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Christopher Carter's Steelers chat: 02.20.26
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NY Steel
12:04
Do you think the Steelers take too much pride in making the playoffs? When 7 of 16 teams make the playoffs in a conference, it means you have to be just “above average” to make it.  Are the Steelers stuck in a mindset of “just above average” and should they change their mindset to one where they again seek to be champions?  Art Rooney does not give off a championship-seeking vibe.
Christopher Carter
12:15
I think this is one of the key misconceptions locally about what the Steelers are doing. The organization isn't just packing it in and not hoping to get better. They've been going through a rebuild while they've remained competitive.

That should always be the goal. Even the Seahawks can be an example. Sure, they had a 7-10 season, but that's not a tanking and they didn't get their home run pick that year as Charles Cross was their pick at 9th overall.

Their biggest drafts came after going --  you guessed it, 9-8, 9-8, and 10-7. They were 9-8 more often than the Steelers and still made good picks that built their current roster. They got an added boost by trading away Russell Wilson at the right time -- which maybe shows what the Steelers should've done with Ben Roethlisberger and that being a big difference.
12:20
Whether that would've changed the Steelers' direction from the late 2010s to the early 2020s isn't clear. But when I look around the NFL, tanking isn't some great strategy. It's been 10 years since the MVP award has been awarded to a quarterback who was on the team that drafted them because they picked them naturally in the top 10.
12:23
Matt Stafford - FA.
Josh Allen - trade-up after playoff season.
Lamar Jackson - 32nd overall pick.
Patrick Mahomes - traded up after playoff season.
Tom Brady - 6th round pick.

You'd have to go back to Matt Ryan in in 2016 to find an MVP QB who was gotten by their team from tanking.
Nico
12:23
Hey Chris, it was sad to learn of Mike Wagner’s passing. My condolences to his family.  Did you ever meet him?
Christopher Carter
12:26
It was sad to learn about that. I never met him, but grew up knowing who he was because my father was big on watching any documentaries or NFL Films videos on that era. I particularly enjoyed the America's Game documentary on the Super Bowl X season when Wagner talked about falling for a play by Roger Staubach, and then seeing that play and making a huge interception for the Steelers later in the game.

I got to meet a decent amount of the Steelers of the 70s, but never Wagner. Everything I heard about him from others was that he seemed like a nice man, and he was a heck of a player.
NY Steel
12:26
The Steelers have a lot of cap space, and can create even more with a few cuts (like Jonnu Smith and Jalen Ramsey).  Which positions should they address in free agency and which in the draft?
Christopher Carter
12:28
I think it would help to add a good vet receiver in case they only get one receiver in the first three rounds.

I also think there are good safeties to be had in both aspects, as I really like this safety class and I also think if they sign Rams FA Kamren Curl they'd be adding a good player at 27 years old.
Realist
12:28
I get tired of fans talking about Watt as if he's over the hill and is only worth a late round pick at best.  His play has declined but he's still good isn't he?
Christopher Carter
12:31
He's still very good. He's just not defensive player of the year candidate elite right now. I think people who want to ship him off for a day three pick do not understand how much he still does at a high level. Now, he used to be a player that would require two or three first round picks -- and those days are gone.
Art from NC
12:31
Hey C.C.- excellent insights as always- Your thoughts- What is wrong with trading some picks or signing a top WR free agent, and drafting Simpson to spend a year learning the NFL game from one of the all-time greats in Rodgers? Mahomes sat for a  year behind Alex Smith, turned out to be a pretty good move (not that Simpson is a future Mahomes, but better than most). This year-in-year QB carousel has got to be addressed or we are going to start being compared to the Clowns by the lake!
Christopher Carter
12:33
Hey Art. Thanks for the compliments!

My only thing with Ty Simpson is I just don't see him as being that good of a quarterback. I think he could be a good backup/bridge quarterback for a team, but not a franchise guy. Now, I could be wrong about that. But if I'm an NFL team, I'm not drafting a player that I don't think is good when I could draft a different player who I think actually is good.

If Simpson was that guy, I'd be all for it. I just don't see that. However, if the Steelers see that in him, go after him and make it work. I just don't think that's the move.
Up for Downs
12:35
Hey, Chris, trade up for Caleb Downs! Get that big nickel guy and make our D so good we hardly have to score many points!
Christopher Carter
12:37
Let me say this, if the Steelers trade up for Caleb Downs, the North Shore should be going nuts. He would be the generational player that could change everything and become a superstar on defense in fast order.

I just don't know he'll far enough for them to make sense about the move. I think he's one of the best 3-4 players in this draft class. Safety might be devalued as a position, but I think teams will go and get him before the 8th pick -- and that's about where I think the Steelers' draft capital trade range begins.
Morgan
12:37
Hi Chris!  How big a factor, if any, do potential teammates play for a free agent to decide which team he should with for a given season?  For example, Yuri asked about Alex Pierce. Would playing with Metcalf be an element in Pierce coming to Pittsburgh?
Christopher Carter
12:39
This depends from player to player. Some will just chase the bag and the biggest deal, while others might look for the best competitive situation for them. There are times when contracts are close that player environment does play a role in the decision. For Pierce, I think it might be more dependent on what kind of quarterback situation he'll end up with.
Immaculate Resurrection
12:40
Will you be putting together a list of your under the radar draft prospects after the combine? Anyone on you radar screen already?
Christopher Carter
12:46
Last one here before I have to get back to my draft work.

I'll be doing plenty of post-combine analysis and sleepers will be part of them.

Keep an eye on Florida CB Devin Moore. He's 6-foot-3 and makes good plays on the ball. If he tests well, feel like he could shoot up boards. Another player would be Georgia State WR Ted Hurst, who lit it up during Senior Bowl practices.

We'll be looking at plenty of those aspects of this draft class in the coming weeks. So be sure to stay tuned with what we've got coming out!

Thanks everyone! Get ready for all the combine coverage you can shake a stick at next week from Indianapolis!
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