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Christopher Carter's Steelers chat: 05.14.25
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Christopher Carter
10:02
Alright hereeee we go! Let's get into I!
Josh
10:02
Hey Chris, any idea what the rumblings were yesterday about the so called "big steelers announcement" that was going around the local media and radio stations? Everyone knew of the Ireland game already, unless the steelers were just expecting more hype for the game since the opponent was announced?
Christopher Carter
10:05
Hey Josh! I honestly don't know what they might've been talking about. I thought the Ireland announcement was pretty well known. But it's always possible people hear rumblings that just turn out to not be true. Happens to everyone when you're in this business long enough.
Guest
10:05
Do you have faith in Calvin Austin becoming an outside receiver if need be?
Christopher Carter
10:10
For that to happen, Calvin Austin has to get better at getting off the line when he's pressed. I think he has the potential, but he has to be able to create on his own on the outside. That's harder to do, which is why the better receivers are put there. He's gotten better each year, so it could just be up to him with how much he's improved when we see him in camp.
Mediocre Mikey
10:10
Chris, is a HC who goes 14 of 18 seasons without a single playoff win really a candidate for the HOF? Should he be? What if that number balloons to 16 of 20 years including a 10 year drought?
Christopher Carter
10:13
Well, to determine that I'd look at other head coaches in the HOF and see if anyone else has a similar or less record. It took about five seconds to pull up one: Mike Ditka. 14 years head coaching, only 4 years where he won playoff games.

Also, had 6 losing seasons, including a 3-13 year, and never made it back to the Super Bowl like Tomlin did. And he's in the HOF.

Could also add Dick Vermeil, who made the HOF with just three seasons in 15 years where he won playoff games. Also is a SB champion with 7 losing seasons.

So yes, I think a coach with those numbers is in the HOF with the other accomplishments on Tomlin's record, like being a Super Bowl champion, two-time AFC champion, 7-time AFC North champion, and never having a losing season.
Easley
10:14
What did you think of Trey Sermon coming out of college? I loved him and frankly have been surprised he hasn't had a successful career to this point.
Christopher Carter
10:16
I thought he was OK. I think the fact he's bounced around several teams isn't a good indicator he'll be high up in the Steelers' rotation. But I see him has a good 3rd or 4th option to have ready.
Josh
10:17
Why is Cordarrelle Patterson still on this team?  Outside of him being a favorite with Arthur Smith, just seems like he doesn't offer much other than a voice in the running back room who has experience in Smith's system.  Gainwell should be the KR and possible 3rd down guy.  Sermon may be the better 4th option at RB
Christopher Carter
10:19
Probably because he's just a $3.75M cap hit and they'd only get back about $2.8M when they already have $34.1M. I don't think it'd be bad to bring him to camp and just have him around. But I do think if he takes the place of a faster person on KR/PR that would be an issue. I understood the attempt last season. But now you've seen it and he doesn't have the same speed he did before.
G Money
10:19
Chris what is your view of drafting select position groups in a particular draft.  For example Drafting 3 OL in the first 3 or 4 picks of a draft. Or Drafting 3 or 4 DBs in a draft.  And bringing the rookies along together as a unit, developing, etc.
Christopher Carter
10:21
I think it just depends on how the board plays out each year. It's tough to judge a hypothetical like that without knowing who else was available. If those were just the best options, I think that's fine. I do think it could be special to bring up a group together that's around the same age. Especially on the OL where chemistry is vital to success maybe more than any other position.
Guest
10:21
TJ Watt contract speak has quieted down, would you expect him at OTA's and mini camp?  Could see him showing up to both but not participating, but surely he wouldn't make the spectacle that Hendrickson made yesterday in Cincy
Christopher Carter
10:22
Ha. Wait til you see today's North Shore Drive podcast. I would expect to see him. Maybe he does his hold-in thing, but I think he shows up. Hendrickson $18.6M this season while Watt is making $30.4M. I think Watt's track record with the Steelers' FO speaks differently than Hendrickson's with the Bengals' FO.
George
10:22
All this talk of next years draft and all the “draft capital ” … they have one number one and one number two and a whole bunch of late round picks. If they are drafting in the teens or 20s do they really expect to move into the top five by offering someone their number one and a bunch of day three picks???
Christopher Carter
10:25
They also have three 3rd round picks, so that's four picks on day 2.

Also ... yes? They moved up from 20 to 10 in 2019 with just a 1st, a 2nd, and a 3rd for the following year.

I could see a first, second and two thirds in the same draft having a bigger impact than that. And I also wouldn't rule out throwing in another future pick. Chiefs moved from 27 to 10 to get Mahomes for a first, a third, and a future first.

It's very doable. But you better have minimized the other holes on your roster leading up to it.
Rocky Mtn Yunzer
10:26
Chris - so glad you joined the chat rotation - really enjoying your insight.  My question relates to Broderick Jones - it seems to me that his performance will be key to the offense next year - if he's a B+/A- it seems like the offense has a chance regardless of the quarterback.  The challenge is this:  has he done anything to warrant a prediction of a B+/A- performance?  Is he better at the requirements of a LT vs a RT?
Christopher Carter
10:27
Thanks Rocky!

I think he's been a mixed bag so far, but I also think the things he has to improve upon are very doable. He has a prototypical build and his rawness from a lack of college starting experience was expected coming in. He has to learn how to use his hands better when striking to keep opponents under control. If he does that, it'll go a long way to being that. I also think he can definitely be a LT.
artiebridge
10:27
Chris, I'm still mourning Najee's departure.  Letting him go seems to me incredibly short-sighted.  What am I missing, and is Kaleb Johnson a credible replacement?
Christopher Carter
10:29
I did think letting go Najee Harris when he could've been kept around for $6.7M was a mistake. He's a hard runner and never had a good OL to pave the way for him. I also think this current OL could be on the rise this year and it would've been a big year for him to succeed. But, I also think Kaleb Johnson can do some special things behind such an OL as well. Steelers might've had foresight that RB was the position of value on day 2 when they decided not to give him that 5th year extension last year.
Mass Fan
10:29
I haven't watched DK play much. What can we expect? Has he been effective while double teamed? Good route runner? Good blocker? Thanks
Christopher Carter
10:31
DK Metcalf can bully people off the line. He's big, fast, and dangerous with the ball in his hands. He's also a better route runner than George Pickens. I think you'll see the most complete of a WR this team has had since the departure of Antonio Brown (THIS IS NOT ME SAYING HE'S AS GOOD AS BROWN. THIS IS ME SAYING HE COULD BE THE MOST COMPLETE RECEIVER THEY'VE HAD SINCE BROWN.)
Guest
10:31
Hi Chris, do you see the defensive staff trying to be more creative with TJ this year? Teams could easily game plan last year with him coming off the same edge most of the time.
Christopher Carter
10:32
I think so. I wrote about that with film studies during the season and thought they should've done it more. But I also think they need to feel comfortable with the other pieces on their defensive front to experiment that much. The additions at DT might help with that.
Butcher
10:32
Chris- very much enjoying your chats. I think there.is meat on the bone for a free agent receiver upgrade from Woods. Allen, Gabe Davis, Lizard. (My pick would be Allen- he looked solid last year). But what is our there at OT and cornerback, the other two weak spots? Slay should be ok at starter , but if he isn't or gets injured, not sure Trice is the answer. And we are all still waiting on Brod Jones. (And Fatanu for that matter)
Christopher Carter
10:35
Thanks Butcher! And I agree on trhe FA WRs.

At OT, Jedrick Wills was a bust of a 10th overall pick, but he could be an interesting pickup.

As far as CB, I've been on the Asante Samuel Jr. train but it appears nobody else in the NFL is. There are options at both. But remember that sometimes FA signings can happen late. (Think Kwon Alexander).
Lou
10:35
Hey Chris. Can you elaborate on the rumor that AR was looking at real estate in Pittsburgh which would basically confirm he is QB1 in 2025?
Christopher Carter
10:36
Hey Lou. I don't really know much about that one. I've heard rumors about different things but each time I've heard something I've also heard something else that refutes it. I'd wait until something more concrete surfaces before delving into anything.
Barry in Maryland
10:36
The ESPN crew thinks the NFL should have a draft lottery. Reason avoid tanking and another big TV night. What day you.
Christopher Carter
10:36
I love the idea. I've long thought the lottery was a great way to discourage tanking. Look at the NBA where the Mavericks were in the play-in game but now have the first overall pick. I don't think teams should be rewarded for tanking.
Peter H
10:36
Hi Chris. I see a lot of talk that the TJ is on the decline. I don't buy it. I think offenses caught on that if you slow him down with chips and double teams and  get the ball out fast to the obvious holes in Steelers coverage you can neutralize his rush. Also in the Ravens playoff in run options he seemed to be crashing through but going directly to tackle the running back. Jackson would hold the ball and take off. TJ mistake or coaching. Thoughts?
Christopher Carter
10:40
Agreed here Peter. Teams are doing things to minimize him, but that can be adjusted against as they've done in the past. Double teams, triple teams, chips and quick passes have been the plan against Watt since 2021. Let's see if it carries over into 2025, or if this is just Cam Heyward all over again and he returns to being an all-pro after a big extension.

As far as tackling the RB on the option, that always depends on the play structure. Sometimes the assignment for the edge is to take out the RB and someone else has the QB and the other person wasn't there to do their job. I tend to think that was the case because the Steelers' DTs and ILB got blown up so much they weren't helpful in that regard. This was why we were all very loud about DT being a priority in this draft.
Mike from EriePA
10:40
Good Morning, Superbowl history is filled with teams that won with a "Game Manager" as their QB.  Considering the way Mason Rudolph finished 2023 with a not-so-great OLine and a mess of an Offensive Scheme, I no problem with him being our QB for Game 1  -- just sign a decent backup, just in case.
Christopher Carter
10:41
Good morning!

The thing is with game manager QB-led teams that go far is they have to do SO many other things very well. Defense has to be elite and the run game has to be on point. Steelers have been building to be a team like that. I also don't think it's a big problem if Rudolph is that guy for a year.
IUPDave
10:41
Good morning Chris.  The rumor is the Steelers plan to make a big move in the 2026 NFL draft to secure a QB.  In order to do this they will likely need more "draft capital" than they currently have.   With that said, if the Steelers have a "so-so" year in 2025 and no playoff wins do you think the Steelers would entertain calls next year regarding a trade for the HC in order to get more draft capital?
Christopher Carter
10:42
Good morning!

I doubt they'd trade Tomlin. They held onto Cowher when he missed 3 straight playoffs that included two losing seasons, and those are all things that haven't happened with Tomlin.

Honestly think they have plenty of draft capital as-is to make such a move to get a QB.
Soggy
10:42
Good morning, Chris.  At this stage of his career, is AR really worth the effort for one season?  I guess he adds a game or two to the win column, but I still don't think the Steelers will make a run in the playoffs.  Plus, the extra win or two dramatically impacts draft position for next year's draft.
Christopher Carter
10:44
Good morning!

In my opinion, the Steelers could be making a mistake to bring him in. I thought it would've been better even to keep Russell Wilson. But hey, maybe Rodgers does bring something to the table. I don't think anyone expects this roster to be a big threat in the playoffs until they develop those young OL AND get the QB that can raise this team's ceiling.
IUPDave
10:44
Good morning.  Just wanted to let you know that it is my understanding that there is "NO TRUTH" to the rumor that a certain QB prospect has contacted Pine Creek Putt Putt about becoming a member of their establishment.
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