You are viewing the chat in desktop mode. Click here to switch to mobile view.
X
Brian Batko's Steelers chat: 01.27.25
powered byJotCast
Brian Batko
12:00
Hi everyone, welcome to another Mondee Steelers chat. Let's get to your questions, comments and rants.
Tom
12:00
It's true that Steeler fans are disappointed, but so are fans in Buffalo and Minn and Detroit and...Aren't we all just played for fools with all this perrenial Super Bowl or bust talk?  It seems like a gimmick for clicks to me.
Brian Batko
12:02
I don't know about gimmick for clicks, but certainly there's interest in hope for any fanbase in any sport. But also I always wonder how someone's fandom is impacted by that boom-or-bust mentality all the time. It's not realistic and if you truly do cling to "Super Bowl only" you're gonna be pretty miserable more often than not watching sports.
Stairway to seventh seed
12:02
Brian: given the incredible draft success that the Eagles have had the last couple of years, do you start to wonder if Weidl was just along for the ride there?  His 2023 draft class was heralded, but with 2 years of hindsight Jones is a bust, Benton and Washington are decent rotational players, but no more, and Porter is solid, but not a future pro bowler.  The 2024 class has major injury concerns going forward.
Brian Batko
12:04
Not really, no. I'm actually surprised he hasn't gotten more interest for other GM openings around the league. Let's not write off Broderick Jones just yet. And last year's draft had a rough start but it's been a year. For Andy Weidl or any scout, all you can do is try to follow a good process to make what appear to be good picks on paper and then the coaches take the development from there.
Jeff M
12:04
Why doesn't teams double or triple teaming Watt open up opportunities for other players? If 2 or 3 guys are dedicated to TJ you would think someone else should be able to get to the QB.
Brian Batko
12:05
Well I don't think the interior pass rush was all that strong this year outside of Cam Heyward. Keeanu Benton had a few flashes. But let's also not act like TJ Watt was occupying two and three blockers every single play. He was schemed against, yes. Even he admitted that he needs to do more to fight through that though.
SteelCityMeltdown
12:05
Hey Brian, I appreciate your writing and the chats.  A few quick questions:  1) Why is everyone ready to chuck Russ out the window after he provided us the best QB play in years, but was surrounded by a collapsing defense, a collapsing O-line, and no true receiver corps to speak of, including Pickens' petulance?  It just seems that until we draft that future QB, his leadership alone is badly needed on this team.  Fields is talented, but not enough as a passer to justify an investment over Russ.  2) What are the chances AR2 sits down with Tomlin and challenges him to truly change his schematic and hiring approach to become more competitive again?  It seems the trusting, familiar environment has bred too much complacency. Thanks!
Brian Batko
12:07
1) Isn't providing the best QB play in years for the Steelers kind of like being the fastest man in Montana? 2) One thing about Art Rooney II is that while he is Mike Tomlin's boss, he respects the chain of command and inherently trusts Tomlin with football decisions. That's the whole point of employing him as the head coach.
Benny Fazio
12:08
I think Art is fine with the results, and Mike Tomlin, not because he's cheap or doesn't care, like most fans think. I believe it's because he knows, until they find a QB, 10 wins and a wild card appearance is their ceiling in an AFC with Mahomes, Jackson, Allen, Burrow, Stroud, etc...so in his mind, Tomlin is maxing the team out. Thoughts?
Brian Batko
12:09
That could be part of it, sure. I always say it's easy for us on the outside to make decisions for the Steelers like it's just pushing a button or firing a coach or whatever. It's never that easy for those whose livelihoods actually do rise and fall with the results of this team. But it's hard to argue that the Steelers are just spinning their wheels right now, for the most part.
Nate
12:09
Offense offense offense. It seems to be the motto coming into the draft talk. We need a WR, a QB, a RB. This is the strongest DL group in multiple years. Give me 2 DL prospects in the first 4 rounds and grow a stronger, and younger defense. If the Eagles have shown me anything, build a young and hungry defense. What say you Brian? Ideal draft targets?
Brian Batko
12:11
That kind of draft talk is always circular logic to an extent. If this is such a strong, deep DL class then maybe you can get good value by waiting on that position til the second day. And if the WR class isn't as deep as years past, maybe you have to jump on that earlier. We'll see how it plays out. I still lean defensive line Round 1, but you also don't do a draft by position. The Steelers will grade individual players and they need to hit a slam dunk here, sports malaprop intended, in the first round regardless of the position.
Word Salad Sandwich
12:12
Brian, MT likes to say he wants volunteers as opposed to hostages. Does he realize he is holding the fan base hostage at this point? Would you ask him that question at his next presser please?
Brian Batko
12:12
Mmm you're making me hungry. How about giving a talented but immature guy like George Pickens Stockholm Syndrome one of these years, wouldn't that be nice? Learn to love thy captor. Buy into the team mentality. Just a thought.
TVC15
12:14
Hi BB, Jon Gruden won a Super Bowl with a Tony Dungy built team. He did not accomplish much after that besides pulling huge paychecks. Does that remind you of anyone you know?
Brian Batko
12:14
I never put much stock into that argument. As if it should be held against Mike Tomlin that he helped elevate a team that underachieved the two years prior. He was clearly the right guy at the right time for the franchise then. Doesn't mean that's the case in perpetuity.
Pittfan
12:15
Hi Brian. It looks like Javon Hargrave will be a free agent. Is he worth the Steelers making an offer? I also like Milton Williams from the Eagles.
Brian Batko
12:16
Sure if the price is right. But I wouldn't shell out too much for a soon-to-be 32-year-old coming off a season-ending torn triceps.
Ned Ryerson
12:17
Unless the Steelers want to keep running into me every year, they need to get back to drafting the best player available when it is their turn, no matter the positional need and especially with the first, possibly second and third picks.  Positional needs can be addressed through later rounds and/or free agency.  They are missing out on building up the overall quality of the roster by selecting by positional need and it is starting to show in the residual.  To wit - Kenny Pickett - clearly not a first round pick, chosen in Round 1, now gone.  Broderick Jones - good pick for the position, but clearly not best available at the time.  This is doing just as much to keep the Steelers in mediocrity as their lousy coaching.
Brian Batko
12:19
Fair point, Ned, at a most notable time of the year for you no less. But keep in mind it's not as if drafting is an exact science where teams know they're passing on Player A Future All-Pro at QB for Player B Future Pro Bowler at LT because they need O-line help more. If it were that easy to know, then a bunch of teams that already had a franchise QB still would've taken Lamar Jackson, for instance. But I do hear you.
The Truth
12:20
I think one of the biggest issues the Steelers have is they lack creativity on both sides of the ball. Why do the Steelers never dial up exotic blitzes and looks on defense like Spags does? On offense, why is nobody ever open? Why is it so difficult for them just to move the ball? Why do they never seem to play with any tempo or rhythm? They seem largely reliant on talent instead of coaching and scheme. Talent can clearly only get you so far. It seems that unless there are drastic coaching changes and philosophies, the end result will end up being the same. Thoughts?
Brian Batko
12:22
Players are most important. Don't ever get that wrong. But I'm with you that the final Bills 4th-down last night in KC just felt like Steve Spagnuolo outcoaching Joe Brady in a huge moment. Seemed like a schematic win more than anything. And yet, Josh Allen still almost made the play for them. But that's part of why I wrote extensively over the weekend about how other organizations are putting together robust coaching and support staffs while the Steelers trail behind https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/steelers/2025/01/25/steelers-coach...
Jack
12:23
The Steelers are more than a QB and WR away from being a Super Bowl contender. It’s time to rebuild or we’ll always be stuck in 0.500 football. The new standard and everyone seems to be ok with that. No accountability.
Brian Batko
12:23
What if they get Patrick Mahomes and Justin Jefferson though?
Ohio Guy
12:24
Hey Batts, in my opinion the Steelers are in the no man’s land again. After watching this weekends games, we are the farthest away from being a real SB contender than ever… harken back to the times of the 80s…. That’s where we are…. Sad to say…
Brian Batko
12:24
It's certainly not a good time to be in the AFC North or especially the AFC at-large.
STEEL72
12:24
A three-peat Chiefs or the Eagles with their barbaric fan base? This is what we are left with. And while these two teams most certainly deserve the ticket, I can't get excited about it. Why does it feel like this Chiefs team isn't built like and doesn't really play like a dynasty team -- especially this season? Is it just me? 3 Super Bowls in a row is such hallowed turf... is this truly that team? Curious to hear your take.
Brian Batko
12:25
My take is they're absolutely built like a dynastic team. Best QB in the game and maybe ever. Generational talent at tight end. Brilliant offensive head coach who's gaining fast on Bill Belichick as the GOAT. And a fantastic staff under Andy Reid, from the coordinators to the analytics folks who help find those winning edges. I picked Chiefs-Eagles at the beginning of the playoffs but I'm wavering on my Eagles all the way prediction.
Mike
12:26
I would have thought that someone of Mike Tomlin’s beliefs and values would have placed a high priority on recruiting and developing coaching talent that would flourish either in Pittsburgh or elsewhere.   I don’t think he cares about the outside view of a “coaching tree”, but would have thought this would be important to him. Thoughts ?
Brian Batko
12:28
Well I think he has tried to develop under-the-radar coaches to some degree. Guys like Grady Brown and Adrian Klemm got their first NFL jobs in Pittsburgh. Tom Arth and Aaron Curry got their first position coach gigs here. Again, I'd say it goes back to the relatively thin staff. The more assistants you have and the wider net you cast, the better chance you'll have coaches ascended to bigger roles elsewhere.
Brian in NC
12:29
Does Tomlin have a high floor (i.e. non losing seasons), but a low ceiling?  True, he won a Super Bowl, but that was long ago with a team and staff he had largely inherited.  As time has gone on in his tenure, they have gone from a team that competes for Super Bowls to one vying for a playoff spot.
Brian Batko
12:30
I guess you could say that given the recent results. But I tend to think the lack of a star QB has been the bigger issue with the ceiling being where it is. And as I've said before, coaches do lose their jobs because of mitigating factors such as QB play, injuries, etc. Steelers clearly aren't going that route with Tomlin.
Linebacker Lounge
12:31
Seems if you were gonna make any assistant coaching changes, you would have wanted to do it before the 7 other teams had first choice. Thoughts?
Brian Batko
12:32
Yeah I don't much see the benefit in being patient as far as that goes, but obviously there are still two teams playing and the dust hasn't fully settled in the NFL coaching carousel just yet. There will be more assistants looking to make moves to advance their careers if presented with the opportunity.
Sunner in Orlando from Lebo
12:33
Steelers are caught in the mushy middle for the foreseeable future because of the lack of a good franchise QB. Should the Steelers go with Fields and see what he can do and let Wilson go to the Raiders even it means going 5-12? With the lack of good free agent QB's available and no chance to move up for a good college QB, Steelers are "stuck in the middle".
Brian Batko
12:35
That's my opinion, yes. When I see Jalen Milroe presented as an option in the first couple rounds, my initial reaction is how is he much different than trying to develop Justin Fields other than being younger and on a rookie deal? Similar skill sets and at 25, soon to be 26, I still view Fields as someone who hasn't hit his ceiling yet, potentially.
bwalker
12:36
Bats, I read an article that Jayden Daniels has been using virtual reality for the teams he is about to face. Been using it for 2 years, LSU and WA. Sets speed to 1.75 and once he gets to the game everything slows down. VR is the same team, defensive tendencies, and stadium. He made this a requirement of any team that drafted him.  If we resign Fields maybe this is the key to unlock him? Either way, Steelers need to explore this.
Brian Batko
12:37
I meant to do some reading on that. Have seen the headlines a little bit but I am curious to look into it more. Whatever he's doing, Jayden Daniels is pretty amazing. I'd want any QB to try to emulate him.
Zamo
12:37
BB, does it really matter who the qb or coordinator is if Tomlin and company insist they play a conservative style which doesn’t include middle of field?  They care more about not turning the ball over more than anything else.  this outdated philosophy won’t change unless Tomlin and company do. Thoughts?
Load More Messages
Connecting…