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Christopher Carter's Steelers chat: 05.08.25
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Christopher Carter
11:04
Let’s get into it. As a heads up, I won’t be able to do this for four hours today so will be working my way through the questions as best I can.
Tom
11:04
Can you look back and please explain why Tomlin defended Pickens so vigorously after he failed to run his route which led to Wilson's INT? If Pickens was such a problem that  they needed to get rid of him for barely a 3rd  round pick, why was Wilson thrown under the bus or did Tomlin not at least publicly say something as simple as "The difference between winning and losing in NFL can come down to effort on one play. He needs to be better than that."
Christopher Carter
11:06
Hey Tom, from what I was told when I asked around about that play, Pickens actually wasn’t at fault for that play. Wilson called a hot route to Freiermuth and didn’t change  the full play call—which was a designed short pass to Heyward on the opposite side of the field. Pickens ran is route as if that was still the play because Wilson didn’t switch that, and then Wilson made a bad read trying to force it to Freiermuth.
11:08
However, the real problem with Pickens that day was that he was late to warmups, and then was crashing out at the end of the game. They needed him to not bring those types of problems, which is why he’s gone. From what I understood, Tomlin was correct that THAT specific play wasn’t on Pickens. BUT there were other things they were fed up about on that day alone.
Tom
11:08
Did Tomlin do anything to handle Pickens, correctly?
Christopher Carter
11:10
Remember when Pickens didn’t throw that block for Warren against the Colts in 2023? Tomlin pulled him in for a private meeting and had a talk with him that basically indicated he needed to step up and cut that stuff out. From what I was told, that worked for the rest of 2023, but did not carry into 2024. And Pickens only had so many times where he could be corrected to that magnitude before they figured it was time to move on.
artiebridge
11:10
Believe it or not, I have a question that's not about Pickens.  Do you think there is a market for Minkah, and would the Steelers trade him if the return was deemed "reasonable"?
Christopher Carter
11:13
Artie, my man. As far as Fitzpatrick, I think the problem with that is he does a lot for the Steelers defense to protect the middle of the field, but hasn’t been a turnover machine the past two seasons. He might be that guy to the Steelers and not fetch a proper return from others because of that. I also think the only way they would’ve moved on from him was if they drafted Nick Emmanwori or Xavier Watts.
TVC15
11:13
Hi Christopher,  I don't know what to make of Pickens as a wide receiver talent. Is he top 10 in the NFL? Where would you rank him.
Christopher Carter
11:14
A top 10 list? Gimme a min
11:25
  1. Justin Jefferson
  2. Ja"Marr Chase
  3. CeeDee Lamb
  4. Amon-Ra St. Brown
  5. Terry McLaurin
  6. A.J. Brown
  7. Puka Nacua
  8. Mike Evans
  9. Tee Higgins
  10. Davante Adams
So no, I don't think he's top 10. Maybe top 20.
TD
11:25
Hi Chris, glad you’re here! I can’t blame the Steelers for taking a chance on Pickens when they drafted him.  He has a ridiculous amount of talent.  That said, the Steelers and MT in particular talked about supporting him through his  seeming immaturity, did that include hiring a sports psychologist?  Do the Steelers employ one? MT is not one and I have to believe a psychologist would have been a critical resource for George.
Christopher Carter
11:26
Going to be honest, I don't know for certain, but I don't believe they have a team-specific person for that. They might have recommended doctors, but not a person directly employed by the team.
Josh
11:26
Hey Chris, are you hearing any chatter of the Steelers poking around Green Bay’s WR room and if anyone such as Doubs is available? Saw some local radio hosts mentioning “sources” have said they made a call about the wide receiver.
Christopher Carter
11:27
I think they're exploring a lot of options right now. But if I'm the Steelers and I'm about keeping my 2026 draft picks, I might look harder at the available free agents like Gabe Davis.
Pittfan
11:27
Hi Christopher. I really want to believe the Steelers have a plan. With no franchise QB (even if Rodgers signs), a young offensive line, a host of new young defenders, accumulating draft picks and purging the roster of malcontents (I include Najee in that) it gives the appearance they are getting ready for 2026 and beyond.
Christopher Carter
11:28
It certainly seems that way. They've been trying to build an offensive nucleus of leadership to carry that side for a while. They swung on Harris-Pickett-Freiermuth-Pickens, and only Freiermuth has taken root. Need to have hit with some of these OL picks, trust that Metcalf can be a guy like that, and pick the RIGHT QB next year.
Josh
11:28
Is there any wavering of the confidence inside the Steelers building that Rodgers won’t be their QB in 25?
Christopher Carter
11:28
I don't believe so. Everything I've heard is it's still the same feeling it was before the draft. Could be wrong though and they're just playing close to the vest.
Guest
11:28
Do you think Pickens problems are that he is an entitled brat that needs to grow up or that he has more severe mental health issues?  I was in the camp to let him play out this year.  He'd be on his best behavior for a $100 million dollar contract next year.  At this point, I don't think he's capable of that.  What say you?
Christopher Carter
11:30
I think Pickens is a player who thinks his talent is good enough to make the other little things not matter. And hey, it's gotten him this far. But I do think this needs to be a reality check for him. Tomlin kept Antonio Brown in line for years, and he's giving up on you? As Ryan Clark said yesterday, that's not a good sign for him in future locker rooms.
TVC15
11:30
Will Pat Freiermuth ever have a breakout season? He always seems to be slightly underwhelming. Am I expecting too much from him?
Christopher Carter
11:30
I think it's more-so about the state of the offense. I don't think he's a superstar that will lift the whole offense, but I think he can be a heck of a weapon when the ball gets rolling. Could also just be that he needs more targets in the red zone.
TVC15
11:30
Is not having a losing season Tomlin's and the Steelers new Mendoza line?
Christopher Carter
11:32
I think that Mendoza line has always been making the playoffs. Remember, the mendoza line is about hitting .200 or below. So, it's not like that's their ultimate goal. But as long as they're doing it at a decent clip, they're going to see themselves as sustainable. And they've made the playoffs in 4 of the last 5 seasons.
Guest
11:32
If Aaron Rogers signs with the Steelers, and he is outplayed in training camp by Rudolph or Howard, what are the odds Tomlin will make Rogers a backup QB?
Christopher Carter
11:32
Ha. I would consider that unlikely. Doubt Rodgers would swing for that.
J D
11:32
Chris, was Picken’s departure planned by the Steelers or was this choreographed by him?  If it was the former, why do it after the draft?
Christopher Carter
11:33
I think this was in the cards from the Steelers and they were more-so waiting for the right price. From what's been reported, the highest offer before the draft was a 4th. And now the price has been upped to a 3rd in a draft I expect the Steelers to be big players for a QB trade-up.
Bob
11:33
Does it make any sense to extend Watt, who will be 31 years old, is often hurt, and has been declining, to $40M plus that he wants?
Christopher Carter
11:36
Yes. The "often hurt" is a bit exaggerated. He's missed one start in the last two years and in seven seasons he's only had one time he's missed more than two games. Football is a physical game and guys are going to miss spots here and there. I also don't think he's declining just yet. Teams tee'd off on him late last year and he didn't lead the league in sacks for the first time he's played a full season since 2019. I think he's still the best edge rusher in the NFL and will get what he's looking for financially. Also, $40M is NOT what people think it is anymore. The new salary cap is so high, that's not even 15% of cap space, and is actually right along the percentage of the cap he made with his last contract.
Ron
11:36
I feel like a lot of what some people are saying that the Steelers are stock piling   draft picks for next year & not caring about this year.There QB mess & now there wr situation that looks like last year sure makes it look that way.
Christopher Carter
11:37
I wouldn't say they don't care about this year. Otherwise they would be trotting Will Howard and Skylar Thompson out there. But I do think they're making a calculated play to have ammunition to get the right quarterback next season. That doesn't mean they don't want to win this year. Just means they don't want to overcommit to something that they think has a good chance of setting them back even further.
Guest
11:37
The Steelers have traded their most talented WR five times now on Tomlin's watch.  He is lauded as being able to reel them in, but that is clearly not true.  He gives them free reign.  Why hasn't he learned yet?  Why hasn't he changed his behavior and the culture?
Christopher Carter
11:38
I don't know, keeping Antonio Brown for 9 years when nobody else could keep him for a full season does seem like he kept him in line. Martavis Bryant couldn't last a full season anywhere else. Diontae Johnson was known as the best route runner in football for years and now is on his 3rd team since he left. That seems like a track record of getting the most out of those guys.
KordellTolls
11:39
Chris which of the free agent WRs in the market do you prefer? Are we looking at the next Mike Williams or Van Jefferson, aging vets with almost nothing left?
Christopher Carter
11:39
I like Gabe Davis. Think that is a parting of the clouds the Steelers should take a shot at.
J D
11:39
Chris, there is no way that Pickens departure won’t affect Roger’s decision to play here.  Will the Steelers sign another stud WR out there?  What do you think?
Christopher Carter
11:40
I think they sign someone. The question will be whether they get a Rodgers-specific receiver or just the best receiver they think is out there. I like Gabe Davis and Keenan Allen as options, but Rodgers might want Allen Lazard or Romeo Doubs. We'll see which way the wind blows.
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