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Christopher Carter's Steelers chat: 05.29.25
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Christopher Carter
10:29
Agreed! The Rooney's also know this because they've gone against the grain several times over the years and made the franchise into what it is today.
AK
10:29
What teams are the most dysfunctional in the league?  Browns, Jets, Jags, Raiders?
Christopher Carter
10:30
Those four are certainly up there. I'd also throw in the Panthers since David Tepper took over, maybe the Cardinals, and honestly the Dolphins aren't far behind. They're masked by having a franchise quarterback for now, but they have  A LOT of issues as well.
AK
10:30
Does Mark Robinson offer anything other than special teams value?
Christopher Carter
10:32
Honestly, tough to see that happening with all the additions this team made. They have plenty of linebacker types now who can do those roles. So, Robinson will need to show he's among the best at those roles in practice.
AK
10:32
Can we stop all the foolish chatter about trading for Cousins?  The guy is washed up.
Christopher Carter
10:32
Yeah, I don't think that's going to happen either. Nor should it.
GM
10:32
Chris..have greatly enjoyed your articles profiling some of the unsung Steelers. On defense, team has a lot of veteran leadership. Who do you see on offfense that might step up and provide strong leadership?
Christopher Carter
10:33
Thanks!

I think Pat Freiermuth, Broderick Jones and DK Metcalf could be among the next round of leaders. They need someone on the OL to step into that role. Could also see Troy Fautanu being one of those guys once he gets his feet under them.

They definitely need an offensive nucleus of leadership as they haven't had one since Pouncey-DeCastro retired the year before Roethlisberger did.
Lou
10:34
Chris, a lot people complain about the route the Steelers have taken to get the next big QB. But what would you say to people RE…if it’s so easy to do then everyone would have a TB12!!!
Christopher Carter
10:35
Exactly. Most people whiff on quarterback. Case in point, since the 2004 draft of Manninng/Roethlisberger, the only first round quarterbacks who've won a Super Bowl for the team that drafted them are Patrick Mahomes and Aaron Rodgers. That's it. It's a very difficult position to judge. So you'll want to put every resource in to get it right.
BPOS
10:35
I know the owners have to be careful not to engage in collusion activities with contracts, but do you think privately the other owners are fuming about how the Browns so irresponsibly overpaid Garrett and reset the market at that position?  Shame on Steelers for not acting more quickly but still, I'd think they can't be happy.
Christopher Carter
10:38
I actually don't think they overpaid Garrett. $40M/year is only 14.3% of the salary cap. That's a lower percentage of the salary cap than T.J. Watt's average per year rate of his 2021 contract he signed with the Steelers. I believe they'll pay Watt and this will be forgotten.
Ken
10:38
Can we get a little historical perspective? The 70s Steelers won their 4 SB in 6 years in January of 1980 at the conclusion of the 1979 NFL Season and did so with at least 10 HOF players and counting. The 2024 NFL season was the 45th season since that great team's 4th SB and the Steelers have been to the SB only 4 times since with perhaps 10 HOF players produced in those 45 seasons. Due to free agency, the salary cap, and expansion of clubs' scouting departments, the likelihood of 10 pus HOF players being on the same team at the sametime will probably not happper again. So enjoy the ride of consecitive winning/non-losing seasons and playoff qualifying because I do having sat in Three Rivers in the 1980s and late 1990s.
Christopher Carter
10:40
I also think it's important to note that rebuilding while not letting the bottom fall out is impressive in today's NFL. This league is brutal and made to crush teams that don't have the best talent. But the Steelers have found ways to survive and stay relevant every year for the playoffs. People would severely miss watching meaningful games in December if they got to experience what several fan bases experience 4 of every 5 years.
62 Stack Monster
10:40
He wasn't a Sumo wrestler, but Carlton Haselrig did all right as a guard.  Zach Frazier had a wrestling past as well.
Christopher Carter
10:41
Haselrig was also a beast of a human and American wrestling is a different skillset. That style of wrestling is a boost for linemen and a recommended second sport for them to take.
Pittfan
10:41
Hi Chris. I get so fed up with the Tomlin criticism. All of these malcontents want the shiny new coach. How many of these shiny new coaches have won Super Bowls? None unless you count Sirianni (1) and McVay (1) over the last 10 years. My message to the malcontents, DO YOUR HOMEWORK!
Christopher Carter
10:43
I still point out--out of the active head coaches, Andy Reid is the only one with more Super Bowl wins than him. For all the hype around the others, they've only either won one or still haven't won any. Kyle Shanahan gets a ton of praise but still hasn't won the big one.

I also think that's why some really harp on the playoff win thing. Because when you put in the perspective of the only thing that matters--Super Bowls--Tomlin is still among the best.
Howard Hype
10:43
I don’t think fans realize how much different college football is from the NFL, especially the speed of the game?
Christopher Carter
10:43
Agreed. It's a completely different game. There are so many calculations and factors that must be decided at a faster rate and be accompanied with tighter, more disciplined physical execution. It's not an easy jump.
Bob
10:44
Great chats Chris. Who do you think would be a better fit with Metcalfe and in our current offensive system, Amari Cooper, Keenan Allen, and D.J. Chark? They are all free agents right now and should be signed for league minimum.
Christopher Carter
10:44
Thanks Bob!

I feel like Keenan Allen. His ability as a route runner to get separation over the middle could make for a good mix with Metcalf's abilities and force secondaries to prepare for a wider variety of skillsets.
KMan
10:44
Good morning Christopher! How big of a difference will playing on the left side make for Broderick Jones? Do you think his game takes that crucial step forward because of that switch? And/or does the mentality of being a pro finally sink in?
Christopher Carter
10:46
Good morning!

I think it will help, but I also think his maturity as a player will be a big factor. He lost 20 pounds going into this season so he can be in better shape and play sharper. He's taking this seriously and he's a young guy. I think that he'll start to put things together this season.
KMan
10:46
Is Troy Fautanu's injury from last year one that will linger, or should he be fully recovered? Also, There was a lot of chatter about him being a guard. Assuming his knee is 100%, does he have the size to anchor the right side for a full 17 (or more??) games?
Christopher Carter
10:46
The Steelers are taking it easy with him right now and easing him back into things,but the expectation is he'll be fully ready to go for training camp. He's a right tackle and yes, I think he's built for that role.
AK
10:46
The idea fans have of drafting mid to late round QBs and developing them into franchise QBs is largely a myth.  I’d be interested to know the number of mid to late round drafted QBs that actually became franchise QBs.  It has to be incredibly low.
Christopher Carter
10:47
I once did it as a joke to name every sixth round quarterback picked over a span of 10 years and asked people to say which ones they even knew. Was a fun experiment.
Steeltowntim
10:47
I heard that the 40 million for Miles Garrett doesn’t kick in for 2 more years as he is still playing on his old contract so doesn’t that mean Watt new deal is based on a lower price?
Christopher Carter
10:49
Extensions can always be done in sneaky ways to help the salary cap. For example, he's making that average rate, but he jumps from a $30M/year hit to a $60M/year hit in 2029. But by then, he might have aged a bit and if he's not on his all-pro game anymore, they'll renegotiate. I imagine Watt's deal will go a similar way.
Alright, that's all the questions! I'm headed out to practice! Thanks for participating everyone! I'm here with Ray Fittipaldo and Brian Batko for day three of OTAs so stay tuned at the Post-Gazette for more updates!
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