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Christopher Carter's Steelers chat: 01.16.26
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Christopher Carter
10:01
Friday morning and I've got some orange juicee with me. Let's get into it!
OHIO412FAN
10:02
I know it’s almost impossible to a read on this so early on, but who do you think are the favorites for the HC opening? I’m under the impression it’ll come down to Flores, Shula, or Scheelhaase.
Christopher Carter
10:19
I've thought that Chris Shula would be an early favorite. In his 30s (for three more weeks! clock is ticking!), defensive assistant who seems to have made a young defensive unit work, and has lineage in the NFL.

Nate Scheelhaase is exciting, but whoever gets the chance needs to be a leader of men, CEO type. That's the aspect we won't get while they're behind closed doors.
Rocky Mountain Yunzer
10:20
Big week Chris.  Thanks to you and your PG colleagues for covering everything for we fans.  My question;  I can't see the OC or DC staying on with the new coach (whoever that will be).  Do you know how many of the other assistant coaches (and Bobby April) still have time on their contracts?
Christopher Carter
10:33
Yeah, don't see the coordinators staying either.

The people who might stick around would be key assistants who are plugged in with important parts of the team.

Denzel Martin, Karl Dunbar, Eddie Faulkner all ring that way. Martin's been the outside linebackers' coach who's overseen the best years ot T.J. Watt and developed Alex Highsmith and Nick Herbig. Also, Jack Sawyer had a strong rookie year for a fourth round pick.

Dunbar has overseen Cam Heyward's best years and is getting good results out of Derrick Harmon, Keeanu Benton and Yahya Black.

Faulkner has steadied the running back group and both Jaylen Warren and Kenneth Gainwell love what he brings.

I'd also say Pat Meyer did a good job this year with the offensive line, Alfredo Roberts has overseen a good tight end room, and Gerald Alexander really helped Joey Porter Jr. this year.

But most coaches come with some merit, so that won't mean everyone should stay. But I think Martin, Dunbar and Faulkner have been key culture positives for the team ...
10:34
... that a young head coach could benefit from having in the room as they settle into their new leadership role.
Steve in Columbus
10:34
Hi Chris! Love your work!  I've always thought that Mac Jones could be a good addition.  He was a pro bowler in NE before Belichek put the defensive coordinator in charge of the offense.  I have heard he is a "system QB' in San Fran, but if the Steelers are interviewing Klay Kubiak.  Wouldn't having SF Offensive Coordinator and Mac Jones here, be a good thing?
Christopher Carter
10:36
Hello! And thank you!

I've never been the biggest Mac Jones guy, but he did look decent in the 49ers' offense this year. So bringing him along with Klay Kubiak could make sense! You'd get your vet quarterback who's not over the hill, you'd bring the system they've been solid in, and that could buy you time until you find your franchise QB.

Could be a positive. But it's also important to note the 49ers have a lot of really good players on that roster that've made things a lot easier for them and it's not a guarantee the system could be copy and pasted in Pittsburgh. But, definitely something to consider.
Takoma Tom
10:39
I get that the Steeler coaching formula is to hire a young guy but Stefanski is a real value pick.  If he can win 11 games twice in Cleveland the sky is the limit in Pittsburgh.
Christopher Carter
10:46
So, I like Kevin Stefanski. I think he did as good of a job in Cleveland as someone could with how wacky that organization is.

There's an idea there. Could Stefanski be the next Bill Belichick? I don't know about that, but him making them competitive with all the chaos there compared to a more stable organization makes sense of an idea.

I still think the Steelers stick to the formula, but it's not a terrible idea at all.
Noah
10:46
will howwwwwarddddd
Christopher Carter
10:46
Oh boy.
artie bridge
10:46
Good morning Chris.  I buy the reporting that our next coach will be relatively young and not previously a head coach.  But I don't understand why defensive experience is valued over offense.  Don't the last years of the post-Ben era reveal how important offense is?  And how lacking ours has been?  Enlighten us.
Christopher Carter
10:59
Just because you have a defensive-minded head coach doesn't mean you can't have great offense, and it's the same vice versa.

Historically the Steelers have hit on head coaches with defensive background and that's been a key for the franchise. So it makes sense that they'd want to continue that trend considering they're batting 1.000 on that since 1969.

I also think it depends on WHEN you look for a coach. There are a lot more candidates right now that are getting buzz who are on the defensive side. I think that's part of the equation as well.
David D
10:59
Hey Christopher, I hope married life is treating you well!  Besides head coaching candidates in the playoffs, do you know if most teams are still conducting the first interview virtually?
Christopher Carter
10:59
Thanks! I'm blessed.

I think when processes have to move fast, virtual is what people do unless they're in the final stages and want to meet in person. Everyone's in the same search right now, and the faster everyone can be, the better.
Wide Right
11:00
How are you holding up Chris? I have been worried about you.
Christopher Carter
11:02
Thanks. I've gotten questions a lot recently from my TV/podcast appearances.

For those who do not know, I have asthma. It hasn't always been a struggle, but it was a big problem for me when I was a kid and then lessened when I got into my 20s.

I had an asthma scare during training camp during the intense heat as I couldnt' breathe one day, but that seemed to be fine once I recovered. But lately, it's been difficult. The night of the Dolphins game I had an asthma attack -- my doctor believes because of how much I was in the cold -- and it's lingered. So if you hear me wheezing or coughing during a show, that's what it is.

So, battling that. But staying focused on the work helps.
Takoma Tom
11:02
Can the Steelers still void DK’s guarantees?
Christopher Carter
11:03
Could they? Yes. But from Gerry, doesn't sound like they're going to.
Seven
11:03
Hi Chris. You are the new Steelers coach. What are your roster priorities? Do you move on from some of the big contracts even though it may mean a worse record next season?
Christopher Carter
11:04
I'm still operating with this roster as if Tomlin was around for the most part. This team needs a playmaker receiver (or 2) and a quarterback. I don't think this is the year to find the franchise guy QB, but there are plenty of playmaker WRs available. I'm working to build up the offense to be ready for a 2027 high pick at QB and that to be the real window.
Mike in Virginia
11:04
With the season over and having seen how long players like Russell Wilson and Justin Fields got to play, what are your thoughts on the comp picks the Steelers should be expecting?
Christopher Carter
11:08
Not as high of picks as the Steelers might've been hoping, but still valuable. Comp pick value is not something I've understood outside of some very raw basics. But I do believe they'll still get decent picks. It's also compared to the other teams' losses in FA as well.
Seven
11:08
The quarterback position looks bleak for next season. The answer probably isn't coming from the draft or free agency, correct? If so, is there a trade target out there that might work?
Christopher Carter
11:18
I think all trade targets and FA apply similarly. I like Malik Willis as a potential option to be the bridge for two years. Mac Jones with Klay Kubiak as suggested earlier also could make sense.
Chill Dave
11:18
Hi Chris, if the new coach ends up running a 4-3 base, where would Watt, Highsmith, and Herbig fit in?  OLB, DE, or in another city?
Christopher Carter
11:21
Both have played a more traditional 3-4 role and are built to do that. But both could also flex into that role as they're 6-4 and not small. They're just also both athletic enough to be more versatile edges and it would be a waste to not use that if they're kept.

Sawyer fits that as well. The big problem would be Nick Herbig. He's not a 4-3 edge guy and would have to change his role. I don't think there's anything wrong with a 3-4 structurally so unless they get a defensive guru who absolutely must have a 4-3, I think they keep the 3-4.

BUT, that also would probably require more turnover as well.
Chill Dave
11:23
Hi Chris, when you watch the film of the sack-fumble-TD, do you think Gainwell was supposed to chip Will Anderson or just run his route?  I'm still a Gainwell fan, but if it was a missed assignment, it was a big one.
Christopher Carter
11:26
I think it definitely would've helped, as it would've allowed Dylan Cook to pin Will Anderson back inside and bought Aaron Rodgers more. But it was also 3rd and 12 and Kenneth Gainwell was probably prioritizing getting into his route as fast as possible so he can be available to make a play.

It might've saved the game, but it's also a very slight and tight decision. But that's what major talents like Anderson force. Steelers have certainly benefited from T.J. Watt forcing tough decisions for years.
Pittfan
11:26
Hi Chris. If the Steelers are blown away by one of the early interviewees, do they stop the process or continue interviewing? I'm sure if one of the candidates blows away the Steelers he most likely will do the same with another team and at that point the Steelers risk the chance of losing him. By the way, I'm really intrigued by Nate Scheelhaase.
Christopher Carter
11:33
When it comes to being blown away, it would require that coach to be so good that they can't risk another team taking them. I think they'd want to complete the process, but this is also the first head coaching search I've covered on any beat I've been on, so I'm learning on the go a bit here too.
New Hope
11:34
Hi, Chris - the leaked stories about the players’ reactions after Mike announced he was stepping down go to show you how amazing a leader he was for this organization. I’ve never doubted that about him. However, it didn’t seem as though he was willing to bring in better coordinators with new/fresh ideas while also relinquishing some of his authority over how they wanted to play/scheme, Also, it seems as though he hasn’t adapted with the times by having a larger coaching staff. I don’t think we’d be in this situation if he had adapted. Ultimately I that’s why it was time. It seems like someone from a McVay or Shanahan coaching tree should be in the mix. What are your thoughts on what the next HC and staff should bring to the table?
Christopher Carter
11:39
I mean, I've gone over several times how they switched up the structure of how they called the defense between coordinators by being more aggressive in their defensive front concepts under Butler and less so under Austin while they ramped up aggressive concepts for the secondary.

On offense, they've changed several times over. Run first, pass first, balanced, whatever.

The notion the team wasn't willing to change is rooted in fantasy. As Rooney said, Tomlin said it was time because of family-related decisions. When he was hired, his kids attended Linden Elementary. Now they're either graduated or in college.

As the son of a coach, there's a joy you get when you step away and actually get to enjoy a fall day with family after you've spent decades doing nothing but football every day during that time.

Way I see it, he made that call for himself and them.

The coaching staff hasn't grown because the Steelers historically keep smaller ones, even under Cowher. We'll see if that changes now.
11:40
On the type of head coach, I think the formula they've used has worked. So why not do that? Find the young, CEO-type coach who commands a room and knows how to connect with players and coaches alike and go from there. Offense or defense, leadership is the priority to me over that.
Uncle Larry
11:41
Chris love your work and wishing you the best with the PG closure.
I think Carson Beck will be available when we draft. He reminds me of Jalen Hurts having led two majors to the big dances.He also is a big dude.  #1 draft pick is a 50/50 imho and reaching for a perfect franchise qb in 2027 is a wait. Your thoughts?
Christopher Carter
11:42
Thanks! We're still fighting to keep this place open, so don't count us out yet.

As for Beck, I think he's a find mid-round pick, but that's it. This isn't the year of the franchise quarterbacks and I think they should wait for such a year to open up. They don't need to pull a Kenny Pickett again. They got Ben Roethlisberger when he was the third QB off the board. Might take a year like that.
Farmtastic
11:43
Chris, if you did your stars and skulls this week I missed it. I know the Tomlin news took center stage but I was curious to see how many, if any bus tickets you had. With a new coaching staff inbound im afraid there will be more than we want to see.
Christopher Carter
11:44
Since the game, I've either been working on the coaching search/reaction content we've been doing, in several meetings about how we're strategizing to keep the Post-Gazette open, or sleeping. Unfortunately, the stars and skulls for the game hit the back burner with all of that.

They'll be reflected in the year's end grades though.
Jana
11:45
I know in all reality it doesn’t matter now but what is the main thing you attribute our loss to the Texans to on our side of the ball??? I feel Arthur Smith’s offense offered so little to work with to combat the Texans when it was a do or die game. Thanks for your thoughts
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