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Brian Batko's Steelers chat: 07.15.24
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Brian Batko
1:59
Hi everyone, still a pretty down time in the NFL calendar but we're here to chat Steelers nonetheless. Training camp begins next week. The news this morning was that the Steelers will hold a joint practice with the Bills in mid-August, too.
Billy
2:00
Do you think that there is any chance the Steelers might trade for DK Metcalf?
Brian Batko
2:00
Sure. I don't speak in absolutes. Never say never. But I wouldn't wager much on it.
Vincent LaGuardia Gambini
2:01
Do you think the Steelers will give Fautanu a fair chance to beat out Dan Moore at RT, or do you believe they are so averse to starting a rookie at tackle (Jones last year) that we have to bare witness to another year of Moore?
Brian Batko
2:02
Yes, I still think Troy Fautanu will be a Week 1 starter. But they aren't competing to be the RT. Dan Moore almost certainly isn't going to play there, maybe not even practice there. So Fautanu has to be better at RT than Moore is at LT.
CoalportKid
2:03
Why is there such a spread in when training camps open given that the number of practices is so highly regulated?
Brian Batko
2:05
Some teams opt to have their rookies come in early than the rest. Others get an earlier start because they're playing earlier in the NFL schedule, some of the first games of the preseason and regular season.
TVC15
2:05
In December the Steelers play Bengals / Browns / Eagles / Ravens / Chiefs and then the Bengals in January. Could the Steelers go 0-6 on "Hard Knocks?"
Brian Batko
2:05
They could. But probably won't.
Yogi in Jersey
2:06
Was Diontae Johnson really that bad of a guy or that much of a problem? Do you think that knowing how the position group looks going into camp they would still pull the trigger on that deal?
Brian Batko
2:08
I do. And it's not necessarily that he was "that bad of a guy" but I just think the situation became untenable because of his contract, the team's disappointment in his progression and, yes, some of those problems that went on last season. Sure, they didn't know exactly how the receiver position would play out in the draft, but it's not as if there's been some wildly unexpected development like an injury, suspension, etc.
Speller
2:08
Remember it Steelers fans: Russell is how you spell Wilson’s first name and Andy’s last name.  Not hard to remember.
Brian Batko
2:08
Thanks, Speler
Yuri
2:09
Hello Brian. Any word on when the Steelers will announce their radio play by play announcer? Any idea who the leading candidates are?  Thank you Brian.
Brian Batko
2:11
Well I'd think it'll have to be somewhat soon given that the first preseason game is in 25 days. Rob King has been filling a lot of the roles internally that Bill Hillgrove used to when it comes to interviews, et al.
the real guest
2:11
Brian, I think the Steelers power rating of 15 is absolutely accurate. At 15 they are the best of a bad lot (i.e. the 18 non playoff teams). In my opinion there is no better way to describe what the standard has become under Art and Mike than....Best of a Bad Lot. I think they have a good shot at maintaining that standard this season. Be still my heart. What say you?
Brian Batko
2:12
Yeah, I'm on record as saying I'm in "believe it when I see it" mode with the Steelers at this point. And that goes both ways. I'm not going to project much of a step up or much of a step back until then. Not because I'm afraid of being wrong but because it's been such a long stretch of consistency in that range of outcomes.
Fab
2:13
Are Loudermilk and Leal both gone, either after Training Camp, or after the season, if they can’t provide quality depth on the DL.
Brian Batko
2:15
Given the signing of veteran Dean Lowry and drafting of rookie Logan Lee, I'd put both in the category of no longer being on scholarship, if you will. They can't feel particularly safe.
Braxton Nights
2:16
With Sutton now out of equation for the start of the season, are the Steelers better off at slot corner than they were in 2023? Felt rough going into last year with Sullivan/Riley, but somehow feels worse heading into 2024.
Brian Batko
2:18
On paper, probably not. But it's becoming a trend that the Steelers simply don't devote much resources at slot corner, be it salary cap space or draft capital. That's not to say it's an insignificant position - it's a starting spot in today's game - but my sense is their philosophy is that it doesn't take a particularly special set of skills or measurables to excel there within their scheme.
Jana
2:18
Will Cory Truce be a full go first day of camp ??
Brian Batko
2:19
That's a reasonable expectation given the timeline and the latest update(s) from Mike Tomlin, yes
Rocky,
2:19
Thanks Bats for doing these chats!  Do you think the Steelers will be giving Cam Hayward a new contract before the season starts?
Brian Batko
2:20
You're welcome, Rock. Based on their most recent economical decisions since Omar Khan took over, my guess is no, but I do think it could go either way because of everything he means to the franchise and everything Pittsburgh means to him.
steelerguy622
2:21
Hi Brian! If we miss the playoffs or go one and done in the wild card do you believe its time to move on from Tomlin? I was very confused why the Steelers resigned him with consistent years of mediocrity even when talent has been there. (Last playoff win in 2017)
Brian Batko
2:23
As I usually answer these kind of questions, it depends on how they arrive at that destination. Just giving me a final record, or in this case a postseason result, doesn't contain the nuance that a real season would.
Joe Friday
2:23
Hi Brian - Given the Sutton news, what is your sense for how the Steelers will approach the CB position?
Brian Batko
2:25
Beanie Bishop and Josiah Scott are the primary competitors at the moment. If they don't get creative with any other internal options, I wouldn't rule out signing a free agent before or early in training camp. And I suppose Chandon Sullivan would be the leading candidate, thanks to being here last season.
Roberto Z
2:25
Hi Brian, In the NFL draft, teams consider future year picks to be a lower value than the current year. For example, pick 1 in the 1st round is worth more than the same pick next year. Why don’t the Pirates look at the draft the same way? I would think a team should lower the value of a high school player by a round or so because it will take him at least two additional years to develop. No?
Brian Batko
2:27
I'm no MLB draft expert, but I think teams do take that into account. Didn't the Pirates take the first high school prospect at No. 9 last night?
Natzey
2:28
Appreciate the work of you and your colleagues. Do you remember a time when the Steelers went out of their way to create a lot of cap room and not sign anyone?
Brian Batko
2:29
Not off the top of my head, but they do also like to keep a buffer to make moves in-season. Omar Khan has only been running the show for a couple offseasons now.
Sunner in Orlando from Lebo
2:30
How much of an upgrade to you see in the Steelers QB room from last year? I believe the expectations are too high. I know Wilson will start but will they use Fields in a slash role, or will he be a bench warmer until Wilson screws up or is injured?
Brian Batko
2:32
I was lukewarm about Russell Wilson as a QB option this offseason and I'm not gonna change my tune simply because the Steelers signed him and he threw some nice balls in OTAs/minicamp. Is it an upgrade? Probably. Enough to make a move on the rest of the QB-laden AFC? Not going there just yet.
Gene
2:32
Since Darnell Washington is more of a blocking TE do you think they add an extra TE to the final 53.
Brian Batko
2:33
Veteran MyCole Pruitt, who has plenty of experience with Arthur Smith, has a chance. But if you keep four TEs, you're costing yourself a spot somewhere else on the roster.
Jim_Bow_Dean
2:34
Does Sutton have to be on the initial 53?
Brian Batko
2:35
As I understand it, no, he'll be moved to the suspended list when the Steelers cut to 53.
7 year drought
2:35
Brian, How would you rank the top 7 teams in the AFC for 2024?
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