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Brian Batko's Steelers chat: 03.09.22
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Brian Batko
12:59
Good afternoon. This is a Brian Batko Monday Steelers Chat happening on a Wednesday. Hope this isn't a tough crowd...
Mike from D.C.
1:00
Any chance the Steelers go after Bobby Wagner to pair with Devin Bush?
Brian Batko
1:01
I don't see it. Wagner's still good but he'll be 32 before the season starts and the Steelers need their top-10 pick to play like one, not try to bail him out again with another high-priced veteran. And wouldn't it be nice if an inexpensive internal option like Robert Spillane or Buddy Johnson answered the bell?
JerseySteel
1:01
Hi Brian - which odds are better? Bradshaw coming out of retirement to be QB1 for the Steelers in 2022 or AB/Donda buying the Denver Broncos as AB said he wants to do
Brian Batko
1:02
I'm betting on Mr. Big Chest! As you may have heard once or twice, he's got a whole lotta money.
Nick Y-Town
1:02
Brian...Thank you for the chats!  In the case of free agency, would you build your O-line through that and then focus on D-line via draft? Then if Davis from Georgia was available or one of the top O-linemen, who would you take with pick #20/
Brian Batko
1:05
Not sure I'd "focus" on DL in the draft, but I do think it makes more sense to draft one than sign one. I mean, they certainly need to get better against the run, but Cam Heyward, Tyson Alualu, Chris Wormley and Isaiahh Loudermilk all are back. Montravius Adams could be a cheap re-sign, too. How many do you need? One rookie would be fine, but to me it's Jordan Davis or bust as far as the top guys.
Tim
1:06
Who do you “mock” to the Steelers in rounds 1 and 2?  Curious if you are on same page as Ray?
Brian Batko
1:09
Mock drafts are funny. They're certainly interesting/intriguing to read, but come on, none of us know who's going to be there - especially as deep as the 20th pick. If I give the Steelers someone who's a no-brainer, I'll get criticized for wishful thinking. If I give them someone realistic, I'll get criticized for not mocking someone better. It's an exercise in futility, but that doesn't mean it's not fun to play along. As of this moment I'll go with Zion Johnson, Boston College guard.
Mike
1:10
who would you want to bring in to be the QB of the future -out of the draft of free agents
Brian Batko
1:12
Just as much of a loaded/unanswerable question, but hey, I don't mind speculation. That's what makes this whole thing fun (to an extent). If it were up to me, I am GM Kevin Colbert with all the power he has at my fingertips, I'm picking ... no one. Actually, I'm waiting until the 2023 draft/QB carousel. Maybe I add Marcus Mariota if he's reasonably priced.
PGHFninCali
1:14
Hi Brian  Your take on QBs on the Steelers current team and if you would run with them and build the pieces around?  or draft a QB from this draft year with your first pick?
Brian Batko
1:16
Yeah, kind of part of the last question, I'm willing to give the Mason Rudolph/Dwayne Haskins duo a chance to either prove they're decent or pilot me to a very high draft pick. In the meantime, I build an indestructible roster ready to roll with my next Face of the Franchise.
Coachjystad
1:16
Good Afternoon Mr. Batko,    Given the latest QB shuffling and combine performances... Does all this help Liberty's Willis go early and let Pitt's Pickett fall far enough to let him stay in Pittsburgh?
Brian Batko
1:19
No, I don't think either one made a definitive move past the other last week in Indy. I know there's building buzz around Malik Willis, but I figured that would always be the case given his strong arm and how good he'd look in workouts, you know? One QB in this class that I don't think is getting enough love, and actually DID help himself at the combine, is Cincy's Desmond Ridder. Dude ran a 4.52 and carries himself really well. Just doesn't have the arm strength of Willis.
fredward
1:20
Hey Brian, do you think it's more likely---now that the combine is done--that the Steelers draft a QB like Pickett or Willis?
Brian Batko
1:21
I've said all along that I think if the Steelers do draft a QB in the first round, they should go for more of the big swing than the ready-to-play. Not that I'm the biggest fan of Mason Rudolph but I think he already gives you a high-ish floor guy. I'd want someone with a lot of upside if I'm the Steelers. Willis is that dude in this class.
Guest
1:22
Should the Steelers focus on depth players in FA?  It seems like their reserves last year were materially worse than other teams' reserves, and all teams have injuries.  Would be great if they had unlimited money to sign 3-4 big FA, but wouldn't it be better if they signed 1 big FA (OL), and then added 3-4 solid depth pieces at other positions of need (OL, DL, ILB, CB, WR)?
Brian Batko
1:24
They usually do. Bridge starters at best, depth at worst. Think to a few years ago when they signed Donte Moncrief, then still drafted Diontae Johnson. Or last year when they signed BJ Finney, still drafted Kendrick Green. Not uncommon for them to double-up at positions of need with both youth and experience.
MrCJJr
1:25
Hello Brian. Thanks for the chat. What will all those "experts" write about now that the Rodgers or Wilson to the Steelers is a dead issue? (Especially since it was never going to happen). Thanks
Brian Batko
1:27
Ah, I don't know. I'm glad it's over. But I don't necessarily blame anyone for wondering if it was a possibility. After all, the Steelers are in uncharted territory with their current regime, trying to replace a franchise QB. There's no playbook for this. Didn't Noted Aaron Rodgers Conduit Pat McAfee say on his show the other day that the Steelers WERE in on Rodgers if Green Bay fell through? We'll probably never know for sure. Fact is, we'll still spend plenty of time talking/writing about Mitch Trubisky, Jameis Winston, Jimmy Garoppolo, Malik Wilis, Kenny Pickett, et al, and only none or one (at most, two) of those guys will actually end up here.
Rodzilla
1:28
Any guess why Bobby Wagner was released? Could be a real blessing for the Steelers if they could sign him and fix that LB corp
Brian Batko
1:29
Rebuilding team needed to save money. Steelers may well be a rebuilding team that needs to spend money elsewhere. And if I'm Bobby Wagner, I'm looking to latch on with a team that will either overpay me at age 32 or has a Super Bowl-caliber QB already on the roster so that maybe I can win another ring.
Boiler G Dog
1:30
Brian…NFL GM hat on: I was hoping Pittsburgh could trade for Russell Wilson. Then I saw what Denver gave up plus the cap hit. The Rams mortgaged the farm for Stafford and now everyone is dumping draft picks to get “The Guy”. I’m thinking get someone like Trubisky as a FA. Build the OL and DL with FAs and draft picks. What says you?
Brian Batko
1:32
I never take that hat off this time of year, Mr. Dog. The trade package for Wilson is interesting because, as I posited on Twitter, could the Steelers have been competitive with an offer of, say, two firsts, two seconds, a fifth, Mason Rudolph, Chase Claypool and Chris Wormley? What about Pat Freiermuth or Diontae Johnson instead of Claypool? Not even sure the Seahawks would do that, given that the two high Broncos picks this year are even better than what the Steelers' would be, but do you consider that if you're Kevin Colbert? I would. I think it's the cost of doing business to get a franchise QB. Think the Rams will regret all their aggressive draft moves? I don't. As for Trubisky, I'm not overly enthused, but I understand why some are. Color me lukewarm on Mitch.
Ryan
1:33
Good afternoon Brian which players do we resign before free agency starts i think Edmunds Spillane and Marcus Allen
Brian Batko
1:36
Hi, Ryan. Ray Fittipaldo has an article on this coming tomorrow (I believe) and I'll put my predictions as these: Ahkello Witherspoon, Miles Killebrew, Josh Dobbs. Plus Dwayne Haskins, Robert Spillane and Marcus Allen as restricted free agents.
Al Slinsky
1:37
Being that Jimmy G is just coming off shoulder surgery, do you think that might be a deal the Steelers could look into after the draft if needed?
Brian Batko
1:38
I don't really want any part of Jimmy G. To me, that would result in an offense that looks far too much like the one that was so brutal to watch last season.
Guest
1:38
don't you think the NFL has gotten too impatient with QB's? it takes time for the game to slow down
Brian Batko
1:39
The NFL has become too impatient with everything, I reckon.
JDY
1:39
Hi Brian I actually had 2 questions the first one I’m really concerned that we will not be able reach a deal with Minakah Fitzpatrick when do you think we can get a deal done for him The second one I have since Russell Wilson is currently going to Denver Can you see Kenny Pickett  going to Seattle or Pittsburgh
Brian Batko
1:41
First part, I think it'll be a negotiation that gets done eventually, but might last until the 11th hour a la TJ Watt this past season. But I do believe it'll get done. Much like drafting Watt late in the first round, trading for Minkah is one of the best coups for the Steelers front office in recent history, so they aren't going to punt on that. As for Pickett, I could see him in either spot, but I think Seattle at 9 is more likely.
Rocky
1:42
What is the Steelers interest in Robert  Wagner from Seattle,  LB  ?  Dont you think he'd be a great fit.  Thanks,  BB!
Brian Batko
1:43
Fun fact, his given name is actually Bobby, not Robert. At least according to Wikipedia.
Tiberius Sempronius Gracchus
1:43
If Willis or Pickett are available at 20, do you think the Steelers would pull the trigger on one of them whether you think they should or shouldn't? Whether it's right or wrong, if Pickett in particular is there, there will be a lot of pressure to select him. I would think they want to avoid Dan Marino 2.0. Not that I necessarily think that Pickett will be a HOFer.
Brian Batko
1:44
Yeah it's very interesting. I can imagine a Thursday night presser in which Kevin Colbert and Mike Tomlin are sitting there smiling ear to ear after taking Kenny, saying they've had a front-row seat to watch his development and they believe in him as an NFL starter. But there are so many other possibilities, including Willis, that I'm not counting on it to happen.
Yeck
1:45
Brian you do great work.  I’m curious with this years cap space do you think the Steelers will make any what Steelers fan would call a splash sign? Maybe a JC Jackson or Stephon Gilmore or do you see more of the same from the Steelers
Brian Batko
1:46
Thanks, Yeck. Going big at cornerback would definitely be interesting. JC Jackson seems to have very few holes in his game and he's only 26. I think spending up on him would be more likely than investing in Gilmore, who at 31 might be on the downward slope of his trajectory.
Troy
1:47
Biggest position of need to focus on in free agency and then the draft if it were up to you?
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