minkah at the nickel spot is the best option for him. He might be the best candidate on the roster, but he's proven he can be a game-changer patrolling the post. Why mess with that?
Silly in Philly
2:22
Hi Bats.  Thanks for your chats and time.  What you looking forward to most at camp?
Brian Batko
2:22
Training camp? We gotta get through OTAs and minicamp first, my friend. I can't think that far ahead.
Uncle Vern
2:23
When do teams make their final cuts, and do you think that Omar will sit back and see what WR’s become available then ?
Brian Batko
2:26
End of August. He'll surely scour the wire on cut-down day, but when another team declares a player isn't worth taking into the regular season, there isn't likely to be anyone who fills you with confidence.
Coach15
2:27
With the Steelers seeming to need DB, DL & WR help/depth, is there nothing serviceable in USFL & or Canadian Football Leagues?  IF NOT, how bad a product are those leagues sending out on the field--U'd think there has to be some type of "hidden gem" that would be of help-
Brian Batko
2:28
I highly doubt the Steelers believe anyone in those leagues are going to add more competition than the players they've already added for depth.
epiballo
2:28
Steeler holdouts: Rod Woodson (objected to 1M rookie contract), Merriweather (objected to $400,00), Ward (signed 4/$25m contract; said he would always regret holding out, AB, said 'Holdouts never go well ... it always ends badly," Bell (everyone knows how that worked out). Watt, Fitzpatrick, and Johnson had 'hold ins.' All were younger than Cam and making a heck of a lot less. What is he thinking?
Brian Batko
2:30
Don't forget franchise greats like Franco Harris, Alan Faneca and James Harrison, all of whom ended up playing for other teams. Player and team disagreeing over compensation is a tale as old as the sport itself. You just hope it doesn't turn too acrimonious. I don't think it would with Cam Heyward, but you never know.
TJ
2:30
any chance we see Breiden Feheko in the rotation. Seems like he is built to help especially in these AFC north games. i get he isn't the pass rusher we seek but he adds alot agains the run and veteran mentor. why not give him some snaps?
Brian Batko
2:32
I was a bit surprised they didn't give him more of a chance with the first and second units last summer. Fehoko is a one-trick pony, but yeah, with Derrick Henry and the Browns on the schedule twice each, being able to stop the run isn't a bad trick at all. They brought him back to give him another chance. It's just a very deep, experienced DL room for him to crack.
CoalportKid
2:33
Why is the sentiment - at least nationally - more positive (though not uniformly so) for the Jets with the older and more recently injured  A. Rogers than the Steelers with R. Wilson?
Brian Batko
2:34
Big market team is always a factor. We know how much national attention gets heaped on the Jets, Giants, Cowboys, etc. no matter who's on their team. But the Jets also had dual rookies of the year the season before last. And with all due respect to Russell Wilson, he's not in the same pantheon as Aaron Rodgers historically.
fredward
2:34
Hey Brian, so many people are freaking out about the wide receiver room, because of the so-called missing No. 2 receiver. But should they be? It reminds me a lot of the 2005 team's receiving corps with Randle El, Wilson, and Ward.
Brian Batko
2:36
It's not one of the more impressive WR depth charts in the league, that's for sure. But I've said and written plenty about how I think people are overstating the need for a No. 2 behind George Pickens. You want to force-feed a guy like Pickens (within reason). You took advantage of an especially deep WR draft class with Roman Wilson in the third. It's enough to not get held hostage by a team in trade talks or a free agent who's asking for too much at this point.
Mount Airy fan
2:37
To your last point about the quality of WR available after cuts, are there any teams you see that are deep enough at WR that they may actually let someone of ‘enough quality’ go?
Brian Batko
2:39
Patriots have stockpiled a lot of at-best second fiddles in their efforts to find a No. 1. Same could be said for the Chiefs.
Steel Russel
2:40
I just do not see how Pickens is a number one receiver.  When you look at Adams or Jefferson or AB (in our past) he just feels #2.  We need a true #1 receiver that Pickens can compliment
Brian Batko
2:42
I disagree. For starters, he's only two seasons in and he was a three-year guy in college. It also depends on your definition of a No. 1 receiver. Those three were that and then some. They were elite, best-of-the-best (and obviously Justin Jefferson still is). I'm not saying Pickens is going to be a Hall of Famer but he's certainly one of the best 32 in the league and might be closer to the top 10 than the bottom half.
ErNie♡nerMIA
2:43
With the new kickoff rules, could the Steelers utilize Justin Fields for returns and perhaps full-field laterals to the other side of the field? It actually sounds quite creative and interesting.
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