Could Colin Kaepernick or Jamal Adams be headed to the Steelers?

A few 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:

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marty v: [Colin] Kaepernick hasn’t played in 4 years. Does anyone know if he’s stayed in football shape and has been working out during his time off?

Brian Batko: That, to me, is the biggest question. Even more so than a potential distraction off the field, it’s can he still play? But it’s not as if he’s been completely underground. Remember he had that workout for teams last year that became a bit of a mess when his camp wanted it to not be as private as the NFL intended. So, in theory, the decision-makers in the league should have a decent idea of his baseline level of conditioning.

Donna: Might the Steelers have any interest in trading for the Jets’ Jamal Adams?

Brian Batko: Any team would love to have Jamal Adams … but I wouldn’t look for the Steelers to pursue it. One, because your safety tandem of Minkah Fitzpatrick and Terrell Edmunds is young with first-round pedigree. Two, because whoever acquires Adams is going to have to be ready to give him a huge contract, and the Steelers likely can’t afford to earmark a whole lot money for another star such as that.

Picksixlisberger: Opening game 2022 season, who’s the starting quarterback for the Steelers?

Brian Batko: Well let’s see, I don’t think it will be Benjamin Roethlisberger. Nor do I think it will be Mason Rudolph. Maybe some guy we haven’t even heard of yet? A veteran who’s currently on another team? Thinking of some of the top college QBs who are more than a year away from entering draft … how about Kedon Slovis from Southern California?

Georgia Steeler: Is James Conner in good physical shape with all his injuries behind him? The Steelers will need him to compete in the AFC North Division.

Brian Batko: He surely looks like it. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve seen folks on Twitter saying he looks more like someone trying to become a model or a bodybuilder than a sturdy NFL running back, and I think even James Conner himself has acknowledged that even his most sculpted physique has been criticized. For him, he has had bad injury luck paired with a pretty contact-heavy running style. Something’s got to give in 2020.

Buzz: Outside of inside LB, the Steelers look pretty strong. Their biggest issue will be to keep this group intact. Ben’s money hurts big picture.

Brian Batko: It does, but, also having him as your quarterback might be the most important factor in the big picture. I would argue that the devil you know is better than you devil you don’t, for lack of a less sinister phrase.

JB: In a recent interview, it appeared that Cam Heyward was having reservations about playing this season because of [COVID-19]. Have you heard anything about this and are other players expressing similar thoughts?

Brian Batko: I think with Cam and most other players, especially the veterans, the concern is more about just making sure the NFL goes about this the right way and for the right reasons. Those like Cam with families and young children have every right to make sure they’re armed with the information they need to make decisions while we’re still in a pandemic.