JotCast | Christopher Carter's Steelers chat: 05.14.25

Christopher Carter's Steelers chat: 05.14.25

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Christopher Carter

11:07

When you tag a player and trade them it usually implies that team wants to immediately put a new contract together. I think most teams weren't sure if they'd want to do that for Pickens just yet.

Seven

11:07

If you were Art 2 and you were assessing your coaching staff, what would you add to help the team be more successful? And I am not asking whether Tomlin should be replaced, just what coaching supplements you might add.

Christopher Carter

11:08

I'd add a senior offensive assistant like Mike McCarthy. Get more eyes on that side of the ball.

Kevin

11:08

Hi Chris, If the Steelers do look for a WR either by trade or FA pickup how would you rank this group - Lizard, Doubs, Gabe Davis, Amari Cooper, and Keenan Allen ?

Christopher Carter

11:08

On a pure basis of their value this year:
1) Cooper
2) Allen
3) Davis
4) Doubs
5) Lazard

11:09

Hi Chris, Thanks for the chats and youtube shows, super informative. You’re an x and o’s guy; we hear how Will Howard is a developmental project. How does a team actually develop a 3rd team QB when he’s not getting meaningful practice reps let alone in game? And how will they assess whether he’s THE guy, or at least has the potential to grow into QB1

Christopher Carter

11:10

Just keep him working mentally and getting physical reps in practice. I don't think anyone picks a player in the 6th thinking they're THE guy at QB1. Howard will get limited windows of chances. If he wants to make that rise, he'll need to capitalize on them fast.

11:10

Don’t forget Mike Ditka traded an entire draft class for Ricky Williams when he was coaching a sub .500 team.

Christopher Carter

11:10

And is in the HOF!

TVC15

11:10

Hi Chris, Will the Cowboys have to give Pickens a new contract to keep the peace and avoid a holdout or hold-in? It seemed like the Steelers would have had to.

Christopher Carter

11:11

Honestly not sure. Pickens might take the lesson of the trade and realize he needs to be more of a team player. Then again, he might not!

Alan in Bama

11:11

Good morning Christopher, do you think that signing Rodgers affects the Steelers plans beyond 2025 other than a possible better record this year? Your thoughts on Mason’s potential for 2025 if Rodgers is out of the picture?

Christopher Carter

11:12

Good morning!

Absolutely not. Rodgers is a this-year plan at best. And Rudolph would be the same. As long as they like the QB class when it's set and ready, they'll make a move for the guy they like next year.

11:12

What are the best chances for a WR replacement for Pickens?

Christopher Carter

11:12

I personally like Cooper or Allen to set up a route runner opposite of Metcalf.

11:12

Do you think the Steelers could make better use of Freiermuth?

Christopher Carter

11:12

Yep. Especially in the red zone. He's got a great skillset and keeps getting better. But also need a QB to give him those chances.

TVC15

11:12

Assuming they don't inexplicably extend him again, are there any NFL or college coaches who are on your radar for the Steelers to hire when Tomlin is gone in 2028?

Christopher Carter

11:14

Eh, I wouldn't put it past the Steelers to extend Tomlin again. That might be more of a decision for Mike unless the team falls to have three straight losing seasons or something like that. But if I had to pick anyone, the guy I have my eye on is Marcus Freeman at Notre Dame.

Jeff M

11:14

Hi Chris, Do you think being left footed will make it tougher for Ben Sauls to get an NFL gig? How difficult do you think it is for the holder to adjust?

Christopher Carter

11:14

I don't think it would be a problem. Sebastian Janikowski was a first round pick and he was left-footed.

11:14

Do you really think NFL teams tank?

Christopher Carter

11:15

Yes. (They might be tapping this live chat, so if I get abducted after this, you know why.)

Jim Bow Dean

11:15

With all that has been reported since the trade did Omar actually fleece the Cowboys?

Christopher Carter

11:16

Eh, fleecing is when there's an obvious mistake in value. Claypool for a 2nd was a fleece because he was just not that guy and didn't even last a year.

Only way it's a "fleece" is if Pickens doesn't play well with the Cowboys. Will take time to tell.

Dr. Sardonicus

11:16

Hi, Mike Ditka was a great tight end before he was a coach. I believe he was the best TE of his era. That is at least part of the reason he is in the HOF.

Christopher Carter

11:17

Hi! Many regard him as a great player and coach.

Jason

11:17

Does the drafting of a RB in 3rd Round instead of a WR or CB mean the coaches dont have a lot of faith in Warren to our new RB1? I figured Harris to Warren wouldvbe the equivalent of Leveon Bell to James Conner.

Christopher Carter

11:19

I think it's more about their value of the position in the draft. They notably liked RB and didn't look hard at this year's day 2 WRs. Personally, I also wasn't as wild about the day 2 WRs as I was the RBs either.

Pittfan

11:19

Hi Christopher. Can you make a comparison between Jordan Addison and Roman Wilson?

Christopher Carter

11:20

I think Jordan Addison is a much more complete receiver than Roman Wilson--at least from what I've seen of both. Having covered Addison in college, I saw the many different things he did well and why he was a first round pick.

I think Wilson can be a dangerous threat if he puts things together, but he would have work to do to get to Addison's level.

Ryan

11:20

chris what do you think about Will Howard and Jack sayer i think they will have a Good camp and a Good pre season GO STEELERS

Christopher Carter

11:22

I like both as prospects.

Howard can be a good camp QB and if he progresses well, could see him as the team's future Mason Rudolph. If he gets to that status quickly, then we can talk about further progress.

As for Sawyer, he seems like a good strong backup OLB to work on the opposite side of Herbig. Herbig's quick, fast but not strong. Sawyer could be the antithesis of that on the opposite side.

Smoken Joe

11:22

Chris, I think going oversees to play a game is a big waste of time for a team with issues that is trying to improve and solve some problems for the upcoming season. Were the Steelers pushing being selected? Do they bother with such a major distraction just so the NFL can dream about having an oversees franchise? Can a team decline to make this trip?

Christopher Carter

11:23

I think the Steelers wanted Ireland for obvious connections with the Rooney family. I don't know the inner-politics behind the scenes as far as fighting against it. Owners can make their wishes known, but the league has often gone against those wishes as they can't always please everyone at once.

11:23

What is the reason(s) a WR is taken in the 3rd or 4th round vs. 1 or 2?

Christopher Carter

11:23

Pedigree. Were they a great player? Did they test very well? Lots of factors.

11:24

Can you think of a QB besides Brady who was a 6th round pick and became a franchise QB?

Christopher Carter

11:24

Off the top of my head, Matt Hasselbeck, Marc Bulger.

Soggy

11:24