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Christopher Carter's Steelers chat: 06.12.25
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Christopher Carter
10:07
Just yesterday, I saw Johnson take a handoff and run through a hole with good burst, and then he literally went to about five defenders on the sideline and each of them tried to knock the ball out.

Since the first day he's arrived, no ball he's carreid during a handoff rep has touched the ground. So, he has that going for him.
Zachary, South Florida
10:07
Considering there was very little to ascertain from anything done during OTAs, how much more can we glean from watching Minicamp?
Christopher Carter
10:11
I think the "very little" to ascertain is towards the bottom line approach of whether or not the team will be a contending for the AFC North and a playoff threat or not. If you're trying to answer big questions right now, you're going to get bored.

But where I'm having fun learning is just how the team is trying to readjust certain approaches and the little things they're working on right now. They won't highlight all of it because they don't want to put their business out in the street--opponents do listen and adjust. That's why Tomlin will be very dry during these--and most--press conferences.
10:12
Still, I think we're seeing some interesting adjustments from certain players like Jones' lost weight as he adjusts to left tackle, the secondary's increased focus on communication with a new position coach, how flexible they plan to make this year's linebackers, etc.
Zachary, South Florida
10:12
How big was it for the Steelers coaches to already tap Derrick Harmon as a starter and CA3 as our WR2 when last season seemed much more haphazard?
Christopher Carter
10:14
I think it's a good sign that Harmon's already earned that respect from Dunbar. Granted, it's not like they have a long list of star players for him to contend with at the position. But to know that he's ahead of other veteran guys like Ekuale is a sign that he's at least in a position to show more early than others.

As for Austin, I think he has a lot of potential. But I don't know about  him being a bonafide WR2 yet. I need to see him do it more in live NFL games before I give him that credit.
A2theMFJ
10:14
Assuming Thompson ends up on practice squad and Howard is QB3, does the QB3 run the scout team as the opposing QB during weekly game prep or the practice squad QB?
Christopher Carter
10:15
That just depends on what the coaches want week to week. If they feel the practice squad guy is better fit for that, he'll do it. Just depends on who they think can best mimic the skills of that week's quarterback.
Mass Fan
10:15
I really appreciate your tone Chris. Thanks. As far as leadership, does Aaron NEED to be the guy, or can he just come out and have fun and play his possibly last year out. Most of the leaders reside on D.
Christopher Carter
10:17
Thanks Mass Fan!

I think Rodgers doesn't have to be the guy. When I asked him about leadearship on Tuesday, he said he wants to be a "servant leader." Now, I'm not entirely familiar with that term, but I do think he means like being a leader when he's called upon rather than being one that's annointed from the get-go like he was in New York.

The Jets adjusted EVERYTHING to be about Rodgers. The Steelers aren't doing that. He's fitting in with them rather than the other way around. I actually think he could find that refreshing.
10:18
And if that's the case, I think he'd also be fine with the defensive leaders of the team still being the leaders. I don't think he wants tor reset anyone's culture. He just wants to be part of a winning team again. It's been since 2021 that he's had that.
Steeltowntim
10:18
Chris do you think the offense philosophy will change from a run first game to a wide open passing attack now that AR and Metcalf are on the team?
Christopher Carter
10:19
Not a wide open passing attack, but they'll be more open to it than they have been. I think they look for a balanced approach. As Arthur Smith said yesterday, you don't get Rodgers and Metcalf "to run the wishbone." I think there are plans in place to use them but also balance it with an efficient rushing attack.
TVC15
10:19
True or False: The people on here who support Tomlin are the same people who would remind the teacher they forgot to assign homework. Suck ups.
Christopher Carter
10:21
I don't know what this means. False?

As a side note, this guy never reminded anybody about assigning homework.
G Money
10:21
Hello Chris.  I like the Steelers to take a leap this season.  DT's shouldn't need 2 or 3 years to make an impact.  The OL has been invested in heavily the past two/three drafts.  They're going to do what people hate--Run the ball, situational passing game all over the field.  Pay defense and excellent special teams.  I'm optimistic for this season.  I can't wait to see this OL come along--although I think that is going to continue to be a work in progress. The defense should be better against the Run.  Some of the dysfunctional stuff bothers me but when they start playing real games I think we're going to be pleasantly surprised
Christopher Carter
10:24
I do think people should remember it takes time for DL to come to fruition--usually. Casey Hampton did burst onto the scene back in 2000. But Cam Heyward didn't have more than 5 sacks in a season until his fourth year, and wasn't a pro bowl player until his seventh. Tuitt was just entering his prime in his 7th year at 27 when he retired. It depends on the player, but sometimes it takes time.

But I do agree with you that I think there is reason to be excited about this team's potential.
Nothing But The Truth
10:24
We have been hearing about miscommunication issues in the secondary for a decade. Players, DB Coaches, and DCs have come and gone during that time. what is the problem and how does it get fixed??
Christopher Carter
10:26
Being fair, those questions have been on and off. Those really weren't as much of an issue in 2019, and weren't in 2020 until the team got banged up in the year they had their bye week removed. Heck in 2021 it was their connectivity that often kept the team afloat.

Every secondary has communication issues at times. It's part of football. The Steelers of the 70s got shredded during some games as did the Steelers of the 2000s. But the key is to limit those mistakes. There were certain mistakes I felt they could've cleaned up last year that were very reasonable, and that's why they changed the DBs coach. We'll see if there's progress.
Norman
10:27
Born and raised in Pittsburgh so I've been a fan since the 70s.  I don't understand why there is such disdain for Mike Tomlin.   We stay relevant and as everyone knows anything can happen in the playoffs.   I also remember the 80s when we're far from relevant so my question is "How could anyone not like a coach who gives us a chance year after year"?
Christopher Carter
10:29
It's a great question Norman. I understand criticism as nobody is immune to that. But some of the claims I've had to refute even on here have been easily explained away. Had a commenter say the other week that no coach in NFL history has gone eight years without a playoff win and kept their job--only to find that's not true as Don Shula did just that. When that was pointed out, there was not a recanting of the claim. And that happens often.

There does seem to be a string of irrataional narratives towards Tomlin. And it does make you wonder why that's the case.
Kevin
10:29
Do the players have any obligations between mini camp and training camp?
Christopher Carter
10:32
Tomlin and their position coaches will remind them to stay in shape or get in shape. I remember when a report came out about how Tomlin used Jonathan Dwyer as an example of how not to come to training camp when he was overweight. That'll basically be the thing.
John
10:32
I remember back in the Chuck Noll era, the Steelers employed a scouting service which at the time was innovative. It led to the myriad drafting of numerous HOF players. Now the rest of the league, combined with salary caps and free agent expansion, has caught up. So the good news about Tomlin’s non-losing streak means we have always been competitive. The bad news about the streak means we are always drafting in the 20’s. Is this now the best we can expect?
Christopher Carter
10:38
I don't think drafting very high is the key to success. It can help, but it doesn't have to be the driving factor to success. Heck, the Steelers of the 2000s was basically built that way.

Here's a list of the biggest contributors to that era and when they were drafted:
Faneca - 26th
Porter - 3rd round
Ward - 3rd round
Marvel Smith - 2nd round
Hampton - 19th
Simmons - 30th
Polamalu - 16th *traded up for*
Roethlisberger - 11th*
Miller - 30th
Taylor - 4th round

*The only player that required a reasonably high natural pick was Roethlisberger. And theoretically, had they finished 9-7 in 2003 and needed to trade a first and a second to trade up to get him in 2004, nobody would've missed Ricardo Colclough--who was their second round pick.
10:39
So, no, I don't think now is the best to expect. I think they build a pretty good core of players in the 2010s, but they were rarely healthy in the biggest of games. A reminder, there were only two playoff games where Roethlisberger, Brown, Bell and Shazier were collectively healthy from start to finish. The Steelers were 2-0 in those playoff games.
Kevin
10:39
What seems to be the main items still be negotiated in watts deal? Is it mainly about guaranteed money or is there more they disagree on?
Christopher Carter
10:40
I don't have any official insight from an agent's perspective, but I'd bet guaranteed money would be an issue. But I also suspect that Watt may be enjoying his new daughter that was born in March before he has to return to the daily grind of football that he'll commit to in August.
Lou
10:40
Chris, have you seen Roman Wilson at camp? Does he have the goods to be WR2?
Christopher Carter
10:41
I have! I don't know if he's that guy yet or if he will be the future WR2. But I do think he looks fast. If he puts it together, he can be a real threat. I think he's a better route runner than last season, but I also think he needs to be show it when the pads go on.
John in Florida
10:41
thanks for chatting. With TJ Watt now holding out, will the team maintain their policy of not negotiating with him so long as he holds out, or will the Khan artist change this? The Steelers have a long history of not negotiating with a player holding out; Franco who? Personally I like the policy and hope the team sticks to its guns. Thanks
Christopher Carter
10:42
Thanks for joining!

I think they'll hold firm. He'll show up for camp, hold in, and they'll reach a deal.
Guest
10:42
Hi Chris, of the approximately 38 quarterbacks drafted in the first round over the past 10 years (approximately 3 per year), barely half are starting quarterbacks today.  Assuming this approximate 50% rate continues, what makes the Steelers think they can successfully draft a franchise quarterback next year?  Their draft history suggests otherwise.  Wouldn't it make better sense to look over the current NFL rosters and trade for someone's back up QB who could possibly become the next Jordan Love?
Christopher Carter
10:44
Well, I'm not sure what about their draft history suggests otherwise. They've taken one swing at quarterback in the first round since Roethlisberger, and that was a 20th overall pick in a QB class that everyone considered to be a down year.

The only other time they invested a high pick at quarterback since the 2000s, they landed a hall of fame guy.

I'm not saying they'll do that this time around. But I'm also saying that they shouldn't shy away from drafting a quarterback they believe in just because Pickett didn't work out.
Jake from the Ville
10:44
Hi Chris, with the last year or two being slow from an interceptions perspective from Minkah, traditionally a ball hawk safety, and games where TJ is doubled/tripled and eliminated entirely, at what point do we start to question the effectiveness of TA? With a defense that seemingly got better, and some needed veteran depth, with a promising young guy up front in Harmon, would a lack luster year put his future tenure here in question?
Christopher Carter
10:47
I do think Teryl Austin should be on the lookout if the team doesn't take a step up soon. But I also think people should remember they finished 8th in total scoring and 12th in total yards. That's not a bad year, and in fact is a good one.

What people are probably looking for is a great year. But let's be real, they haven't had the complete talent across the board to be great on defense really since 2019-2020. They've been developing Porter and the CB position, as well as Benton at DT while paying Ogunjobi and others to fill the giant hole Tuitt's retirement left.

I'd say if the defense still has major run defense issues and allows a higher rate of big plays in the passing game, then Austin should be worried. But let's see if there's progress in either department this season.
Fort Wayne Nate
10:47
Chris, Are steeler fans hating the player and not the game when it comes to TJ Watt and his contract. He's a top 5 edge rusher and deserves to be paid like the other 4 in his group. It's not his fault the Browns and Raiders keep pushing the going rate up.
Christopher Carter
10:49
Yep. And it's going to be higher very soon. The NFL salary cap is exploding at a high rate, which mean players' contracts also go up. If Watt makes an average rate of $41M in this next deal, it will be a lower percentage of the salary cap than his average $28.5M rate from his 2021 deal.
I urge everyone to remember to look at the percentage of the salary cap when they think a number is too high of a payout. What we may think is ridiculous just might be the new going rate. Heck, I had to remind myself of that a few months ago.
Silent Bob
10:50
Hi Chris: How much do you see AR having an impact on other aspects of the offense? For example, if you are Broderick Jones, you miss a block and the QB gets sacked, probably not a big deal facing Mason in the huddle. Jones is not going to want to face a 4-time MVP after making a mistake.
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