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Christopher Carter's Steelers chat 06.18.25
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Brian from Far Away
1:58
Hey Chris! I became Holcomb fan during the season he got injured, looked really good then and excited to see him this year. In an ideal world that he's back to who he was, does he wear the green dot or is PQ just a better player? I didn't think PQ was as bad as some people say but I would've like to see a bit more.
Christopher Carter
1:59
Hey Brian!

I think the green dot will primarily go to Queen but that both will have the role at some point. Holcomb was brought in to basically be Patrick Queen the year before they got PQ. So wouldn't be shocked if now that he's healthy that they maximize their flexibility. I agree with you that PQ wasn't as bad as people thought and see him having a good 2025 season.
itsallmoot
1:59
How much, if at all, do you think B Jones playing on the right side slowed his development as a player?  I know the team was better off with him at RT and DM on the left, but seems like he'd be better setup for this year if he had played LT. Question is by how much?
Christopher Carter
2:00
I think it did slightly, but it also depends on how he takes to the flip this year. Some players can lean on early adversity and take the lessons they had to learn to survive and become better players. Other players just don't respond well to it and never take off.

I do think that with a third year in the NFL and him losing weight, he could find a bit more comfortability in the offensive line. But time will have to tell.
Yogi in Yonkers
2:00
Common sense dictates the best way to cover for a lousy secondary (such as Pittsburgh's) is bringing lots of pressure on the QB. The sorry state of the secondary would seem to work in Watt's favor, no? Do you agree that, plus having a QB room on the cheap, will cause the Steelers to blink and pay him?
Christopher Carter
2:03
Sheesh, "lousy" and "sorry state" seem like rough labels for a team that allowed the 10th fewest passing touchdowns and had the third most interceptions last year.

I think TJ Watt has earned his own money and regardless of how good the secondary is or isn't, he's going to get paid. Don't think it's a blink to pay him either. They should do it.
Yogi in Yonkers
2:03
It would appear Sawyer is making a good first impression. Why do you think he lasted until the 123rd pick? Was it injuries? Measurables?
Christopher Carter
2:04
Jack Sawyer looked more like a run stuffing 3-4 OLB and that's not as attractive in today's NFL as it used to be. I think he's fitting in fine because he's ready to be phyiscal. I think him and Nick Herbig could make for a versatile backup pair of edge rushers as Herbig brings the finesse and Sawyer brings the power.
Dan
2:06
Hi Chris - when you review “film” on the Steelers, what source are you using?  Regular network feeds or do you and other journalists have access to other sources - thx
Christopher Carter
2:07
The NFL offers gamepass on their website that provides all-22 footage for anyone to view. I think it's like $100 a year or something. But that's something that we and everyone else can use.
MikeM65 in Florida
2:07
Assuming AR starts the first game this season at QB, Mason R or another vet starts next year while the QB rookie learns, and the QB rookie starts the following year, that is seven different starting QBs on opening day in seven seasons (including Ben's last year).  For a franchise that prides itself on stability, that isn't too stable.  My question is if Chuck Noll and the Rooneys had this mindset in the early 1970s, would we even know who Terry Bradshaw is?  He wasn't the greatest QB early in his career.
Christopher Carter
2:12
Well, let's be clear, Terry Bradshaw got bumped from his starting spot too a few times. Joe Gilliam was the starter for the beginning of the 1974 Super Bowl season.

But Bradshaw was also the FIRST OVERALL PICK. That carries a lot more weight than 20th overall (Pickett), 3rd round (Rudolph) or free agent pickups (Trubisky, Wilson, Fields, Rodgers).

Bradshaw was going to get his chances. Pickett might've had his chance this year had he not requested a trade off the team before last season as Wilson would've been gone and he'd still be under contract.

Had the Steelers had the first overall pick quarterback from a similar draft like Joe Burrow, Trevor Lawrence, or Bryce Young, he's probably still be in the fold.
Mike
2:13
When you look at the best to ever play each position in franchise history, you can put a Noll guy and Tomlin guy at each position.  When you look at the best coaching staffs, same thing.  You can't put one single Tomlin player or coach on those lists.  Why is so bad at these?  Is it the people he brings into the organization?  Or is it his development of men?
Christopher Carter
2:14
I think you meant to say "you can put a Noll guy and a Cowher guy at each position" and then single Tomlin's players, out, correct? I will operate as if that's your question. Please let me know if I guessed wrong because something was off there.
2:18
I'd disagree about that though.

Cam Heyward's a Tomlin guy. TJ Watt, David DeCastro, Antonio Brown, heck I'd say Minkah Fitzpatrick's all-pros also put him in that conversation.

I'd also say that several Cowher "guys" only saw their best years under Tomlin and weren't as good for Cowher. James Harrison was an overlooked strong man until he became the best edge rusher in football under Tomlin. Ike Taylor was getting benched by Cowher in 2006 and then became a nightmare for receivers under Tomlin.

I don't know how you said he's "so bad at these" when you see the Super Bowl he won and the players he's produced.

Now coaches, I'm with you. That hasn't gone as well. But I would say that Todd Haley made the Steelers a top 4 offense for the first time since 1979, so he'd be above any Cowher OC.
Peter H
2:18
Hi Chris . Both you and The Athletic wrote up an analysis of  AR's game and potenticial effect on the Steelers. Just wanted to say I thought yours was a lot better. Keep up the good work. Hope you and all the PG crew get a little break until training camp
Christopher Carter
2:19
Thanks! We've still got some good stuff coming down the pipeline before camp but we are definitely looking forward to getting some rest before then.
Bob
2:19
Why do you think the Steelers signed Slay who will be 35 to pair with a young CB, Porter, instead of signing a younger, at least under 30, CB to pair with him? 35 is extremely old for a CB or any player besides kicker, punter, or QB.
Christopher Carter
2:20
I think because Slay can help mentor Porter as an all-pro guy who just led the NFL in passes broken up (per PFF) last season. I do agree that it would've been interesting to get a younger guy who can pair with Porter for longer. But I wonder if they're expecting anything from Trice.
Sunner in Orlando from Lebo
2:21
Hi Chris! Thanks for the chats! In your opinion, what is the order of concern for the Steelers this year between the offensive line (Jones-specifically), the DB's with Porter and Slay, the wide receiver room or Rodgers?
Christopher Carter
2:22
Thanks for joining them! These are always fun.

I actually think that's the order as you listed it. The offensive line is vital to the future of this organization right now. They NEED that group to work out. Joey Porter Jr. figuring it out would be huge for them to not have to spend a lot to fix the secondary soon. WR I think is a position you get a wide array of talent most drafts so I think that's the least of the three.
Sunner in Orlando from Lebo
2:22
Do you know how far apart the Steelers and TJ are? Any numbers that have been leaked on either side that you can divulge?
Christopher Carter
2:23
Nothing official. But from what I've learned that I can say, the Steelers do have an offer to Watt they think is a good one. Watt may or may not like it and just be stalling so he can enjoy being the new dad. He's still the best player on the team and maybe still the best edge rusher in football. I don't think they're that far apart.
Guest
2:24
How much impact did having Mat Canada as the OC, set the Steelers back.
Christopher Carter
2:27
That depends on if you think Kenny Pickett was going to be THE guy. I think there were several personnel issues that were going to need to be solved for that offense to take flight even if they had Ben Johnson as the offensive coordinator.

So it's tough to say he set them back years as they might still have not built a foundation for the future of an offense without him. But there's no doubt, he was objectively terrible and that period of time will not be memorable for anything good offensively.
Kevin
2:27
Going into training camp who would you say are some veterans that you are least confident in making the 53 man roster
Christopher Carter
2:28
Patterson is at the top of that list. Just no production on special teams and not sure what he brings to the RB room now with Warren and Johnson.

I'd also watch out if I was DeMarvin Leal or Mark Robinson. That 2022 class has been getting sent away in recent years and neither have taken much a step forward.
Just The Truth
2:28
Christopher, when did you become such a full blown Tomlin apologist?
Christopher Carter
2:32
That depends on what you classify as a "Tomlin apologist." If that's your definition who doesn't childishly blame Tomlin for everything under the sun, I've always been against that.

But I also have a general respect for the coaching profession in general. I've covered Tomlin for years and gone over mistakes and successes just like I have for Pat Narduzzi from his ACC championship to his 3-9 season.

In general, I think many people don't understand much about what good coaching actually does and how hard it is to build a championship team, let alone win with one, in a highly competitive league like the NFL. There are many great coaches who never won a Super Bowl, or only won once.

A big reason why I get into film study and dive into the minutiae of football is because it's the lazy people who just flatly blame one person for everything. Quite often, there's plenty of stories as to why something went right or wrong, and the head coach isn't the biggest factor in either.
2:35
So when a quarterback throws an interception on a play where there was a wide open receiver on a play they practiced for that player to be wide open and he just missed, is that on the coach?

That kind of thing happens a lot more often in sports than most realize.

I think the biggest thing for a head coach to do is to set the environment for your team to be competitive enough to be in the playoffs and develop players/groups to be leaders.

Tomlin's done both for a long time. If acknowledging that makes me an apologist to you, I'd suggest growing up.
Kevin
2:37
Why do I keep seeing tj watt trade scenarios? Isn’t the expectation that he signs?
Christopher Carter
2:38
Kevin, it's mid-June. You and I both know people are doing whatever they can to get their clicks right now. LOL. Unless we see a firm report of a trade, don't buy into it.
62 Stack Monster
2:38
Hello Chris, Now that that Harmon, a rookie, was named the starter, shouldn't Leal and Lowdermilk be feeling the heat?
Christopher Carter
2:38
They should. There will be a battle for spots on the roster. Loudermilk was at least brought back. I think Leal is the one who might feel more heat.
Kevin
2:38
After watts extension do you anticipate any more big moves this offseason ?
Christopher Carter
2:39
I think he's the big one and that's it outside of a WR2 move or a small move to find a backup OT.
Henry Hill
2:39
Good day Chris. Has ARod been available to reporters for interviews, or does he mostly stay away from you folks?
Christopher Carter
2:40
Good day Henry!

We've had one opportunity to speak with Rodgers. Fortunately, you can view the full press scrum in length here:
Jeff M
2:40
Hi CC, I am guessing Patterson was at minicamp. I just do not understand why he is still on the team.? He wasn't good last year and he and Gainell seem redundant. He should have been cut when he let a ball go over his head that was still in the landing zone vs Cincinnati last season.
Christopher Carter
2:41
Hi Jeff!

You're correct, Patterson was there. But I'm with you that I don't see the point in keeping him. He's not even RB3 on this team and he's not the best return man anymore. I think keeping him might've been a courtesy by Arthur Smith for their connection or the team because Patterson does have historical respect in the NFL with his all-time return numbers.
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