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Christopher Carter's Steelers chat 06.18.25
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62 Stack Monster
2:41
Could Rogers play another year after this one?
Christopher Carter
2:42
The only way I see that happening is if the Steelers' offense is a top 10 unit and they just fall short of the Super Bowl. If those two things happen, he might take another shot. But I do think this is his last year.
Bob D
2:42
Thank you for the chat...I often find it odd how some players are treated differently by the media, yourself included.  For example, look at Joey Porter Jr as he was a total mess last season, but hey he was a legacy pick taken 1st in the second round so he gets a free pass and nobody is remotely suggesting that the Steelers should find a replacement.  Compare him to the undrafted Beanie Bishop who was serviceable at slot corner and did not negatively stand out like Porter, but I read from the media types that the Steelers should be actively seeking an upgrade.  I list goes on
Christopher Carter
2:46
Well for one, Beanie Bishop had a lot of issues that made him a liability. He allowed three touchdowns all season to Porter's one touchdown allowed despite Porter playing basically double the coverage snaps.

I think what you see as "treated differently" are people's expectations for players based off their production. Porter has issues but has a pedigree of a player who can be a good starter on the outside. Bishop has potential too, but I'd say most objective observers would note his hill is a bit steeper to climb than Porter's right now.

Doesn't mean Bishop won't figure it out. But one was drafted 32nd overall for a reason while the other wasn't drafted at all.
BPOS
2:46
We know they'll go all in to move up next year to get a QB.  But they will be competing with several other QB needy teams.  Teams I see who are better positioned with more draft capital are Browns and Rams (each with two first rounders) and possibly the Jets (two second rounders) and then the Giants and Saints will will likely finish with a worse records. Right there, we are probably looking at the 3 or 4 best QB choice if that. So not a question but secretively I won't be unhappy if they don't have a winning season.
Christopher Carter
2:48
Hey, the Chiefs had the 27th overall pick and several teams with more ammunition than them the year they got Mahomes. Bills were outgunned for picks the year they got Allen too, and two quarterbacks went ahead of them. Doesn't box them out of a good QB pick if they make the right move.

But I do agree, if you're wanting them to get in position for a pick, a losing season wouldn't hurt those chances.
Yogi in Yonkers
2:49
If Skylar lights it up in preseason, does he replace Mason as QB2? He can run.
Christopher Carter
2:49
No. Just, flat out, no. Mason Rudolph is your QB2 this season and only injury will unseat him.
David D
2:49
Hey Chris, TJ Watt is a 9 yr vet who has been in the same Defense, so missing Mini Camp doesn't matter much. Is he annoyed that the A. Rodger's  situation overshadowed his contract with the media & fans?
Christopher Carter
2:50
I don't think TJ Watt cares either way about that. He's most likely somewhere enjoying being a new father in the final weeks before training camp begins.
BPOS
2:50
Do you think Warren starts as the lead back? Johnson will certainly get carries but do you see Warren taking the bulk of snaps at least for the first half of the season?
Christopher Carter
2:50
I do think Jaylen Warren starts and Kaleb Johnson eventually takes over by the second half of the season.
Sunner in Orlando from Lebo
2:50
What will determine success this year for the Steelers in what order? Run game, pass game, run D and pass D?
Christopher Carter
2:51
Run defense, run game, pass defense, pass game.
Avg. Joe Flaccid
2:51
Should we expect a top 5 defense this year? And is there a more pathetic QB room in the league than the Browns?
Christopher Carter
2:51
I think they're still a few pieces from being top 5. But I could see another top 10 year. Heck, they were 8th-best last year. So, maybe they're closer to that than I give them credit for.
George Thorogood
2:51
It seems “reasonable” to be cautiously optimistic going into this season, but it also seems that the Steelers have at least as many “ifs” that have to line up right, as they did last year: expected level of QB performance still an open question, OL personnel same as last year (yes Fautanu is back, but Jones regressed), new RB, still no proven WR2, DL addressed in draft but if time catches up to Heyward it will just be a wash, FAs and players returning from injury at LB and secondary that need to pan out… some folks are hopeful for 11-12 wins, but I just see so many things having to turn out just right for that to happen…I see 7-10 wins as being much more likely. Thoughts?
Christopher Carter
2:54
I honestly think that 10-11 wins is more likely than 7 wins, but I do agree with you that this team has plenty of question marks.

The reason I think they lean more positive is because I think most of them are reasonable question marks that could end up in their favor.

The OL? Zach Frazier looked good and I think Broderick Jones on the left will look a lot better, and Troy Fautanu will be healthy. DBs? Porter gets more experience, Slay is better than Jackson, and Fitzpatrick-Elliott have more chemistry.

DL? Benton another year sharper and I do think Harmon can be good this year.

A lot ot prove, but sometimes that's what makes you more exciting to watch.
The Q
2:54
Is there any reason to think Aaron Rodgers can't put up the same numbers he did for the Jets last season?
Christopher Carter
2:55
The only reason would be if the Steelers' OL is somehow worse than the Jets, and that would take a lot to happen. The Jets' OL was pretty bad and it caused a lot of problems. I could see similar numbers for Rodgers.
ZO
2:55
Hey CC!  Thanks for the chats!  Always enjoy your in depth analysis!
Christopher Carter
2:55
Thanks ZO! They're fun and I'm  happy to do them!
2:59
OK, so my clumsy-self accidentally delete a question I was trying to approve. I think the guy's name was CG.

But the question was something along the lines of how many times has the Steelers' defense ranked top 10 in scoring if only considering playoff numbers?

I don't have those numbers on-hand but I'd imagine maybe once in 2016? I also think that's an extremely cherrypicked question because you didn't like the answer I gave that was factual about them being a top 10 defense 6 of the last 10 years.

I don't think I've ever seen a segment or anyone discuss "top 10 defensive rankings in the playoffs" after a season. I get it, you want to cherrypick for a specific answer.
George T
2:59
Hi Chris,  why does almost everyone thinks we will get our franchise QB next year.  Remember it was 20 years between Terry and Ben and it may take just as long again.  I give the chance we get our franchise QB next year less than 30%. Also will the Steelers wait 5 years to determine if he is the franchise QB like it took Terry.
Christopher Carter
3:00
I think it's because the projected class looks pretty good and quarterbacks are being raised differently in the 2020s than theyt were in the 1980s-1990s. More prep is going into them to run NFL offenses and there's a legit chance to find someone who's more NFL ready these days.
ZO
3:00
Opps a lil early on the enter button which sends it.  Sorry!  Anyway, I'm bullish on this online group.  The athleticism upside that they have could be a huge asset for years to come for Mr. Johnson and Co!  I can't help put have flashes of Faneca coming across with that touchdown springing block for "Fast Willie" in SBXL!  Or Dawson pulling and leading a convoy of blockers in the secondary for another huge gain for the "Bus!"  Now throwing Tackles into such a mix with Jones and Fautanu and all of their upside has me thinking the sky is truly the limit with this "Clan!"  Thoughts?
Christopher Carter
3:01
If this offensive line turns into the mid-2000s or mid-to-late-1990s, look out ya'll. But I think they're still about 2 years from being that just yet.
TC in Mooresville NC
3:01
Now that Rodgers is signed, should Mel Kiper take back his rant and change the Steelers draft grade? Lol!
Christopher Carter
3:02
LOL. Mel's probably still weaving a tapestry of rants that, as far as we know, is still hanging in space over Lake Michigan.
Coupon
3:02
60% chance Rodgers gets injured before the 4th game. 41 with 5 wins last year. Yikes!
Christopher Carter
3:02
Really don't know how to do rates like that, so, maybe?
Tyler J
3:02
Wow! This is cool. Thanks for doing this Chris. Big fan of the shows from Mobile Al.
Christopher Carter
3:03
Thanks for joining Tyler! Readership spreads far and it's awesome to have you all here.
Tyler J
3:03
The doom and gloomy approach is unwarranted. We have holes in the roster just like everyone else, but theres still a lot of off-season left. Really would be nice to put some of our extra capital in 2026 draft to make a premium move before camp. Really dont think a sell the farm move will be necessary to get an elite QB next year. Class seems loaded. Do we want to make a major play at WR? is that the glaring offensive hole?
Christopher Carter
3:04
Agreed on the doom and gloom and the QB plan. As for WR, I think they want to see how Rodgers works with Metcalf-Austin-Wilson before deciding how big a move to make at WR. If it's really bad, maybe you see some splash. But if they see one or both of them stepping up, maybe it's a smaller signing.
ABO
3:04
This is my first time reading your chat.  Wow! It is refreshing to see thought and consideration going into the answers.  I never ask questions.  But I see plenty of dedicated fans ask questions that are important to them, and deserve some sort of thoughtful reply, only to be met with sarcastic dismissal.  Anyhow...thanks for responses.  I hope you don't get so tired of doing these over the coming years that you change your mode of operation.
Christopher Carter
3:05
Thanks! I do pray for the endurance to still enjoy these as much when I turn 60 as I do in my 30s. These are legit fun!
Mike from NY
3:05
Hi Chris. I think you've been a great addition to the chats. You give much more detailed answers than the other writers do
Christopher Carter
3:06
The other guys are also plenty busy and I'm still fitting my role here as just a Steelers guy after covering Steelers-Pitt football and Pitt basketball.
And thank you for the compliment!
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