Christopher Carter's Steelers and Pitt chat: 11.09.26
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Christopher Carter
1:32
Alright, I just got out of Pat Narduzzi's press conference and we now have two 90 minutes until Mike McCarthy takes the podium.
Let's get into it.
Stairway to seventh seed
1:32
Chris: Next year will be the first full year that college seniors who didn't redshirt can play a 5th year.  Especially given how lucrative college football now is with player salaries, isn't this going to create a massive one-year "hole" in the draft?  Maybe it won't impact the top 50 picks or so, but after that don't you think that 2027 might be the worst draft ever for this reason? Should this make the Steelers more willing to part with 2027 draft picks at the deadline?
Christopher Carter
1:39
So, I think that hole has kind of already happened a bit, but I do think it will get a little bigger.

For example, players who were decent to good as juniors and sophomores who could come out used to do it as soon as possible so they could get paid ASAP.

Now, if they're not first round picks, they still go. And sometimes it works out for them. But these days, a lot of those guys stick around to get big pay checks.

As for the draft, it does create a hole for the group of 20-21 year olds who were considered great athletes with high upsides.
One such example: De'Marvin Leal. Now, he didn't work out. But as a player in college, he had the size, tools and athleticism you'd want. He also came out very young. But these days, I'd be he would get a huge payday to stick around in college and choose that over rushing to the pros.
Silent Bob
1:40
How much are we fans blowing the Cleveland game out of proportion? My belief is they have not played that complete a game since the days of Bettis and Troy. And, their passing game wasn't even working. On the other hand, this same got blown out by New England. Maybe Cleveland just had a bad game. How do you put this game in perspective?
Christopher Carter
1:46
So I think this was asked last week, but they've had games like that where they've outclassed an opponent entirely, several times over the past few seasons alone.

I think the excitement that people are feeling is less about the win of that game, and more about how consistent the run game has been for four straight games. Combine that with a defense that's been in the top 5, and I get it.

Now, does that mean there will be some regression in the second half of the season? Maybe. But for now, I think Steelers fans are justified in their excitement of this team.
Mr.Norris
1:46
In rumblings in the building of what QBs in this upcoming class they like? And how far up would they be willing to trade for “there guy”
Christopher Carter
1:48
Guys I like in this prospective QB class:
Drew Mestemaker
Darien Mensah
Jayden Maiava
LaNorris Sellers
CJ Carr

I think they can legitimately trade up to get inside of the top 15 and get one of those guys.
NC Steeler Fan
1:48
Has DK ever considered gloves?  Maybe he needs glasses?  Not trying to be funny but something is definitely up with him.  He obviously can catch the ball or he wouldn’t have made it this far.
Christopher Carter
1:50
So, he wears golves?

I think he's just had a rough start to the year. He played very well last season and was a big reason they made the playoffs. He's barely been an asset this year.
Y-Town Steeler
1:50
What up CC?  Do you think our secondary can bend and not break against the Bengals? Burrow, Chase and Higgins are a handful. I’m just hoping the Steelers are catching the Bengals at the right time coming back Europe and the Steelers off their bye.
Christopher Carter
1:52
They certainly did the first time. But this version of the Bengals is looking tough to stop. They keep putting up 30+ points and even top cornerbacks are getting roasted.

I think the plan will be to stay in two-high safety looks that don't allow for as many deep shots, and trust the defensive front to stop the run. If they can do that, I think their formula can stay intact. But they can't let up the explosive plays. They do that and it all falls apart.
SDWC
1:52
Hi Chris, do you have any update to share on Mason Heinschel’s recovery?
Christopher Carter
1:53
Just that he's still has a cast on his wrist and on his foot.

They're confident that with the proper recovery plan he'll be back for next season. But nothing much else at this time.
Jim
1:53
Good afternoon Sir, With the Steelers record and next week's game already looking like the winner gets the division, the 2nd half schedule not nearly as daunting as preseason suggested, the top seed seems to be in play. Buffalo, KC, and one or two others being the only real threats to take it, this season could actually be special. In your opinion, What is one area the team could improve upon to really make a push this year?
Christopher Carter
1:54
They have to get the pass game going. If they don't, teams will load the box, stuff the run and blitz all the time to make it hard for Warren to get going and Rodgers to be settled. They've still got plenty of tough challenges ahead. Don't sleep on the Texans. I think they're about to have a rebound.
Jim Bow Dean
1:54
One name I haven’t read any trade buzz on is Minkah Fitzpatrick now with the Jets. How could he fit in with this defense? He’s signed through 2030 but only with $7M in future guarantees.
Christopher Carter
1:56
The Steelers would not be able to reacquire Minkah Fitzpatrick until June 30, 2027 -- two years after they traded him away.
Jim Bow Dean
1:56
I’m not a conspiracy theorist, but I saw one recently that has me thinking. The idea is the NFL told officials to call penalties, or not call them, with the goal of keeping games close and therefore eyeballs on broadcasts. We know how much the league values parity. What do you think?
Christopher Carter
1:58
I disagree. The league has always been this way where most games come down to the final few drives.
Schmitty
1:58
CC. Joe Burrow and company look highly efficient and effective on offense. A true test for the bend don’t break Steeler D. How do you think they will hold up?  I think deep coverage will be key.
Christopher Carter
1:59
You get it Schmitty. This will be about keeping the explosive plays from happening. Force the throws to be short, tackle, and take advantage of the mistakes when they happen.
Mark from Cali
1:59
Hi Chris, Thank you for the chats! When you look at the schedule in the second half, which teams do you feel will be the indicator of whether or not the Steelers can make a serious push in the playoffs?  Thank you.
Christopher Carter
2:03
Hello and thanks for being here!

Jaguars are the biggest test IMO. They look like one of the most complete teams in the NFL. But I do think the Jaguars, Broncos, Bengals, and potentially a revitalized Texans team that I think could go on a run all would provide good challenges.

Meanwhile, Lamar Jackson is expected back in 6-9 weeks. And guess when the Steelers play the Ravens ... in 6 and then 9 weeks.

Plenty of chances there to prove you're one of the big dogs.
rman
2:03
Hello Christopher.  I remember Wetjen being used as a receiver for a few snaps in a preseason game.  Is there any chance of him getting into a game for a few plays as a one trick pony to go deep downfield to take the top off an opposing defense?
Christopher Carter
2:03
I doubt it. He's not a deep threat, he doesn't do a good job going up for the ball, he didn't make a single contested catch in college.

I would rather that be anyone else but him.
ENTMD
2:04
Hey Chris, thanks for the chat! I know success has 1000 fathers, but I can’t help but think that the offensive line coach J Campen must have some responsibility for how this line is coming together. Let me know your thoughts.
Christopher Carter
2:05
Hello and thanks for being here!

Campen absolutely plays a role. He's been the one primarily responsible for the run game plans where they've dialed up the right runs to get things going week after week. Talked to players around the locker room and they all pointed to him as the reason for the switch to trap runs against the Browns -- which allowed them to take advantage of the Browns' aggressive DTs.

He had a high reputation coming in, and so far he's living up to it. Similarly to Munchak, he's inherited a young, talented group that's been growing the past few years.
Flood City Joe
2:06
I'm concerned that Sunday night's game against Burrow/Chase/Higgins is going to expose our secondary. With that in mind, it's almost essential for the pass rush to get home regularly, as it did against Cleveland. Agreed?
Christopher Carter
2:09
It does, but you have to be careful about the blitz. He has a passer rating of 109.4 against the blitz with an 8 to 2 TD to INT ratio.

They only marginally blitzed Burrow the first time around as an effort to limit the Bengals' chances for big plays. On the season, they're blitzing less than 28% of their pass snaps on the season -- 17th-highest rate in the NFL.

Sure, the pass rush would be nice to get home. But I expect that to be done with 4 players more often this week.
Steeler Dan
2:10
Everyone seems to agree that the Steelers are playing great defense but why is there so little discussion about the recent change from a rush 4 with seven playing a soft zone to a very agrressive, Vikings style blitzing defense with multiple players close to the line of scrimmage. Earlier this year, and in prior years, the Steeler defense was passive and predictable and not very effective. Their defense against Cleveland was as good as I have ever seen. Yes, it looks like the Vikings defense, but the Steelers defensive roster is far superior than Minnesota’s. Hopefully this scheme change will be the standard going forward.
Christopher Carter
2:15
I don’t know about little discussion on it, as I’ve done at least two film studies on their pass defense and the adjustments they’ve made this year.
2:18
They also weren’t necessarily a ton more aggressive against Cleveland. They were just more consistent at limiting their explosive plays that it allowed their pass rush more chances to get home. They missed a lot of tackles and a lot of underneath responsibilities the first time around. I even talked to several players who said the plan didn’t change, they just tightened it and made sure not to make the same mistakes.
Flood City Joe
2:18
Great work as always, Chris -- keep it up!
Christopher Carter
2:18
Thanks!
Tommy in Florida
2:18
Good Afternoon Chris, Thanks for your chats. I was just wondering if you thought we might be making any deals before the trade deadline. Thanks for your insight.
Christopher Carter
2:18
Good afternoon and thanks for being here!
2:20
I anticipate them to explore light moves, but I don’t see anything big happening. Maybe a vet WR for a day 3 pick, but that’s it. I just don’t see them giving up any day 1 of day 2 picks for a WR when they already have two WRs being paid significant guaranteed money over the next two years. But I wouldn’t sleep on the idea of them going after another WR higher up in this draft class, which looks like it will be a good one.
Retire21
2:20
have you been following any of the kids that Pitt lost in the portal?
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