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Brian Batko's Steelers chat: 12.01.25
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Brian Batko
10:00
Good morning everyone. The sun came up and the chat is open despite a Steelers debacle of epic proportions. We'll get started in the next 10-15 minutes.
10:15
And it's time to go.
The Eman
10:15
BB - how many rushing yards would the Bills have had yesterday if they didn’t have bench warmers playing at both OT spots?
Brian Batko
10:16
Well, citing the backup OL vs. the Steelers corollary, they actually did better than the starters would have. Sheesh, that's an embarrassment.
MonValley
10:17
Seems unlikely they’ll fire Tomlin with the $ remaining on his contract but can the owner force him to fire Austin?
Brian Batko
10:18
Sure. I wouldn't have been surprised if it happened after last season, and assuming there's no stunning about-face over the final month here, it almost certainly will go that way now. Even if it's just a scapegoat scenario, everyone involved knows this is big business and at least one person at or near the top of the chain must pay the price when the product looks like this.
Ben
10:20
Hey Brian - is watt hurt? I saw him pulling up a couple of times in pursuit of Allen. That contract looks terrible already…
Brian Batko
10:20
I'm sure he's got some nagging things at this time of year, as most players do. But it's nothing that's been documented on the injury report. And he limped off at the end last night after appearing to get stepped on. I'll assume it's minor, considering he still went to the podium and faced the music on behalf of the defense.
Sam
10:21
Hi Brian...Other than the three hours of torture actually watching that game, could it actually serve as a late wake up call of how this team is not even remotely close to competing?  Many in the fanbase have known they aren't a tinker or two away, but if this doesn't show the Rooneys, nothing will.
Brian Batko
10:24
Hi Sam. I suppose it could, in the sense that the whole scene felt as morose and then as ornery as I can ever recall. People in the stands agreed with me in that as well.
Ty Hink
10:25
BB, morning sir. Mason Rudolf wasn't kidding when he said he'd throw that interception every time!! How does that guy ever see the field again. Have to put howard in if AR goes down again right?
Brian Batko
10:27
Morning, Ty. You mean Rudolph, of course, not Rudolf. Any further spelling errors will be grounds for chat disqualification, and that applies to all. But yes, Mason Rudolph entering that game for 4 plays and lofting a horrific pick on his second throw was like a strange fever dream in the midst of a nightmare.
Stlrmad
10:28
When will you guys, without the tap dancing, state the obvious problem with the team. Hint: it’s the most common denominator.
Brian Batko
10:30
Yes, we've never stated that Mike Tomlin has been the one constant amid a sea of turnover on the staff, within the roster, etc. Thank you, STlrmad.
Takoma Tom
10:31
If Cam wants a playoff win then the Steelers need to cut him so he can sign with a legitimate playoff team.  The Steelers aren’t making the playoffs this year and will be hard pressed to win another game in 2025.
Brian Batko
10:32
There are no more layups, but I imagine they'll still be favored against the Dolphins at home in two weeks on MNF. If they lose Sunday in Baltimore, just imagine the turnout for that one, folks
Uncle Larry
10:33
Why not play Will Howard out for the rest of this season and see what he can do?
Brian Batko
10:35
They're still in position to win their division and make the playoffs. I know that sounds absurd to bring up at this point, but it's simply a fact. And if I can try to tap into any sort of fan perspective still lingering in the back hallways of my cynical sports writer mind, the whole point of it is to have hope, right? Even if it's realistically ill-timed hope, you still watch and still go under the possibly misguided belief that magic will happen and your team will turn its ship around.
John S.
10:36
Bats, it's gonna be a rough day today in the chat.  Might as well get started.  First drink is on me.  No real question just an observation that we shouldn't play Renegade for the rest of the year.
Brian Batko
10:36
Thanks John, I'll take a pale ale.
Zamo
10:37
morning buddy. I believe the “only” fix at this point is letting Aaron call his own plays for the rest of the season and sink/swim with results.  The offense is broken and we know mustache won’t be back.   I don’t know why we brought Aaron in to run on 3rd and 9 (down 2 scores) and 4th and 2 from the goalline. Those 2 calls made me so angry yesterday and mind numbing stupid calls!!
I believe more in 41 year old Rodgers than Arthur Smith so let ARod run the show moving forward.  Thoughts?  it can’t get worse……
Brian Batko
10:40
I'm honestly not so sure that Arthur Smith is on the hot seat. He has another year left on his contract, as far as I know. And he probably isn't helping his head coach stock right now, despite all the openings that might present themselves this offseason around the league.
State of the Steelers
10:41
Brian, thanks again for doing these. I've been a fan since the 70s (I'm 53), we've seen the highs and the lows of course. This isn't even the worst team of the last 50 years, but this is not only bad football, the schemes are not only weak and outdated, as this is just a boring product, but the players are on the verge of being unlikeable. From Cam and his hold out and weekly pouting, to the already divisive Aaron Rodgers, and finally we replaced George Pickens with DK, who literally tries to get in a fight every game, gets a dumb penalty, or just acts unprofessional. This team needs a complete start over from the head coach on down. The fans were booing Tomlin, the team and where we are at. Question....does Tomlin finally step down (as he won't get fired)? Or is his next useless number getting to Noll's 193 wins?  Because that means he is here for at least one more year (not getting 4 more wins this year).  If he stays, its the fans who are now being held hostage (and a few players as well).
Brian Batko
10:43
This comes up from time to time and I'll recycle my usual take on it. I agree with you that Steelers ownership doesn't have it in them to ever fire Mike Tomlin. But if this negativity keeps up, particularly if they actually lose more than they win this year for the first time on his watch, perhaps he will just throw in the towel on this and move on. There's no shame in a fresh start. He'd be leaving money on the table, yes, but he's made more than enough money. At some point the human toll comes into play.
TJ in VA
10:44
The only question this Monday morning - when will the ownership finally make the decision to move on from the current head coach (cannot even stand to write his name)?
Brian Batko
10:46
Again, should it come to that TJ, my guess is they'd have to formulate some sort of arrangement to save face for what's been a 19-year relationship. It's also why I haven't completely dismissed talk of a coach trade, because while it's far-fetched, in a weird way it could be a decent off-ramp for all parties involved.
SOS
10:47
Hi Brian.  This team is boring and dreadfully painful to watch.  And I’m not referring to just this year!  Time for major changes from head coach on down. For 2026, we should move to a 4-3 defense so we can stop the run, draft WR, DT, and OT (to replace Broderick Jones), and move on from players not cutting it, regardless of salary/contract.  Then draft a QB in 2027 since the 2026 class looks weak.  Brian…. Hop on board or agree to disagree???
Brian Batko
10:48
Eh, the 2026 class isn't looking as good as we projected, but it might still contain the answer(s). My point is you can't predict the future and you never really know if it's the right time, so I'm not ruling out that they still go that route. Certainly they've been planning for the potential to do it on their soil.
JPinPDX
10:48
Good morning Bats. Not turning in my Steelers fan card but, man, this roller coaster is increasingly hard to ride each week. Is it time to kiss this season goodbye and really focus on what next year may bring?
Brian Batko
10:49
Nah. Big game next week in Baltimore. I'm not gonna pick the Steelers to win. But this is the NFL. Weird things happen each week, quite literally.
Gene
10:50
Do you think Rodgers not being under center hurt the offense last night?
Brian Batko
10:51
Yes, I do. I just think you're hamstringing yourself when you don't have all modes of operation on offense open to you. And Aaron Rodgers in his current state just isn't good enough to play one-handed.
TVC15
10:52
Good morning Brian,  Tomlin had a great first four seasons going to the Super Bowl twice and luckily winning one of them. However in the past 15 seasons - most of them with a Hall of Fame quarterback in his prime -  he has totaled three playoff wins with two of them coming against backup quarterbacks. He inherited a Ferrari and it now sits stripped up on blocks in the front yard. Were the Bears honestly interested in trading for him instead of hiring Ben Johnson or was that just a bunch of made up nonsense?  Would any team hire him at this point?
Brian Batko
10:53
Absolutely, a team would hire him. Many teams would hire him, in my opinion. I think if you're an NFL owner, particularly one whose franchise is in a state that you have a vacancy atop the coaching staff, you can very easily talk yourself into a long-tenured, generally successful coach benefiting from a change of scenery. And maybe he would. We might never know.
Yates
10:53
Brian-  As someone who attends practices do you agree with AR’s comments about practices lacking energy and focus? Would instituting  a Curt Cignetti approach translate to the field on game day?
Brian Batko
10:55
I mean, nothing that was noticeably concerning to me as a media member observing from the sidelines. But those were some striking remarks from Rodgers, who obviously is in his first year here. He mentioned maybe it was the cold weather and they need to do better practicing in the elements. Would he prefer to practice inside? They have a whole indoor facility there if that would help.
574 Fan
10:55
Thanks for the chat, Brian.  Let's say Tomlin "decides to move on" if the current trend continues for the rest of the season.  Who, besides AR, would have input on his replacement?  Would the heir apparent (is it Daniel?) have a large role in the process?  I think it's time to think about  moving on, but I don't know how comfortable I am with Art Rooney having final say in hiring the next coach.
Brian Batko
10:56
Sure thing, 574. I honestly don't know if Art II would consult his son Dan. You'd think he would consult his GM and assistant GM, for sure. The Steelers have long been a head coach-centric organization, but Tomlin's departure, whenever that is, would give them a chance to pivot on that if they want. Depends how much faith he has in Omar Khan, though.
David
10:58
Hi, Brian talk about a second half collapse. This defense seems way over paid for what they get paid. Do you feel like the consecutive winning record streak is looking like it's gonna come to an end this year? Maybe that's a good thing.
Brian Batko
11:00
As I always say, I'll believe it when I see it. So I never predict it. Because I lived through and covered the Duck Hodges 8-8 year. Same goes for the Kenny Pickett rookie season 9-7 year. Same goes for the Pickett-Trubisky-Rudolph 10-7 year. I'm not sure if there were any moments in those seasons that felt quite as low as this, but I'm sure it was bad times.
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