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Christopher Carter's Steelers chat: 08.15.25
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Christopher Carter
10:02
It's Friday and a Pittsburgh football eve! Let's get into it!
Steeler fan near Philly
10:03
Thanks for doing the chats.  Who do you think will end up being our main kick and punt returners?
Christopher Carter
10:03
Hey! Where near Philly? I went to Cheyney and traversed around there for a while!

Also, I think Kenneth Gainwell and Calvin Austin (when healthy) are good front runners!
Tim and Maria
10:03
TGIF Chris.  We are wondering if you know if the Steelers had any interest in signing Bond, the receiver who signed with the Browns?  Thanks.
Christopher Carter
10:04
Not that I've dug too hard on that but I never got any indication that was a thing once the accusations came out.
Darnell
10:04
Good morning Chris.  What’s your opinion about Cole Holcomb?  I’ve heard some say he’s going to be a mainstay in the Steelers defense while  someone else said he will be cut.  Your thoughts?  Thank you.
Christopher Carter
10:05
Good morning Darnell!

I like Cole Holcomb and think he's a great rotational guy in the defense right now. The Steelers have lacked depth at linebacker (and some years even just starting power there) for years. Now, they've got three guys who can run, hit and cover in Queen/Wilson/Holcomb. I think he's an easy lock for the roster. He's also had a great camp.
Clayton
10:05
Hey Chris, love the chats.  Am I wrong for thinking that Cam and his agent are to blame for Cam’s current contract situation?  It was Cam’s agent who negotiated the contract and Cam who signed off on it.  Thanks.
Christopher Carter
10:09
Hey Clayton!

I honestly think this isn't a "blame" or good guy or bad guy situation. The Steelers were worried that Heyward's 2023 injury and being 35 wouldn't allow him to be the great player he had been, so they vastly underpaid him.

Now, if you want to say that Heyward just shouldn't have taken the deal, sure. But I think Heyward took it because his priority was to stay with the Steelers, and he did want to at least get paid a salary inside the top 20 of defensive tackles. Right now, he's not.

I think Heyward made a tough choice, signed for less and told them he'd want more money if he's still a first team all-pro guy. That came to pass, and here we are.

Thing is, I don't think this is a big hangup. He wouldn't be practicing much in camp anyway. I think they'll work out a small pay bump that gets him maybe somewhere around the 15th-highest paid DT and he'll be fine with it.
GM
10:09
How do you see the WR and TE competitions for roster spots playing out?
Christopher Carter
10:09
TEs it's pretty clear they're keeping 4 and we know who they are:

1 - Freiermuth
2 - Smith
3 - Washington
4 - Heyward

But WR is tricky.
10:10
Right now, here would be my top 5:
1 - Metcalf
2 - Austin
3 - Wilson
4 - Miller
5 - Skowronek

I think Scotty Miller's had a great camp and might've pushed Robert Woods out of the top five. Now, maybe they keep six guys, but I doubt it considering how much they plan to use their TEs.
dpreble001
10:10
Good morning Chris. We actually have depth in the WR group, maybe no number 2. I like what is being said about Roc Taylor and saw against Jax, is there a way he makes 53 because he won't make it to the practice squad or stay there for long ?
Christopher Carter
10:12
Good morning!

I think Roc's really up against it because there are a lot of WR4/5s on this roster. I think they'll practice squad him, but he doesn't have the details down with Rodgers that Miller/Woods/Skowronek do right now so I'd put him beneath them.

And honestly, Max Hurleman as been nasty with his route running, and might be ahead of Taylor. But I don't see either making the final 53.
Amanda
10:12
Thanks for the chats Chris!  What is/was your favorite part of training camp this year?
Christopher Carter
10:14
Outside of pushing Mark Kaboly's car out of ditch (heh), I really enjoyed watching the padded practice after Friday night lights. That's when we saw some real fireworks that were built up over multiple practices.
David D
10:14
Hey Chris,  Highsmith has been a good OLB but not great at sacking the QB. He has only had more than 7 sacks in a season once. Isn't it time to rotate Herbig half the snaps on passing downs?
Christopher Carter
10:17
I actually think Alex Highsmith is still the starter you want out there with the first team primarily, and especially on passing downs. He was on pace to get 9 sacks last year without his injury.

Now, considered he's injured again, injury questions are always something to consider. But let's see how he does this year. Before last season, he played all 17 games in back-to-back years and 16 games the two years before that.

Maybe last year was a one-off. He's a heck of a player and entering prime age for edge rushers at 28. If I'm the Steelers, I'd want to see what he has in the tank this year.
Sal
10:17
Thanks for the chats Chris! What was your impression of yesterday’s joint session with Bucs? Are we miles away of
Christopher Carter
10:20
Thanks Sal!

I'm not sure what you were going to ask they were miles away from, but I'll give you the insights I can to help.

The biggest thing this team needs to kick in is the physicality in the run game. The offensive line is doing a good job with pass protection, identifying and picking up blitzers. But it hasn't shown the ability to push defensive fronts around yet.

That takes time. And I think this roster is good enough in other places to buy them time.

But if the Steelers want to go anywhere in the playoffs, they'll need that run game along with their defense healthy and their passing attack efficient.

I see this team going 10-11 wins and being a wildcard. How they develop the run game may determine if they win a playoff game.
Takoma Tom
10:20
Steelers need to play hardball with Cam.  If he refuses to play games put him on the solid not report list so he’s out for the year.  Setting a bad trend renegotiating contracts that were just signed last year.
Christopher Carter
10:23
So, I do think Heyward would actually play.

But I also think there's an out for the Steelers on the "precedent" aspect of future players asking for money one year after signing a contract.

Heyward's timing is a very unique situation. He's the 22nd-highest paid DT, he's a four-time first team all-pro, a team captain, and just came off another first team all-pro year.

For perspective, that's as many first team all-pro seasons as Mean Joe Greene.

I feel like the Steelers would be able to say to future players that if you're a 4-time first team all-pro captain coming off an all-pro season and your contract is outside of the top 20 of your position, then fine, they'll negotiate.

But that is a VERY rare scenario. So I think the Steelers could get away with it.
CJ
10:23
Hey Chris, do you think Robert Woods makes the team if another veteran receiver is not signed or traded for?  What are the chances he’s cut in favor of a young receiver like Williams or Taylor?
Christopher Carter
10:27
So, I had Woods making the team at the start of camp. But now, I'm not so sure.

Scotty Miller's really come along as a WR3/WR4 option and Woods has been fine, but not as consistent in camp.

I don't think they're cutting Woods for Williams or Taylor. But to be honest, Max Hurleman might be ahead of either of those two. He's been really sharp. Maybe not ahead of Woods, but I think Woods is in tight competition.
Rocky Mountain Yunzer
10:27
Good morning Chris.  Thanks for your chats.  I still maintain that the team will do as well as the O Line plays - if they can run and control the clock and keep Aaron upright so he can use play action and utilize the middle of the field, then the defense won't have to play as many minutes, which will allow them to be sharper and stronger.  So....how's the O Line looking?  Who looks best;  who looks worst?
Christopher Carter
10:34
Good morning!

I agree! That's still the key for this year.

I think the O-line's shown good progress in pass protection, but still needs to work on the run game. I'd say Broderick Jones and Troy Fautanu have both looked very much improved--and even good--the last few weeks.

I haven't focused too much on Zach Frazier because he's been very solid. The one who I think might need more work is Mason McCormick. I don't think it's a skill issue though, just is off here and there.
Lily in the Mon Valley
10:34
Chris, I’m really enjoying your chats.  Do you have a couple of teams that are not expected to have a great season that could be a playoff or super bowl contender and conversely, a couple of teams that could be disappointing?  Thanks and keep up the good work.
Christopher Carter
10:39
Hi Lily! Thanks for joining!

Hmmmm now you're making me think here.

I'll give you a few here.

Surprise playoff team: Falcons. I think if Penix is healthy with the investments they've made on defense and the playmakers they have on offense, they could make a push in the NFC South and get there.

Surprise Super Bowl contender: Houston Texans. I think there's a lot of potential with that Texans defense and if CJ Stroud gets that offense going, they could be dangerous.

Disappointing teams: this team won't be bad, they just won't be great: the Eagles.

Call me crazy, but I believe in the whole "football gods" thing as far as the law of averages working themselves out. The Eagles were very healthy last year, and I don't think happens again in a highly competitive NFC East.

Also, no NFC East champion has repeated atop the division since 2004.

But a team that will be really disappointing? Give me the Bengals. A lot of people have them as a Super Bowl contender. I just don't see it.
10:40
Burrow-Chase-Higgins is insane, but they have no offensive line, no defense, and that's too many glaring weaknesses for their three-headed monster to overcome.
marty
10:40
If Nutting and Cherrington are still in charge this winter, do you think they'll trade the high contracts of Reynolds and Keller for more "prospects"?  What a way to run a baseball franchise!  No other team continues to trade major leaguers for minor leaguers and hope for the best.
Christopher Carter
10:40
What do I look like, Noah Hiles?!
10:41
But I'll take a swing at it. I wouldn't be shocked in Nutting/Cherington moved on from more good players while they have the pitching phenom of the world. It's on par with what they do.
Carl in Carrick
10:41
Hi Chris, should Steelers fans be concerned about Austin’s injury?  What’s the latest you’re hearing about it?  Thanks Chris.
Christopher Carter
10:42
From what I've gathered, Austin's injury is muscle-related and has been tough for them to gauge his return. It's not seen as season threatening, but it's not something they seem to think he'll just be back any day from.
10:43
If he's not practicing by Labor Day, that'll be when the concern should rise.
10CC
10:43
Hi Chris.  If Austin isn’t healthy to begin the season, who do you see returning punts and kicks?
Christopher Carter
10:44
Hello! I think Kenneth Gainwell is first in line. Would've enjoyed seeing Donte Kent, but he's been in a walking boot at camp.
Takoma Tom
10:44
What’s Cam’s trade value?
Christopher Carter
10:46
That's tough because I think every team would see Heyward as a one-year rental. You'd need to send him to a contender. And even then, they'd need to see if he fits in their scheme. I think maybe he gets you a fourth if someone is desperate?

I'm honestly not an expert at trade value vs picks and things like that. But I feel like they wouldn't get much back because of his age. Could be wrong though.
J D
10:46
Chris, MT said yesterday that Ramsey will be the #1 CB.  Will JP2 be the #2 and where will Slay play?  Thanks.
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