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Christopher Carter's Steelers chat: 06.12.25
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Christopher Carter
9:01
It's Post-Gazette live chat time! Let's get into it!
Stlrdave
9:02
Good morning Chris. What a great job you are doing with your chat. Had there been any update about the Steelers travel schedule to Ireland? AR2 said they will follow the same procedure as last time, even though the majority of the team said it was bad and the result was as well. Thank you
Christopher Carter
9:05
Good morning Dave! And thank you!

No updates here. All seems to remain the same plan. I wonder if part of the reasoning behind that is because almost that entire team is gone now. But I do agree with you that the results from last time does make the question legitimate. I was in law school at the time, but I remember reporters talking about how LaMarr Woodley could barely stay awake at the pregame podium because of the time change.

Maybe they don't see that as an issue, but if similar problems arise, I'm sure it will come up and be a talking point.
Fritzie of Maine
9:05
Rather than taking a mood stabilizer, a lot of whiners take to the P-G pages to moan and whine about Mike Tomlin.  But EVERY player who spends time here, and guys like DK, feels great excitement about the "Tomlin Affect."  Do you feel the paper serves as a mental and emotional health outlet for the chronic whining modicum of a slight portion of the masses<
Christopher Carter
9:09
Heh. I think people look for outlets to post their frustrations wherever they can, but I'm happy for those who do it at the Post-Gazette. We should all be able to express how we feel on things we're passionate about.

But, I do feel it's my job when interacting with subscribers to offer my insights into things and often those insights clash with outside perspectives that stem from those frustrations. People are more than welcome to express themselves, and I hope in return they appreciate objective feedback from those are around the team and work hard to provide accurate and thoughtful coverage.
Doylestown Dewy
9:10
Hey Chris! Love what You do for the Black&Gold! So a lot of people hate Tomlin, hate his non losing seasons and his playoff win drought. But people can't even see that we have been rebuild mode for, well pretty much since Bens elbow. Name me one other coach that could take a rebuilding team to the playoffs in most of those years, not have a "losing" record and make every season just as interesting as the next? Answer: Not many! So everyone just Chilax and enjoy that your not barking like a dog to root for your team on Sundays, since they've been in rebuild mode since the the late 1900's (cheap shot cle) lol...cheers Steeler Nation!
Christopher Carter
9:16
Thanks Dewy!

I do think that's an often forgotten point that most organizations would've fell into a chasm when the Steelers didn't--and Tomlin deserves credit for that.

Not only did you have Roethlisberger's elbow blow out in 2019, but you lost an all-pro level linebacker in Shazier in 2017, Bell disappeared in 2018, Brown went crazy in 2019, then Pouncey, DeCastro and Tuitt all retired after 2020.

That's a core of four all-pros, a franchise quarterback and the double-digit sack producing interior defensive lineman who was supposed to create the most dynamic DT duo with Cam Heyward for years to come.

Any other organization that lost all that in a span of four years would've had several bottom of the barrell seasons--let alone losing seasons--but the Steelers have endured those times. It's another reason why I think you'd want the captain that kept your ship afloat during the roughest of waters to still be your guide when the seas calm. And that captain is Mike Tomlin.
Marty
9:16
Do you get the feeling that Metcalf's approach to the game is the exact opposite of Pickens ?
Christopher Carter
9:23
It's tough to say the exact opposite because attitudes aren't polarized differences like rating from a 0 to a 10, but I do feel like there is a maturity to Metcalf that Pickens hadn't shown in his three years in Pittsburgh.

When I asked Metcalf about his roles and responsibilities as a leader, he didn't give a dismissive response or say a directly affirmative answer. His response was layered in considerations and thoughts he had to be mindful of his teammates and not presume they needed him to "lead" them while also understanding his role as the $150 million former pro bowler the team just signed to be the best player of that position group.

Another such example from the story I wrote on Metcalf's early days at minicamp can be seen in his interactions with Porter. Pickens would duke it out with Porter and showboat mercilessly without much positive interaction with Porter after the play outside of mocking him if he won the rep.
9:25
But Tuesday, Metcalf got Porter to be caught for a defensive holding technique and the flag frustrated Porter, who visibly and audibly made his frustrations known to everyone who was paying attention.

Instead of mocking Porter, Metcalf came up and explained what he did to entice Porter into his mistake. Porter listened, the two shook hands and went about their business.

So, I guess THAT part could be considered a direct opposite of Pickens.

And I think we may see more moments like that when we get to training camp.
SMF
9:26
Hi Chris:  Thanks for the chats.  From direct observation and OTAs is there any evidence that 1st rd Harmon has a chronic pectoral injury?  Or was that just noise during the draft process?
Christopher Carter
9:29
Hey SMF! Thanks for joining!

I haven't seen anything that suggests a chronic injury at all for Harmon. He looks strong, confident and not worried about any part of his body during drills.

The draft process often has teams be over-cautious about every potential injury as they worry about getting that wrong and an entire pick going to waste.

I was there when it took three hours for Harmon to show up to his availability at the combine. The concerns were real. But he said then, and has repeated since, that it's not an issue. And at least in rookie camp, OTAs, and now minicamp, I haven't noticed a single problem with him. So, safe to say he's fine. Maybe something else happens later, but nothing is happening now.
Yunzer Jake
9:29
Hey Chris.  Any surprises from Mini Camp?  Does anyone look good or not so much?  Anyone looking stronger or lighter than last year?
Christopher Carter
9:30
I'll say I've liked what I've seen from Broderick Jones. He looks more fluid in his footwork as he's lost 20 pounds to be better ready for the season. When we asked him about it two weeks ago, he said he planned to put most of the weight back on during the season.
9:31
But literally just yesterday, Jones said he actually liked how his body felt so much that he might work to keep himself at the weight he's at right now (he said he's around 305 pounds).
9:32
Roman Wilson and Calvin Austin have both been active in camp as pass catchers even without Aaron Rodgers participating in team reps yet. Still need to see how things work out, but both look like speed threats in the Steelers' offense if they put it together.
9:33
As far as someone I may have questions for, it could be Beanie Bishop. I think he looks a lot like he did last year. That's not particularly bad because I thought he did well for an undrafted rookie, but I haven't seen much that suggests a big step up. It's minicamp so all of those observations could flip when we get to Saint Vincent College, but for now those are some of the things I'm seeing.
TVC15
9:33
Hi Christopher, By the end of the current contract Tomlin will have coached 21 years. Even without another playoff win would the Steelers extend him another 3 years just so he can pass Chuck Noll who coached the Steelers for 23 years? You know they love continuity above all else. At least it seems that way.
Christopher Carter
9:38
I think it would depend on where the team was at the time. The biggest point of reference I use to figure out how the Steelers make coaching decisions is how Bill Cowher was extended after the 2000 season.

The Steelers has missed the playoffs for three straight seasons. But in the last season, they were 9-7 and looked like they had a core that believed in its coach.

If Tomlin is ever not re-signed or is fired by the Steelers and it's their choice, I think it would be because they feel like the players in the locker room don't believe in their coach anymore--especially the leaders.

And when it comes to the current leaders like TJ Watt, Cam Heyward and Minkah Fitzpatrick, all of them speak very highly of Tomlin.
9:40
If in Tomlin's final season of his contract the Steelers finish with a losing record, there's unrest and the captains question his vision for the future, I think that would be the straw that breaks the camel's back. But as I said before, Tomlin has navigated this team through some choppy waters with not the best ship. As the Steelers continue to build towards their next Super Bowl window, it's tough to see the organization want to abandon the captain that guided them through their hardest times just when things were about to vastly improve.
TVC15
9:40
Will the Steelers season live or die with the offensive line? Especially the left tackle?
Christopher Carter
9:42
I've been saying for a while that THIS is the most important group this season. Everyone is going to focus on Rodgers and Metcalf--and they're important. But this team NEEDS the offensive line to become an above average unit. If they can, the run game comes alive, they're a truly balanced offense and Rodgers has good protection. It also sets up the future years to look a lot brighter.
9:44
As for left tackle--Broderick Jones--there's a chance the Steelers could be good even if he's not. But it certainly would go a long way if he was a powerful force in the offensive line's improvement. Jones was drafted with the knowledge that he was going to be a project for how young he was coming out of Georgia and his limited experience as a starter.

But around now is when you want to see bigger steps taken in his NFL career. I think he can do it. And if he does, it makes the offensive line, and the team, a lot better.
Jeff M
9:44
Hi CC, do you feel the Steelers should try to roll as much cap as possible over to future season? Young players like JPJ & Benton are going to be due for extensions soon.
Christopher Carter
9:48
Hey Jeff!

Right now, the Steelers are set to have $92M in cap space next year and $207M in 2027. And those numbers are without the potential increase in salary cap we've continued to see in the NFL as the league income continues to grow.

Porter and Benton wouldn't be due new money until 2027, and by then, Jones will most likely be on a fifth year extension if all goes well this year.

Now, you'd have to lop off about $41M for Watt's extension from those cap spaces, but I think that's enough to sign those guys and keep things going. The Steelers shouldn't have to roll over much if any cap from this season.
Marvin P
9:48
Good morning Chris.  Any idea on how the Steelers plan to address the defensive communication challenges that led to all those easy touchdowns last year?
Christopher Carter
9:51
Good morning Marvin!

That's been a question I've asked a lot since the beginning of OTAs. New defensive backs coach Gerald Alexander is well aware of the issues that happened last year while he was gone and has been hard at work to assure they don't persist into this season.

Minkah Fitzpatrick has also been pretty cut and dry about expectations, saying that if you expect to play, you better be on the same page as everyone else--or else. I think that was an indication of how things went with Sutton and some others last year. And why they made the moves they did for Darius Slay and Juan Thornton. Both are good communicators.
9:52
If you could see the emphasis Gerald Alexander puts into talking and communicating, as well as being detailed oriented, I think you'd get the urgency they feel to address the issue even now in June. Heck, Metcalf said yesterday the Steelers' defense communicates so much he couldn't hear Mason Rudolph call out the cadence at the line. I think that's what they're doing.
Marvin P
9:52
I think the Steelers’ offense can be very effective IF they use Rodgers as a ‘’game manager’’ and employ a ball control run dominant offense that relies heavily on play action passing.  Am I missing something?
Christopher Carter
9:53
While I do think Aaron Rodgers needs to have less of a passing emphasis than he did with the Jets, I don't know if the decreased role would fall into the range of "game manager." Now, the Steelers certainly wouldn't mind it if the run game was so good that Rodgers could just be that and the team wins a bunch of games. But I think they're going to trust him a bit more than if they got Tyrod Taylor to come in and just keep things a float.
Bob
9:53
Since Watt may hold out, what could we get in a trade for him? He has declined and will be 31 but I think we could at least get a second rounder for him from maybe a contender.
Christopher Carter
9:56
I think there's a 2% chance this team trades TJ Watt. I don't think he's declined as much as the team's run defense weakened last season and teams were able to tee off on him. Even then, he was still a double-digit sack producer.

IF the team were to trade one of the best defenders in the NFL, they'd better get at least multiple first rounders for him. If not, it's a waste.
FlaSteel
9:56
Hello Mr. Carter and thank you for the chats! I'm of the opinion that for the Steelers to get the most juice out of this Aaron Rodgers squeeze, he needs to be protected - far better than he was in NY. Any insight or color to add regarding our expectations for the offensive line this year? Particularly regarding Fautanu's return, Jones' switch, and the development of the year-two guys on the inside. Thanks!
Christopher Carter
9:58
Hello! And thanks for joining us!

I think there's going to be a step up from this offensive line. Jones looks more comfortable on the left and his 20 pounds of lost weight make him look a lot smoother out of his stance.

Tough to tell with Fautanu without much of a reference point. But I did talk to Pat Meyer yesterday and he pointed to a lot of their biggest errors coming from fatigue and injuries that clouded their focus late last season. He's working on them to be more consistent each day so that when the later part of the season comes, there's less worries about what to do or get corrected.
9:59
I think Zach Frazier will have a very strong season just based off what I saw last year. I like Mason McCormick's chances as well, but he's not been one of the players' I've observed the closest in minicamp with his strength being his physicality when the pads go on.

I do think there's good reason to be optimistic about this group.
TVC15
9:59
As an optimistic fan(atic) I see the Steeler offense being much improved but fear another meltdown by the defense in the playoffs. Does the Steeler defense have the talent and/or schemes to show up in a big game?
Christopher Carter
10:03
I think they've had the schemes, but they do need the talent.

One such example was Lamar Jackson's first touchdown when he threw to Rashod Bateman for 15 yards. The Steelers ran a complex coverage that had Cameron Sutton float from a disguised underneath coverage to be a deeper safety role where he should've been in place to easily intercept Jackson's role.

Sutton started the play correctly, and Jackson took the bait. But the problem was how Sutton didn't get to the spot in the correct manner, and allowed an easy touchdown. Steelers got what they'd worked on all week, and it was still blown.
10:04
Add in that the interior defensive line was just eaten alive by the Ravens' offensive line, and you have a recipe for disaster. I think if this defense is going to be better in the playoffs, it HAS to capitalize on those mistakes, AND it has to be stronger up front against the run.

Time will only tell if either happen.
Ryan
10:04
Chris how has Kaleb Johnson Looked during Otas and Mini camp Go Steelers
Christopher Carter
10:06
Tough to tell because he's a physical guy and he's not in pads. But I think he's looked quick and he's taken the right approach. I asked him last Thursday how he's working on things while not in pads, and he told me how he's running into every defender he can and told them to punch the ball out so he can practice ball protection from fumbles.
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