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Brian Batko's Steelers chat: 07.14.25
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Brian Batko
2:00
Hey everybody, I'm back from vacation and it's now full speed ahead to training camp next week. Players report Wednesday. What's on your mind?
The Truth
2:01
I've never been less excited for a Steelers season. My opinion is that the team is largely the same as last year, they just swapped a few faces. No team in recent memory has ever screamed 10-7 or 9-8 prior to the start of the year. It seems like they'll just be good enough to make a wildcard spot and get steamrolled by an actual contender. What is there to look forward to?
Brian Batko
2:02
I mean, I hear you, but you gotta have hope right? As a fan, even if the objective part of you is feeling like 10-7 or 9-8 is the most likely outcome, that doesn't mean you can't have that thought in the back of your mind that Aaron Rodgers finds the fountain of ayahuasca youth, young players make the leap, etc.
PghFninCali
2:02
Hi Brian Coming to PGH for our first training camp. What are the best things to watch at Steelers camp? Im looking forward to seeing Will Howard and how the offense looks with Rogers.
Brian Batko
2:04
A lot of the 1-on-1 drills are arguably more exciting than full 11-on-11 action. It's almost gladiatorial to watch a linebacker try to tee off on a running back who's determined to not give up any ground. And the WR-vs-CB go-balls should be particularly fun to watch this year, too, with DK Metcalf against Joey Porter Jr., Darius Slay, Jalen Ramsey.
Paul
2:05
How confident are you with their current WRs, and who would you add, assuming you feel they need more?
Brian Batko
2:07
I actually feel better about them with the addition of Jonnu Smith. Obviously, he's not a "wide receiver" but I believe his presence as a pass-catching tight end will actually lessen the production needed from the WRs. If I were to add someone, I'd want it to be a bigger body who can line up on the outside and probably bump Robert Woods.
Nate
2:08
Brian, thanks for the chats! Any reason, even going back to last season, that Amari Cooper's name hasn't been connected with the Steelers like other WRs? Dude goes about his business, has a good head on his shoulders, and seems like a good culture fit for a Mike Tomlin-coached team at an area of need.
Brian Batko
2:10
People who watched him a lot in Buffalo last year think he's washed. He's hit the dreaded post-30 age, too. Had drop issues, too, and that's not what you want out of a guy who's probably lost a step athletically as well.
Nothing But The Truth
2:11
Brian, Are there "really" any training camp battles for starting jobs? Tomlin seems to annoint his starters long before the first day of camp. Barring injury I beleive we can name the starters  right now.
Brian Batko
2:13
Are you related to The Truth? I suppose WR2 is a bit of a "battle" but Calvin Austin has the inside track there. Plus, formations are so multiple these days that it's more about competing for who's the "starter" if you actually start the game in that personnel grouping. So, perhaps it's between, say, Austin, Roman Wilson and Robert Woods for WR2 and WR3. Here's one under-the-radar one for you, though: Punter! Cam Johnston vs. Corliss Waitman.
Sam
2:14
How can people not appreciate that Mike Tomlin has never had a losing season, when the Pirates tank every year -- and are about to become a losing franchise?
Brian Batko
2:16
Super Bowl-or-bust mentality, I suppose. If you want to call that the S word - spoiled - you'll get as many critics as you get supporters. To be fair, though, I feel like there's a pocket of Steeler Nation that does appreciate that but also wants more out of the franchise. A playoff run here and there. Another realistic chance to hoist the Lombardi again. That's not too much to ask.
the real guest
2:17
Brian, For way too long the Steelers have been either the best team to not make the playoffs or the worst team to make the playoffs. I think that ends this year. Not saying they win the SB but, barring injuries, the improved DL will make the entire D better and the OL will gel and having a championship caliber QB will allow them to go deeper into the playoffs. Your thoughts?
Brian Batko
2:18
Not sure I agree. I'm still looking at the teams in this conference with 15, 8, 17 and 9 at QB. If they improve the cast around those guys, that could be the difference between winning it all and falling just short, reaching the Super Bowl or being a bridesmaid again, or simply eclipsing the Steelers and being one of the last four standing in the AFC. Tough mountain to climb on this side of the NFL.
George T
2:19
Hi Brian, the last few weeks I have watched a ton of old Steelers games highlight and see they tend to kick a ton of field goals and not a lot of touchdowns.  I hear all the time how at practice they do a lot of red zone work but do not see how it’s helping score more touchdowns.  Is this because the coaching staff knows they have Boswell and don’t want to take chances so to lose 3 points or they just don’t know how to use the personnel they have to score more touchdowns.
Brian Batko
2:22
They've had less-than-elite QB play. Think we can all agree on that. And having a lack of precision from your passer hurts even more when you get in close. That's actually one of the things that kept me believing in Justin Fields, to an extent. His first step is such a cheat code when you get to the red zone and especially inside the 10.
Bob
2:23
Have the odds gone up that Watt will be traded? He has little leverage and seems obscessed with making as much as the Browns foolishly gave Garrett. At 31 he is in decline.
Brian Batko
2:25
Wouldn't say they've gone up, but I guess they aren't getting any lower as long as every day passes and we get closer to Week 1 without an agreement.
Farmtastic
2:25
Brian, no questions here. Just wanted to say I appreciate you and your colleagues, particularly Mr. Carter for your chats and podcasts. They really help to scratch the proverbial itch that the rash of off-season moves has brought on.
Brian Batko
2:26
Hey, thanks friend. We'll continue to do that throughout the rest of this week and then finally, at long last, we'll be on the doorstep of real things happening again with the Steelers. Just imagine how boring this span would've been without the blockbuster trade.
TVC15
2:27
Hi Brian,  Jalen Ramsey seems to have worn out his welcome with the Dolphins and had become a troublemaker. Does the fact that Tomlin had dinner (one of his seemingly tens of thousands) with him 10 years ago make everything A-OK and Jalen will now toe the line?
Brian Batko
2:29
To me, the jury is out on how Jalen Ramsey will fit in with the locker room here. Not sure I'd call him a troublemaker but a healthy dose of skepticism is required when three teams now have decided it was best for them to trade him. I saw one of the longtime Dolphins beat writers call him a "mercenary." If that's the case, you have to wonder what will happen when things go wrong.
Ex Yunzer
2:30
Guess it's time for you and your associates to start bearing down for the long season ahead.  Hope you enjoyed some time off.  Question about how the Steelers' process works - how much does Coach T get involved in coaching the offense?  I know he came up as a defensive guy but is he in position group meetings (for instance O line) and giving them instruction on the field during practice?  Does he come up with the high level game plans and instruct A Smith to design the game plan based on that or does A Smith come up with the game plan and Tomlin reviews and tweaks it prior to installation for that week's game?
Brian Batko
2:33
Mike Tomlin has risen through the ranks as a defensive mind, but it's always worth noting he played offense himself in college as a wide receiver at William & Mary. He's not out of his depth for having conversations in those meeting rooms. Just from observing him over the years, I'd say he does naturally gravitate more toward barking things out at the defensive guys and having more high-level conversations with them, but he gets on the offense, too. And the specialists, too. As for his dynamics with the OC, I'd say it's more like delegating to make that guy the de-facto head coach of the offense. But Tomlin sets the agenda, as he'd say, and manages it more specifically when he deems necessary.
Greg
2:34
What did you make of the AR autograph non-singing incident? Do you think he'll be difficult from a media or PR perspective?
Brian Batko
2:37
To be honest, I'd heard someone mention it but just looked it up now and watched it. I really have no idea what to make of that. Strange interaction. Clearly, he's signing a ton of autographs and taking photos with people while that whole exchange was playing out. I don't think he'll be an issue for anyone inside the organization that way. As for us in the media, we'll see. Generally, a lot of players are fine to deal with when things are going good, not so genial when they're going poorly.
J. Jones
2:38
Will Mike Tomlin eventually realize that being so adamantly defensive minded he is having a stifling effect ot Author Smith at a time when most rules and spending favor offenses?
Brian Batko
2:39
Arthur Smith is a solid coordinator in my mind but not sure he'd be the best example for a head coach "stifling" his play-caller. He's probably one of the more conservative/throwback ones going in today's NFL.
Jersey Danno
2:40
If you were GMBB and had a choice of Myles Garrett or TJ Watt, who would you take. I hate to blaspheme, but Garrett is capable of shutting down an offense pretty much by himself. Sorry but I'm on Team Myles.
Brian Batko
2:42
To me, those two are close enough in how they impact winning that I'd have some questions. What sort of defense are we running? I think TJ does what he does as an outside linebacker than Myles Garrett would. And Garrett does what he does as a down-lineman better than TJ would. All things being equal, I'd lean toward TJ for the splash play effect, but obviously he needs to get back to that quickly.
Jimmy
2:42
Hi Brian, is the ongoing negotiations with TJ hinderingthe Steelers from signing any more free agents?
Brian Batko
2:44
I doubt it. The front office has a good idea of whether they'll budge, if so, how much they'll budge, and what they'll be in a position to do regardless of the TJ outcome.
Life's Work
2:44
Hi Brian.  Hope you had a good weekend and thank you for doing these.  Fan and media opinions on the Steelers offseason are all over the place and getting worse because there's nothing much to write or talk about in this lull. They've been aggressive, which is what Kahn said he would be. Whether that aggressiveness was good, bad, or indifferent won't be know for several months. However, does any of it really matter if Jones, Seumalo, Frazier, McCormick, and Fautanu don't live up to billing/take a big step forward? Think they're the most critical link to success or failure of this team, even more than the QB1, WR, DL and secondary this year. If they have learned to pass protect and run block effectively, consistently, and in a manner that allows them to control the game, this is going to be a very productive season. If they only improve slightly over last season or reqress, it's another one and done or playoff miss.
Brian Batko
2:47
Whoa, that's an OL-sized chat question right there, pal. But you're right that the development of a bunch of guys who aren't necessarily new but also aren't necessarily established as a unit is going to be key for this season. And the frustrating aspect of it is that while we'll keep an eye on the offensive line in camp, it'll be tough to actually evaluate their progress until the preseason games begin.
Big_Bri
2:47
I cannot think of a sport that has more variables than football, from body types, physical attributes, playing history, the list is endless. No human could keep up with it but this is child’s play for AI. Do you think the NFL should regulate AI when it comes to play calling and if they did how would they know if it was being used? I would think it’s already being used.
Brian Batko
2:47
Here, I asked AI and this is what I got back:

You're absolutely right — football is a hyper-variable sport. It's a living algorithm: 22 players on the field, each with unique attributes, intentions, and histories, reacting in real time to dynamic and often chaotic stimuli. That’s exactly why AI can thrive in analyzing it. But your point about whether the NFL should regulate AI in playcalling opens a very real and murky debate
Daniel
2:48
Hey Brian 1st time coming to training camp excited to see all the new players we acquired and rookies. Any spot nearby that you recommend post practice to stop and eat after also the % chance Jauan Jennings is there?
Brian Batko
2:50
Another first-time camper, that's cool. If you see me on the sideline, feel free to say hello. I won't accuse you of being an autograph hound! There are a bunch of places to go eat. Feel free to judge for yourself the age-old "best wings" debate between Sharky's and Dino's.
Oh, and I'll go 4% chance Jauan Jennings is there
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