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Christopher Carter's Steelers chat: 07.02.25
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Seven
1:26
I know the fan base leans toward resigning TJ,, who is a tremendous player. But, how far into the future do the Steelers want to gamble on his next contract? If he insists on being the top paid non-QB, is it smarter just to let him play out his contract? After this season, the Steelers will be in a partial rebuild anyway while they likely break in a rookie QB.
Christopher Carter
1:32
In think if Watt signs, it's for a three-year extension that offers them maximum flexibility in the third year. That's typically how they've done it.

I think as long as Watt wants to be with the Steelers, they'll be happy to have him. Hey, if the Steelers had given up on players before Roethlisberger's rookie year, they wouldn't have won Super Bowl XL! So, I don't think they should part with him because of that.

The window for teams now often includes a highly talented QB on a rookie deal with a loaded roster. So, losing Watt would hurt that chance.
Bob D
1:32
Hey Chris...love your chats.  Why does the Ramsey - Fitzpatrick trade feel more like a hockey deal, swapping one  bad contract for another.  I honestly don't believe acquiring Ramsey does much to move the needle on the Steelers defense (perhaps if he plays slot corner) it may.  The Steeler's in my opinion won the this trade with Jonnu Smith, he can be a difference maker on offense. You thoughts?
Christopher Carter
1:40
Hey Bob! Thanks, they're fun with you all!

I think Ramsey can be a difference maker at cornerback if the team gets aggressive with their CB deployment. More nickel packages, disguises, etc.

But I also don't think this move makes them Super Bowl contenders or anything. They'll have different ways to go after offenses. But it's hard to determine if that'll yield big results.
Guest
1:40
Hey Chris.  The Steelers sure are making a lot of changes.  They've been doing more the past few years, yet still getting the same results.  They refuse to make the one obvious change.  Until they remove the man most responsible, isn't all of this just rearranging the chairs on the Titanic?
Christopher Carter
1:48
Hello!

Not necessarily. The Steelers have been in the rebuilding process for several position groups. We've seen groups improve over time under Tomlin like the offensive line in the 2010s, or the OLBs that used to be a liability in the mid-2010s before they became elite at the end of the decade.

That the team has stayed afloat during all those changes shows stability despite the turnover. If the team doesn't develop an offensive line over the next two seasons and other core parts to the roster while the ones that are strong right now age out--then I think you see the change you're referencing.
Pittfan
1:48
Hi Christopher. It appears the Steelers have their foot on the throttle. Is a successful season still a playoff win?
Christopher Carter
1:51
I think so. This team is still in a rebuilding phase. If this team wins a playoff game, I think that's positive for the season. I truly think their absolute ceiling is a AFC championship game appearance--and that's with A LOT going right injury-circumstance-wise.
Guest
1:51
Would you agree Smith is the big acquisition?  Defensively, we swapped aging, overpaid players.  That might be a wash.  Isn't the real upside going from Heyward to Jonnu?
Christopher Carter
1:51
I think it's big IF they use him. They haven't used TEs enough. But Aaron Rodgers isn't afraid to do that. So, it could be!
Guest
1:51
Now that Slay and Ramsey are in the mix, what do you think will happen with Joey Penalty Jr?  Having him on the field less alone should improve the defense.  It should cut down on 30-45 free yards per game.
Christopher Carter
1:52
I think JPJR is still your starting outside cornerback. If anything, Ramsey is your extra slot and then takes over for Slay on the outside.
Seven
1:52
Chris, I'm trying to think of a Super Bowl champion that was pieced together in the offseason the way the Steelers are being constructed: lots of older free agents and rookies assuming important roles. I hope I am wrong, but this doesn't seem like the recipe that produces champions.
Christopher Carter
1:59
I don't think this is the year they're going to be Super Bowl contenders. I think this is a year they can set up the window to exist if they get the right quarterback involved in the draft next year.
Pittfan
1:59
Hi Christopher. I'm halting between two opinions. The Steelers are a better team with TJ but another 1st round pick next year enhances the chance of being able to draft high in the 1st round. Taking the money out of the equation, what's best for the Steelers?
Christopher Carter
2:00
Here's the thing: TJ Watt is better than your average first round pick--even that your average first overall pick.

Only way I'd trade him away is for a similarly talented player (there might be only like 12 of those) or multiple first round picks.
George Thorogood
2:00
Do you think that the trade of Fitzpatrick/Ramsey is geared toward supporting the Steelers plan to move Watt around more, by having more versatile/less predicable coverage schemes behind him?
Christopher Carter
2:02
I think it could be a part of that plan. Teams are countering Watt's presence by getting the ball out quick. Now, the team has three starting capable cornerbacks who can play close to the line and force QBs to hold onto the ball longer. That would add up.
Guest
2:02
Last week you were asked about a question from the previous week regarding Cowher winning in the postseason with lessers quarterbacks.  Both weeks you replied to the opposing quarterback aspect.  However, the heart of the question referred to Cowher get the most out of lesser players, while Tomlin gets the least out of more talent.  What about that part?
Christopher Carter
2:07
OK, let's review that question:

Guest: Tomlin hasn't won a playoff game with any QB not named Ben. Cowher had more postseason success and it was with Ben, Maddox, Kordell, O'Donnell, Tomczak. Cowher knew how to get players to play above their potential. Mike always gets players to play below their potential. Why are these two coaches even mentioned in the same sentence?

My response:

Christopher Carter: I think it's also important to note who Tomlin's had to play without Roethlisberger vs who Cowher had to play.

Cowher's first playoff win was over Testeverde and he lost to Stan Humphries the next week. His other playoff wins w/o BR came against an over the hill Jim Kelly, Jim Harbaugh (2x), Drew Bledsoe, Elvis Grbac and Kelly Holcomb.

None of those quarterbacks can be considered to be in the same stratosphere of the last three quarterbacks the Steelers faced in the playoffs in Lamar Jackson, Josh Allen and Patrick Mahomes. It's a completely different era. If Jim Kelly was in his prime, he'd be the only o
...he'd be the only onee, but he was not.
2:09
So, in review, the question was about Cowher winning with other quarterbacks not-named Ben Roethlisberger and Cowher "knowing how to get players to play above their potential."

My retort was that with those quarterbacks not-named Roethlisberger, Cowher had to go up against much lesser quarterbacks than Tomlin has faced without Roethlisberger--as the Steelers have faced two NFL MVP QBs in their prime the past two playoffs.
2:13
Now, casting aside that this is the THIRD WEEK IN A ROW someone's attempted to spin this question and failed, I also take exception to the idea that Tomlin "gets the least" out of talent.

I think there's plenty of examples of players being good contributors for the Steelers and not as much in other places. Bud Dupree, Mike Hilton, Diontae Johnson, Chase Claypool, Mike Wallace, JuJu Smith-Schuster, heck even Chuks Okorafor.

Not to mention that out of all the random QBs the Steelers have had not named Ben Roethlisberger, from Leftwich/Batch to Jones-Hodges-Rudolph, the only QB with a losing record as a starter is Mitch Trubisky.

I think that further shows Tomlin gets more out of his players.
MaybeImCrazy
2:13
I think the trade is a home run. Win now players without sacrificing serious draft capital. Worsts case, they get to start over next year and pick a QB. My question is Ramsey usage. Do you foresee him being the guy they use as a CB or as a defensive chess piece (ala Polomalu)? His skills may be a little declined, but he seems like a guy who can be what they need to throw off the offense. Whether blitzing, covering or disguising what the D is suppose to do. Love the thoughts.
Christopher Carter
2:14
I do think the biggest part of this trade is that it doesn't sacrifice any draft capital.

But for Ramsey, I think he's a chess piece in that he can line up at left outside CB, right outside CB, and various slot positions, all while still being a dangerous player to target.

Polamalu's different because he literally lined up EVERYWHERE. But Ramsey certainly can help add to the complexity of disguised coverages.
Pittfan
2:14
Hi Christopher. Do the Steelers beat the Packers in Superbowl XLV if Aaron is the Steelers QB and Ben is behind center for the Packers?
Christopher Carter
2:16
This is some good July question-asking right here.

I actually think so. It's hard to look at that game not see the quarterbacks as the differences. Roethlisberger threw two INTs--one returned for a touchdown--and only two TDs. Rodgers threw 3 TDs and 0 INTs. And I'd say Roethlisberger had the better weapons.
Adam
2:16
What is a successful season, given the “standard”?  I think 24 different teams have advanced to the Divisional round of the playoffs since the Steelers last did.  Seems like one playoff win is pretty much overdue?
Christopher Carter
2:17
I do think this year is just about winning a playoff game. But I don't think this roster is a Super Bowl one. This is about developing the young players on the roster in the new core that will lift open the next Super Bowl window.
574 Fan
2:17
Thanks for the great chats, CC.  Minkah's splash plays had clearly dried up the past few seasons. In your opinion, how much of that was the result of his play falling off and how much was due to how he was used?
Christopher Carter
2:18
Thanks! They're fun!

I think this was more about teams avoiding him. Sports Information Systems charted him to be targeted on deep balls just four times last year.
K-man
2:18
I loved the latest Trade. Two starters for one and they seem like perfect fits.  Ramsey is in the old Steeler mold; tough and loves to hit. He could be our #1 db. Smith can really catch the ball at 250 and had a break out year. He could be our #1 TE. I was am a MF fan and thought he had to defend the run too much the last couple of years instead of playing a true free safety.
Christopher Carter
2:19
They have the tools to make it work. Will depend on health and how well they adapt the defense around having Ramsey. Smith can be a weapon, just not sure who the priority targets are in the offense yet.
574 Fan
2:19
What are the odds that 13 personnel will be the most utilized offensive package in the upcoming season?
Christopher Carter
2:19
Very low. I think if anything 11 personnel and 12 personnel are still tops. But there will definitely be an increase in 13.
Bern
2:19
Some reports indicate Minkah was responsible for the "communication issues" and had attitude problems toward the end of his stay here - that seems totally out of character from what we've seen from him over the years.  Any thoughts?
Christopher Carter
2:20
When I study on film and talk to people I trust, I do not see Fitzpatrick being the main one responsible for communication issues. If anything, he was the guy keeping them together while others messed up (see Cam Sutton). But that only gets you so far when you're a $22M cap hit.
Bern
2:21
Do you think Minkah was glad to be out of here given how HCMT and TA were deploying him the last few seasons?  Do you have thoughts on how he was being used?
Christopher Carter
2:21
Just a few weeks ago he was talking about being excited to be here and saying how if a player wasn't going to be on the same page with the leadership they'd be gone. I don't think he's happy to be gone.
Bama Steve
2:21
refusing to practice at training camp while looking for a new contract appears to be the new Nfl trend.  dyo u think when TJ does this again like he did last time that the Steelers may take a different approach and hold out
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