BRIAN BATKO’S STEELERS CHAT

HIGHLIGHTS

Highlights from Brian Batko’s Monday Steelers chat, which you can join weekly at post-gazette.com. Questions and answers have been edited for clarity:

• Picksixlisberger: In your opinion, what are the odds James Conner is a Steeler next year?

Brian Batko: I think it’s very unlikely. I’ll say 4.9%.

Artie Bridge: Who are the opening day running backs?

Brian Batko: I’m thinking James Conner, Jaylen Samuels, Benny Snell and Anthony McFarland. If they can keep an extra one around for special teams, etc., my pick would be Kerrith Whyte. Trey Edmunds is a nice player and has been a great story, playing with his brother and all, but I think he’ll get squeezed out for a roster spot in 2020.

Donna: Have any Steelers voiced reservations about playing without a vaccine?

Brian Batko: Not that I’ve seen. Given his medical history and fight with cancer, James Conner would perhaps be the most likely to have some hesitancy on that front, but he’s been adamant about his stance that he’s not concerned.

John Strange: If NFL games are played in empty stadiums does it make sense to still play the national anthem? If they don’t, will it look like the NFL is ducking the kneeling issue?

Brian Batko: That’s an interesting point and one I hadn’t really considered

Moshe from Cleveland: Do you expect any significant roster changes to happen before the season starts for the Steelers

Brian Batko: No, not unless there’s a major injury.

seferg: Do you get the feeling that training camp will be back in Latrobe next year or too soon to tell?

Brian Batko: I think it will be. Art Rooney II’s statement on the matter made sure to mention that they look forward to returning in 2021, which signals to me that the Steelers won’t be the next team to permanently scrap on-location camps.

Sunner in the sunshine: Is it time for the Steelers to put their money where their mouth is regarding the possible signing of Colin Kaepernick? They did originate the Rooney Rule and this would actually be a good signing from a football standpoint. I don’t believe he will cost much and he could be an upgrade over Mason Rudolph in time. What say you?

Brian Batko: Mike Tomlin was asked specifically about Colin Kaepernick last year and didn’t entertain the question much, saying he wouldn’t talk openly about free agents not on the team. Right or wrong, I can’t see Kaepernick playing in the NFL again. He’s been out of the league for so long that I don’t think a franchise will take that chance. Even Michael Vick wasn’t sidelined for this long when he got suspended and went to prison.

Doug: Does No. 71 stay at RT given the draft and free agent acquisitions? If Chuks doesn’t start at RT, is his time limited or still time to develop given his young age?

Brian Batko: Your OL probably has a higher upside if you can move Matt Feiler inside from RT to LG and rely on Chuks Okorafor or Zach Banner at RT, so I could see the Steelers trying to start with that combination first. But the higher floor is probably inserting Stefen Wisniewski at LG and keeping Feiler at RT, if that makes sense.