Brian Batko: Hey everyone, thanks for stopping by the chat. Steelers-49ers is still 13 days away, but that won't stop us from talking.
Sunner in Orlando from Lebo: Hi Brian thanks for the chats! With the trade of Dotson, does Mccollum or Green make the team?
Brian Batko: I actually think Ryan McCollum is a more reliable center option than Kendrick Green at this point. But it's possible neither one makes it. Nate Herbig is getting healthier and Spencer Anderson could play C in a pinch.
VaSteelersFan: Brian, were you surprised by the Tanner Muse cut? Did he not offer more special teams upside than Kwiotosky?
Brian Batko: No, not surprise, but I figured he was squarely on the bubble. Could've gone either way. So in that sense, I at least expected him to make it to the final wave of cuts, if you will. And Nick Kwiatkoski isn't assured of a spot, either. Depends if they want to keep 5 ILBs or use that 5th spot somewhere else, such as WR, TE, DL or S.
42211: Could the Steelers view Mark Robinson as an emergency RB? Just curious with his background
Brian Batko: Not at this point. He's got enough to learn at ILB before he worries about maybe pulling double duty.
Pistol33: What are the chances they add C and CB depth this week? I cant think in good conscious they are comfortable being one snap away from KG playing.
Brian Batko: There's a chance, especially at CB. James Pierre hasn't had a particularly encouraging preseason and there's no one really pushing behind him on the outside. As for C, again, Nate Herbig is capable. But I wouldn't be shocked if they want someone with a bit more NFL experience there.
Se7en: what do you think about the Trey Lance trade?
Brian Batko: Not sure what to make of it, other than the 49ers had a guy who was tough to move, and the Cowboys figured there was some upside there. I don't view it as a bad deal for either side. Clearly, his time in SF had run its course. The pick and the trade to get the pick were abject failures. There's no way around that. But at this point, it seemed like the time was right to cut their losses and move on.
Tampa too: Brian. Do you know the average roster turnover percentage of an NFL team each year? Is a 20% 30%? Just curious.
Brian Batko: From a quick Google, it's about 44%, according to OverTheCap.com. That's a reliable site for NFL facts and figures. I'd estimate that the Steelers will have about two-thirds of their roster back from last year.
OLine: Hey Brian. I liked Dotson but I see why the trade was made due to his lack of position flexibility. The only way I don't see the trade being good is if it results in Green making the team. Then we basically weakened the 2023 depth. Do you think there is a chance this happens?
Brian Batko: There's a chance, sure. But yeah, the Steelers basically decided it was worth incurring a little bit of a hit to their depth in order to unload a guy who was probably close to not being on the team at all.
Madinsomniac: What is the most likely result from the release of Tanner Muse
Brian Batko: My guess is an extra DB who can play special teams. Say Tre Norwood.
Yogi: Trenton Thompson is my guy. He's a hitter, he recovers well after a mistake and I thought his INT in the TB game was NFL legit. Has he been getting work on special teams? Any chance of him being the sleeper on the 53?
Brian Batko: He has been an eye-opener a little bit since he got here mid-stream in camp. I'm surprised Kenny Robinson is gone and Trenton Thompson is still here. Makes me think he does have an outside chance. Only 3 special teams snaps in the last game, but he has a bit of NFL experience in that realm.
Bossman: Hi Brian. Any other trade chatter that you’re aware of taking place?
Brian Batko: Nope, but Omar Khan has not been shy about wheeling and dealing. They made two trades last year on cut-down day, bringing in Malik Reed and Jesse Davis. So I guess I'd say it's worth staying tuned.
Kahn Artist: I keep seeing predictions that our 1 true run stuffing NT isn't going to make the cut...what is it they see in Adams, and what is really the upside of keeping him?
Brian Batko: Obviously, you're speaking of Breiden Fehoko. And I like Fehoko, specifically for the run-stopping you mention. But the reason you're seeing those predictions is not what the Steelers have told us about Fehoko. It's what they've actually done with Fehoko. As in, they really haven't given him much of a look at all with the starting defense. They had all camp to do it, and yet it was Montravius Adams in there.
Dave B: So has Kenny booked his Air BNB in Vegas yet?
Brian Batko: You mean for Week 3? I can only assume he'll be at the team hotel.
Steelers Way: Is this the year we finally get back to having a good culture on the team? The past decade has been filled with selfish players and poor attitudes (AB, Bell, JuJu, Bryant, Blount, Ingram, etc.). I feel this is the biggest reason we have not had championship quality teams for so long. This team seems different with attitude and team first mentality.
Brian Batko: What was the issue last year? Or who was the issue? Attitudes, cultures and team-first mentality always seem better when the players are talented, the coaches are good and the team is winning.
Eternal Steeler Optimist: Hi Brian, an AFC North title, and Super Bowl win are just about a sure thing this year, aren't they? I mean, looks like the defense and offense will both be top 3 in the NFL this year, doesn't it? ESO
Brian Batko: I will say your chat moniker is quite fitting.
CoalportKid: RE the Dotson trade. Why did he have such a high base salary. A 4th rounder, his salary was $2.7M (per OTC). That was his last year on his 4 year rookie contract. Kendrick Green's last year is $1.3M and he was a 3rd rounder and drafted a year later. Even Kenny Pickett's 4th year salary is lower than Dotson's ($2.6M) and that isn't until 2025. Why was Dotson in line to make so much?
Brian Batko: The NFL has a system called Performance Based Pay (PBP) to reward players who basically are helping their teams much more than you'd expect from a guy at their salary. Dotson got himself a $746,000 boost by not missing a snap last year.
Steeler Joe: Exactly how will the coaching staff deal with a 17-day layoff before the start of the season? How do they keep any momentum heading into the first game? It feels like a terrible development for a team that played so well in three preseason games. They can just go cold again.
Brian Batko: It's what every team is dealing with, but I see your point that they were clicking particularly well in preseason. They'll treat it like a bye week and then have some extra time to prep for the 49ers. It is weird, though. I'd be all for the NFL pushing back the entire regular season schedule next year.
NobodyPutsGlennInTheCorner: BB - Thanks for the chats! We all know about how big of an impact the stars can be. What do you think about the depth of this team. For me the competitive nature will help and make a huge impact on small things like presnap penalties on Teams.
Brian Batko: Yes, they should be able to come at offenses in waves on the defensive line, the linebacker corps, the pass rushers. Calvin Austin gives them a different dimension than they've had offensively, too. But it always sounds good on paper.
Mark: What reasonable, cautious, preliminary conclusions might you draw regarding Canada with what's been seen thus far?
Brian Batko: Most coaches at this level are only as smart as their players are good. I never thought Matt Canada forgot how offensive football is played. Did he not do a great job adjusting to what he had? You could make that point. Has he been able to stay a step ahead of opposing NFL defensive coordinators? I'd say not enough. He still has a lot to prove this season, and shouldn't just have a clean slate, but so far, so good.
Mike P.: I know many people are down on Dotson, and he gets called for more penalties than he should, but he's a quality backup. Do you think the Steelers may end up regretting this one down the road?
Brian Batko: Only if there's an injury to James Daniels or Isaac Seumalo. Even then, I think Nate Herbig was brought in to be the top backup at all 3 interior OL spots, but I haven't been especially impressed with Herbig to this point. So, yeah, if one of the starters goes down and if Herbig struggles in his place, I suppose there could be some seller's remorse.
Bill in SF: Since coaches and players (and probably the CBA) discourage full contact during in-season practices, how does the coaching staff keep the players sharp as they've been over this ridiculous 17 day break?
Brian Batko: They'll do their best, but there's no guarantee they will be sharp. The lack of padded practices really is a challenge, and some NFL people believe that teams have gone too far in the other direction of keeping players safe but not preparing them for the physical rigors of the real thing. But the Steelers coaches will try to keep sharpening technique, scheme, assignments, and the conditioning aspect in hopes of being ready to roll Week 1.
STEEL72: Bats, I was quite surprised to see Simmons go to NY for a 7th. I really wanted the Steelers to add him and it seemed for a while they were possible suitors. Do you have any info about how this all shook out?
Brian Batko: I don't know if the Steelers had interest in Isaiah Simmons. They tend to like versatile, hybrid linebackers/safeties with his body type, and we know they've never been one to turn their back on a first-round pedigree, especially on defense. My guess is they just feel like they already have some players like him on the roster who they're comfortable with, and maybe Simmons' standing isn't all that high among NFL talent evaluators who scour the film. After all, he still got traded for a 7th.
Lou: Hey Brian! Does Calvin Austin have what it takes to be another Devin Hester (sp?)from the Bears? RE Punt Return Master!
Brian Batko: You spelled it right. But no, I'm not putting Calvin Austin anywhere close to that territory. He's looked shifty in the preseason on punt returns, but we might never see another Devin Hester.
James from CA: In your opinion, who does the team keep on the practice squad that don't make the 53?
Brian Batko: Depends who clears waivers. But I like what I've seen from Dez Fitzpatrick at WR. Zach Gentry at TE if he doesn't make it, although Rodney Williams is a nice player too. Maybe Dylan Cook and Ryan McCollum on the OL. On defense, David Perales, Luq Barcoo are a couple names. And just about anyone who doesn't make the team at DL.
John: Will the Steelers win a playoff game this year? Yes or no?
Brian Batko: I don't know.
John: Follow up question: When will the Steelers in their next playoff game? This season? 2024? 2025? Before 2030?
Brian Batko: Before 2030 seems like a safe bet.
Z: Do you see Rudolph being traded before the NFL’s deadline?
Brian Batko: Nah. NFL teams clearly don't have a huge appetite for Mason Rudolph, as proven last year at the trade deadline and this year in free agency.
Brian Batko: That said, if the Steelers could get anything for him, I'm sure they'd take it.
CJ: Brian why don’t more defensive backs look back for the football on deep sideline routes so they can make a play on the ball rather than pass interference
Brian Batko: They don't wanna get beat. Better to get called for a flag than give up an easy touchdown, right?
Doyle37: Over/under per game for jet sweeps by Austin ?
Brian Batko: Vegas has it at 1.5
Dave from Dovuh: A 'meta question' on chat sessions: Do the chat questions get better as we get closer to the start of the season?
Brian Batko: Allow me to channel my inner Mike Tomlin for this answer: I don't know that I've thought about it from that perspective.
Laura: Doesn't it make more sense to release players today if you hope/intend to resign them (perhaps after 1-2 end up on IR)? Have to go 24h on waiver wire, seems better to do today when all teams are focusing on cuts, rather than tomorrow when everyone is searching for depth to add.
Brian Batko: I don't think that's a factor. Teams have enough scouts and player personnel execs to worry about their own cuts and see what's going on around the league. Plus, it's not like the players cut so far are guys who were viewed as realistic candidates to make the team. In fact, of the almost-20 who are gone, I'd say only two - Tanner Muse and Kenny Robinson - were even close.
Weegie: What are we to make of using Heyward as a running back against Atlanta ?
Brian Batko: The more you can do.
Brian Batko: OK everyone, we're all out of time. Thanks for chatting. If you enjoy these and all our other work at the P-G, please consider subscribing. Steelers season is almost here and if you sign up now, you can get unlimited access for 3 months for a very low price https://t.co/doXkPyWt3h
First Published: August 28, 2023, 4:00 p.m.
