Brian Batko: Good afternoon! OTAs and minicamp are in the rearview mirror. The next time the Steelers convene will be on report day in Latrobe for training camp. Come one, come all with your inquiries and comments
Tina: Good morning Brian. Any update on the Steelers possibly trading for Aiyuk or another receiver? I’m tired of hearing such a thing is imminent. Thanks.
Brian Batko: Was it ever considered imminent? I never got that sense, but certainly it's been bandied about for months at this point. Brandon Aiyuk went on social media and filmed himself telling someone the 49ers told HIM they don't want him back. So, make of that what you will. I don't know much about Aiyuk and have never interacted with him, but the way he's handling all this feels ... well, not great.
the real guest: Brian, Good to be part of the Bat Chat. When discussing MT's 3 yr extension you said, "these contracts are just paper agreements." Are you saying the Steelers aren't really obligated to pay MT XXmil of $$ until 2027. Are there conditions we don't about (such as a playoff win) that if not met would allow the Steelers to pull the plug next year?
Brian Batko: That's not what I meant at all. Actually, didn't I also write that I can't ever see the Steelers being the side to end it? My point was that if Mike Tomlin himself decides he's had enough at some point during this extension, then the term of it won't really matter that much. And I'm not suggesting that he's fading or fatigued. Just that every year he keeps the same job, the closer he gets to wanting a different job, based on the life expectancy of your average NFL coach.
JPinIndy: Good morning Bats! Now that this session of football in shorts is over, what Steelers storyline will hold your interest the most until training camp opens?
Brian Batko: Probably extension news with Pat Freiermuth and Cam Heyward, or lack thereof. Other than that, maybe WR watch?
Biggs from dormant: Do we have to settle for another blah season of Tomlin football for the next 3 years Will the Steelers ever win another playoff game under Tomlin?
Brian Batko: Four more seasons, which is what's on the books, is an eternity in the NFL and I could see it going either way. More than half the league has won a playoff game over the past four years. But the AFC gives me some pause. I might actually go no on this one.
Big Sid: C’mon, Bats - give us one more “Big” signing before we start the preseason!
Brian Batko: What do you want, a nose tackle or a new guard?
Gene: Any update on Cole Holcomb and do you think he will play this season?
Brian Batko: Mike Tomlin was asked if he anticipates everyone being healthy for training camp and he said yes, but I didn't necessarily take that as an update on the instant readiness at camp for Cole Holcomb, who declined to give me any sort of target date when I talked to him last month https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/steelers/2024/05/24/cole-holcomb-i...
Bulldog: Hi Bats. How was your weekend? Ray reported that Fields' issues were very evident at mini camp. MT has a long history of failures with trying to fix other teams former #1 draft pick busts. Seeing that Fields will become another one of these failures, would the Steelers have been better off with Pickett/Rudolph vs Wilson Fields?
Brian Batko: My weekend was great, thank you for asking Bulldog. While I agree with Ray, I'm not ready to say Justin Fields won't work out here. I would say the QB room is better now, and at the very least, it offers more upside, which is probably worth swinging for at this point for this franchise.
Zamo: Hey BB! I guess I’m beating a dead horse here but I still don’t see HOW the Steelers can be “all-in” for 2024 without having another 1-2 WR opposite Pickens. I know we want to control the line of scrimmage and have the running game be a priority. You cannot run without the threat of a passing game. I like Pickens and am so-so on MUTH just because I don’t trust him to stay healthy. If Pickens gets hurt, we’re toast. Even with a healthy Pickens, he will be doubled all the time. I sure hope we can land someone else and hoping that player is Sutton. Aiyuk/Deebo seems like a stretch. Thanks man.
Brian Batko: Hey Zamo, no problem. I think "all in" is a bit of an absolute that's never really true. A GM has to always have one eye on the future and long-term health of the roster in addition to trying to build a championship team in the moment. So I'd say that's part of the consideration for Omar Khan right now too. They might feel good enough with the WR corps as constructed to strike that proper balance, if that makes sense. But also won't stop listening if the right offer comes along.
Bern: What are your expectations for Wilson this season? I fear fans too optimistic, WR really hard position transition from college to NFL.
Brian Batko: I try not to overreact to football in shorts, but it's still worth evaluating what you see to some extent, otherwise they wouldn't do it. Frankly, Roman Wilson didn't look quite as ready to contribute as I expected. Maybe that's just a good reminder he's a rookie and most of them have growing pains. Doesn't mean he can't and won't get better in training camp now that he's seen the speed of the NFL game a little bit, gotten some hard coaching and perhaps some humbling experiences.
GP: Attention some Steelers fans: The starting QBs first name is Russell. Two Ls, not one.
Brian Batko: Good looking out, George
Brian: What has your impression of the qb’s during camp?
Brian Batko: Russell(two L's) looked better to me in that small sample size, controlled environment. But both guys, particularly Fields, play with an improvisational ability that's best displayed in game settings as opposed to practice. Should be a fun preseason.
TexanSteeler: Hi Brian, I think Cam should just concentrate on playing this season and then sit down with Rooney/Khan/Tomlin to discuss about next season. I don't know why he is so insistent on getting extended now. It's not like he needs money or security. What are your thoughts?
Brian Batko: Plenty of people in all walks of life don't need more money, or at least that's the perception from those around them. Doesn't mean they don't want more or feel they've earned more. It's a business both for him and for the team. But I think what's always worth remembering is that in a salary cap league, every dollar that goes to one guy is one less than can be allotted for the rest of the roster. That's the delicate line Cam is walking, beloved as he is.
Greg: A lot is being made of Cam Heywards comments and public postering about the extension. Lots have fans have seemed to turn on him some because of this and his injury. I feel like an extension will get done and it’s more about guaranteed money as opposed to anything else. What are your feeling on what he did and what his future looks like?
Brian Batko: To me, the whole purpose of this *posturing from Cam is basically, "Hey, I'm still damn good and I've been really damn good for a long time while doing everything right off the field, so don't just forget about me and stop talking about me being part of the future." I can understand that from his perspective. And I think plenty of fans would happily take money out of ownership's pocket and put it in Cam's if it were that simple. But again, that's not how it works in the NFL. Based on how the team coldly dealt with Kenny Pickett, Najee Harris, even Patrick Peterson, I'll stick with no extension, but of course Cam is in a different Steeler tier than any of those guys so I could see it going either way.
Tommy from Florida: Disregarding all the negative things we are hearing out of Chicago about Justin Fields, how much have you seen of him at practice and does he look like someone who we'll see under center as our starter for years to come? He seems to be a playmaker, but when I hear he's only able to get to his first read, it brings back memeries of #10. What are your thoughts? As far as the PGA, quick question...why wouldn't Mcllroy make it a point to shake Dechambea's hand. I also noticed that with the Celtics/Mavs rolling out of dodge? What happened to being a good sport?
Brian Batko: We've also heard positives on Fields out of Chicago, so I'm not too concerned about some of the negatives. As I said earlier, I'm not putting too much stock into OTAs and minicamp work, but I do see a guy who needs to get more comfortable reading NFL defenses and improve as a passer. Wasn't paying much attention to golf yesterday, as my fantasy teams completely blew up on Thursday, but does seem like Rory McIlroy compounded bad performance with worse sportsmanship.
AK: Are Steelers fans the only ones who expect 7th round picks to become starters, 3rd round compensatory picks to become all-pros, and that OTAs determine who makes the squad?
Brian Batko: Probably not. But it wouldn't hurt for a seventh-round pick to become a starter one of these years. Kelvin Beachum was a long time ago. It's not against the law to draft a good player in the seventh round.
George T: Hi Brian, All this talk about a #2 receiver is dumb for they have one in GP. They need a #1 receiver. So let’s get one.
Brian Batko: Whoa, hot take George T. I do not agree with your assessment of George P. To me he absolutely does have the talent to be a No. 1 WR. Just needs to keep his head on straight, continue maturing, keep the main thing the main thing (winning).
TVC15: In keeping Tomlin around for the next four years what makes Art II think he will improve on the LARGE sample size of three playoff wins in the past 13 years?
Brian Batko: That's a double-edged sword, because you could also argue that the regular season is actually a much larger sample size than win-or-go-home playoff games, though there have now been several the Steelers failed to show up until damn near the second half. Seems clear to me that Art Rooney II believes if they keep knocking on the door in the postseason, eventually they're gonna knock it down again.
Skip in the car: Given Mike Tomlin’s apparently unwavering support for Dan Moore, Jr., while everyone points out that this is Moore’s final season under contract, is it within the realm of possibility that Tomlin would advocate for Moore to be re-signed by the team after the season?
Brian Batko: Hi Skip. I'll use one of my go-to phrases here that everyone has a price. Obviously, there's a certain price point that if Dan Moore and his reps are willing to take it, the Steelers probably would do it, but odds of his self-worth matching their value are pretty low given the draft investments they've made.
Jana: I have read some good things about how much better Calvin Austin looks this year. Do you agree?
Brian Batko: Yeah I liked what I saw from Calvin Austin in OTAs and minicamp. Got open. Made plays. Took on some leadership as a 25-year-old third-year guy in an otherwise new-look group. He's an easy player to root for and I'd say he's trending in the right direction for now.
Jacob: BB, thank you. For everything. More likely in your eyes: an extension for Najee or trading for a WR2?
Brian Batko: Thank you too, Jacob, for being a friend. Good question. I'd go trade for a WR2.
Scuba Steve: What are the upsides of keeping a 35-year old defensive lineman often injured who clearly is is going out of his way to pull a James Harrison?
Brian Batko: Well, the obvious upside here is if that 35-year-old defensive lineman can get back to bull-rushing opposing guards onto their buttocks, batting down passes and crushing ball-carriers with regularity.
Lefty: Mike Tomlin has gone 11 of the past 13 seasons without a playoff win. If you owned the Steelers would you have given him a raise and a job through 2027?
Brian Batko: No, I probably would've offered a shorter extension and he could take it or leave it. Maybe one year plus a team option year. Personally, I think that still shows belief in him from the organization, but also the right amount of "impatience" to use that January buzz word from the president.
Ryan: good afternoon Brian Does Cam Heyward Sign a contract extension before training camp
Brian Batko: Perhaps!
Seven: Hey Brian, thanks for chatting. Since mini-camp is done, is this kind of a dead period for NFL transactions? Are a lot of the coaches and front office people taking a vacation now?
Brian Batko: Wouldn't call it a dead period, but yeah, it'll slow down quite a bit. And cue the huge Steelers trade in 3...2...1...
Frosty: Hey Bats, what's up with Jason Mackey joining the Steelers crew? Going to be a regular on the beat, or just keeping him busy?
Brian Batko: Jason's one of our columnists now so he'll be on plenty of Steelers, Pirates, Penguins and other stuff. He's certainly staying busy, Frosty, I assure you.
Doylestown Dewy: Yo Bats! Why does everyone trip on MT? When did winning football games not matter anymore? Ask the Browns organization. Ask Sean Payton, Mike McCarty, John/Jim Harbaugh, Sean McVay! Some of who have the exact number of rings MT has. I mean, isn’t it better going into every season we have a shot at a division, conference and league championship? Oppose to losing, tanking and pretty much not watching football on Sunday because your squad sucks! C’mon people get some perspective! Just root for your team, because it could be a whole lot worse. HERE WE GO STEELERS! HERE WE GO!
Brian Batko: OK, let's close the chat on this glass half-full note from Doylestown Dewy. Thank you for your unbridled optimism, DD. And that wonderful text chant as you dropped the mic. Couple programming notes: Ray Fittipaldo is off this week, so he will not be chatting tomorrow. I am off the following week, so won't be back next Monday. See you all soon.
First Published: June 17, 2024, 3:00 p.m.
