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Christopher Carter's Steelers chat: 02.13.26
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Christopher Carter
10:11
It's been a minute since I've been able to do one of these! Let's get into it!
Takoma Tom
10:11
Isn’t it time to dump TJ for whatever you can get?  He’s taking too much salary cap for the production and some younger players need to develop.
Christopher Carter
10:18
"For whatever you can get?" Absolutely not. For a good price? That would make sense. But whatevery you can get could be a 5th round pick. T.J. Watt wasn't a defensive player of then year candidate this year but he was still a high level player and one of the best on the team.

Watt was still a major factor against the run and still was a problem for teams as a pass rusher despite being the most chip-blocked player in the NFL. You don't just throw that away for nothing. If you're looking for a trade, it has to be decent compensation. A first or multiple day 2 picks.
Alan in Bama
10:18
Good morning Christopher. Should we change the name from Steelers to Stackers or Peelers? Is the current Steelers roster half full or half empty? Thanks for the chats.
Christopher Carter
10:21
Good morning!

Such is life in the NFL. When you're in transition you're going to have some weak spots on your roster. What you have to hope is that the strong spots can outweigh those weak spots and make you a competitive team. The Steelers have been that for a while now regardless of how many weak spots they've had.

This current roster before adjustments are made has a young, developing offensive line as well as a young defensive core that's on the rise still with some stars on it. With the draft picks they have and the salary cap flexibility, it's certainly on the side of being more than half full at the moment.
George
10:22
Does T.J. Watt's contract look like one of worst in the league at this point?
Christopher Carter
10:26
Not even close. You see what Tua Tagovailoa, Kyler Murray, Deshaun Watson and Kirk Cousins were being paid? More than Watt, and none of those guys produce like Watt. Heck, even other guys with lower per year salary averages still don't stack up like Geno Smith, Nick Bosa -- Watt had 11.5 sacks last year and Bosa hasn't done that since 2022 -- and others.

I get that fans don't like Watt's contract but it's far from being as bad as people think it is when you look around the NFL.
Josh
10:26
Hi Chris, thanks for the chat! WR  for the Steelers in round 1? Seems to be the consensus take right now prior to any pro day or combine workouts. I feel like the top 3 at the moment is Tate, Tyson, and Lemon. All 3 very well may go within the top 16 picks. Can you see the Steelers moving up to grab one if they like home enough? Hard to envision the team using the 12 picks they may have in this draft.
Christopher Carter
10:30
Hi Josh! Thanks for being here!

This looks like it could be a special class for receiver and the Steelers should get as close to the front of the line to get a top guy this year. I feel like Carnell Tate could be first off the board but I think a great option for them would be Makai Lemon. I do think they'd have to trade up for him, and I think he'd be worth it as a high level route runner and combat catch playmaker.

And correct, the Steelers have never used 12 draft picks in a single year since the start of the 7 round format. I outlined all of this in my first mock draft of the season if you'd like to check that out: https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/2026-nfl-draft/2026/02/02/nfl-stee...
Don
10:30
Good Morning Mr. Carter,  Thank you for your time.  Has Mike McCarthy completed putting together his coaching staff?  What are your thoughts on the coordinators and assistants?
Christopher Carter
10:35
Good morning!

And yes, the Steelers announced their coaching staff was complete. I like things I've seen from Patrick Graham as a DC and think if he can mold his defense to the young core of guys coming up on this roster they can form their own identity.

Offensively I like Brian Angelichio and what he was part of with the Vikings' passing game and James Campen has a good reputation as an offensive line coach.

I do think it's a bit of a miss that the only holdovers are Tom Arth and Scott McCurley -- not that there's anything wrong with those two, but I would've prioritized a couple others as well. Especially when you see Gerald Alexander leave and what he was able to help Joey Porter Jr. do. He set out on a mission to make him one of the better corners in the NFL and he accomplished it right away. Also got the most out of James Pierre.

Others like Karl Dunbar and Denzel Martin seemed like easy choices to keep. But we have to wait and see how this new crew works out!
Lou
10:36
Chris, what’s your most optimistic view on when the Steelers could be a true Super Bowl contender? For me I’m thinking 4 years out if they get a legit QB for the long term by 2028
Christopher Carter
10:40
Most optimistic is 2027. If they hit this draft right and come away with at least 2 playmaking WRs and 2 contributors on defense (I think preferably DT and slot CB/safety) it could boost this team pretty well and put them in a position where if they land their QB next year, they could be walking into a full house that's ready to compete.

But I do think 2028 is the best realistic view. Even if they hit in the draft, there's going to be turnover. Heyward will either be retired by 2027 or maybe at least taken a step back. Watt will be older as well and they'll have to make some other key decisions. Won't be easy, but there's a path.
BHS79
10:41
Thanks for all you hard work during the season Mr.Carter, breaking down film is a time consuming endeavor.  Hopefully you find another forum for your work.  Where does it look like P Wilson failed vs the run?  Inability to read, not being able to fill gaps, or simply physically over-matched?
Christopher Carter
10:44
Thanks! And hey, hopefully I won't have to find it. We're still working so that we'll be right here next year doing our thing.

I think Payton Wilson struggled in two areas: engaging blockers and fitting within the whole of the defense. Wilson was fine when he took on a running back and sometimes a tight end, but bigger OL beat him too often and I don't think he fully grasped where he needed to attack at times against the run. He has the frame to be better in these regards, he just has to keep working at it. Nick Herbig took a serious step forward in that department this season and he's much smaller while playing on the line of scrimmage. It's doable, but Wilson has to grow this year.
574 Fan
10:45
Thank you for the chats, CC.  Do you see a scenario where the team can "push forward" their 2026 draft capital into 2027?  Seems  like it would be difficult to pull off.  But, what good do all those picks do them if they aren't loading up for QB?  Seems unlikely that they could keep anywhere near all those picks on the roster, so some of that capital is likely to go to waste, agree?
Christopher Carter
10:47
Thanks for being here!

Omar Khan can still make this a special draft and line up the roster so that when they do make their big QB move that it's a more complete roster. A lot of people are going to get caught up "looking for the next Sam Darnold." But what they need to be doing is creating the next roster that's like the Seahawks where a Darnold can prosper with it.

The Steelers have been working on that project for a few years now. The OL rebuild has taken time and is going in the right direction and they've found some good pieces for the defense while missing with other moves. If they can take full advantage of this offseason, I think they could take a big step to being a roster like the Seahawks that is a decent QB away from being a Super Bowl contender.
Takoma Tom
10:49
Steelers blew it should have given HC job to Stefanski and DC to Schwartz.  If he can win 11 games in Cleveland twice he’s exceptional.
Christopher Carter
10:51
The Steelers have more wins in each of its last six individual seasons than the Browns had in the past two years. I think they're fine not taking the head coach and defensive coordinator of that team and just slapping them in Pittsburgh hoping for the best. I like both coaches, but I don't think they "blew it" by not bringing them in as a package deal.

I do think the process for hiring McCarthy was terrible. But that's a different question.
Ricksta
10:53
Chris, Love and trust your grounded, intelligent analysis. A little bit of an off the wall question here. Not to get all conspiratorial, but to what extent does Pat McAfee have the ears of the Steelers’ management/ ownership? I mean, like, McAfee was in with Rodgers —> Rodgers signs with the Steelers. McAfee was in with McCarthy —-> McCarthy becomes the Steelers’ HC. Coincidences are real, but it seems kinda uncanny, yeah?
Christopher Carter
10:56
Thanks! I don't think the Steelers are basing their coaching and roster decisions off of who's in with the Pat McAfee show. But I do think it's a funny coincidence that it's happened twice. I do know that the show is appreciated by the organization, as are many national platforms. But if there was a sharp QB class that came out in 2025, they would've gone that route over Rodgers. And I think if Marcus Freeman says he's not sticking to Notre Dame, he'd be the head coach in Pittsburgh.
Arthur not Art
10:57
Good morning, Chris. Thank you for continuing to do these chats and I hope for the best so that they may continue. If Rodgers decides he wants to play another year, do you think he will be here? I don't see him coming back unless the Steelers are his only offer or only offer from a team with a playoff chance. Seems he would be better off in MIN than PIT. Just hard to believe he's interested in coming back to this WR group and can't imagine they'll have another FA WR on the roster that would make him think this group is worth making another run with.
Christopher Carter
11:03
I think Rodgers has grown an appreciation for the Steelers organization and that'll play a factor in his decision. Whether it will land him in Pittsburgh, can't say for sure. But I think after his years with the Jets and his year in Pittsburgh, he wants to make sure that if he plays somewhere next year it's in an organization that's better put together like the Steelers or the Packers.

Are the Vikings that? They have a roster that's interesting with the weapons on offense, a more experienced OL and some weapons on defense. They went 9-8 last year with not so great quarterback play. If Rodgers sees that one-year window as his best shot, I'd get it. But I think he might look at what they're doing in Pittsburgh and feel a comfort with ownership and how he was treated here last year. Plus, I do think he really likes the idea of reuniting with Mike McCarthy.
Pittfan
11:04
Hi Christopher. Does the old adage keep taking QBs until you find one apply in all cases? Meaning do you reach for a Ty Simpson or a similar player in the first round just in case? Is there a Jaxson Dart or Bo Nix in this draft?
Christopher Carter
11:08
Hello!

I get this question a lot on multiple platforms. My take on this is that if you think the QB has a decent chance to be the guy, take that shot.

But if you think he's likely not the guy, don't force it.

It doesn't need to be more complicated than that. The notion the Steelers should draft quarterbacks relentlessly until they find the right one misses the boat because it doesn't factor in whether the team thought that player was actually a good prospect or not.

Jaxson Dart went 4-8 this year and had some inpsiring moments but also several more welcome to the NFL moments. I don't think taking him would've made them a better team this past year and I think it could've set them back further.

If the Steelers think Ty Simpson is the guy, go get him. But if they don't pick someone at another position you think is a major contributor.
11:11
An example of this would be back in 2003 when the Steelers needed a franchise quarterback. They could've taken their shot at Kyle Boller and still tried to get Ben Roethlisberger the next year.

But if they did that, guess who they miss out on: Troy Polamalu.

I don't think Derrick Harmon is a defensive lineman like Polamalu was a safety, but I think Harmon has the makings to be a pillar player for the roster over the next decade. I also think there are several players the Steelers could trade up for this year who could also fit that bill. I don't think Simpson is that.
574 Fan
11:11
Ty Simpson has 15 career collegiate starts and no elite physical traits (according to the "experts").  Two significant red flags for a 1st round caliber QB.  Yet, he seems to be the most popular pick at 21 in most mocks I see.  Am I missing something?  Kenny Pickett had zero elite traits also (but way more experience) and flopped just 4 years ago. No way they go that route again, right?
Christopher Carter
11:13
I'm also not on the Ty Simpson hype train. I liked what he was building in the middle of the season and even said as much in our weekly QB tracker series. But his fall-off was too harsh as teams started to figure him out. I think people see QB as a need and late first round as a value for Simpson and so mock drafters are slotting him with the Steelers because that fit makes sense.

But unless Simpson wows at the combine -- both in drills and interviews -- I don't think he's their pick.
Realist
11:14
Is Mendoza the only legitimate 1st round pick in this draft?
Christopher Carter
11:16
I've gone back and forth about Simpson being a first round or early second round prospect. He has elements I like, but not the full package that makes him a for sure first round option. Mendoza does though, and will go first overall in this draft.
Steeler Joe
11:17
Chris! Thanks for taking the time to chat. What do you think is the over/under on actual bodies drafted this year? Knowing what  wheeler-dealer Khan is, I say … 8.5.
Christopher Carter
11:19
I think 8.5 is a good betting point.

The Steelers have 12 picks and I can see two trade-ups happening this year: one for a higher pick in the top 50 -- either a higher first, doubling up in the first, or a higher second -- and two for higher or extra pick in the 75-100 range of the draft.

I'd estimate to make those moves, Khan could end up spending 3-4 picks to draft in those areas. But he could also trade away players on the roster, and that could shake things  up a lot.

So for now, 8.5 is a good line.
dpreble001
11:20
Christopher, Should the Steelers package some of this year's picks, to try to add an additional 1 or 2 next year to get out QB?
Christopher Carter
11:21
This is the other option with their current pick situation. If the Steelers don't like what they're seeing at a particular round, they could give that pick to another team for their picks next year. I don't think that's a bad plan, but I do think this could be an important draft with the talent in the top 100 to add some serious weapons to the roster and don't think they should overlook that.
Realist
11:23
What round do you think Allar will be drafted by some team?
Christopher Carter
11:24
Somewhere between the 5th and the 7th. He's got the protypical build but he never really put it together in college and his injury didn't help things either. I think someone takes a shot on him as an arm they could bring to camp and see what he's got. But it's hard for me to see that even being an early day three pick.
Mikey 412
11:25
Hey Chris, appreciate the work.  Assuming we take a WR early, is there a WR you think would be a good day 2 or 3 pick?  we have always done rather well with WR picks in later rounds.
Christopher Carter
11:38
I think there's a great fit here to get a playmaker receiver in this range.

The Steelers have the 53rd, 76th, 85th and 99th picks in the second and third rounds. Here's a list of WRs I expect to be available and worth th picks in those ranges:

Elijah Sarratt - Indiana
Germie Bernard - Alabama
Zachariah Branch - Georgia
Malachi Fields - Notre Dame
Skyler Bell - UConn
Chris Brazzell II - Tennessee
CJ Daniels - Miami

Of this group, I'm more partial to Fields because I've seen him up close and studied him more. But what I've seen of Sarratt, Bell, Bernard and Branch all suggest they could be big playmakers too. Still putting together my top 100 board, but there's a sweet spot here.

I'd also say for day 3 picks there's also some really good shots like Ja'Kobi Lane of USC, Ted Hurst of Georgia State, and Kevin Coleman Jr. of Missouri. Definitely see the Steelers taking a shot in either of these places along with taking a receiver in the first round.
LarryG from Punxy
11:38
With McCarthy now in as the head coach, how much do you think he will rely on the draft to build the roster?  I think that was one of Tomlin's biggest flaws...his inability to draft, development, and maintain players.  Last season, of the starters, only 7 players on offense were drafted by the Steelers, and only 6 on defense; 6 of these players (total)  were drafted in the last 3 years when we had Khan at the helm.  I hope we can look forward to better draft picks with McCarthy as head coach.
Christopher Carter
11:43
I think building through the draft is a Steelers philosophy that won't go away and they'll keep trying to do that.

I don't think there was an inability to draft, develop and maintian players especially when you consider how many high level players they drafted, developed and maintained. The Steelers had misses towards the end of the Kevin Colbert era when they reached with picks to fit needs towards the end of the Ben Roethlisberger era instead of picking for value like they normally did.

Under Omar Khan and Andy Weidl, I think they've gotten back to that. Young players like Joey Porter Jr., Zach Frazier, Broderick Jones, Troy Fautanu, Mason McCormick, Keeanu Benton, Nick Herbig, Pat Freiermuth, Darnell Washington and others all are Steelers picks who've developed in recent years. Not to mention James Pierre is also a Steelers product, albeit undrafted. And other older Steelers picks who've developed like T.J. Watt, Cam Heyward and Alex Highsmith. I also think Derrick Harmon had a heck of a first year.
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