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Brian Batko's Steelers chat: 03.14.22
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Brian Batko
2:01
Hi everyone. Steelers have a new QB, Mitch Trubisky, and it's an interesting addition but is it a good one? Let's discuss.
Jay
2:02
Hello Brian.  Always enjoyed podcast with Ray.  I thought OL is bigger need than QB, and Indy is a much better place for FA QB than Pit.
Brian Batko
2:04
Thanks, Jay. I'm not sure I'd call OL a "bigger need" than QB, but I think it's a more realistic position you can upgrade this offseason, if that makes sense. As for Indy being a better place for a Mitch Trubisky type, it's been rumored that New York Giants were also an option, and he picked Pittsburgh. He's from Cleveland and is expecting a child with his wife soon, so perhaps proximity to family was a consideration there.
SW Steel
2:06
As long as we didn't give up the farm, I'm okay with the Trubisky move.  Allows Pitt to focus on OL & DL in the draft.  Please grace us with your two cents, wise Mr. Batko.
Brian Batko
2:08
That's what I'm here to do. If you want to talk yourself into Trubisky, you tell yourself he was really good in college, then got screwed up by bad coaching/bad development in Chicago, then got to figure things out in a better situation with no pressure last year in Buffalo. If you want to talk yourself out of Trubisky, he had one good year at UNC, stunk it up with the Bears enough that they gave up on a former No. 2 overall pick, and didn't do much of anything last season to improve his stock. I probably lean toward the latter, but hey, I can see what the Steelers see in him.
Ron
2:10
Hi BB...What do you think of the Trubisky signing?  How do you see it playing out?
Brian Batko
2:11
I certainly don't see him coming here to back up Mason Rudolph or Dwayne Haskins. We'll have a better idea of how the Steelers view it when contract terms come out, but this strikes me as a rough day for the returning QBs on the roster. Although, if Bears Trubisky is the Real Trubisky, perhaps he doesn't win the job or eventually loses it the way he did in Chicago.
Jon in Oregon
2:11
The Trubisky signing is smart.  They can still sign a QB at 20 or later if they like one and they've got Rudolph, a strong backup, who could also be traded.  Trubisky could turn out to be a fine reclamation project.  They have opened up their options.  What do you think?
Brian Batko
2:13
Sure, they could still draft one, but I do think this lessens that chance. Unless they're just completely over the Rudolph/Haskins experiment, it would be a crowded room to also add a rookie, especially a first-round investment. I tend to think they'll keep Rudolph around - there's no guarantee anyone would even want to trade for him now - but this is the same team that unexpectedly cut Landry Jones not too long ago.
Enzo the Baker
2:15
Now that we have signed Trubisky, does this open the possibility of OLine in 1st round. Possibly best Tackle available after signing James Daniel or vice versa after signing Morgan Moses (or whoever). I think they are bent on making Green workout at Center, no matter what outside sources think. Moore, Dotson, Green, Daniels, Penning sounds good to me. What say you bro......
Brian Batko
2:17
Yep, the other side of the coin to me is that if first-round QB is less likely, OL (and DL and WR and maybe even SS) becomes more likely. As I said on last week's Pod of Steel with Ray Fittipaldo, the best recipe is to add a veteran starter and draft a guy who can step in right away.
Mike from D.C.
2:18
Hey Brian, I was at the NFL draft in Philly when Trubisky was picked. They announced over the speakers that his nickname in college was “Mr. Biscuit” Do you think Steelers nation can revive this nickname?
Brian Batko
2:20
I don't know if we have enough good biscuit places here in Pittsburgh. Maybe an enterprising local spot can tackle this with Trubisky as a spokesperson.
Scuba Steve
2:21
Showing zero confidence in his ability to be a starting QB...do the Steelers make Rudolph a cap casualty sooner or later?
Brian Batko
2:22
Would save them $3 million and keep $1 million around in dead money if they do so. I don't think they'll do that to him, but maybe I'm just reading too much into Art Rooney II and Kevin Colbert's public endorsements of him this offseason.
Lou
2:23
Any scoop on bringing in a capable FA backup RB so Harris gets some help?
Brian Batko
2:24
Eh, Benny Snell and Anthony McFarland are still here and on rookie deals. For what the Steelers ask out of Najee's backup, I think those guys are ... fine. Honestly, you can probably even bring in an undrafted back to compete with those two.
Guest
2:25
What do you think about them picking up someone like Cordarrelle Patterson? Hopefully won't cost much and might fit in Canada's motion heavy offense... that we have yet to see.  Also would vastly improve our return game. Thoughts?
Brian Batko
2:26
I seem to remember the Steelers liking him back in the pre-draft process, but he just turned 30 and never did a whole lot until this past season in Arthur Smith's offense. That idea doesn't do a lot for me. How about a rookie who's a good fit in Matt Canada's offense?
Buster
2:27
Did Brady just brighten Ben’s big day?
Brian Batko
2:28
Deep down I have to assume it's nice to no longer share a Hall of Fame ceremony with the GOAT. Even if Roethlisberger would prefer to stay out of the limelight in retirement, I kinda feel bad for anyone who will be inducted in the same class as Tom Brady.
505Mark
2:29
Hi BB. Can you rejoice with me in knowing that we can try to read about Steelers without th QB situation now? Headlines were getting so bad they turned into click bate.
Brian Batko
2:32
Oh, that won't stop. Now it'll just include Trubisky in the equation. You can rule out the likes of Jimmy Garoppolo, Jameis Winston, et al now, but the possibility of the Steelers drafting one, and high, can't be ruled out.
DJ
2:32
If Green can't play center, his only other potential position might be FB.  Seems he might be athletic enough and have the right demeanor to do it as a Pat Ricard style player.  And far cheaper than D Watt...    Crazy idea or reasonable backup plan if he can't play C?  (not that the Steelers would do it and/or cut Watt...)
Brian Batko
2:33
Crazy idea, DJ. But you're the first person I've seen suggest Kendrick Green move to fullback, so I do appreciate that.
Fort Wayne Nate
2:34
So with Jenson out of the picture after re-signing with TOMpa Bay.  Do you think Bradley Bozeman of the Ravens would be a decent addition? I don't think he'd be a costly as Jensen and I like his size over Jensen and Kendrick Green.
Brian Batko
2:35
Sure, but I think they'd rather spend at T or G. I just don't believe they're ready to throw in the towel yet on Green.
Killerbee
2:36
Like the Mitch signing, upgrade over what they have, allows them to build the roster in the draft and be competitive this year. A short prove it to us contract with nothing but upside, this should simplify the draft, agreed ?
Brian Batko
2:37
Let's wait to see how much cash that contract entails. I'm not really a Rudolph defender or whatever, but are we SURE this is an upgrade?
Guest
2:38
Do you think Front Office will sign a starting CB like Carlton Davis, Darious Williams, JC Jackson, or Donte Jackson
Brian Batko
2:38
No, I see them bringing back Ahkello Witherspoon to start opposite Cam Sutton on the outside, and supplementing with either a rookie or second-tier FA.
Alex B
2:39
The Steelers need to upgrade both lines but also what I don’t hear enough about is the secondary, with the Steelers draft record on cornerbacks shouldn’t that be a high priority on free agency?
Brian Batko
2:41
Depends what happens with Joe Haden and Witherspoon, as well as Terrell Edmunds. You probably have to bring in a free agent to stabilize things to some degree, but there are intriguing options in this draft class at safety if you need a new starter there. Miles Killebrew was just re-signed to be the backup (plus special teams beast) and he's a vet.
Kris in Austin
2:41
What value does MR have on the trade market given the lack of other good options at qb available? A 5th worth it to clear him off the books or is it better to have MR/Haskins as QB 2/3.5?
Brian Batko
2:43
Well, let's see, his team just signed Mitch Trubisky to compete with him, if not outright take his job. That doesn't exactly pump up the value for him around the league, right? I would take a fifth-round pick for him in a New York minute, which is a phrase I don't really understand. Not sure which GM would want to trade a fifth for someone who was benched for Duck Hodges last time he had a starting opportunity.
3riversoflove
2:44
If Mason is Neil O'Donnel, who is Mitch?
Brian Batko
2:46
Jeff George?
JerseySteel
2:47
Hi Brian - will the complaining about Rudolph stop now? Will it begin about Mitchell now?
Brian Batko
2:48
Obviously, these two immediately become competitors, but they certainly can bond over the endless scrutiny that comes with being an NFL quarterback. I wonder if Rudolph will just point him to the playbook.
Jack Splat
2:48
Hi, Brian I think Trubisky can be an upgrade over what the Steelers had at QB - based on his contract.  Trubisky is an upgrade over Rudulph but is he an $8 million upgrade (or whatever the amount the contract is) over Rudolph?
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