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Brian Batko's Steelers chat: 03.31.25
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Brian Batko
10:00
Hey everyone, hope you had a great weekend. Last day of March, so let's get to some Steelers chatter.
Chris Parker
10:01
Hi Brian - love the chats. Based on the recent article that Tomlin hasn’t put a deadline for Rodgers signing, what do you think that means? Are the Steelers willing to wait until after the draft to sign another veteran QB?
Brian Batko
10:02
Thanks, Chris. I think it means he's posturing a bit just to deflect from the outside concerns on that front. But I also feel like it could mean Aaron Rodgers is going to rappel from the rafters next week at PPG Paints Arena during the live Pat McAfee Show event to make his grand announcement.
Lou
10:03
Brian, do you think the Steelers might take that 460lb DT in the draft?
Brian Batko
10:04
Desmond Watson from Florida? Probably not but I hope so, Lou! He'd be fun to cover. As a writer, I'm all for unique stories and unique players. But given that Watson wasn't invited to the combine, I don't get the sense he appeals much to too many NFL teams.
RAM
10:06
Hey Batts! Are you as tired of the MT/ AR bromance as the rest of us? MT announced he’s not placing a deadline on signing Rodgers. 50/50 chance AR leaves MT standing at the alter. Can’t we just move on??? So embarrassing for the organization if you ask me.
Brian Batko
10:08
Yeah I'm pretty tired of it, RAM. And I certainly get that vibe from the fan base, as well. I've made the point various places that if this whole thing would've come together quickly - say, Friday of the first week of free agency, or even that weekend - then it's probably more palatable for a lot of folks. Less speculation about whether Aaron Rodgers is all-in, less time to get annoyed by his overwrought process, etc. To be clear, I don't begrudge him or anyone else for taking their time if they truly need to. That's his prerogative. But the Steelers aren't obligated to wait around on it.
Alan in Bama
10:09
Brian, seems like the salary cap directly or indirectly impacts most of the off season talk and action. Wouldn’t it make sense to cap each individual position rather than having QB and other positions dominate the entire team pot?
Brian Batko
10:10
Capping each position across the board? Not sure I've ever seen that suggestion. Now there has been the idea of capping certain spots - QB, RB, in particular - but to me that takes away from the various styles of roster construction, to say nothing of the logistics of that.
Josh
10:11
There is a lot of uptick recently as in reporting of the Steelers being interested in a possible 1st round wide receiver in the draft, do you think it's still DL first if someone they like is still there and the fall back option is WR?
Brian Batko
10:12
Yes, DL first but I wouldn't say WR is the fall back option. In my mind, WR in the first round only makes sense if the Steelers trade George Pickens or are committed to trading him.
Ann Sar Me
10:13
Happy Monday Brian. Hope you had a good weekend. Do you think the best strategy for the Steelers is to start the season with Pickens and Metcalf on the roster? Seems like a good option to me - you can trade Pickens at the deadline if the season is lost or hold on to him if its going well and get a comp pick when he leaves
Brian Batko
10:15
I did have a lovely weekend, thank you for asking. It's hard for me to answer that strategy without knowing where George's head is this offseason and after the DK Metcalf deal. Schematically, absolutely, that's a great strategy to have an absurdly talented wide receiver on each side of the field. But as we know, talent has never been the impediment for George contributing to the team. Decent chat username but Ann Sarmy would be even better.
Marvin P
10:15
Good morning Brian.  What percentage chance do you see the Steelers taking a quarterback in the first round next month?  They should focus on building the defensive line.
Brian Batko
10:17
Morning, Marvin. My very scientific calculations put the odds at 7.3%. They're doing their due diligence on the position much like 2022, making the rounds at pro days and the like. I hesitate to predict they'll make the same mistake they did in 2022 of overdrafting a QB, though. I do feel like they'll take a swing on someone in this class on day two or day three.
westCoast
10:17
Do the steelers realise that their bland, predictable D scheme is much bigger problem than personnel on that side of the football?
Brian Batko
10:17
To quote my pal Gerry Dulac: "I'll ask them"
James A from the
10:18
When will steelers writers stop answering questions about Rodgers and the waiting game?  Just forget about it and think of new questions such as this one:  Do you know if they have kicked the tires and talked to other QBs like Flacco and Wentz to gauge interest?  Do you think those QBs are waiting until summer to see what chips fall and go from there? I think the Steelers are going to go with DL first pick and a RB in the 3rd and the rest of the picks will be BPA.  I could see them taking McCord in the 4th or 5th rd but only if there isn't a BPA at the point of their selection.
Sorry for the multiple questions.  I have a class to teach in 10 minutes and didn't want to miss out on sending questions before the chat was over haha.  Cheers!
Brian Batko
10:20
We love teachers here in the chat. Thank you for what you do, James. I'm still not sure where you're from though. Anyway, I answer questions my readers have. It's not my place to gate-keep your interests. As for those other QBs you mentioned, we did discuss them on our latest North Shore Drive podcast, so trying to find new perspectives on this whole thing:
J D
10:21
Brian, do you think the Steelers will make a trade to get a round 2 selection?
Brian Batko
10:22
Maybe. But I don't think teams will be looking to move up in this draft, so I'd guess it's not gonna come in a trade down. Now if they want to send off George Pickens, perhaps you get a second for someone of his immense skill level from a team that believes in him as a true No. 1 and would be eager to extend him.
Mediocre Mikey
10:23
Is Mike Tomlin becoming more smug and arrogant as his playoff win drought gets longer? It seems like a defense mechanism at this point.
Brian Batko
10:23
No I wouldn't say that
mrbig
10:23
what is plan B if Rodgers retire? Mason is the starter?
Brian Batko
10:24
Yeah pretty clearly I'd say that's the route. Mike Tomlin said from Palm Beach they're comfortable with Mason Rudolph the player and the person, and that his caping to save the day late in 2023 showed them how capable he is and can be.
Bones
10:25
Good morning Bats. I'm concerned that our trenches are less than solid and we don't have a 2nd rounder this year. Your thoughts?
Brian Batko
10:27
Morning, Bones. It's always fair to be concerned about the trenches, particularly in the AFC North and particularly seeing how the Eagles dominated in the Super Bowl. But it's also fairly simple: The Steelers need to bank on their big-time investments at both OT spots for the line to take a leap this year.
Still City
10:27
At this point, it’s clear Aaron Rodgers isn’t excited to be a Steeler and would prefer the Vikings or other options. At what point do we move to sign a veteran free agent and cease this amateur hour flirtation?
Brian Batko
10:28
According to Tomlin, training camp is the line of demarcation. Not sure I fully buy that but he did say it. And I don't even look at it as an issue of Rodgers not having enough time to get up to speed with the playbook and bond with teammates and things of that nature. But it would just be a dysfunctional way to move through this process and begin that time in Latrobe.
DJ
10:29
What is the chance that Pickett, Rudolph, Fields, and Wilson will all start WK1 for their respective teams?
Brian Batko
10:30
Based on my very scientific calculations I'll say 27%. Justin Fields has pole position, per Jets GM Darren Mougey. Russell Wilson probably got some assurances from the G-Men. Those other two could go either way.
Seferg
10:31
How many rookies from this years draft (with position) need to contribute to the team this year for the Steelers to win a playoff game or two?
Brian Batko
10:33
Hmm. Let's go with two: RB and DL. The Steelers have decent/solid veteran options at all other spots.
Swannie88
10:34
Hello from China. The Steelers QB looks no better from this side of the Pacific. Are there really any new questions related to the Steelers to be asked at this point?  Thanks for your insights, Brian.
Brian Batko
10:34
China? Really? I'm skeptical on that one, but if so, thanks for staying up late for the chat. You could ask about Kirk Cousins, I guess.
Pittfan
10:34
Hi Brian. Is it possible the Steelers and Rodgers have a hand shake agreement? It is well known Rodgers doesn't like OTAs and it sounds like Tomlin is ok with that but training camp is required. Rodgers now knows the coaching staff and can study the playbook and work out on his own. And not being under contract doesn't look like he's getting special treatment.
Brian Batko
10:37
I suppose it's possible. Only a few people on earth would know if such an arrangement is in place. But Rodgers is also known for his detailed hand signals with receivers, needing to know where guys are going to be at all times so he can throw no-look passes, so forgive me if I suggest it couldn't hurt to be here for OTAs and minicamp (which is indeed mandatory).
Me
10:37
I am not too concerned about the O-line. Two rookies played pretty well. Great pick from last year. The oline was not as good at the end but how could they be. Rookies hit the wall then had to play 3 games in 11 days and played against a division foe, the AFC north champ and both super bowl teams. Maybe we are not as weak as we think in that trench?
Brian Batko
10:40
Yeah, Zach Frazier is not the issue at all. You know you've got a stud center for the foreseeable future. But it's somewhat of a leap of faith to project major improvement from Broderick Jones (switching sides), Troy Fautanu (missed a whole season almost with injury) and Mason McCormick (fourth-round pick). Even Isaac Seumalo had some rough moments last season.
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