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Brian Batko’s Steelers chat: 06.09.25
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Brian Batko
10:43
Sure, every team is going to have some relative weak spots in a salary cap league. Part of the debate in modern roster-building is where do you prefer those weaknesses to be? And even that is situation-dependent. If you've got Patrick Mahomes or Josh Allen, you can afford to have a receiver room that is lacking on paper. If you've got the Chili's triple dipper sampler that the Steelers have had at QB in recent years, maybe not so much.
Mike
10:45
How much cap space do the Steelers have following the Rodgers signing?
Brian Batko
10:47
They'll still have plenty, like $20 million more or less. Always need to have some wiggle room going into a season but another interesting layer to this that I've not seen discussed much is the Steelers and their decision-makers will get the chance to lay eyes on Rodgers this week, then again throughout training camp and evaluate how he looks. If it's better than expected, that could be the impetus to go out, spend some money and push a few more chips in the middle. If not, maybe be a bit more conservative.
Fort Wayne Nater
10:48
Morning, Brian. Do you think Aaron Rodgers career in outdoor stadium games played a factor in the Steelers signing him? The whole AFC North play in non-dome stadiums and I think I counted 14 total games the Steelers will play this year in non-domed stadiums.
Brian Batko
10:50
Morning, Nater. I'd say it certainly doesn't hurt. The Steelers do put stock into those environmental factors, for sure. Now would that have stopped them from signing a longtime dome QB like Matthew Stafford? Highly doubt it. But they always endeavor to play meaningful games in the dead of winter in Pittsburgh - or Kansas City, or Buffalo, or Baltimore - so that has to be a consideration.
Byron
10:50
Hey Brian, have you heard if Steelers are still considering Gabe Davis, even though he left the’burgh without a contract?  Is there concern about his knee? Contract?  Thanks.
Brian Batko
10:51
He's probably still a consideration. Just about anyone's a consideration if the price is right. But yes, the left knee has to be a concern for every team interested in him.
Tim
10:51
Wouldn't we feel more optimistic about the WR room if we had added an additional third-round WR in the draft? With Wilson, that is functionally what we have done. Are folks just being cautious about the injury? Or are we just unsure what we've got in Wilson?
Brian Batko
10:54
Unsure of what they've got. Just haven't seen it yet. If I were the Steelers, I'd want to get him a ton of reps in training camp and preseason, not just to get him up to speed but just try to instill some confidence in him too after a disappointing rookie year.
A. Carnegie
10:54
Do you know what they are allowed to do during mandatory OTAs?  Is it 7 on 7 in shorts and helmets?  11 on 11 walk throughs?  Mostly just cone drills and plyometric conditioning?  Just curious as to what actually happens during OTAs that can give reporters like you an insight to how players look.  Thanks!
Brian Batko
10:56
First of all, we need to differentiate between OTAs and mandatory minicamp. The former are voluntary. The latter is not. But in terms of on-field activities, they're essentially the same. Minicamp practices are longer and more like a training camp or regular season workday.
FirstTimeLongTime
10:57
Hey Bats - If they bring in a Keenan Allen or someone comparable... and add a Jonu ... Do we have something cooking?
Brian Batko
10:57
They'd be 2021 Super Bowl contenders no doubt.
Ryan
10:57
Brian does TJ show up for Mandatory mini camp This Week  Go Steelers
Brian Batko
10:58
Probably. He did last time he was dealing with the contract.
alleghenybackstroke
10:58
Very much enjoyed your mailbag article a few days ago and in particular regarding Mr. Watt. But in regard to Aaron Rodgers, will the Steelers bench a future hall of famer if he is ineffective. ?  Especially after all the discussions leading up to his signing  ?
Brian Batko
10:59
Thank you. As I alluded to before, he doesn't have a Hall of Fame resume with them. So I don't see why they'd owe it to him to keep running him out there if it's not what's best for the team.
SteelCityMeltdown
10:59
Hello Brian-now that the dust has settled, can we get anymore insight on what happened between Russell Wilson and the organization / staff that he was not pursued in free agency?  We know the little that has been reported over the last few months, but do you have any more insight now that Rodgers has been brough on board?  BTW, I do think Rodgers may help with the intermediate passing game beyond what Wilson appeared capable of.
Brian Batko
11:01
Just that the relationship there was not good at all by the end of the season, particularly the QB/offensive staff, which isn't really something you can just grit your teeth and push through for another year.
Wyatt T. Frick
11:01
Offensive line improvement is obviously a key to next season.  In a worst case scenario, if Broderick Jones continues to struggle at tackle do you think he can be moved inside to guard?
Brian Batko
11:02
It'd be worth a shot if he's not panning out at T. Better to exhaust all routes before cutting him loose.
OK folks, that's all the time we've got for today. I've got to record a podcast, meet one of our new interns and cut the grass before minicamp kicks off tomorrow. Thanks for chatting.
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