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Christopher Carter's Steelers chat: 03.20.26
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Christopher Carter
10:18
Alright! I'm on a tighter schedule today since we have to do North Shore Drive podcast at 11:30 but we will still get to plenty of your questions! Let's get into it!
Cynthia
10:18
Hi Chris. Is your personal preference for Rodgers at QB, or would you have  McCarthy do his QB whispering, either for Howard, or Beck, Allar, Simpson…?
Christopher Carter
10:28
It all depends on which path you think is best for the Steelers.

I personally think Aaron Rodgers for another year is the best option for them to compete this season and I value keeping up that competition to continue the development of the young players they're bringing along.

I think Ty Simpson is a longshot of a franchise quarterback, and that Carson Beck and Drew Allar are even longer shots -- Allar being the longest.

Will Howard I'd honestly rank third in this draft class of quarterbacks with his upside being a better collection of skills than most quarterbacks in this class. But even so, I see him more as a backup quarterback who can be a long term development project than a starter.

Because of that, I see Rodgers as their best present option. Let Howard develop and learn behind him, then explore what options come next year.
Steve in Columbus
10:28
Hi Chris, love your work!  Thanks for all you do and share.  I think the Steelers still have to go WR in the first round.  Right now, they don"t have a legtit number three and that could be exposed like not having legit number two last year.  Thoughts?
Christopher Carter
10:36
Thanks Steve!

And I agree that a first round receiver is a great move with this class -- especially if they can get one of the top 3 prospects with the 21st pick or higher.

That value in having a third highly talented receiver who can be a starter increases in Mike McCarthy's offense that prioritizes 11 personnel with 3 receivers. I'm all for that being their early pick to maximize the value in the player. I also think it matches with what I see as a talented and deep receiver class.
Uncle Larry
10:36
People scoffed at Bo Nix coming out of the draft saying his arm was mediocre and he was 26; I see a lot of similarities with him and Carson Beck also Jalen Hurts. Is it worth a 3rd round pick?
Christopher Carter
10:38
Carson Beck might've been more in that conversation if his elbow injury didn't limit his arm strength. The zip on his passes took a serious hit and I think that hurts his value.

I think he might still go in the third because teams will force it, but if I'm the Steelers, I think I wouldn't take him until the 5th if he's still there.
10:42
As for Bo Nix, I think he had a decent season as part of a strong roster around him. He threw the most passes of any quarterback but finished eighth in yards, 27th in touchdown percentage, 28th passing yards per attempt and 26th in passer rating.
BPOS
10:42
WR, Safety and now OL are all ripe for the first pick. The top two WR will go in the first 10 picks, but the 3,4 best WR's and safety Dillon Theineman who I love are likely to go 10-20.  IF, they really covet one of those guys, do you think they'll try to move up a few spots or be content to sit at 20 and take the BPA.
Christopher Carter
10:45
I think it would just make sense to trade up to get one of these top prospects with all the draft capital they've accumulated. I think the second receiver could get picked outside of the top 10, but I agree it's likely that them, Vega Ioane, Dillon Thieneman and Caleb Downs could all go in the top 20.

They can get aggressive and find a foundational player there.
FC
10:45
Good morning, Chris, and thanks for your daily expertise on all things Steelers!  Are you surprised they haven't signed a left guard yet in FA?  Seems to be a large hole there and I think Hoffman would be a perfect fit for depth and, if Frazier gets hurt, he could fill in at Center.  Any idea why they haven't tried to sign him?
Christopher Carter
10:52
Good morning and thank you!

I am surprised. To me, that should've been a priority in free agency considering the young draft picks already on the line. A veteran to replace Isaac Seumalo made sense.

My guess about Hoffman is that they're still exploring their options. I also think this is a good guard class with at least 4-5 prospects who I'd be interested in making a starter right away.
Jim
10:54
Good morning Chris, Cam Heyward seems like an overall good dude and it has been proven by his WP Man of the Year but it seems the last few seasons he has taken a few shots at Steeler fans, i.e. contract status and now claiming fans didn't appreciate Connor's contributions. Is the city really supposed to be devastated that we lost a special teamer and mainly gimmick player? He doesn't seem to be as butt hurt at the loss of Killebrew
Christopher Carter
11:07
Good morning!

He has fired off some shots, and they've all been reactionary to fans and social media shots fired at him and his brother. I was on here back in the summer telling people the raise he wanted was very modest and people assumed he was asking for top tier money, meanwhile he just wanted to be paid within the top 15 defensive tackles in the NFL while being an all-pro. It wasn't unreasonable, and his holding out wasn't an issue.

As for Connor Heyward, I think that's specifically around the social media culture that got very toxic with fans calling him a "nepo-baby" and highlighting any of his mistakes. Connor was a solid player for being a sixth round pick who helped in the facets he was used. There were some loud assertions he was only in the NFL because Cam Heyward was forcing the Steelers to draft and then keep him, which was ridiculous. Connor was a good player at Michigan State limited by his size and he found a way to help in ways that brought decent value.
11:08
The Raiders signing him showed other teams saw his value as well. He's not a star, but he's a good athlete and an NFL player. Both he and Cam played hard for the Steelers and saw what I thought was weird online backlash against them, and that's what they responded to.
BPOS
11:09
Do you think Rogers decision to return is less about whether he wants to come back or not, and more about, can the Steelers do enough in the draft to give him the supporting cast to be successful.  I find it hard to believe he's undecided on coming back (I'm rather sure he wants to), but rather, what's he coming back into that's giving him pause.
Christopher Carter
11:11
I think, like last time, there's an agreement in place and he'll be the starter. I do think there were some conversations between both sides about additions to the office, but that it's just a matter of time he signs for another year.
TODave
11:11
Hi Chris. Assuming Steelers are going to draft a LG in the early-mid rounds, are there any names that you see them particularly interested in? Thanks.
Christopher Carter
11:13
Hello!

Let's go, I love draft prospect questions.
Vega Ioane is the top guard prospect and looks like he could be the next David DeCastro. Doubt he falls to the Steelers, but would be great for them if he did.

Emmanuel Pregnon and Chase Bistontis are both second round prospects I think would be good starter additions to explore. A third round prospect I really like is Keylan Rutledge, who the Steelers just brought in for a top 30 visit today. Rutledge I think would be great value as he's a mauler of a run blocker and could fit right in what they're doing on the OL.
TODave
11:13
Based on reports, the Steelers and McCarthy are optimistic about Will Howard. If true, do you think that this will result in a legitimate “in-game” look at Howard this year to see what they have before the 2027 draft?
Christopher Carter
11:15
I think Will Howard will have plenty of chances in camp and preseason. If he can beat out whatever camp arm they add, he'll then have to surpass Mason Rudolph. Then, it would just be about if Aaron Rodgers gets injured this season. But I have a hard time they're planning on specifically starting him above Rodgers.
Luke
11:15
At what point does Rooney step in either privately or publicly to get this Rodger’s issue finalized now. The charades need to end. It’s frankly embarrassing to both the city and franchise
Christopher Carter
11:17
Like last time, I'm pretty sure there's a behind the scenes agreement the public is not privy to and this will end with him signing a contract and this not being an issue when the season comes around.
Steelers Nation Jersey Chapter
11:18
Good morning, Chris, I feel that a good and athletic safety is the most important element to the defensive side of the ball.  When we had Troy and Ryan Clark our defense was at the top of the league.  We also see this playing the ravens with the importance of Kyle Hamilton.  With 3 really good safeties could the steelers draft a safety at 21.  Out of these 3 safeties Caleb Downs,  Dillon Thieneman, or Emmanuel McNeil-Warren which safety would you suggest that the Steelers try to draft?
Christopher Carter
11:23
Good morning!

I also think getting an athletic safety should be a priority in this draft.

Caleb Downs has the best instincts of the safeties in this class and could be an ultimate chess piece. Dillon Thieneman has the athleticism to be an X-factor, and Emmanuel McNeil-Warren has freakish size with good ball instincts.

Dillon and Thieneman would be worth trade-up moves to get. McNeil-Warren I think would be a good pick if they traded down a few picks in the first round.
Bones
11:23
Good morning CC. What's your take on how to manage the top three OLBs? Do they trade one?
Christopher Carter
11:24
Good morning!

Don't trade them. Sign Herbig -- because they have the money -- and use all three in a heavy rotation. Keep them fresh and be aggressive in how they attack the backfield.
Tim
11:24
GM Chris, best case scenario:  Trade up for player they really want or sit tight at 21 and take bpa?  Who might be at 21 as best player available that would move the needle for you?  Greedy today with my 2 questions but really interested in your insightful take
Christopher Carter
11:27
Good morning!

I genuinely think that the top 3 WRs, Ioane (guard), Downs and Thieneman could all be gone by the 21st pick and that if any of them are a top target, they would need to be traded up for to get.

But if they wait, they could probably get one of the best defensive tackles in the class like Kayden McDonald, Caleb Banks or Peter Woods. Could be a very good partner for Derrick Harmon in the long run.
Big Bria
11:27
So, Seattle proved that you could win with a journeyman QB and a great defense. There does not seem to be that many franchise QBs on the horizon so don’t you think the Steelers would be better off using their draft capital on building a elite defense which starts up front with the D-Line?
Christopher Carter
11:28
I have no issue with this plan. Though I will say Sam Darnold is on the high end of journeyman quarterbacks. There's some really good first round defensive tackle prospects who could impact the defense right away.
Draft King
11:28
Do you expect the Steelers to obtain a starting caliber guard thru a trade or free agency or get one in the first 3 rounds of the draft? Thank you
Christopher Carter
11:28
Listed my top guards earlier, but I think they can get one even in the third round like Keylan Rutledge.
Joe in VA
11:29
The Steelers are showing interest in Carson Beck. I have to question the fit in blue collar Pittsburgh for a kid that bought a Ferrari and a Mercedes with his NIL money and then pulled a Tom Brady and refused to shake Fernando Mendoza's hand after the national championship game. Am I overreacting?
Christopher Carter
11:30
Yeah, I think that was them kicking the tires on one of the more experienced quarterbacks in this class. I don't think Beck would be the move unless he's available in the fifth round. Especially with how his arm dropped off this year after his elbow surgery.
Biff
11:30
It's a shame MM isn't shifting the defense to a 4-3. Unless you have three absolute monsters on the front with a 3-4 it's too easy to be pushed around by a 5 man offensive line front.  The 3-4 is outdated.
Christopher Carter
11:31
This is one of the biggest myths. The Seahawks just won with a 3-4 defense. The Patriots just made it to the Super Bowl with a 3-4. In no way is the formation outdated. Just need some strong DTs/DEs to fit it.
11:32
Alright, I have to go record North Shore Drive podcast. Have a good weekend everyone and be on the lookout for our continued draft coverage!
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