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Brian Batko's Steelers chat: 01.18.21
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Brian Batko
1:58
Hi everyone, some pretty exciting football this past weekend and a couple juicy championship games on tap for next. Meanwhile, the Steelers continue to navigate the offseason. Let's get to some questions.
Livinthedream
1:59
According to your co-worker Gerry, Ben's cap hit will be 41mil. 21 of which is due to money already paid. This 21 mil can be spread over 3 to 5 years with what Gerry called a "dummy" contract such as the one they gave Troy. No matter what Ben or the Steelers want to do after next year it seems like the "dummy" contract is a no brainer that should be the first order of business. So why hasn't it been done?
Brian Batko
2:00
For starters, it takes two sides to agree to a restructured contract. And beyond that, the Steelers could decide they don't want to do a deal that further sits on their cap for future years. I agree with you that it's a solid route to take, and the Saints basically did this with Drew Brees, but just answering your question as to why it might not be a no-brainer.
Darnell
2:01
Hey Brian.  If/when Kevin Colbert retires, do you think Louis Riddick  could/would leave the ESPN to join the Steelers’ front office?
Brian Batko
2:02
Yeah I think he'd consider it. He's interviewed for other executive jobs, so why not a city he knows well with a head coach he has a ton of respect for? Would be a cool successor, as long as the Steelers don't opt for an internal replacement when that time comes. And it would be tough to argue with that line of thinking, too, given the success under Colbert.
Steve
2:03
Brian, With Big Ben and Canada coming back it looks like another year of near 100% shotgun formations, no QB sneaks, endless slants or wide receiver screens, no RPO or play action. In other words 6-10,  no?
Brian Batko
2:05
With Matt Canada, if he is indeed the next OC, we don't know how he'll approach the job at the NFL level with Ben as his quarterback. If the Steelers viewed him as Randy Fichtner Part 2, I don't think they'd want to promote him and probably wouldn't have wanted to bring him on in the first place.
Sunner in Orlando
2:06
Everyone is talking about when Ben is going to decide on whether he comes back next year. Isn't the ultimate decision with the Steelers FO? Have you heard of how they are leaning? Bring him back or cut him? Or the best scenario, restructure him for another 3 years and spread the cap hit?
Brian Batko
2:08
I think the reason it's often framed that way is because it has long seemed set in stone that Ben would see himself out, not the other way around. Now, could that have changed after how the last two seasons played out, from injury to eventual inefficiency? Sure. Personally, I would move on from him, and if not that, restructure again. But then again, my life and job isn't tied to the team's success, so maybe it's easy for me to say that on such a huge decision.
David Cos
2:09
Can you humor some of us and lay out a realistic scenario where Watson to Steelers works?
Brian Batko
2:11
Sorry, still trying to work out the realistic scenario where J.J. Watt to the Steelers works. Will move on to Deshaun Watson after that.
Gene
2:12
If you are Tomlin and Colbert do you go OL or RB or best available?
Brian Batko
2:14
Never too early for draft questions. Probably OL, assuming they make some tough cuts there with aging veterans. Although I acknowledge it would be tough to pass on Travis Etienne or Najee Harris as can't-miss running backs if they're still around at 24. I've made my thoughts on drafting/paying that position well known many times, but those two just seem like no-brainer plug-and-play guys who give you a star for five years or so.
Sergio from Mexico
2:14
Hello BB. Hope you and yours are well and healthy. Watching the divisional games, I saw that we really are missing mobility in the offense. No bootlegs, scrambles or nothing. I know that comes with Ben being his age, but I think we need a new and more mixed offense. Do you think with OC Canada that will get better? I also think our QB of the future needs to be mobile. It opens up a huge number of plays...
Brian Batko
2:16
Hi Sergio, same to you. I agree, to an extent. What watching the games this weekend told me is that the Steelers simply don't have any clear identity at the core of their offense. On paper, yeah, it's Ben. But he's not a dual-threat like Josh Allen or Lamar Jackson. He's not pinpoint accurate like Tom Brady or Drew Brees. He's not all-around like Aaron Rodgers or Patrick Mahomes (obviously). Now, I'm not saying it's easy to find a new QB who stacks up well with those six guys, but at some point, you have to try. Or start trying.
dpreble001
2:18
Brian I don't understand why the Steelers didn't even bother interviewing other o coordinators with a fresh approach instead its same ole same ole
Brian Batko
2:18
We don't know that they didn't. Obviously, there were reports over the weekend that they're likely going to promote Matt Canada, but it's not done until it's done. Doing their due diligence on other candidates could be precisely what's holding up this "expected" move.
Guest
2:19
It is clearly “Rudolph Time” in Pittsburgh.  Give the guy the full year, and see how he progresses.  What’s your take Brian?
Brian Batko
2:20
No thanks. If Ben is out, I say you have to bring in competition for Mason Rudolph. If he wins the job, so be it. But he hasn't shown me enough to just hand him the reins, even for a trial run.
Sunner in Orlando
2:20
Sounds like Dupree and Juju are gone. Are Pouncey, Haden McDonald, Al, Feiler, Hilton and Decastro also gone? Keep 1-2? Huge cap hits on these vets. I think they need to keep at most Pouncey and Hilton. What say you?
Brian Batko
2:21
I say you're forgetting about a guy who might be more important than all those: Cam Sutton. Especially if Joe Haden or Steve Nelson is a cap casualty. Not saying he's indispensable, of course, but his versatility makes him valuable, especially in this defense he knows so well.
Seattle Art
2:22
A lot of people seem to want to move on from DeCastro.  How does a guy go from all-pro in one year to ineffective the next?  Could he have been struggling with the knee all year long and if so is that going to be an on-going issue?
Brian Batko
2:23
Possibly. I'm no OL expert or scout, but to my eyes, he was noticeably bad this season. Maybe even their worst OL. And for what it's worth, he hasn't been an All-Pro since 2017. Take Pro Bowl nods with a grain of salt, given that they're at least partially determined by fan voting.
First Take
2:25
Brian, if the Steelers decide to bring Big Ben back, do you think he will be willing to adjust his game, be more balance offensively?
Brian Batko
2:26
I think Ben will want to do what he's comfortable with, which is shotgun, spread offense, and lots of no-huddle.
And to be fair, that's what a lot of quarterbacks are most comfortable with in this age of football.
John in Florida
2:27
I fear Coach Tomlinson is once again rushing to hire from within to fill the OC vacancy without seriously considering outside candidates. Seems to me he should interview and consider others such as Jim Caldwell and Anthony Lynn. Maybe it’s time to expand the team’s horizons. Nothing against Coach Canada, but it can’t hurt to look and listen. What day you?
Brian Batko
2:28
Definitely can't hurt to be thorough in the process. This is potentially a huge hire for Mike Tomlin. I don't hate the idea of promoting Canada and understand why they'd want to do so, but certainly I didn't think we'd hear anything definitive so quickly. And I suppose we haven't, at least not from the team.
Rich
2:29
Brian, do you think it makes sense to swap Chuks over to LT since he's a better pass blocker and put Banner at RT for better run blocking?
Brian Batko
2:30
Yes, from what I can tell, Okorafor would be better suited to fill the role of Al Villanueva - solid in protection, not much help in the run game. Granted, you'd ideally want a LT who can do both, so maybe that guy is still out there.
Jps717
2:31
The 2021 cap hit for Ben, Pouncey and DeCastro is about $70m.  If all 3 were cut, how much money would Steelers have to sign their own and outside FA’s?  Do you agree that’s it’s time to blow up this offensive unit and start over?
Brian Batko
2:32
Believe they'd have about $36 million to throw around if they blew it up and cut those three. I do agree that it would make the most sense to do just that, starting with Ben, but again, saying that from my couch and pulling the trigger from the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex are two very different things.
Acerero
2:33
Any chance Whisenhunt can be considered for OC?  And maybe take over as HC a year from now?
Brian Batko
2:34
Ken Whisenhunt was out of football this year after being fired as the Chargers OC midseason in 2019, so I'm gonna guess no, but definitely an outside-the-box idea. Maybe he can bring Mike Mularkey out of retirement as his OC in 2022.
Woj from W Mifflin
2:35
Brian, what positives can we take as Steelers fans into the 2021 season from the carcass of this 2020 season?
Brian Batko
2:37
Great question. Chase Claypool's performance is undoubtedly a positive. Diontae Johnson still showed flashes, so that's good. Sticking with the offense, Mason Rudolph played fairly well in his only extended action and Kevin Dotson looks like a longtime stalwart on the OL.

Defensively, TJ Watt is maybe the best player in the universe. Alex Highsmith can be a decent Bud Dupree replacement, in my opinion. And Robert Spillane gives you a nice, affordable option at linebacker that no one really expected much from this time a year ago.
Ralph
2:37
Do u think we will draft a top running back in 1st round
Brian Batko
2:38
No, I think there are too many other holes to fill. But again, if Etienne or Harris is there, it will be a discussion worth having in the war room.
Alan from Indy
2:40
Not an expert on managing the cap but, why do we spend the $$$$ on the likes of Derek Watt who never seems to be used, even when healthy. Kind of like when big Dan McCullers hung around forever. Couldn’t the $$$$ be better spent on keeping or signing better quality starters?
Brian Batko
2:41
The Derek Watt deal never made much sense to me. Pretty sure there are hard-nosed fullbacks on the couch out there who would pay the Steelers to play and could do what they asked DW to do.
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