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Brian Batko's Steelers chat: 08.08.25
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Brian Batko
10:01
Hey everyone, we've got plenty to talk about on this beautiful Friday in Pittsburgh. Steelers-Jags tomorrow night. Cam Heyward. Let's get to it
J-town Jonnie
10:01
Brian, I was shocked to hear about Heyward wanting a restructured contract after just signing it last year. I realize owners are making more money & teams valuations are out of sight, but a contract is a contract.  I feel Heyward is way out of line.  Your thoughts please.
Brian Batko
10:03
Figure we'll get a lot of these questions today and I'll just start by saying I don't think it's cut and dried from either side. These types of negotiations rarely are. So to say Cam Heyward is way out of line seeking a raise probably isn't fair. But to suggest it's an easy call for the Steelers isn't exactly right either. There are a lot of layers to it and I know fans have strong opinions on it. I believe they'll reach a compromise that satisfies both sides and I tend to think that's the way to go.
Bill in Charleston
10:04
Happy Friday to you!  As much as I hate Heyward’s power play, I have to wonder what it would take and how much room the Steelers have under the cap. Could another $5M - $10M guaranteed put this behind them?
Brian Batko
10:06
Yeah, and I wouldn't necessarily look at that as the Steelers caving to the demands of one guy or setting a precedent that they'll acquiesce to any player unhappy with his deal. Cam Heyward isn't just any player.
Evan
10:06
If the Steelers again fail to win a playoff game this year, what is the fallout from that.  Rooney I would think at some point would be getting tired of answering the same questions at the end of the season and saying them same thing over and over.
Brian Batko
10:08
Can't imagine any coordinator or position coach would feel safe. Can't imagine it'd be much fun for Art Rooney II or Mike Tomlin to absorb another round of the negativity that would ensue. In my mind, more significant or simply more coaching changes are really the next step after all the personnel upheaval on the roster from last year to this year.
Curious
10:10
Has Broderick Jones shown any improvements in full pads?
Brian Batko
10:11
By and large, I'd say he's had good days and bad days. But good days more recently, from what I've seen, so that's a plus. I'll be putting much more stock in how he looks in preseason action, for better or worse.
Mike in Virginia
10:12
Do you feel the offense's issues with short yardage running in camp is more about the offensive line, an improving defensive line, or the lack of a hammer RB?
Brian Batko
10:14
Hmm I'd say it's mostly the first two, but I will add that having that "hammer" can transcend the other issues. Neither Jaylen Warren nor Kaleb Johnson are quite the runner that Najee Harris was in that sense or even James Conner before him. Johnson has the potential. Warren isn't soft or finesse by any means. But at his size, I wouldn't ever consider him a short-yardage specialist or goal-line superhero.
Ben
10:15
Hey Brian - I’m worried the Steelers won’t be able to win as many playoff games without Cam as they have with him — how will they hold opponents to under 300 yards rushing?? Seriously, he’s been a great Steeler on and off the field, but read the room! I almost feel as if Omar and Tomlin collected all these 30 somethings and Rodgers to try and get him a parting gift of a 2nd round loss. Heyward’s actions do not scream: “captain, my captain!”
Brian Batko
10:17
Yeah, that's one of the other sides of the coin on this topic. That and the (potentially ill-conceived but nonetheless real) fan notion that Heyward is on the record so often saying he so badly wants to win a Super Bowl and how that is a missing piece of his legacy.
Fat Thor
10:18
Do you think we'll see more creativity out of Author Smith's offense this year with Rogers at the helm? They were so hard to watch last year with the "play not to lose" short pass and run up the middle mentality. Teams said they knew exactly what the Steelers would do next. We've got talent on offense, even without a top tier WR room and the line should start to live up to their draft pedigree.  I believe they can put up points if they'd only open up the playbook and trust those guys more to execute. To me it feels if they don't, it'smore X's and O's than talent.
Brian Batko
10:21
I think you'll see different creativity, sure. There won't be the QB draw or other designed runs that were always an option for Justin Fields but the screen game should be better with Aaron Rodgers, Kenny Gainwell and a more athletic offensive line. Middle of the field throws seem to be back in a big way, too.
Jake
10:21
Who is your go-to person for assessment of O-line play for the Steelers?
Brian Batko
10:22
Ray Fittipaldo, of course. But if I'm going the former player route, Max Starks and Trai Essex are always good. I miss having Craig Wolfley and Tunch Ilkin around for a lot of reasons, and especially OL evaluation.
Colorado Dreamin
10:22
Hey Bats, love the chats from out in CO, thanks. What are your thoughts on Cam’s push for a new deal, restructure, etc? Rumors Boz is wanting the same opportunity. I think no way. It sets a horrible precedent for the future. They signed contracts, they need to honor them.
Brian Batko
10:24
I get what you're saying about the can of worms. You don't want your GM or any GM feeling like he needs to renegotiate more than a half-dozen contracts each offseason to fit the market. But when you look around at different positions across the NFL, you can make a case that Cam Heyward and Chris Boswell are particularly out of whack when it comes to their value added versus their contracts.
FC
10:26
GM Brian, curious to know how Holcomb is looking in camp? Does he seem to be back to where he was before the injury?
Brian Batko
10:27
Not sure I'd say that. He's gotten beaten in coverage more than he'd like, I'm sure. But he'll likely have a nice opportunity tomorrow night playing next to Payton Wilson while Patrick Queen sits out. Cole Holcomb has been more than willing to be a backup, play special teams, really do whatever he can to contribute coming back from the major 2023 injury, so credit to him for that.
John
10:28
The optimism and hype seems all too familiar. Haven't we learned our lesson? We won't be able to run the ball effectively and the offense will be limited. The defense will be taxed and is way overrated. We'll still have bone headed in game coaching decisions and game plans on both sides of the ball that are dated and schemed for by the rest of the league who has seen the same song and dance from this team for the last decade. 9-8 and playoff bounce here we come. Disagree?
Brian Batko
10:28
There's raining on someone's parade and then there's a torrential downpour on their wedding, John. Sheesh. I disagree, though. Feeling like 10-7 is more likely.
Jim (Cosmo) K in Jax
10:29
Hi Brian, hope all is good with you. Aren't you lucky to be fielding the Heyward/Boswell drama questions?!?! Why didn't this issue come out earlier during camp? I'm guessing most think it's ridiculous, but it's the way of the NFL now. It's mostly about the $$$$$ and how they're allocated.  I say don't cave to either of their demands and let them sit if they  really want to. It's getting easy to care less about sports when these situations happen. I don't side with the owners or the players, and that's a good way to lose interest. Looking forward to some meaningful/entertaining games this year hopefully. I have my doubts... Hoping the offense tilts the time of possession numbers favorably. The past several years have been almost unbearable to watch.  Florida winner options can also be a distraction. It's nice to have pleasant weather and surroundings.
Brian Batko
10:32
I suppose the irony of it is that they were trying to keep it quiet, according to Adam Schefter ... until they weren't, which apparently began yesterday. Those of us who are there every day didn't think much of their lack of participation because they're the two longest-tenured players on the team and generally don't need the reps this time of year anyway. But let them sit? That wouldn't be good for business.
Greenwood
10:33
Brain, thanks for the chats. While observing padded practice and drills, would you say Broderick Jones has been getting better? Any concerns?
Brian Batko
10:34
To me, his reshaped body isn't really a concern. I actually think conditioning was more of an issue for him last year and that cutting weight is a sign of his growth/overall maturity. It's everything else that needs to fall in place. The technique, the football IQ, the footwork. Oh, and that pesky soft tissue injury from early in camp better subside before long.
MD Steeler
10:35
Since we haven't even played a pre-season game this year, how about we talk next year? Assuming the Steelers get a wiz-bang first round QB next year in the draft, and Aaron Rogers is gone, who is the starting quarterback game one of the regular season? Do we throw in the Rookie, start Mason or is it someone else?
Brian Batko
10:37
Mason Rudolph is signed through next season. Will Howard will be back. If we're to use Mike Tomlin's recent QB history as a guide, I guess it'll be something of a 3-way competition between Rudolph, Howard and a rookie. My money would be on Rudolph to start.
Pressedham&football
10:38
Bats, thank you for your congeniality in these chats. Do the Steelers fear setting a bad precedent caving to Cam? Can they do what they did with AB in 2016 and add incentives?
Brian Batko
10:38
Yeah they've got certain organizational principles they don't like to trample on but again, Heyward and Boswell are players you do make exceptions for to an extent. Antonio Brown was back then, too.
4 HDCP ATL
10:40
Bats…these groin injuries ( et al ) are becoming an issue for 56.  Thoughts on how this plays out? Is he injury prone?  Does this impact upcoming contract talks?  Thanks
Brian Batko
10:42
It's not a fun trend for Alex Highsmith, to say the least. He's still really good and I'd even say underrated when he's healthy, but staying healthy has been a problem since last summer. It's only one year of missed games, so I'm not hitting the panic button just yet. With Nick Herbig and Jack Sawyer behind him, though, there's really solid organizational depth at outside linebacker.
Alan in Bama
10:43
Brian, following the training camp so far, are there any glaring concerns that you see? B Jones and the O line possibly?
Brian Batko
10:45
Yeah that one's going to be a concern until we actually see it come together. That's great they've invested so much in these guys via the draft but pedigree can only take you so far. On a more granular level, Rodgers having balls batted at the line is happening a bit too much for me to wave away.
Just The Truth
10:45
Brian, do you believe the Steelers will actually allow Rodgers to use the middle of the field in the passing game? I have serious doubts.
Brian Batko
10:46
Yes. I don't think Mike Tomlin particularly has an appetite for putting the ball in harm's way, but if you aren't going to let literally the all-time NFL leader in interception rate take some chances, then ...
Tom M.
10:48
Gerry reported yesterday that Cam was “holding in” and wants a new contract. Has that been the case since the start of camp or did that just start? Is there any evidence he is being a “mentor” to the rookie DLs as had been earlier suggested he would be?
Brian Batko
10:50
He definitely was out there in team drills the first day of camp. So I don't know if he woke up one day and decided the process was dragging on too long or what. Since then, he's been in sweats sometimes, in uniform working on the side sometimes, but always there. For what it's worth, he had a chance yesterday after practice to do interviews, clear the air, make his point, whatever and chose not to.
Gina
10:50
Hey Brian, thanks for doing these chats.  In your opinion, how has Leal looked so far?  I’m thinking this preseason will possibly determine his future with the Steelers.  Thank you.
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