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Christopher Carter's Steelers chat: 05.29.25
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Christopher Carter
9:33
Alright everyone left get this started! I’m here at the Steelers south side facility before day three of OTAs!
Guest
9:33
AR has a reputation of not working well with WRs until he trust them. Do you think young guys like Austin & Wilson's development will be stunted because of him? Does his waiting to sign make it unlikely he will be able to build any trust with his receivers?
Christopher Carter
9:36
This might apply more to Roman Wilson than Calvin Austin. I do feel like Austin has developed into a solid NFL WR. But Wilson has a ways to go.
9:44
As for not showing up at OTAs yet, Aaron Rodgers could make up for lost time by working late after practices. Russell Wilson did that regularly and it helped build chemistry. But of course, he also showed for OTAs. It’s difficult to assess if it will stunt their growth, but it no doubt does bring more questions about the timeline for them to develop chemistry.
Zayy26
9:45
will the Steelers add another wr?
or will they just rely on Roman and Calvin to step up?
Christopher Carter
9:51
I'm of the belief the Steelers do add another receiver, but the caliber and who they add will be dependent on what they see from Calvin Austin and Roman Wilson in these spring practices. If they look like they won't be ready to take over bigger roles, they'll make a bigger move. But if they feel like both are making good progress, I think they still sign a receiver, just not a bigger name.
Pittfan
9:51
Hi Christopher. Would it be worth the Steelers considering trading a 5th round pick (no more than that) for Will Levis if he becomes available? High pedigree guy, Justin Fields like potential, on a cheap contract. I'm sure the Steelers could also get some intel from Mason about the behind the scenes Will Levis. Or is Levis another version of Will Howard?
Christopher Carter
9:52
Hello! I hadn't considered the possibility of Will Levis! If Aaron Rodgers doesn't sign, it's an interesting idea. But I do think Levis kind of like Howard. He's going to take work. Though I have to say, his recent comments about the competition of Cam Ward don't inspire confidence here.
Zayy26
9:52
Will Steelers add another wr or just rely on Roman and Calvin to step up
Christopher Carter
9:53
As said above, I do think they add a receiver. But the caliber of how good of a pedigree of that player might be determined by how prepared they look as a group.
Rocky Mtn Yunzer
9:53
Suppose AR doesn't sign and report for minicamp.  Does ARII tell him "no thanks - I wish you the best as you move on with your life's work"?
Christopher Carter
9:54
I think that only happens if he's not there for training camp--based off what I've heard. Though, I do think there will be players who feel that way if he misses minicamp in two weeks. But they aren't the ones who sign the checks.
Guest
9:54
Bradshaw was right in regards to his comments about Rodgers.  He was also right that Pickett wasn't a failure, but the Steelers are a failure.  He also nailed it almost 10 years ago when he said Tomlin is a cheerleader.  Why can't Rooney and Tomlin see what they have done to ruin this once great organization?
Christopher Carter
9:59
Terry Bradshaw has said a lot of things that have been proven not to be true. I find it hard to look at Kenny Pickett as not sharing blame in his shortcomings in Pittsburgh. Had he not requested a trade, HE would've been the quarterback who started the first six games last season and could've been the starting quarterback this season.

The Steelers certainly could have done him more favors with a better offensive line, offensive coordinator, etc. Which is why it's a share from both sides. But there were also plenty of wide open plays for him to make that he didn't, and that's just as much on him.

Also, it's tough to call Tomlin a cheerleader then blame him for coaching decisions. If he's truly a cheerleader, then that means someone else is pulling the strings and he's a figurehead who has no power. Which ... just isn't true in the least. It's fine to criticize Tomlin and point out where he falls short, but to say he's a cheerleader is just nonsense.
SMF
9:59
Hi Chris:  Thanks for the chats.   The Steelers are going to have to beat the Ravens to advance in the playoffs, but they actually have a winning record against them during the regular season the last 5 years. The last 2 games were blowouts, not due to bad QB play but due to Henry slicing through them like a knife through butter.  Is #1 Harmon going to change that alone?
Christopher Carter
10:01
Hello!

Not alone, but I do think their investments can collectively help with that issue. Harmon with Black and Ekuale could all make for a much more active and forceful rotation on the defensive line. If that crew does better at taking on double teams, it will go a long way to keeping the linebackers clean and stuffing the run.
Guest
10:01
Rodgers clearly doesn't want to gel with his new teammates and probably doesn't want to be here at all.  Mason is a stand up guy, a quality player, and is putting in the work.  That is the type of player and man you want to lead your team.  Why can't Tomlin understand that?
Christopher Carter
10:05
I think it's also about a talent issue. Aaron Rodgers isn't what he once was as a 4x MVP, but he's still a decent enough starting quarterback talent-wise. Mason Rudolph is not that, but he has become a good backup who can start in pinches.

As for character, I do agree that Rodgers does have more questions follow him after his stint with the Jets and Rudolph really doesn't have any red flags outside of Myles Garrett's allegations in 2019 that fell flat without any evidence to support them.

But if it was about nice guys and standup guys being quarterbacks, Josh Dobbs would've been the starting quarterback over Ben Roethlisberger--considering both their pasts. But--like Rodgers and Rudolph--one is a first ballot hall of fame quarterback and the other is a backup NFL quarterback.
Alan in Bama
10:05
Good morning Christopher, given the crap show we’ve watched regarding Rodgers and all can we finally abandon the “Standard” and the “Steeler Way”?
Christopher Carter
10:09
Good morning!

I'm not sure what Aaron Rodgers does to make anyone "abandon" the "Steelers way." The Steelers have had malcontents before and Rodgers isn't being signed to be the future of the team. He's a placeholder for a single season. Hard to say that refutes decades of being one of the crown jewel organizations of the NFL.

Now, could Rodgers put it to the test if he makes demands like he allegedly did at the Jets? Maybe. But I have a hard time seeing the Steelers give those demands the weight the Jets did considering they thought he was their franchise guy for the next few years to make them a Super Bowl contender and the Steelers see him as a hired mercenary for a season who they'll move on from after this year.
SMF
10:09
Hi Chris:  Thanks again for the chats.   Joey Porter jr., I believe led the league in holding, PI and other penalties last year.  Very little was said about this—almost a coverup by the Steelers.  Tomlin appears to let it slide.  What do you think is being done about it in terms of teaching technique, etc. in the off season?
Christopher Carter
10:12
Hello!

I can tell you it's a point of emphasis in their coaching and a big reason why the team brought back Gerald Alexander as the defensive backs coach to replace Grady Brown. Alexander is the type of coach that will be loud right away if he sees something wrong and that could be the change of pace Porter needs right now.

Porter gets into most of his penalties on plays he otherwise handles well. He has good speed, footwork and quickness to match receivers routes. But the problem happens as the ball's in the air and he doesn't trust his work enough to play the ball. Instead, he puts his hands on the receiver, and that leads to penalties.

Wrote about this yesterday with how Darius Slay Jr. could also help in this regard if you're interested in a read! https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/steelers/2025/05/28/otas-porter-sl...
Zack
10:12
Just saw an interview with the Browns coach Kevin Stefanski glowing about Kenny Pickett is it possible that Mike Tomlin got it wrong with him?  Why can't Tomlin trust young QBs it's like hes dead set on only having a veteran at the position.  He is committed to possibly running it with Mason this year but last year he wouldn't give Kenny the keys and went out to get Russ?
Christopher Carter
10:14
I mean, Tomlin made the controversial call to put in Kenny Pickett early in his rookie season and made him their guy for two years.

But the end of the 2023 season, Mason Rudolph was undeniably out playing Pickett, and Pickett didn't handle that the best.

Had Pickett not requested a trade, he'd probably the be the starting quarterback right now with Rudolph and Will Howard behind him and the team not pressed to sign Aaron Rodgers.

Tomlin wants to give a young quarterback a chance, but they also have to earn it.
Guest
10:14
There's a history of American sports poaching players from other international leagues, football kickers from Australian rugby, Pirates trying to find pitchers from Indian cricket, etc.  I was wondering if you think sumo wrestlers could be a good fit for NFL trench play.
Christopher Carter
10:16
Sumo wrestlers are different types of athletes in general. Their leverage is very important from the little I know, but linemen still need to be agile to move in space and I'm not sure how well that would fit with sumo wrestlers. I also have literally only watched sumo wrestling in bits and pieces on late night off-channel sports stations so, who am I to say?
Pittfan
10:16
Hi Christopher. We fans are mostly conflicted. We scream for a 7-10 season to be inline for a high 2026 draft pick. But we also don't want the Steelers to lose. We say the Steelers, specifically Tomlin, are totally mismanaging the QB situation and yet if Rodgers shows up and the Steelers win a playoff game we're mostly satisfied but will be upset that we're drafting in the 20s. On the other hand, if the Steelers have a losing season no matter who the QB is we will be screaming for Tomlin's head and if it's Rodgers, booing him into submission. Please make some sense of this for me. Thanks.
Christopher Carter
10:19
Ha. Make sense of fans? That is a tall task!

People ultimately won't be happy as a group until they get everything they want, and some won't be happy even then.

I think it's reasonable to hope for the Steelers to win. There is no expectation that this is a Super Bowl team, but there are certainly elements of this roster that can grow this season if they put their efforts into winning and why I don't believe they will--or should--tank.

Some people might just want a total blowup because they haven't had to experience what that kind of a rebuild is like. Trust me, when I talk to my friends that cover the organizations who do this every 4-5 years, it's not fun. Which is why it's remarkable the Steelers haven't done that since my dad was in grade school.
Steve in NC
10:19
Hi Christopher, in light of the recent playoff seeding discussion, after some thought i put together something i feel like would be fair.
sorry, hit enter prematurely regarding the playoff seedings.  Best record gets 1st rd bye and home field thru playoffs as current rule.  Division winners all get 1st round home playoff game.  Teams re-seeded by record in 2nd round, with best records getting the home games.  This rewards both Division winners and wild card teams with better records, and if wild card winner wins in 1st round, they have a shot at getting a home playoff game.  Thoughts?
Christopher Carter
10:21
Hi!

Interesting system you've got there. But I'm still parital to the way it is. Divisions should remain important and if you win your division you should host over a team that didn't. Lessening the impact of winning your division will diminish the importance of divisions, which will diminish the importance of rivalries.

The NFL Playoffs are the most watched sporting tournament as far as a per-game basis in the country. I don't think they need to overhaul it.
JPinPDX
10:22
Good morning CC and thanks for the chat! Are you more interested in the young DL or OL development as this summer moves on?
Christopher Carter
10:23
Good morning!

Both will be vital. But I do think the offensive line has more pressure on them to succeed. That group MUST show something soon, otherwise the front office will have to start dipping back into drafting at that position before they expected.

Defensive line has two rookies and a new free agent, so there's lenience there for their development. But especially for Broderick Jones and Zach Frazier, the team needs to see their investments start to pay dividends.
62 Stack Monster
10:23
If Rogers isn't signed by training camp in Latrobe, how will the locker room view it?  I, for one, would be a little less receptive while sweating it out in the early August high noon sun while he's meditating, fly fishing, or whatever it is he does.
Christopher Carter
10:24
I do believe the start of training camp is the Steelers' deadline. If he doesn't show for that, they'll move on and rock out with Mason Rudolph.
Howard Hype
10:24
What is it that makes Steelers fans think that Howard is the next franchise QB?  There’s a reason he lasted until the 6th round.
Christopher Carter
10:27
Hope. It springs eternal in the heart of a devoted fan and blooms wildlly when there's less to believe in.

OK enough with the Shakespeare on my end. Point is, people are going to go nuts about ANYBODY being the franchise quarterback until the next one is cemented in this city. Trust me, I deal with Will Howard questions every day.

A reminder to those who do think he's Big Ben 2.0/Josh Allen 2.0/Jesus, Howard was only drafted because of his playoff run. Before that, he wasn't on anyone's boards. He's going to be a long work in progress to be a solid backup NFL quarterback. I think he can get there, but he's not someone the Steelers should bank on starting this year--and they won't.
Bones
10:27
Do the Steelers have to pay TJ $40M per with major guarantees just because the Browns reset the market? It's the Browns for Pete's sake!
Christopher Carter
10:28
Eh, the Browns just struck first on the increased salary cap. Remember, the last years alone have seen the NFL salary cap raise by $55 million. What was $40 million a few years ago when Watt signed his first deal with the Steelers is not the same today.

I don't think it's wild to expect a $41M/year deal for Watt. Nor do I think it ruins any of the Steelers' spending plans.
AK
10:28
For those fans who want Tomlin fired, there’s a surefire way for that to happen: if Tomlin listens to the fans on players, coaches, etc.  “A coach who listens to the fans will soon be sitting with them.” Bill Parcells
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