Brian Batko's Steelers chat transcript: 08.01.24

Brian Batko / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Brian Batko: Hey everyone, I’ve got about a half hour before I need to walk from the Saint V media room to the practice field. Let’s chat a bit.

Luckypuck79: Do you think with the Roman Wilson injury Omar will look to get a big name receiver - does this increase the odds?
Brian Batko: Maybe ever so slightly but I didn’t get the sense they were banking on the rookie to be the No. 2 even pre-injury. I think it’s gonna be a role with sort of a committee approach. Unless they do trade for another big time guy of course.

AK: Saw on the chat yesterday that a fan thought the Steelers could get at least two second round picks for Heyward. Who’s going to give one 2nd rounder, let alone two for a 35 year old defensive lineman who missed most of last season with injury? Is there a fanbase who overvalues their players more than the Steelers? I swear Steelers fans would think they could get high picks for undrafted free agents.
Brian Batko: They aren’t gonna trade Cam Heyward so who cares

Fred: Where did the ridiculous rumor about the Steelers acquiring Tyreek Hill come from? Maybe fans think they can get him for a 6th rounder🙄.
Brian Batko: Don't know but I think I've said before on these chats that the state of reporting, internet speculation, etc. is at such a point that you can pretty much google Steelers & (any name) and someone out there has floated the idea, made a case for it, whatever.

Larry: Do you think we will see an extension for Pat Friermuth done soon? Also do you think Cam will be extended before the season? Thanks Brian
Brian Batko: I'm gonna go yes on Pat, no on Cam but I do think both could go either way

IUPDave: The injury to Roman Wilson has to be a setback. If a WR trade is going to happen, shouldn't it be soon so the new player has a chance to have a few weeks of training camp to learn the offense? If not, then we might as well wait for Roman Wilson to return.
Brian Batko: Probably, which is why I think the odds of one of those deals happening go down with each passing day. Now, if the 49ers suddenly change course and are willing to send over Brandon Aiyuk for a reasonable price, then you don't worry too much about how long it might take him to get up to speed.

Steeler Enthusiast: Hi Brian, it seems to me that the second most "in season" problem to have after an injury to QB1 is to have an injury to WR1. If Pickens goes down with an injury, the Steelers could be in deep trouble offensively. I think as camp goes on they will pay whatever they have to for Auyik to avoid this problem. Do you agree?
Brian Batko: Nope. They aren't gonna get held hostage by another front office. I think next time Omar Khan overpays in a trade will be the first.

Chuck from Michigan: Hi Brian, always appreciate your perspective in these chats. What’s your take on the Roman Wilson ankle injury and how has he looked prior to the injury? Thank you very much!
Brian Batko: Thanks Chuck, I always appreciate your immense interest in Big Ten players, prospects, et al. Wilson had shown me more - a lot more - in camp than he did in OTAs so you hope this doesn't slow down his progress. But how can it not when you're a rookie? Hard not to think back to Calvin Austin III going down right before the first preseason game two years ago and then being behind the 8-ball all season, staying on IR.

ssa76: I keep reading about the "QB battle" at training camp, but it's my understanding that Wilson was promised the starting job as a condition for coming to the Steelers. Am I wrong?
Brian Batko: Don't expect Russ or anyone within the Steelers to use that terminology. Obviously, he got a strong enough sense from them to sign here even with incumbent starter (kind of) Kenny Pickett still on the team at the time.

JPinIndy: Good morning Bats! Thanks as always for your work and these chats. Has anything stood out to you so far in camp as far as seeing Arthur Smith's philosophy taking hold and the offense operating differently?
Brian Batko: This could be self-fulfilling prophecy but I feel like he has more of a presence about him than Matt Canada did in that gig. You hear him more, you notice him a lot more, and just from a simple coordination/discipline perspective, he's not taking it easy on these guys even in the feeling-out period. He gets on them, he implemented the running laps punishment for pre-snap penalties, things of that nature.

West Coast Steeler: Good morning Bats! Im not sure Pickens is a legit WR1 yet. What is your assessment of him and the WR Corps.
Brian Batko: You're up early out there on the West Coast. I look at it as George Pickens very much has the talent to be a legit WR1, as you put it. But the intangibles need to improve. Has he taken that next step in maturity, motor, technique, what have you going into Year 3? Jury's still out for me. But I just do not question the ability whatsoever with him.

Andrew: Brian, has not been a lot of chatter about Joey Porter Jr. How has he looked? Can he take that step forward to become a true shutdown corner?
Brian Batko: Pickens had a nice catch over him a couple days ago. He isn't getting burned or anything. Just isn't standing out much so far. But sometimes that's a good thing at his position. He's another one like Pickens to me who has all the tools, all the physical traits to be a stud for a long time in the NFL.

Southside Jimmy: Good morning Brian. QB Ben Denucci recently worked out for the Steelers. I didn’t hear how the workout went. Are the Steelers still considering signing him? Thanks.
Brian Batko: Probably just doing their diligence on a familiar face in case of a QB injury to one of their four.

Zamo: Hey Bats! Was at training camp yesterday and thought fields looked pretty darn good. Having that mobility is such a weapon! I think it’s time to bring back Juju but still praying for a Sutton-Russ reunion. Have a great day at camp today!
Brian Batko: Yep, it's a little difficult to evaluate that specifically in the practice setting but clearly you can see the first step, the long strides, all that makes him arguably the best running QB in the league in the same breath as Lamar Jackson.

BC: When is it time to worry about Russ? Can't cook on a bum wheel. Reps for Fields are great - but if this team is going anywhere, Russ will be driving the bus.
Brian Batko: I'd say the nuanced opinion here is you don't have to worry much about this specific calf thing keeping him out much longer. But as a general starting point for his time in black and yellow, it's gotta be at least a bit concerning for how well his body is gonna hold up over the course of the season. That's nothing against him personally. But he's a 35-year-old quarterback. I'm painting with a broad brush.

LarryG from Punxy: Is there any player that you had high hopes for end up disappointing?
Brian Batko: Too early for anyone to be disappointing, but Quez Watkins hasn't flashed much so far at WR. Neither has Dez Fitzpatrick, who might've been my camp sleeper coming in.

Pittfan: HI Brian. Can you tell me what to expect at Sunday training camp?
Brian Batko: Sure. It'll be really sunny, hot and humid at Chuck Noll Field. Players will start trickling down around 1:30 or so. They'll begin individual work and stretching around 2. The good stuff likely won't begin until 2:30, 2:45-ish. It's the day before an off day, so hopefully will be a spirited session for you with physicality, lots of 11-on-11 work.

John in SC: Thanks agin for the chats BB. I always find it interesting what players do with their life after their playing days are over. For the most part, they have a good financial basis to allow them to go any direction they choose, whether that keeps them around the game or something away from it: Jack Lambert being a perfect example. Off topic, but Sidney Crosby comes to mind. Sadly, he will one day retire. Any hints on what he may do?
Brian Batko: Penguins beat writer for the Post-Gazette, but he'll be the No. 2 behind Matt Vensel.

Tempe Steeler: Hi there, Brian. Any thoughts on who you think ends up being the 4th OLB?
Brian Batko: Kyron Johnson, assuming his injury yesterday is minor, but Jeremiah Moon could make a case. Or waiver wire add.
Brian Batko: OK folks, that's all the time I've got. Practice #7 of camp is about to get going up the hill from me. Let's do it again next week.