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Brian Batko's Steelers chat: 06.12.24
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Brian Batko
9:58
Hi everyone, had to reschedule Monday's 2 p.m. hour due to technical issues, so I'll chat for as long as I can today before I need to head to the South Side for Steelers minicamp. If anyone here is new, welcome. Come on in, the water's fine.
Lambert's Teeth
9:58
Belichick and the Patriots fell through the floor last year, that was on the heels of a losing season (barely) in 2022, and he is older than Tomlin, but I cannot help but think that Tomlin is treated, really without good reason, better than the acknowledged best coach of his generation.  And I dismiss the Brady factor as Tomlin had Big Ben, and a lot of other talented players, during their prime and did not perform anywhere close to nearly as well with them.  What say you?
Brian Batko
10:00
I say I don't get the sense that people out there think Mike Tomlin is more accomplished than Bill Belichick. But he hasn't been doing it quite as long, obviously he's a lot younger and the bottom hasn't fallen out, to use your phrase, the way it did for late-stage Belichick's Pats.
X Yunzer
10:01
Hey Bats - a couple of questions:  How long is Omar's contract (same length as Tomlin's new one?)?  Also where do you think C Patterson will see the most action other than kick returner - RB?  WR?
Brian Batko
10:02
Our Gerry Dulac reported in May 2022 when Omar Khan was hired that it was a 4-year contract, so that'll put him due for an extension one season before Tomlin's new deal is up. I'm not convinced Cordarrelle Patterson (that's gonna be a tough spelling to get used to this season) will be much of a factor on offense at all, but if he is, running back.
Ghollywoodg
10:03
What does a three-year contract extension for Cam Heyward look like?…. And do you really think he’s got four more seasons left in him?..
Brian Batko
10:07
Four more seasons including this one would allow him to play up until 39, which is fairly old but not outlandish in my opinion. As for an extension, if it gets done - which I'm still skeptical - maybe three years, $45 million? Or the Steelers get him to come off a year and do, say, two for $32? But I'd be leery of giving him even that much, which is slightly less than his last new deal.
Bulldog
10:07
AR2 claims he is growing impatient.  Does a 3 year extension confirm his impatience?  He seems passive and fearful of change.
Brian Batko
10:09
No, but it may indicate he is or was growing impatient with facets of the organization other than Tomlin. The QB room changed completely after Rooney used those words, the free agency spending for Patrick Queen was unprecedented and behind the scenes the scouting department/strength & conditioning staff has undergone changes, too. But I'm with you that it's tough to square that tone with doing status quo business to keep your head coach.
Gm
10:09
Has anyone heard from Najee since that one media availability day?  He seems in good spirits but is there an amount of times players “have” to be available?
Brian Batko
10:10
Has there been one media availability day? Najee Harris hasn't done any interviews to my knowledge since OTAs started, despite being present for just about every practice (he was approved to miss yesterday's first day of mandatory minicamp). He certainly does seem to be in good, even great, spirits but players aren't required to be available to media during voluntary workouts. In theory, we should hear from him this week at some point unless he declines.
Flasteel
10:12
Hello Brian! Would Russell Wilson have to sort of thread the needle between failing to meet expectations and playing so well that he commands a huge contract, in order for him to return next year? If he does play well but doesn't necessarily light it up, does that not open the door just as much for wanting to bring back Justin Fields? I'm looking for a path forward for Wilson to have a second year as the starter here and it seems quite narrow. It also suggests that the coaching staff will almost have to put Fields in more than a few gameday situations under center, in order to make a more educated decision, whether Russ rocks, flops, or floats. Got any thoughts?
Brian Batko
10:14
I'd say the path forward with Wilson could go a few ways. If he plays really, really well and leads them on a deep playoff run or even to the Super Bowl, then you probably just pay him whatever it takes to retain him. If he's sort of in the middle as you posit, maybe you hope that he likes it here enough that he'll take a bit of a hometown discount to stay, and then you can justify keeping him as the starter. Anything less than that and I think you let him walk, try to re-sign Fields for another bargain price and make new plans for camp competition.
Pittfan
10:15
Hi Brian. Justin Fields seems to have the same skill set as Lamar Jackson. Yet, Lamar is able to make his mobility a weapon in the passing game and Fields seems to struggle. What is Lamar doing and Justin isn't? We did see in the AFC Championship game, however,  Lamar can't win games just passing.
Brian Batko
10:16
Lamar Jackson is probably a better pocket passer than people give him credit for. At least compared to what we've seen thus far from Fields in the NFL. Fields might have more straight-line speed than Jackson, Jackson might be a bit more elusive, but they're neck-and-neck for the best running QBs in the game.
Buffy
10:16
First things first - how was your weekend? I was a little disappointed in the arts festival, but I had a very nice chat with a visitor from out of town while we sat next to each other at breakfast downtown.
Brian Batko
10:17
My weekend was pretty good, thanks for asking Buffy. Where'd you go to breakfast?
7 year drought
10:17
What exactly has Mike Tomlin accomplished over the past 7 years that justifies four more years?
Brian Batko
10:19
He wins games. He wins a lot of games. He wins more than he loses. He's won a couple division titles, if you care about that, though I'm not sure many do in today's NFL.
epiballo
10:19
With the Tomlin extension, the angst of some is in everywhere. And I get some of it, most notable the lack of playoff success (I tend to blame player execution on the field). Some blame his lack of a coaching tree. Do you consider this a legitimate criticism or the casting of a wide net to heap criticism on Tomlin?
Brian Batko
10:21
I think it is a fair criticism of Tomlin. And some will say people would move the goalposts if Tomlin wins a playoff game to asking why he can't reach the AFC championship, and if he does that, why can't he get to the Super Bowl, and if he does that, why can't he win it? That'll always be true for some, but my view is that winning a playoff game isn't just some arbitrary measure of success, considering you literally have to stack those wins to get to the ultimate goal.
Commissioner
10:21
Going into the season, what positions  do you expect the Steelers to strengthen via trade or free agency? Thank you
Brian Batko
10:22
Still won't rule out a WR acquisition as they take stock of the group that's assembled, though I wouldn't bet on it. That's probably it.
Tommy from Florida
10:23
Is it true that you're giving free tickets to opening day Steelers@Falcons? Don't forget about me, man. I'll be your designated driver.
Brian Batko
10:24
That's not true, Tommy. And how could I forget about you? I don't even know who you are in the first place. Thanks for the offer, but I won't be driving to Atlanta.
David
10:24
Do teams overreact too quickly to off the field incidents these days in an attempt to be PC and not upset the fans? Ex: Cam Sutton. Lions immediately cut him because “it's the right thing to do.” Then the other 31 teams just patiently wait to see how the situation unfolds and what the situation really is and then a team swoops in and signs the guy. Had the Lions just let the situation play out they also might have felt comfortable keeping him.
Brian Batko
10:26
Let's not give the Lions too much credit. They also cut him because he played poorly last year and they saved some money. And they tried to get the league to void his guaranteed money for cause.
venosf
10:26
What current player would you say is currently the "face" of this team?  Cam?  TJ?  Russell?
Brian Batko
10:26
Gotta go with TJ Watt. I'd say Russell Wilson already has become the face of the offense.
Mr Ed
10:26
Why do some Steeler fans mock and discredit Tomlin’s 17 non losing seasons? Only Belichick and Landry have more. Pretty good company. And Tomlin should be heavily criticized for playoff failures the last 10 years. Is it that difficult to maintain both thoughts in one’s brain?
Brian Batko
10:28
It shouldn't be, Mr Ed, but I often get the sense that it is. My only hot take on Tomlin's contract extension is that I don't blame anyone for feeling one way or the other about it. If you think he deserves it, that's fine, I can understand the arguments. If you think he hasn't earned that, I understand that thinking too.
Bulldog
10:28
Hi Bats.  How are you today?  Have you ever used the phrase global perspective in anything you have written?
Brian Batko
10:29
Just looked it up and no, I haven't. Good phrase, though. I should keep it in mind.
epiballo
10:29
Of all the players signed this offseason not named Queen or Russel Wilson, which do you see as potentially being the most impactful?
Brian Batko
10:30
DeShon Elliott. Really think he'll be an every-down guy at safety, with Damontae Kazee rotating in at times for a 3-safety package. But I like Elliott a lot, both the attitude he brings and the traits.
10:31
OK folks, I've got to start getting ready to head to the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex for Day 2 of minicamp. We'll chat again next Monday at the usual time, hopefully. Thanks for making the adjustment today.
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