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Christopher Carter's Steelers chat: 07.02.25
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Christopher Carter
12:04
LET'S GET INTO IT.
Scooter
12:04
Hi Chris, 2-prong question: 1) Does Jonnu's versatility mean the end for Connor Hayward? 2) Minkah - like Najee - was openly critical of schemes and strategy - any coincidence?
Christopher Carter
12:08
Hi Scooter!

1) I don't think it means the end for Connor Heyward--yet. They might find a fullback-ish role for him in the offense and there's always the chance they move someone else. But I do think it means Heyward HAS to look SHARP in camp, or else.

2) I think the difference is Minkah Fitzpatrick was a welcomed part of leadership who was very much involved with the forming of the strategies in the defense. When he spoke out, I do think it was respected in a way that Harris wasn't.

I think the biggest thing with Fitzpatrick's departure is the lack of turnover production and maybe trying to find someone who can address the areas of the field where teams are targetting--short throws off quick releases to negate T.J. Watt.
Don
12:09
My main question with this trade is do they see Jonnu as the 2nd option or does it affect their pursuit of a Doubs/McLaurin/Aiyuk etc..?
Christopher Carter
12:10
I still see Pat Freiermuth as TE1. But Jonnu Smith will be a sort of TE1B--if you will. His ability as a receiving tight end will be an asset to the team. But he's also not a reliable run blocker.

I don't think this has any impact on the teams' plans at finding a WR2. I still maintain they're probably going to wait until a great deal opens up for them or they get to see Austin/Wilson work with Rodgers in camp before they make a decision.
Ben
12:10
Hey chris - what do you think the Steelers’ plan was at the start of nfl free agency? Obviously, they wanted to Metcalf, but had they signed Fields or Darnold, which seemed like first and second choice, it is hard to believe they’d have made all their recent moves aside from drafting DL in the first round.
Christopher Carter
12:18
I think the Steelers had the following overall plans:

A) Keep Justin Fields for not an expensive price.

B) Find a true WR1 to lead the team.

C) Move George Pickens.

D) Make some other key additions on defense.

E) Address D-line in draft.

They accomplished all but one of those. Aaron Rodgers was definitely a contingency plan, but one that I think they're fine with.

I also think the primary objective is to not tie the team down to anything they don't think will help them win once they make their franchise QB move--presumably next season.
Adam
12:18
Chris, nice stats article on CB versus safety trade.  How about an analysis on how Jonnu Smith was used in Miami. Everyone is calling him an 88 catch TE when he played slot mostly last year.  As a TE - even when paired with our OC - he was a less than 50 catch guy.  So something less than Muth and Jesse James in the years they were in the league together.  Doesn’t it all come down to OC philosophy, position and QB?
Christopher Carter
12:20
Hey Adam! Thanks!

Right now, I've got a film study on Jalen Ramsey in the tank ready to go that should come out today or tomorrow. I'm trying to get something on Jonnu Smith, but I'm also starting my vacation tomorrow in the lead up to my wedding. So, might be tough to squeeze in a Smith film study, but I've done some preliminary research.

But OC philosophy does play a huge role in how players get used. So it will be about how Arthur Smith wants to use his TEs.
Just The Truth
12:20
What is the over/under on the number of excuses you will make for MT today?
Christopher Carter
12:22
Get a life man. Seriously. I'm all for healthy debates, but comments like these discourage the honest back and forth I've enjoyed with most of our readers here. I'll happily debunk any erroneous claims you have when you bring them up, as I have time and again here.
artie bridge
12:22
Chris, Gotta love that we're not standing pat after the late season collapse.  But, bottom line, are we substantially improved since then?
Christopher Carter
12:25
I think they've improved, but substantially? Don't know that just yet.

I still think the biggest thing that has to be the difference maker this season is the development of the younger players who need to grow on the roster. Does the OL take a step forward? Do the young DL help against the run? Can other young vets like Porter/Benton/Payton Wilson/etc. take steps forward?

If that happens, then I do think they'll have substantially improved. But it won't come from just the new additions like Rodgers-Metcalf-Slay-Ramsey alone.
Ben
12:25
Hey chris - it seems like the Steelers are simultaneously trying to take a shot at a playoff win for Cam and positioning themselves to have a good enough team to compete with a second year qb who they draft next year. So if you are going to add Rodgers, Ramsey, slay, and Jonnu for this year, why not plus up the coaching staff too, with a replay person, another offensive coach with significant play calling experience as a senior assistant, and a senior defensive consultant, too? They are acknowledging that their players haven’t executed against the best competition, how can they not similarly acknowledge Tomlin’s shortcomings if they are going to take a shot at this year with these complementary rentals?
Christopher Carter
12:31
Hey, I've been all about adding to the coaching staff for a while. I loved the addition of Brian Flores at the time. Would be smart to add to the staff, but that's up to the Rooney family. I remember in their best years, the Steelers used to talk about too many cooks in the kitchen spoils the soup.

But in today's NFL, maybe the Steelers need to approach it like they're preparing a three course meal for a banquet of 100+ people that I'm totally not hypothesizing because of my upcoming wedding *nervous laughter*.

But in all seriousness, I do think it would benefit the Steelers to increase their coaching staff.
Billy Gunn
12:32
i get Jalen Ramsey gives them position flexibility a guy who can play inside outside and S. I just do not trust these simple minded coaches to put Ramsey in best situation to maximize his skill sets. They were totally content last year playing 10 v9 football with TJ getting double team. As Julian Edelman said in interview Tomlin and Steelers run same scheme for years.
Christopher Carter
12:37
Eh, the Steelers' scheme has changed over the years--regardless of what Edelman thinks.

Butler's defensive scheme was much more complex-blitz heavy in how he would incorporate more disguises in his blitz packages while leaving his coverage packages bland, and Austin has been basically the reverse of that.

I think what often happens is people just like to do the lazy thing and just make a general sweeping assumption without diving in on details and then say something like that.

TJ Watt didn't move around because in his most dominant years, he hadn't. I do think they should move him around more this year and they've said they would. If they don't, it will be something I break down and criticize this season if Watt still gets neutralized at key points this year.
JPinPDX
12:37
Good morning CC and thanks for the chat. Anything new in your world? Seriously though, no questions, no notes, just wanted to say thanks for what you’re adding to this PG Steelers community!
Christopher Carter
12:38
Good morning! Thanks for being here!

Only thing is that this is my last week of work before training camp as I'll be getting married soon and taking some time off with the soon-to-be wife. So, very excited for that! Thanks for your comments!
Lambert58 Fan in Indiana
12:39
CC: Thank you for the chat. Everyone says there is a lot of pressure on Arthur Smith. He’s one of 10 siblings of FedEx founder, the late Fredrick Smith. Arthur is in line to inherit around 530 mil if the numbers are right. That would tend to make me sleep easier at night. Lol
Christopher Carter
12:52
Regardless of money and status, I can't imagine the pain of the loss of a father.

As far as comfort, I'm sure Arthur Smith isn't hurting for money, but you don't get into this business unless you have a competitive drive that pushes you. The money can be a motivator, but I think he's got another level of drive to him that's gotten him this far.
epiballo
12:52
Hi Chris - thanks for the chats. I will be Interested in reading your assessment of the trade with the Dolphins. As usual, Fitzpatrick was ridiculed for his play the last two years, but shocked Michael Wilbon called him the face of the Steeler defense! Now that he's traded, the angst is everywhere. What is your reasonable take on this?
Christopher Carter
1:03
I think that Minkah Fitzpatrick was still a respected member of the Steelers' roster going into this trade.

But I also think that the team could acknowledge that what he was the best at--wasn't helping the Steelers as much the last two seasons.

Minkah Fitzpatrick was a leader, and even a pillar leader, but he wasn't the face of the defense. That falls to Cam Heyward and TJ Watt.

I don't think Fitzpatrick has fallen to be a bad player, but I think what he does has become less valuable and the Steelers are prioritizing positional value of a similarly aged defensive back with former all pro honors who still has ball skills--just at cornerback instaed of free safety.
Silent Bob
1:04
Hey Christopher - Why isn't there more positivity about the big trade? The way I see it: BEFORE: We had a weak CB group, a very high paid safety that was almost invisible (probably because he had to play out of position due to CBs) & a solid TE but someone who was never a difference maker in a game. AFTER: Steelers have perhaps the best CB squad in the NFL. We won't need to waste a guy playing center field. And, we'll have a fast, flexible TE that can line up different ways - perhaps he's the #2. Your thoughts?
Christopher Carter
1:07
Hey SB!

I think people are offering skepticism because they don't know if Slay-Ramsey will still have an *it* factor in Pittsburgh. I do think the Steelers will be competitive this season and that these moves will most likely help them. But how much? That I'm not as solid on.
Ghost
1:07
Hey Chris, really enjoy your chats.  Thinking outside the box, could you envision a scenario where TJ. is traded for McLaurin if both are holding out and the Steelers have not signed another receiver?  Of course, other considerations would be in play such as future picks.  Thanks.
Christopher Carter
1:11
Hey Ghost! Thanks for being here!

That would be a nuclear move on the part of Omar Khan to pull that off. I think there's about a 5% chance of that happening.

Particularly because 1) the Steelers really want Watt to stay and I think he wants to stay.

But also 2) the Commanders might've just struck gold with Jayden Daniels and I doubt they'd want to take away such a playmaker as Terry McLaurin from their second year quarterback who just made the NFC championship game.

If that happens, take shelter. Because the NFL will explode.
Tim from Canada
1:12
Hi Chris. Thanks as always for the great chats. Am I off the mark to think that we could be very competitive with a replacement at safety, a good swing tackle and a WR2?
Christopher Carter
1:14
Hi Tim! Glad you're here with us!

I think there are three reasonably available safety options:

Justin Simmons, older and not in his prime anymore, but could be a stop-gap option.

Julian Blackmon, younger and I think would be a decent fit.

Jordan Whitehead, also younger, but maybe not the exact fit in the FS role Fitzpatrick vacated.

But that's a decent market to pick from. As for swing tackle, I think they'll look over the training camp teams that are overloaded with decent veteran OLs and have to make tough cuts to find there.
1:15
WR2, Cooper is still available, as is Davis. But I really do think the Steelers wait to see how Calvin Austin and Roman Wilson look in camp with Rodgers, then will determine the type of player they want to add at WR.
Plunker
1:15
Chris, does the acquisition of Jonnu Smith mean the end of Connor Hayward’s  Steelers’ career?  Thanks.
Christopher Carter
1:16
Answered this earlier, but I don't necessarily think so. He's a flexible FB/TE type they might find space for. But will it limit his snaps? 100%.
epiballo
1:16
How does the addition of Jonnu Smith affect the TE plan? Fewer targets for Freiermuth and Washington? Does this reflect dissatisfaction with Muth?
Christopher Carter
1:17
I think Freiermuth is still TE1 and the second target behind Metcalf in this offense. But I do think Smith could be the third most targeted player and Washington ends up taking a backseat.

I don't think this is as much about Freiermuth and more about having good route running TEs ready to go in Smith's offense. Now they uh ... just have to actually use them.
Marta
1:17
Hi Christopher, have you heard anything about Acrisure Stadium being renovated before the draft or in the next few years?  If a new stadium were to be built, would you think the Steelers would try to stay within the city limits or would they have to consider a location in another county?    Thank you.
Christopher Carter
1:19
Hi Marta!

I have not! But admittedly, that's not something in my expertise. The Steelers got a new deal with Acrisure, so I think the stadium is safe for a while.

But during that Acrisure press conference, Art Rooney II noted to us that it was important to him to keep the stadium in the actual city of Pittsburgh. Now, maybe if there's a changing of ownership, that changes. But I think as long as they're in charge, they'll keep it somewhere central to the city.
epiballo
1:19
Given that the Steelers seem to be 'all in' to win this season, would it have been better to have kept Pickens for his final contract year and be satisfied with a compensatory draft pick?
Christopher Carter
1:23
So, I tweeted about this the other day; but ARE the Steelers really "all in?"

They've made some moves to be competitive this year, but none of these moves compromise their cap space much for future years AND they've kept all the 12 presumed draft picks (counting for expected comp picks) for next year to be ready to make big moves in the draft.

I think if anything, trading away Pickens and Fitzpatrick instead of keeping both and finding a way to add Ramsey shows the Steelers aren't "all-in" on this season any more than they are on most seasons. They just have a lot of turnover because they're trying to find answers.
Seven
1:23
Chris, great article today breaking down the analytics between the Steelers safety and corner positions. I'm curious about how Ramsey's contract is structured. Can the Steelers get out from under it in the future or will the cap hit be prohibitive?
Christopher Carter
1:25
Thanks Seven!

I doubt there's a lot of guaranteed money on the back end of the deal. That's not how they work and I think whatever guaranteed money Ramsey is owed stays with the Dolphins much like how Fitzpatrick's stays with the Steelers. Could be wrong though.
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