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Brian Batko's Steelers chat: 03.09.26
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Brian Batko
1:53
What's up everyone? Free agency is off and running, and the Steelers have gotten in on the act trading for Michael Pittman Jr. Fire away
Stairway to seventh seed
1:55
Brian: I was really appreciative of Rodgers efforts on and off the field last year, but now that we are on Aaron wait version 2.0, it got me to thinking.  The QB puts the franchise through this uncertainty again.  The long tenured captain with one career playoff sack in 15 years holds in for more money every year because $15m is not enough to support his family and then sits back while the dad of our star corner bashes a franchise icon on his podcast.  The defensive star whines to get more $$ than Myles Garrett, gets it and then has less than 1/3 of MG's production.  The $150m WR punches fans during games, gets suspended then has a big drop in the playoffs.  I have been a fan for 50 years, but is this simply the most unlikeable collection of players the Steelers have ever had?
Brian Batko
1:55
No, not even close.
John S
1:56
Great pickup on Pittman Jr correct? seems to be just swap of late round pics, though hadn't heard exact yet
Brian Batko
1:56
Great is a strong word, but I do like it, John. Especially for this team and what they've lacked at wide receiver the past few years.
Henry Hill
1:56
Greetings Brian; be prepared for the inevitable 'Tua to the Steelers?' questions.
Brian Batko
1:56
Tua to the Falcons!
Brian
1:57
Surprised the Steelers didn't match or slightly outbid the Vikings for Pierre?   Or do you think he was ready to be out?
Brian Batko
1:59
Not particularly. I'm sure they liked the way he played last season when called upon at corner after years of special teams work, but I know Danny Smith was one of his biggest backers in the building and he's gone. He's getting a two-year deal, more money and, I assume, more guaranteed cash than Asante Samuel Jr. Also keep in mind that Pierre is going to Minnesota, where Brian Flores and Gerald Alexander are. Alexander was his DBs coach last season.
Steeltree
2:00
Hey Brian happy tampering day.  I know the steeler way is to sign FA who can adequately fill a need and or provide depth’ and to sign as many as possible cap space permitting but wouldn’t it be better to identify 1-3 positions to significantly upgrade by signing an ascending FA still in their mid twenties.
Brian Batko
2:02
I mean, that's also been something the Steelers have done over the years. Patrick Queen, James Daniels, Steven Nelson come to mind.
Wide Right
2:03
I have never understood the "legal tampering" nonsense. As quickly as deals were agreed to indicates conversations have been taking place before the official start. Make it make sense if you can.
Brian Batko
2:03
Nope, I cannot
Linus
2:04
What is your opinion of the Steelers new coaching staff and what grade would you give it on a scale of 1 to 10?
Brian Batko
2:05
I think it's good. Let's go 8/10
Entmd
2:06
Hi Bats, thanks for the chats! I guess signing Pittman makes WR a bit less pressing in the draft or would make DK expendable in a year or so depending on what talent is acquired by then. Do you think this move was to add insurance in case WR in draft doesn’t pan out or second guessing DK contract and looking for a way out after 2026?
Brian Batko
2:07
Yeah, in addition to just overall wanting/needing to upgrade that position. They went into last season with Roman Wilson and Calvin Austin III behind DK Metcalf thinking that'd be enough, and obviously it was not.
Mark C
2:07
Any chance the team tries to go after Kyler?
Brian Batko
2:08
Million dollar question there, Mark. And I say that, because it'll probably only take about a million dollars to sign him, thanks to all that money the Cardinals still owe him. He can basically pick the spot that makes the most sense for him. I don't know if there's mutual interest there or not.
62 Stack Monster
2:09
Do the Steelers still go WR in round 1?
Brian Batko
2:09
I think it's less likely now but still a possibility
dpreble001
2:09
Brian, I thought what Tampa paid Gainwell,we should have matched, your thoughts?
Brian Batko
2:11
Yeah I'm a bit surprised they didn't. But then they'd be paying him more than Jaylen Warren, whom they probably still view as their best running back. Then again, it's Kenny G who was voted team MVP last season. This might just be an indication of how Omar Khan and Co. view RB value. Same crew that didn't pick up the 5th-year option on Najee Harris. And they have a third-round pick in Kaleb Johnson waiting in the wings for a fresh start.
Dr. Metal
2:11
Hey BB, With Gainwell moving on.. Do you have any RB names you would like to see The Steelers bring in? i think Dowdle would be a slam-dunk!
Brian Batko
2:13
Rico Dowdle might get paid, though. Maybe Rachaad White, now that Gainwell is taking his place in Tampa. One of the many positives of Jaylen Warren is that you can kinda go any direction to complement him. If you bring in a back similar to Gainwell, that makes sense. If you bring in more of a thumper, I very much trust Warren on third-downs and as a pass-catcher himself.
TVC15
2:15
Are you as underhwlemed as me about the McCarthy hire? It is like if the Penguins fired Sullivan and instead of Muse hired John Tottorella.
Brian Batko
2:16
I think he put together a pretty good staff, from what I can tell.
Wayward
2:16
Bats, thanks for the chat.  Do you like the Pittman deal (hard not to) and how does that effect the draft?   WR can now be a day 2 guy.
Brian Batko
2:17
Yeah, I think if you don't get one of the top two or three guys there, now you don't have to talk yourself into reaching for the next tier of WRs.
Doyle37
2:17
Picking up Pittman should let the steelers select the best player available rather than be locked into picking a WR. Is this the plan ?
Brian Batko
2:18
Bingo. Give yourself peace of mind to make sure you take the best player available (within reason).
KordellTolls
2:18
Bats even with two legit WRs the Steelers won't go anywhere with Aaron and his quick 2 yard passes. Any chance Kyler Murray or someone younger than 43 will sign with the Steelers?
Brian Batko
2:18
Hey now, Aaron is only 42.
rick51244
2:19
Who do you think won the Raider Raven trade?
Brian Batko
2:20
Honestly, I feel like it was a great move for both sides given where they are as franchises. Not to cop out on the question, but I do. Especially now that the Raiders are giving a HUGE deal to Tyler Linderbaum. They need that kind of center for Fernando Mendoza more than they need a disgruntled edge rusher. But the Ravens need a dominant force up front.
Chris
2:21
Do you know if the Steelers are interested in any other wide receivers and/or if they want to make more trades?
Brian Batko
2:23
You never know. To me it would make more sense to add via the draft now, but if there's a guy they like at the right price, they could. For years now I've been saying they need to get a little more size at the position. Now that they have, they could use someone who's more of a get-open-in-a-phone-booth kinda player, or a playmaker after the catch, or both. What's Diontae Johnson up to?
Realist
2:23
With the acquisition of Pittman, do you see a reduced chance of taking a WR in the first round and taking either a S, CB, DL, or ILB instead?
Brian Batko
2:24
Probably not ILB. But OL wouldn't surprise me, particularly a guard.
Well, I guess I might be a bit surprised. I should say it wouldn't shock me. Or ... ya know ... QB?
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