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Brian Batko's Steelers chat: 08.11.25
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Brian Batko
9:59
Hey everyone, just stopped for coffee on Route 30 en route to training camp. Let's chat about that first Steelers preseason game, whatever else has caught your eye around the league, etc.
SMF
10:00
Hi Brian:  I get the idea no one wants injuries, but is there any data that there are more injuries in pre-season games than padded practices?  Would all starters playing at least one drive in the pre-season benefit timing and team skills?
Brian Batko
10:01
You can get hurt in practice, especially these joint practices nowadays, but obviously those settings can be governed more than live, in-game action. In general, I lean toward thinking that it is beneficial to knock the rust off and get those live reps, but there are different philosophies on that.
artie bridge
10:02
Brian, I thought Lew Nichols looked pretty good on Saturday.  I know that Warren, Gainwell, and Johnson are locks as rb's.  What are the chances Nichols can stick?
Brian Batko
10:03
Agreed, AB. Lew Nichols didn't rack up 2,000-plus yards from scrimmage on accident as a junior at Central Michigan. He's got some juice. I think the deck is too stacked against him, but if he sticks on the practice squad, you never know what can happen with injuries. Aaron Shampklin got into games last year.
Steeltowntim
10:04
Brian, what are the current practice squad rules, how many players and how much time can a veteran have to still be eligible? I know the players have to clear waivers but what about those who have been in the league awhile are they still eligible?
Brian Batko
10:07
I believe it's still up to six veterans with no restrictions with the other 10 (11 including an international player such as OLB Julius Welschof) having fewer than three accrued seasons. And anyone on a practice squad can be signed off of it by another team as long as that team adds the player to their 53-man roster.
TVC15
10:07
Hi Brian,  Will Rodgers play against Tamps Bay or just skip the preseason altogether? I kind of want him to skip it.
Brian Batko
10:09
Mike Tomlin told Steelers.com scribe Bob Labriola in their sit-down before the Jaguars game that he might opt to hold Aaron Rodgers out of the entire preseason. He did not play in any of the Jets' preseason games last year either.
CG
10:09
Hi Brian, will the Steelers really keep another Van Jefferson (Robert Woods) over the potential of a Roc Taylor or Ke"Shawn Williams on the 53-man roster?
Brian Batko
10:11
What up CG? To be fair, Van Jefferson was much more impressive last year in training camp than Robert Woods has been this year, in my opinion. If I had to predict the roster now, I actually don't think Woods makes it. Because your top four is almost set in stone with DK Metcalf, Calvin Austin III, Roman Wilson and Ben Skowronek (football player more than WR4). And then I have a hard time vaulting Woods above Scotty Miller in the veteran category. Taylor and Williams have the upside factor. And even someone like Max Hurleman has versatility on his side.
Life's Work
10:12
Hi Brian. Hope you had a good weekend. What were the positives and negatives you took from this game?  Thanks.
Brian Batko
10:14
I did, thank you. The kids had three kid birthday parties throughout the weekend. Then we celebrated my daughter Blair's 3rd birthday with friends and family at the house yesterday. Anyway, I thought the playmaking in the pass game was a real positive. The run game, not so much. We discussed it all more in-depth right after the game Saturday night:
LivingInMyFears
10:15
Good Morning Brian! Who would you say was the most noticeable trending up and who was trending down in the Jags game?
Brian Batko
10:18
Skylar Thompson has to be trending up, right? I'll admit, I didn't give him much credit at all from the moment they signed him to the futures/deal until, well, seeing him on the last day of practice last week with extended action. But he did well in Latrobe that afternoon and certainly translated that to the game, to say the least. Not sure where it leads to him, but I have to tip my cap.

DeMavin Leal is trending down for me. He hasn't flashed much to me at Saint Vincent and it's not like he turned into a gamer when the lights came on as a fourth-year third-round pick playing against a lot of backups. That's unfortunate for him and his chances.
chuck mac from Houston
10:18
Your take on the two O-Tackles performance?
Brian Batko
10:19
Jury's still out for me. Broderick Jones going mostly unnoticed is a good thing! Troy Fautanu is a work in progress but it was certainly better than his preseason debut last year.
Greg
10:19
Skylar Thompson looked sharp -  does that change your outlook on our QB room? I’m still really curious to see what Will Howard can bring once he’s healthy (and I doubt he’d clear waivers to be stashed on the practice squad). But from what we saw, I feel like Thompson could step in and actually guide a win if we needed an emergency QB early in the season. What do you think?
Brian Batko
10:22
Not particularly. At least not just yet. Will Howard's injury is a setback for his development, of course, but I'm not scrapping the whole vision because of one really sharp game for Thompson against a lot of Jaguars reserves. Thompson has started regular season and even a postgame game. He should be up to the task in August. If Thompson keeps playing this way, then let's see if he can fetch anything via trade (unlikely) and if not, try to sneak him onto the practice squad.
Tim from Canada
10:23
Hi Brian. Thanks for the chats. Wondering about Darnell Washington. Is there a reason why he hasn't been used (especially in red zone) in the past? Is it because they needed him to block more than catch passes? Was there a worry about him not being able to catch well? Or has he just not show the required growth until now?
Brian Batko
10:24
I think it's mostly the last point, Tim, combined with having other guys they trust in the red zone (George Pickens, Pat Freiermuth, even MyCole Pruitt and Cordarrelle Patterson caught red-zone TDs last season).
tim
10:25
Good morning Brian,  I'm very disappointed in Cam Hayward.  It seems like greed is the word for the day, week, month and year.  I feel like he should honor his contract that he just signed last year.  I believe that all contracts should be honored on both sides and incentives should be a major factor in them all.  If you do well, you get rewarded.  If you do poorly, then so be it.  It's up to the player to earn what he thinks he deserves.  What say you?
Brian Batko
10:27
Hi, Tim. It's easy to get caught up in circular logic when you really dive into these contract disputes, negotiations, business, whatever term you want to use. Teams do not "honor contracts" when they cut guys with a year or two or even three still left on the deal. And that last statement you make there, I'm quite sure Cam Heyward believes and would tell you he did earn what he thinks he deserves (more cheddar).
Rudy
10:27
First game was only preaseason but left us hopeful... I still do not understand why we are not practicing on Offense and on Defense, the Eag's Tush Push.  We could have used it for a first down a couple of times Saturday evening. Your thoughts?
Brian Batko
10:29
I highly, highly doubt Aaron Rodgers wants to be a push tusher at this point in his career, especially with the lower-body injuries he's dealt with in recent years. But that's not stopping the Steelers from getting creative the way the Ravens have with Mark Andrews taking those snaps for them. I nominate Ben Skowronek. The Polish Push.
Silent Bob
10:29
Hi Brian - Is this trio of CBs the best the Steelers have every had at one time? Not like it has been a real strength of theirs throughout history. Seems to be the reason some folks are gushing over their potential. Thanks
Brian Batko
10:30
On paper, definitely. And yes, that is why Mike Tomlin and his players are so giddy about the potential of the trio.
FirstTimeLongTime
10:31
Hey Brian - que the ultimate over-reaction Monday.  Seems like there are only a few roster spots really up for grabs, how many DB's and D-Line do you realistically seem them keeping?  The offense seems more-so cut and dry.
Brian Batko
10:31
I'd say 10 or 11 DBs, 6 or 7 D-linemen off the top of my head. And it's actually "cut and dried" if I may.
Dale
10:32
Your thoughts on Derrick Harmon's first game performance
Brian Batko
10:32
Didn't train my eyes on him throughout but I noticed him get some good push from the interior once early on.
R Jones
10:33
Realistically speaking, how do you think we fare this season in the AFC North? I believe if we can keep Roger’s upright and run the football well to lean on play action, 12 wins is not out of reach!
Brian Batko
10:33
Roger Rabbit?
the real guest
10:33
Brian, Nice weekend of exhibition football. Two take aways, one, Kalib Johnson's stats do not reflect his ability. Seems like when they needed 3 or 4 yards to move the ball he got them. But other times he would be blown up in the back field. The average looks bad but the reality is he had A's and F's. Two, the bungals D is horrible. Your thoughts.
Brian Batko
10:33
Yeah, Kaleb Johnson showed some promise but also looked like a rookie at times. Which is fine because, you know, he is a rookie.
Jay_In_Indy
10:33
Good morning Brian, the Steelers offense needs a song just like the Steelers Defense has 'Renegade'.  Can you talk to the people that are in control of that and let them know that we (Steelers Fans) would like to hear AC/DC's 'Shoot to Thrill' to hype up the crowd when our offense is on crucial drives?  Thanks!
Brian Batko
10:34
No one will listen to me regardless but I'll recommend "Renegade" by Jay-Z and Eminem for symmetry sake. Also, they have a QB who's never been afraid to say what's on his mind at any given time of day.
Takoma Tom
10:35
Can we trade Skylar to the browns for some draft picks?
Brian Batko
10:36
Touche, Takoma Tom! And on that note, I've got to head back on down the road and finish the final stretch to SVC. Thanks for chatting and as a reminder, if you enjoy these, if you enjoy the mailbags, if you enjoy our coverage from games, if you enjoy being part of the comments section (God help ya) please consider subscribing to the P-G so we can continue bringing you all of it: https://promo.post-gazette.com/subscriberservices
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