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Christopher Carter's Steelers chat: 08.06.25
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Rebecca H.
10:35
Good morning Chris.  I’ve heard the NFL Hall of Fame may be reducing the number of inductees for future classes.  The recent class had four inductees.  I’m curious if you know why this may become standard procedure.  I think Hines Ward would be negatively affected by this.  Thank you.
Christopher Carter
10:36
Good morning!

I don't know why, other than they might just be trying to make the HOF more exclusive. And yeah, I agree this will definitely hurt Ward's chances. He's already behind several WRs in his generation when it comes to numbers.
Josh
10:36
With the tush push still allowed, are the Steelers practicing any form of it? The eagles are the best but there is no reason the Steelers or other teams shouldn’t take advantage of it. Maybe using rodgers is not ideal but a TE maybe?
Christopher Carter
10:38
Haven't seen them practice it. But then again, maybe that's becuase it's Rodgers. But sometimes those are the things they work on towards the end of camp or even after it. I do think they need to keep it in mind.
Cal from nh
10:38
I would make these two trades. What do you think of them?    Steelers get terry mclaurin.              Commanders get 2027 4th, Calvin Austin.                                 Steelers get Micah parson.           Cowboys get Alex highsmith, pat friermuth and a 2027 second. Not realistic but the packages are solid and the Steelers get two established stars. Thoughts?
Christopher Carter
10:39
I think the Commanders would hang up the phone on you with that offer. The Cowboys would be interesting because you're giving them a pass rusher, a playmaker and a 2nd. But I still think that doesn't happen.
Mediocre Mikey
10:39
Ben said the OL and the coaching staff were underprepared for the playoff loss to the Chiefs. Is there any reason to not believe him?
Christopher Carter
10:45
I'd agree that the OL was underprepared with two rookie starters from the third and fourth rounds, a second year player, and a 7-year vet they signed in an emergency because their all-pro guy retired suddenly.

That OL wasn't going to be good that year with the sudden retirements and other investments being made--regardless of whatever prep they did.

As for coaching, I'd say holding Patrick Mahomes, Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce scoreless and the defense gives you the lead while the offense gives you seven straight punts--5 of those being 3-and-outs--isn't as much about coaching staff and more about the offense needed to make more plays.
Bones in Iowa
10:45
Good Morning CC, I appreciate your time and thoughfullness during these chats.  I know the DL is going to be better this season, but it sounds like it is ELITE based on results from camp so far...and we know it is not.  Is the OL receding as a unit so far...it cannot be just Broderick's struggles leading to quick pressures and lack of running lanes.  Thoughts?
Christopher Carter
10:46
Actually when the DL is thriving in practice, it's against Frazier and McCormick more than Jones. And I don't think that's because those two have practiced poorly. I don't think this DL will be elite, but I do think they'll be better support for Cam Heyward than what he had last year.
grega
10:46
Have the Steelers ever reached back out to Mike Munchak since he left the Broncos? Would they ever bring him back?
Christopher Carter
10:48
I think the Mike Munchak ship has sailed. He was a very good coach with very good players, but he didn't have a good run with his last OL job in Denver and he's a 65-year old consultant for the Rams. Don't think he's coming back to coaching. But I could be wrong.
grega
10:48
Also, Is Teryl Austin calling the majority of the defensive plays or is he just the DC during practices and Mike Tomlin calls the defense in games. I know the HC can and will override play calls on offense and defense from time to time but Austin does not impress me. I think we should have kept Brian Flores.
Christopher Carter
10:53
I think the whole "Teryl Austin doesn't call the defense" thing is one of the biggest myths about the Steelers.

Just look at how different his defenses is compared to Keith Butler's defense. Butler was all about heat. Send it from all directions, OLBs, ILBs, CBs, S, all the stunts, everywhere. And it led to the Steelers leading the NFL in sacks for five straight years.

By the way, no other team has done that for more than two straight years. It was a staple of Butler's defense. But on the back end, his coverage schemes were more bland. It just wasn't his specialty.

The year Austin took over, the complex blitzing lessened, and the more complex coverages began. And the Steelers haven't been a top sack producing team since.

So do we believe that the change in coordinator had nothing to do with that? Or that it was all Tomlin and these guys were figureheads?

If you want a more specific example, go back to the 2023 Steelers-Packers game they won 23-19.
10:56
Remember when the Packers were lining up for the end of game hail mary, and Minkah Fitzpatrick--who was injured--came running over to Teryl Austin screaming that they were in the wrong defense and tell him they needed a timeout?

It was so visible even the TV cameras picked it up. So, if Austin wasn't calling the defense, why would Fitzpatrick be running to him in such a crucial moment?

And why would the styles of defenses change drastically from Butler to Austin?

Tomlin has his hand in the pot like he does everywhere. But his coordinators are legit coordinators.
StephTuittRules
10:57
Let's ride on 3!!!!!!!!
What's the word on Mark Robinson? Does the team believe in him enough yet to give him real snaps on Sundays? Because he's the only thumper we have now at ILB.
Christopher Carter
10:58
Ya'll Steph has been too excited in the comments LOL we have to get him on here.

Mark Robinson's been solid but I just don't think there's much space for him with Queen-Wilson-Holcomb-Harrison as ILB. Maybe if he's a core special teamer. But this team is stacked at ILB and Harrison is also a thumper.
Ivan
10:58
Hi Chris, hope you're doing well!
Have you considered that investing in two top-tier (and yes, high-priced) wide receivers could not only elevate Mr. Rodgers’ performance this season but also provide a strong foundation for our rookie quarterback next year?
We have the cap flexibility — McLaurin could be the missing piece.
Christopher Carter
10:59
Thanks Ivan! Same to you!

I like the idea of having two really good WRs for Rodgers and then the presumed rookie QB in 2026, but how do they get McLaurin? I think it would take at least a first or a second THIS year, and that would compromise the plan to get a QB.

Now, if they can get him some other way, sure. But I just don't think it happens. I also think the Commanders just end up re-signing him.
Ivan
11:00
If Aaron Rodgers retires after this season, and we draft a rookie QB in the first round next year, that would leave us with Mason Rudolph, Will Howard, and a first-round rookie as our quarterback room. Would you feel confident with that group?
Christopher Carter
11:01
Depends on who the rookie is and how they look this year in college. I think that is the plan though and it wouldn't be a bad one if they hit on the QB pick. Rudolph has shown he can manage an offense and I like what I've seen out of Will Howard as a backup.

But if they get a dud at QB in the draft, none of that will matter.
Ryan
11:01
Chris what do you think about Mark Robinson i saw he looked good last week in practice Go Steelers also who are the players to watch on Saturday
Christopher Carter
11:02
I've answered on Robinson so I'll address the second part.

Derrick Harmon-Yahya Black. I want to see how good these guys are against another team. If they bully people, we'll have a lot to talk about.

Broderick Jones, just want to see if he's fitting in at LT. Limited chances to watch him in full pads due to injury.

Roman Wilson. Has been getting better and just had his best practice of camp.
Big Bria
11:02
Is the relative small size of the O-Line something to be concerned about over a 17 game season?
Christopher Carter
11:03
I don't necessarily think so. I'm more of a "it's not the size of the dog in the fight, it's the size of the fight in the dog," kind of guy when it comes to that stuff. The OTs are fine in their size and I think Frazier's size is actually an asset because he wins with leverage so much.
Kevin
11:03
Any chance the Steelers trade highsmith? Seems to have had some injuries recently and Herbig is waiting to take his spot
Christopher Carter
11:04
That is the one sneaky piece the Steelers might have up their sleeves for a big trade. Highsmith is a very good player but they do now have depth on the edge. I don't think they do it, but if Khan wanted to be aggressive, that would be a spot to use because of the talent behind him.
Toby 3 from NC
11:04
Hi. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.  Which NFL teams are the most similar to Arthur Smith schematically, and, does that give you more optimism or greater pessimism for The Stillerz?
Christopher Carter
11:05
Huh, you know, I can't think of a system that mirrors what Smith is doing right now. Might come to me the more that I think on it, but right now I'm drawing a blank. I'm generally more optimistic that the offense will be better than last year, but not a top 10 unit.
11:06
Alright everyone, gotta get to campus for post-walkthrough interviews. Thanks for all the questions!
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