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Christopher Carter's Steelers chat: 01.23.26
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Christopher Carter
10:05
Alright, I've got some water, I'm posted up and ready to go. Let's get into it.
Uncle Leo
10:05
Hey Chris - I saw Ray’s article this morning on keep or cut. If the Bears offered you a 2nd and a 4th for Watt, you’d take it right? At what price are you willing to move him and wish him well?
Christopher Carter
10:10
So I've been wondering what T.J. Watt's compensation would be for a trade for a bit now. It's tricky because while his sack numbers were down, he was still a very good run defender with more run stuffs than Will Anderson, Danielle Hunter, and as many as Aidan Hutchinson.

I'd try to get a 2nd and a 3rd or just a straight up 1st in this equation. Two day two picks or a first round pick should be the price for a player who still will be an asset for the Steelers, especially as they go into a coaching transition.

Established leadership is going to be important for the new coach to help in these early stages. I think they should try to still get very good value for him if they were to move on.
John
10:10
Chris have you heard if the Steelers would have any interest in Malik Willis? He seems like he'd be worth taking a chance on. I do not want any of the QBs in the draft this year.
Christopher Carter
10:16
I've heard that people who are still in the organization right now liked Malik Wilis then and like him now. The question will be whether Willis will command what the Steelers deem to be an unreasonable contract in free agency. The Steelers weren't trying to tie themselvs to Justin Fields for too high of a price last season over multiple years and I don't think they want to do that this year.

But Willis does have interesting upside. If they can get him for a reasonable range, I think he will certainly be at the top of their list.
32 Was Great
10:16
Good morning, Christopher and thank you for doing these chats. What’s the more impactful change to this team - Tomlin’s decision to step down or Weidl leaving for a GM position, if he’s selected.
Christopher Carter
10:21
It's an interesting question because Mike Tomlin was the factor who kept the Steelers from ever sinking over 19 years while Andy Weidl is a factor in them building for the future. It's difficult to fully gauge Weidl because he's only been around a few years and we haven't seen his picks mature just yet.

I'd say for now it's Tomlin, as he's had the longer impact on this team and organization that's helped them for years. But Weidl has been part of three good draft classes -- in my opinion -- and if he can stack those classes with a few more, it could be the very thing that makes the Steelers a Super Bowl contender again. So over time, it could be that Weidl staying would be the bigger impact, if that's what he chooses to do.
Brandon
10:21
Hey Chris I'd personally like to see the Steelers at least interview Sean McDermott. I'm not saying hire him but at least talk to him. He essentially rebuilt the Buffalo Bills from a joke into a contender. The Steelers are heading for a rough patch whether they like it or not
Christopher Carter
10:27
I think Sean McDermott is a very good head coach and didn't deserve to be fired. The Bills missed the playoffs for 17 straight years before he arrived, and then he had them in the playoffs 8 of his 9 seasons. While Josh Allen has been elite, McDermott has pieced together a roster with serious holes on it -- much like Mike Tomlin did.

I think McDermott would do a good job in Pittsburgh and deserves a look. But I also think their current pool of younger coaches looking for their first stint shouldn't be ignored either as I think especially Chris Shula and Anthony Weaver look like potential culture developers.
10:29
I also don't think the Steelers have to nead to a rough patch if they make the right moves. This team has made the playoffs five out of the last six seasons and have a young core that's been developing to take the torch and carry on.

This isn't a situation like the Raiders where they're in a full rebuild. They need to keep pushing.
Farmtastic
10:29
Good morning Chris, so I've heard some buzz about Anthony Weaver, particularly about his ability to lead. Is it a bit discouraging that the Dolphins hired an outside DC for their HC when they had an apparently capable DC they could've hired for HC in Weaver in house?
Christopher Carter
10:35
I wouldn't use the Dolphins' decisions about what they didn't do as a factor in the decisions of my organization if I'm in the NFL. The Dolphins don't have the best track record of making good decisions.

I've also heard comparisons of Anthony Weaver to Dan Campbell in terms how he inspires his players. If he can connect with players, his coaches and his front office, he'd move right to the top of the list with Chris Shula. To me, those are the two top candidates in my book.
Brandon
10:36
I'd like to see the Steelers say goodbye to Queen, Ramsey, Harrison, and even Cam Heyward. The first three production doesn't match their pay. Queen misses far too many tackles. Ramsey they could save 19.5M by waving goodbye. Heyward hey he's been great, but they need a bit of a reset on defense and get younger for the road ahead
Christopher Carter
10:41
First, let's do some numbers.

According to Overthecap.com, if the Steelers were to cut the players you suggest -- Patrick Queen, Jalen Ramsey, Malik Harrison and Cam Heyward -- it would open up their cap space from $37.7M to $89.6M. I'll also throw in Jonnu Smith -- which would bump it up to $96.6M.

That would open up plenty of space to make big moves this offseason. But the question then rests where they would find upgrades in free agency/extensions.

I think Ramsey and Smith are reasonable. Ramsey was a good contributor to the team, but didn't bring $19.5M worth of contributions. I do believe he either needs a renegotiation or to be cut.

Smith just isn't worth the $10.8M cap hit to be the third-best tight end on the team.

But if the Steelers just did those two moves, that alone can get them to $64.2M in cap space to make big moves, which is still a lot.
10:48
I personally think the others you mentioned are fine for where they are.

Cam Heyward is still a top of the line defensive tackle who makes a difference and is bringing the value for that position right now. If the Steelers were to get rid of him, I'm not sure they'd get another player at his position that could play at his level for that kind of pay or less. This is also the final year of his contract, so it wouldn't hurt to just keep him for another year.

Patrick Queen is also in the final year of his original deal with the Steelers. He's not a star linebacker, but he's a good one and is 26 years old. The Steelers could work out a reasonable extension that brings down the cap hit from $17.1M, or they could move on from him. But if they cut him, they'd add another need to their list right now.

They could cut him, save $13.3M and go get Devin Lloyd with that money, but would that change a lot? I think Queen can be a good player for the team a few more years.
10:51
Harrison is a solid and not that expensive run stuffer. Don't see the big issue of pushing him along just yet.

But the bottom line is there's a coaching change going on and you need guys who are going to buy into that. Do these players help the transition? That's a big part of this question as well. Omar Khan's set the Steelers up with a lot of wiggle room. I think they're in a good place, and that some of these moves will be made. I just don't think Heyward and Queen need to be part of cuts just yet.
Chuck D
10:52
Chris,  Here’s hoping you continue to have a platform to do your great work.  Obviously the coaching search is at the forefront of Steelers conversations.  Offensive minded,defensive minded, HC experience or not.  I maybe a little old school but does any of that really matter.  The head coach is a CEO, a leader of a billon dollar company.  Isn’t it more important who he brings in to run the business and how he leads very accomplished employees.  Why not a previous head coach at any level?  To include Mario Cristobal whose name is surfacing.  Enjoy your work!
Christopher Carter
10:59
Chuck D, bring the noise.

I'm all about the message that leadership is the most important aspect. The head coach needs to be the CEO that keeps everyone focused and in line while also setting the tone.

Now, it's important to know what a coach might've brought to the table as an assistant in terms of schematics and personnel development. But being the person to:
A) piece together the coordinators with the position coaches to
B) get the most out of your roster's skillset and
C) keep it all in line with a front office plan ...

is a very difficult balancing task. There aren't many who can do that on a consistent basis. That's paramount in finding in this search. If they happen to be an offensive guru or a defensive genius on top of that, sign them.
Ryan
11:00
Chris do you think about the Season Ben Skrowronek had i think he had a good Season On special teams and on offense when he was in i think he should be named special teams captain next year under the new coach
Christopher Carter
11:03
Ben Skowronek stepped up and became the special teams ace when Miles Killebrew went down. That was big for the team and will be valuable next year as he's under contract. He's an easy keeper if I'm Omar Khan and the next head coach.
Noah
11:03
Who do YOU want starting at QB next year. And who actually starts at QB next year?
Christopher Carter
11:06
I think Malik Willis would be a good shot as a temporary bridge quarterback who could turn into a good playmaker and maybe earn some staying power. He's mobile, developed a good arm and displayed an ability to see the field and make good decisions.

Not sure how he'll do in a new system, but I'd be interested in seeing him with this developing offensive line, and the weapons if they hit on WR early in this draft.

That way, you have a solid vet, a backup in Mason Rudolph, and a young guy in Will Howard for the year. Then, if 2027 if the QB class you want it to be, take your swing.
Waiting for the storm
11:06
Good morning CC. What exactly is the role of a HC? I see him as more of a manager than an X&O guy. The HC can certainly provide motivation and overall direction for a team, but his construction of the coaching staff is more important, IMHO. Was that a negative for MT?
Christopher Carter
11:17
Good morning! It depends on the organization. For the Steelers, they go with the CEO approach like you suggested.  X&Os are important, but managing is the biggest factor.

Coaching staff construction and maintenance is important, just like player development.

There were certainly coaching hires that failed like Matt Canada, but there were also several that worked well like Mike Munchak, Todd Haley, Karl Dunbar, Denzel Martin, etc.

I don't think it was necessarily a negative, but it wasn't his biggest strength either. Maybe Chris Shula can be different coming from the Sean McVay tree, but none of the other McVay defensive coordinators have worked out yet either as head coaches.

Brandon Staley and Raheem Morris each were fired by or before they could reach a third full season with the Chargers and Falcons.
Epiballo
11:18
Hey Chris - was Rodgers ignoring Metcalf after his early drop or was he not getting open?
Christopher Carter
11:20
Hello!

I don't think Aaron Rodgers was ignoring DK Metcalf, I think he was trying to see the field and attack an aggressive and talented defense.

Metcalf got open at times, but he also had two drops that were crucial. Against defenses like that, you have to take advantage of every opening because you're never sure if you'll get another one.

But no, I don't think Rodgers was avoiding him.
The Original Pittsburgh Maulers
11:20
I really appreciate your X's and O's knowledge. It's a rare quality of an NFL beat writer.  If the Steelers hire a coach who wants to run a traditional 4-3 base defense, are there any current players in your opinion that would not be able to make that transition? I know the sub packages are used more regularly these days, but base defenses still matter.
Christopher Carter
11:26
Thanks!

I'd worry about being able to use Nick Herbig the most because he's a 3-4 OLB purely and could NOT be a 4-3 edge unless in sub packages. I also think there's space to make him a significant part of the future.

I think Watt and Highsmith could transition, but that would take away both of their assets as versatile defenders as 4-3 ends are more for pure run stopping and pass rushing.

I think for a transition to a 4-3, there would need to be several front office moves made to go along with that and they already have a decent list of things to address.

Also, to your point, the Steelers only used a 3-4 defense 26% of their defensive snaps -- per Sports Information Systems.
Cdub
11:27
Is TJ tradable with that contract?
Christopher Carter
11:34
Everyone is tradeable, but Watt's contract is an obstacle.

And that's not even just because it would be expensive to another team, but it wouldn't necessarily help the Steelers if they moved on because of how much the Steelers wouldn't save. Watt has $32M in guaranteed salary in each of the next two seasons. That would leave a HUGE pit in their roster not just at OLB, but in the money they couldn't put to filling talent there or on other spots of the roster.

Unless a team would be willing to take on the guaranteed money of Watt's contract -- which would severely tank the value of such a trade -- the Steelers would have two years of paying a top player's salary and getting nothing out of it.

To me, that makes it hard to move on from Watt.
Capn' Happy
11:35
Chris, first thank you for you incredible coverage of the Steelers, I hope it woks out to continue for many years to come. Do you think there is a chance Mike McCarthy would be a possible OC consideration if we hire a young coach with no HC experience?
Christopher Carter
11:38
Thanks! I hope so as well!

I wouldn't put that as an impossible factor. The Rams did a similar thing for Sean McVay when he took over in 2017. As McVay had an offensvie background, the Rams brought in Wade Phillips to lead his defense.
11:41
Sorry -- hit enter too soon.

But Wade Phillips brought decades of experience with him to the Rams and helped them be a decent unit while McVay's offense came right onto the scene to rank No. 1 and No. 2 in scoring in his first two seasons.
Epiballo
11:41
How about this: hire a young first time HC, and McCarthy to be the assistant HC to mentor him. Sound good?
Christopher Carter
11:41
Ditto to what I just answered above!
Tom M.
11:42
There’s been lot of discussion about potential QBs. When names are thrown out, the next statement often involves if the player is successful due the system they're in or the coach that they have.  When you analyze these things, how do tell if it’s the player or the coaching?
Christopher Carter
11:57
This is always a tricky factor to evaluating quarterbacks. Because a good system can make a quarterbsack look like  he's carrying the team when it's the other way around.

Factors that I look for are where quarterbacks make consistent decisions in a system -- because it is GOOD to have a quarterback that's great in a system. But also, how much of their throws/plays are about them hitting tight passing windows or making plays with their arm/legs that otherwise wouldn't be made without them?

And how many plays that fall short are because of their own mistakes vs the mistakes of others?

Those are broad strokes into what goes into looking at a quarterback. I'll be diving into a lot more specifics during this draft process -- and maybe next year too -- but the bottom line is the playmaker quarterback who fits the game plan.
KMan
11:57
Good morning Chris! I know he said he's not leaving ND but *if* you could get Marcus Freeman, would you? I'm not a ND guy, but I really like Freeman as a coach and a guy who brings a winning culture.
Christopher Carter
11:59
Good morning!

I've liked Marcus Freeman for years and I think the NFL is in his future. But if he's not interested in leaving Notre Dame, can't do anything about that. And if you're the Steelers, you're hoping you won't be in the market again anytime soon.
Ha, just got that last one in while it was still morning.
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