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Brian Batko's Steelers chat: 02.20.23
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Brian Batko
2:00
OK everyone, no rigmarole today, let's just get right to it and start the chat.
I just wanted to type/say rigmarole in my head.
Jim_Bow_Dean
2:00
A lot of people are saying CB is a big need. If Sutton resigns, is it? They did lead the league in interceptions.
Brian Batko
2:02
Yes, it still is. Obviously not as much if Cam Sutton is back, because you could run out a top three of Sutton-Levi Wallace-Arthur Maulet/Ahkello Witherspoon but neither Maulet nor Witherspoon were getting much (or any) playing time by the end of the season. So you'd be rolling the dice on both guys to an extent. And then after that ... James Pierre? Need to bring in a fresh face to be depth at worst, starter at best.
Ed in Carrick
2:03
Can we not talk about Jalen Ramsey?  The team is not one $25 million per year CB away from the Super Bowl. The money could be used to sign Highsmith and Sutton who combined are a better use of resources.
Brian Batko
2:04
Yeah, I think I said this on another chat recently, it's just not realistic to pay a premium to a cornerback when you're already spending so much on a DT, OLB and FS. And, to your point, possibly another OLB and No. 1 CB. That's why you build through the draft.
Javi
2:05
Hello Bats. If the Steelers knew Bienemy was gonna take lateral move to be an OC and leave KC do you think hes on Steelers staff today? Would they have taken a serious look at him had they known he would leave for new OC job?
Brian Batko
2:08
Not sure, but I know I suggested that scenario in a mailbag during the season. I called it a "pie in the sky idea" for the Steelers' next OC, and yet, it came to be - for a different franchise ( https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/steelers/2022/10/28/steelers-offen...).

You'd have to think the Steelers and really all 31 other teams would have some inkling of a high-profile coach looking to make such a move, but there would've been more uncertainty surrounding whether or not he'd get a HC job.
Jim
2:09
Can you think of any reason why the Steelers still haven't hired a posing game coordinator this off season? Based on last years performance, it makes no sense.
Brian Batko
2:10
Reasons for not making such a move yet could be waiting to see how other coaching staffs take shape, who gets OC jobs and who doesn't, etc. Reasons for not making that move at all? Well, the only ones that jump out to me are you don't want to chafe Matt Canada, you don't want to pay another coaching salary, or you just simply don't think you need one.
Joe Mayo
2:11
Do you think this is a strong audition for Hines Ward to learn the ropes, then get back into The NFL & coach someday?  If not, now what?
Brian Batko
2:15
That's basically what I was getting at the other day when I talked to him for this story https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/steelers/2023/02/18/hines-ward-hea...

I asked him what his long-term coaching goals are at this point, and he pretty much shrugged it off. Off the top of my head, I Don't think a lot of the head coaches in these upstart spring leagues have used it as a launching pad back to the NFL, but you never know. Maybe he was just bored and wanted to run a team?
Donna
2:15
Happy Presidents’ Day Brian.  With Aaron Curry being hired to work with the linebacker corps, will he be working with Jerry Olsavsky, or will Coach O. be assuming other duties?  Thank you.
Brian Batko
2:16
That remains to be seen, but my guess is Jerry Olsavsky will continue working with the ILBs and Denzel Martin with the OLBs. Maybe Curry will oversee the entire linebacker group, given that he has experience coaching LBs and DL, and the 3-4 system blends a lot of those responsibilities.
Backwards DJ
2:17
People are always talking about CB and OL, but do you think the less obvious but ultimately more paramount needs are DL and ILB right now? The OL returns intact, and beefing up the DL makes the CB position stronger in and of itself.
Brian Batko
2:18
Yeah, those positions are up there, for sure. We'll have a better feel for how much is needed after free agency. If Larry Ogunjobi returns, the DL is in decent shape, in my view. If Rob Spillane is back, that's a guy with starter experience at ILB.
Yates
2:20
Hi Brian- From a release, keep, or restructure standpoint what are the key dates we should have top of mind for Mitch T?
Brian Batko
2:21
The last couple years, the Steelers have generally waited until March, just before the start of free agency, to make those cap casualty decisions.
Chuck from Michigan
2:21
Hi Brian, love your chats.  Steelers always "covet" Big Ten conference players in the NFL draft..  What names are on your radar for DL/OL/ILB/CB that can help the Steelers in 2023?  Thank you very much!
Brian Batko
2:24
Thanks, Chuck. On the DL I'm intrigued by Lukas Van Ness (Iowa), Mazi Smith (Michigan) Keeanu Benton (Wisconsin). At ILB, Jack Campbell (Iowa) and Nick Herbig (Wisconsin). At CB Joey Porter Jr. (Penn State), Devon Witherspoon (Illinois), Deonte Banks (Maryland) and DJ Turner (Michigan). At OL - well, it's the Big Ten, aren't they all big ol' people-movers?
YinzerInBoston
2:26
Thanks for the chats. Two Qs: 1) Do you extend Highsmith prior to season? Not sure I see the value off of a breakout year. There are  intriguing edges in the draft that might be able to develop for a year then replace him on a rookie salary. Given his current stock is high, seems prudent to roll the dice with the tag option always available but draft a backup. 2) Luxury picks: Quentin Johnson (WR1) falls to #17, Darnell Washington (6'7" 265lb TE) falls to #49. Do you take either in 'best available' mode  despite other needs (DL, CB, ILB, OL)?
Brian Batko
2:28
1) Of course it depends on the price, but for anything around $15 million per, I'd probably do it. 2) No, I would not. The only BPA types I'd consider among pass-catchers would be Jordan Addison and maybe Jaxon Smith-Njigba.
TSH
2:30
Hi Brian!  Your time spent on these chats is much appreciated!   When ARII states he wants the offense to score more points, what is your opinion on how the draft helps with this goal?  Draft OL?  Thanks Much!
Brian Batko
2:31
I didn't equate that comment with the draft in any way. To me, it was more of a directive that the scheme and play-calling must improve to make use of the talent they've already acquired on offense, almost entirely through Day 1 or Day 2 draft picks
Andrew
2:33
What position will the Steelers spend the most on in free agency?  I would guess ILB.
Brian Batko
2:34
If anything, my guess would be safety or corner, even if it's just to retain one or some of their own.
AZ Steeler
2:35
How early will the Steelers draft a wide receiver?
Brian Batko
2:36
Guess here is 4th round at the earliest. Sure, it'd be nice to give Kenny Pickett as many talented targets as possible, but they just traded away Chase Claypool and I think at least part of that was to feature Diontae Johnson and especially George Pickens more. Plus, Pat Freiermuth is a dude. Calvin Austin, if all goes well with his recovery, can help. It never hurts to have good wideouts in the pipeline but just not a huge need at the moment.
Mitchy T
2:37
BB, was I really all that magnanimous after my unceremonious demotion? Because it appeared to the casual observer that I was headed for a procedure popular among the over 50 set. Gracias.
Brian Batko
2:39
Mitch Trubisky was not what I would call magnanimous in his Jets postgame interview. From there? It's hard to say because he really didn't do many interviews to discuss his situation. Perhaps that tells you something in and of itself. My take is that he wasn't a problem in the locker room or anything like that, but probably didn't love how it all went down and being relegated to backup duty. Who would?
artie bridge
2:40
Brian, I know that Mason Rudolph has been written off by fans and sports media, but 1) how does Tomlin & co. feel about him? and 2) % chance that he comes back?  My personal opinion is he's a competent - not great - back-up.  Thanks.
Brian Batko
2:42
1) I'm sure they're appreciative of him and how he handled himself off the field through a lot of ups and downs - remember Mike Tomlin going to bat for him publicly during the Myles Garrett fiasco - but as a player, it's clear what they think of him and his limitations. 2) Uh, I'll go with his jersey number, so 0.2%.

He's competent, sure. But this marriage has run its course. It certainly seems the Steelers have him pegged as a No. 3 type, at least in their offense. And if you're Rudolph, you probably want to chase an opportunity somewhere else to be the No. 2, or at least a No. 3 behind a less-established starter.
Bud
2:44
I understand that the Steelers decided to keep Canada for another year. But weren’t they shortsighted in not bringing in Eric B.?
Brian Batko
2:46
Well, there likely was no way to bring him in unless it was OC. And the Commanders waited pretty patiently for that opportunity. I'd say it worked out for them. Look, none of us know how Eric Bieniemy will do running the show all on his own. But I'll take my chances on a guy who's been with Andy Reid and that Chiefs offense for so long, at the very least for X's and O's ideas, if not play-calling, feel for the game, etc. I think it's a great move by Washington.
sam
2:47
Do you see any former steelers players coming back to pittsburgh if they shine in the XFL or are all the bridges burned bryant isnt that old
Brian Batko
2:48
Eh, maybe a down-the-line guy, but no big names like Martavis Bryant. He might even still be suspended by the NFL anyway.
Ryan
2:48
Good afternoon Brian what did you think about Coach Mitchell Steelers will miss him as will his former players
Brian Batko
2:50
Yes, they'll miss him, but not from an on-field coaching perspective. He was no longer involved in that after moving solely into his Assistant Head Coach role in 2018. Karl Dunbar took over then as DL coach.
epiballo
2:51
Thanks for the chats! Help me to understand some of our Steeler fan base. Some seem to think it better to not make the playoffs if it means they get blown out ... and others say the Steelers only interest is maintaining the winning record streak and not in making the playoffs. I don't get it ... what am I missing?
Brian Batko
2:53
There's concern about being stuck in the mediocre middle of the NFL for years on end. And that's fair. I'd say being the No. 7 seed in the playoffs kind of puts you in that rut most years. Hovering around .500 for an extended period probably isn't gonna lead to a long playoff run OR a lot of draft capital to improve your team.
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