Brian Batko's Steelers chat transcript: 10.21.24

Brian Batko / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Brian Batko: Hey everyone, huge win for the Steelers last night and the best this team has felt in ... how long? Let's chat about it

Nick: Brain, (1) looking at the schedule ahead, the steelers might win only about 3 or 4 games (Giants, Browns, Browns, Bengals) which would make them 9-8, Does that seem reasonable to you?
Brian Batko: I'm not about to crown the Commanders. And they've had Lamar Jackson's number by and large. Even the Eagles have struggled at times this season. But I get your point. It was crucial to make hay in the first half of the season. Winning 9 games (at least) seems not only reasonable but likely to me.

brian in Orlando: Hey Brian, I was surprised how quickly the fans started booing Wilson. Does that show that, clearly, people divided on taking out Fields?
Brian Batko: There did seem to be a hefty amount of skepticism - yours truly included in that - and it may have manifested in that way early. Russell Wilson looked bad bad on those second through fourth drives, my fellow Brian. Like an old man bumbling around out there. But give him credit for bouncing back and turning the boo to belief by the end of the night.

Lou: Hi Brian. Any scoop on trades for another WR? One more real threat could put this team over the top.
Brian Batko: No but I actually thought Mike Williams looked decent last night. Might still have some left in the tank. I'd be happy to toss out a seventh-rounder for him and overpay for a second half of the season rental.

Art from NC: Hey Bats- Beanie babies for everyone! With Sutton due back after the bye in a couple of weeks, do you think they keep Beanie in the rotation or look to move him somewhere else in the backfield?
Brian Batko: Huge night for Beanie Bishop. I'd keep him rolling with him unless the bottom falls out. No need to rush to Cam Sutton as a starter. But it'll be a helpful piece to have back for flexibility.

mhendershot: Sure was good to see a full house in the stands last night! Was it as packed as the tv had showed?
Brian Batko: Yeah, and not as many opposing fans as the last home game. Terrible Towels were twirling all over the place. Even from the press box, which is fairly sound proof, could tell it was a great atmosphere.

Clifford: Hey Brian, shout out to Coach Danny Smith for his special teams efforts. Many people have previously criticized him so he should get credit when credit is due.
Brian Batko: Absolutely. Mike Tomlin referred to it as a "block culture" on special teams in Pittsburgh. Three straight games with one. That's remarkable. And none have come from the All-Pro captain.Also have to tip your cap to guys like Dean Lowry and Isaiahh Loudermilk for the timing and making those big individual plays, but Danny Smith seems to know where to put people.

HeHateMe2: Can we start giving Dan Moore props and stop talking about trading him?
Brian Batko: No one's talking about trading him. Not since the Troy Fautanu injury at least. In fact, I fielded a question in my mailbag last week about giving him a new deal this offseason. I still wouldn't bet on it, but it's an idea that gets less outlandish by the game.

Florida Redman: Brian. love that you tell it like it is. With that being stated, do you think Steelers are legit because of wins last 2 weeks against stinko teams ? What's your prediction for the nine game gauntlet coming down the road after the bye . Thanks
Brian Batko: Raiders are pretty stinky, but I wouldn't call the Jets a bad team. Dysfunctional right now, perhaps. Still, they have talent. Are the Steelers legit? I was surprised/impressed by Russell Wilson last night, but I do need to see more. Just off the cuff, I'll say they still struggle for much of the second half and finish 9-8. That was my preseason call. I'm not moving off of it ... yet.

Donnie Shellshocked: Hi Brian! A different question for today, how is Cole Holcomb’s rehab progressing? Is this kid going to get to play football again? A sure hope so,, thanks!
Brian Batko: Seems to be going well. He's been with the team, rehabbing at the practice facility since they got back from Latrobe, I believe, which wasn't long after he became a new dad. The dude is all business and working his behind off. Was a major injury, no doubt, but I'm certainly not gonna be the one to tell him he can't come back.

Ben: Hey Brian - I feel like sometimes, like today, we have to give Tomlin credit. There is a reason why he is a successful coach and us fans are not. That said, my God! The difference in his comfort level with a veteran qb vs an unproven, potential talent is stark. They trusted wilson to play. Very good data point for when the music stops (eventually) and they have to find a qb.
Brian Batko: They had that new QB bump, for sure. Kind of like first game last year when Mason Rudolph took the reins. I certainly do give him credit for making the switch, which I wouldn't have done, and all that matters is the result, right? To listen to Jay Glazer's Sunday report about why Mike Tomlin went to Russ, it almost sounded like he was less concerned about beating the Jets on this night and more about taking a long-term view of his QB position. Well, he got both.

62 Stack Monster: Hello Brian, Last night, the Steelers played their best football that I've seen over the past 4 years. Watching Aaron Rodgers sulking on the bench was the cherry on top. I'm excited about the rookies' contributions: Beanie Bishop and Ryan McCollum especially. Should there be concern that the bye might kill their momentum?
Brian Batko: Well, Ryan McCollum isn't a rookie, but I got ya. Let's see how things go vs. the Giants before we worry about that whole momentum thing. I tend to think they won't have much trouble at home against a bad team in that one, but it's the NFL. You never know. It's not a bad time to get the off week and maybe Zach Frazier, Nick Herbig, Cory Trice and a couple others get healthy.

Mike: Brian, with as much negative feedback as Najee has received ... and some of it probably deserved - it seemed like last night was his Steeler's career in a nutshell. Without a threat of a passing attack, easy to stack the box and just sell out on gang tackling him in the backfield. When the defense has to respect the passing game, seemed to get some space between himself and the first defender. He seems like a runner that needs a head of steam more than others.
Brian Batko: I've been thinking he was primed for a big 2024 since I saw photos of him working out this offseason. That's why I wrote about his routine prior to OTAs https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/steelers/2024/05/16/najee-harris-o...

He looks quicker, faster, more explosive than ever to me. And still has the bruising style you reference.

elcid97: Not to crown Russ as the second coming of Big Ben, but it's been so obvious that if he is merely as good as he was his second year in Denver, he would be an upgrade to Fields. The national media was invested in Fields, and in a weird bizarro world they actually criticized Tomlin over it. I think the PG was only voice of reason the last week. I get that Russ is corny, does high knees on planes or whatever, but it's hard to wonder what the guy did so wrong to make the national media love to hate on him so much. I feel like we had to go through a news cycle in Pittsburgh media pointing out Russ was actually liked by most of his teammates and his second year in Denver was way better than anything we had here since Ben. Any theories why?
Brian Batko: Well, don't include me among the so-called voice of reason, because I made it clear I would've stuck with Fields. Just thought he was still giving the Steelers enough to win games and that there's even more in there. But I did write about the Wilson narratives, ingratiating himself to his current team, etc. for Sunday in case you missed it: https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/steelers/2024/10/19/russell-wilson...

Tim: There are several WR that would be marginal or incremental improvements over what we have, but are there any true impact WR out there to be had?
Brian Batko: This is the time of year you start looking for teams that are out of it and might look to move a veteran guy. So maybe DeAndre Hopkins in Tennessee, if you think he can still make an impact at 32? Christian Kirk doesn't do much for me, but the Jaguars are 2-5. Same goes for Adam Thielen and the 1-6 Panthers. I've heard people mention Cooper Kupp as a trade target but I just can't see the Rams doing that.

John in SC: I’m a critic of MT, but kudos to him for last night’s game. All the concern about the QB, the WRS, the DBs are ok, but the first thing they should do this off-season is sign Najee Harris to a multi-year deal. He is a beast. Durable, consistent and wears down the defense. Am I wrong?
Brian Batko: Not wrong, per se, but I don't think I agree. I would've been cool with picking up the fifth-year option. Now it just makes more sense to let him hit the open market, cash in and move on to another solid, bigger back who teams well with Jaylen Warren. This looks like it's gonna be a much better RB draft class than recent years.

Beanz o' Still: Now we get a heavy dose of Tomlin bravado. Do you think that because MT didn't trust Fields, and Russy was his guy, that he opened up the play book more for Russ and took the reins off his OC??
DannySmith: I'm interested in hearing from all of the chatters who angrily called for the Steelers to fire me. Where are you guys? Let's chat!
Brian Batko: They're booing Russell Wilson!

Lambert's Teeth: Do you think there is any truth to last night's comment that Najee's newish running style was an outgrowth of Patterson's success before he was hurt? Najee has looked fantastic (and would have looked even better last night if not for one or two relatively quick whistles) in the last two games!
Brian Batko: I didn't hear that but hey, maybe Cordarrelle Patterson's tough running in Indy and the ensuing fallout for Najee - inefficient game himself, Zaire Franklin talking trash, etc. - lit a fire under him to some extent.

Ross: Do the Steelers need to trade for offensive line depth before another WR??
Brian Batko: Wouldn't rule it out. They only have eight healthy right now. But John Leglue is a solid guy on the practice squad. I think they'll be OK with him, Spencer Anderson, Calvin Anderson, Max Scharping and eventually Dylan Cook eligible to return from IR.

Sarcasm font: With the Jets a mess and now out of it, is it time for them to trade us Adams?
Jeff M: Do you get the sense that the Steelers physicality is playing a big role in most of their wins? A few time this year (LAC, LVR & NYJ) it looks like teams were completely worn down as the game went on.
Brian Batko: That's every year, Jeff. You listen to the national analysts who truly follow and are plugged into every team and they always praise the Steelers' physicality. But hey, it wasn't looking so good early in that game when Breece Hall was slipping through tackles like a greased pig. Mike Tomlin wants his team's toughness to show late in games and late in seasons. More often than not, it does.

Cain: Brian what can the Steelers do to become a dangerous team in the AFC? Whether it’s another player at a skilled position, etc etc
Brian Batko: Continuing to put games like that on film, being two-dimensional on offense and making teams respect the passing game would go a long way. And I'd say adding another legitimate starting-caliber WR could help with that, too. But it's getting late early on that front with Amari Cooper and Davante Adams gone. You'd need to thread the needle a bit with someone who isn't gonna expect to eclipse George Pickens as the No. 1 target but can take attention away from him more than the current cast can.

little flounder: Even though everything worked out would it not have been better to kick the field goal before the two minute warning rather risking a 4th and 1
Brian Batko: Loyal readers of my chats know I'm usually a go-for-it guy. Old-school football is for the birds, little fish!

J.W. Heaney: The passing game looked much improved after Russell Wilson got his sea legs...knocking of 11 months worth of rust
Brian Batko: Yes it did, but I knew Wilson still had the arm strength and accuracy. Been seeing that since OTAs and I didn't think he lost it after the injury. What I was more pleasantly surprised by was his movement after that calf mishap. He was a far cry from Fields, as Tomlin acknowledged last Tuesday, but he was more spry than I anticipated. That's enough mobility to work with.

Atlanta Dan: Hi Brian Thanks for the chat. Before the game last night numerous national NFL media types claimed there was major internal opposition to replacing Fields with Wilson and after the game Albert Breer at SI.com wrote “most folks in that building thought Justin Fields gave them the best chance to win. They still probably do.” Does Breer have it right or is this just a member of the media who does not cover a team on a daily basis not backing down from a hot take?
Brian Batko: It was an intriguing week to me from that perspective. He wasn't the only one barking up that tree. Dianna Russini of The Athletic was reporting that as well. Jay Glazer basically relayed Tomlin's own words that it was an unpopular move in some ways. ESPN's Jeff Darlington added to it, as well. And then the kicker was Cris Collinsworth and Mike Tirico laying it out there pretty bare on the broadcast that Tomlin knew he was risking ruffling some feathers. I wouldn't call it much ado about nothing or a one-writer crusade, Dan.

the real guest: Brian, Isn't it amazing how the deep threat opens up the running game?
Brian Batko: And the running game opens up the deep threat, yes.

K-ville fan: Thanks, Brian, for the chats. Do you think the Steelers will actually institute any offensive packages that have both Wilson and Fields in the backfield?
Brian Batko: No, but I think the possibility of Fields packages is a real one moving forward. And I believe Tomlin would love to have that wrinkle at his disposal.

Scorp: Is it me or does Queen look like the next Devin Bush?
Brian Batko: Not a great night for him, Scorp, I agree. But let's not say things like that.

Mark: I saw MT yelling at the offensive coordinator on the sideline when we were cloe and going for a touchdown, What was he saying? any idea?
Brian Batko: "Let's score a touchdown!"
Brian Batko: OK folks, as much as I'd love to keep chatting with you all while you're on a Steelers-induced high, I've gotta try to pull my life together after yet another late night covering prime-time football. And then another next week. Oh, joy. Thanks for joining and engaging. Ray Fittipaldo will be back in the batter's box tomorrow.