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Christopher Carter's Steelers chat: 08.15.25
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Christopher Carter
10:47
Look at it this way:
CB1: Ramsey
CB2: Porter
CB3: Slay

BUT, when together, Porter-Slay will often play outside and Ramsey will move around from slot to safety and everywhere in between.
Jersey Danno
10:47
From what I've read it appears Leal has played his way out of town. And I'm sure they'd like to put Loudermilk on the same bus if they had a decent replacement. Any dark horses emerging for the DL? I know you don't want too many rookies at one position, but what else can they do?
Christopher Carter
10:49
Yeah, Leal is in a tough spot. He just hasn't turned many heads and is on the fourth year of his deal. He's honestly been at edge more, and that group looks fine with Watt-Highsmith-Herbig-Sawyer.

Loudermilk could find a way on the roster, but it'll be between him, Logan Lee, Breiden Fehoko and maybe a couple others. But Loudermilk should not feel like he has some pole position that will protect him.
Steelers Sycophant
10:49
Hey Chris, how do you see the Steelers linebackers shaping up in the back up positions?  Who makes the cut?
Christopher Carter
10:50
Here's how I have that working out:
ILB:
Queen
Wilson
Holcomb
Harrison
(maybe Robinson for special teams)

OLB:
Watt
Highsmith
Herbig
Sawyer
Jersey Danno
10:50
What's the word on Donte Kent? He's in a crowded position room, but Omar hates to cut his draft picks.
Christopher Carter
10:51
Unfortunately he had some sort of foot injury that put him in a walking boot. Wouldn't be shocked to see him hit the IR and stay there for this year at some point.
JPinPDX
10:51
Good morning CC. How important is it that Kaleb Johnson shows real growth from last week to this one? Is he stuck at RB3 to start the season?
Christopher Carter
10:54
Good morning!

I think this week isn't the barometer exactly. It'd be nice to see real growth now, but this is a long season and I think he's just now picking things up.

Also, I'd slot him at RB2
J D
10:54
Chris, aren't the pre-season games mainly to see who will make the team as 2nd and 3rd stringers and not so much for the 22 starters?  And do you think Roger's will play a series in the last pre-season game?
Christopher Carter
10:56
Yes to your first question and no to your second. Especially with the quality of veterans, a lot of those guys have played enough ball to not need the preseason game.

And Rodgers is at the top of said list.
Jim (Cosmo) K in Jax
10:56
Will there ever be a point where players get a week off or even a half off during the season as a way to rest, saving them to be best when needing to peak later in the year? It would be like getting an extra bye week for some. Obviously it would depend on many factors during the season if that ever happens. Obviously the goal is to peak later in the year while still being able to qualify for the tournament.
Christopher Carter
11:04
Jim, you're speaking my langauge.

When the NFL expanded to 17 games, I thought they should've given each team another bye week.

It just makes sense. The season is long and plenty of the better teams end up missing key players because of it.

Give every team 2 bye weeks. Then whenever teams are coming off their byes, they can do Thursday night football. That'll eliminate the problem of a short week and how it endangers players.
J D
11:04
Chris, do you think the Steeler's will cave in and give him more money or will they stand firm and not budge?
Christopher Carter
11:05
I think they'll give him some more money but not enought to make him a top five paid DT.
Mediocre Mikey
11:05
Chris, reports are that the running game is not working yet. Where do you the biggest need for improvement? Is the line not in synch, RBs not hitting the holes fast enough? something else? all of the above?
Christopher Carter
11:08
I'd agree with those reports, as I've written some of them!

Biggest issues are the lack of nastiness in the OL early and the RBs not feeling their chemistry yet.

That'll take time. But I do think there are signs of encouragment in that the OL is doing a lot better in picking up blitz protections and communicating. They also look like they know where to go in the run game, they're just not overly confident yet.

It took time for Pouncey-DeCastro to get their thing down. Let's see how long it takes these guys.
Mike from Texas
11:08
Good morning Chris.  The Steelers have spent big and made some trades to compete now.  The lack of an established 2nd WR is interesting seeing how aggressive they have been in the offseason. If you can't score, what's the point? The defense can only do so much.
Christopher Carter
11:11
Good morning!

I think they're working their way around that with other trades--like Jonnu Smith. They may not have the right fit for the WR they really want and are working their way around it.

But I do agree, having a bonafide WR2 would be a good boost.

Still, I think the bigger thing with this offense is if the OL can develop. IF that happens, then the offense will be able to score.
SteelerByBirth
11:11
Hello Chris - I appreciate your taking the time to do these chats. You do good work sir. I was not really on board with bringing in Rogers. In my amateur view Rogers is an upgrade, even at his age, but an upgrade of a couple more wins during the year. Maybe, a playoff win but I did not, nor do I see us as a superbowl contender with or without him. If he is only here for one year then why not roll with Rudolph who seems serviceable as a bridge to finding a franchise QB. Not to mention the obvious choice for leading our team in a blizzard. What I did not take into consideration is the longer term impact Rogers could have on the team by mentoring younger players, specifically Frazier and the younger WR’s. He is not their position coach but I presume his experience and ability to read defenses can benefit guys like Frazier develop. My question is whether I am being too hopeful of his impact in developing younger guys, and if you are seeing anything along those lines transpiring in camp?
Christopher Carter
11:13
Hello!

I actually think we're already seeing that impact through what happened in camp. Rodgers is pushing guys to understand his way of operating/thinking from how they call out protections, to how precise they run routes and other things too.

I don't think they're a Super Bowl contender either this year, but I do think Rodgers could help develop the window if they score in this next draft at QB.
Tampa Too
11:13
Chris, do you find it odd that as many years as Tomlin has coached he has no coaching tree?
Christopher Carter
11:14
Less odd, more disappointing. I get it considering a lot of his earlier coaches were older and either went somehwere else briefly before retirement or retired with the Steelers.
11:15
But certainly some of the other hires haven't hit and that isn't the best look. I'm also not one who thinks having a coaching tree is the biggest thing. Heck, Belichick has tons of HCs in his former ranks but they pretty much all stunk.

I think Tomlin's had his misteps as has the organization with some of their coaching hires, and when they've hit, they've kept them.

But I'm interested in Gerald Alexander, because he looks like a legit future DC as their DBs coach right now.
Jersey Danno
11:16
When Tom Brady joined the Bucs, they were a middle of the pack choice for the playoffs in Vegas. The next day they were SB favorites. How come not the same love for AR? He didn't move the needle at all.
Christopher Carter
11:16
Gotta remember, Brady was coming off being a constant Super Bowl threat with the Patriots. Rodgers is coming off being bleh with the Jets. I think that plays a big factor.
Tommy From Florida
11:16
Good Morning....Living down here in Clearwater, I'm hearing Mike Evans consistently burned Jalen Ramsey on 7 on 7 drills in practice.  So, my question to you is, Are we Stiller fans getting the "I'm faking my hammy is tight when he was with the Jags to get traded to the Rams so I can get me a ring" guy, or are we getting a motivated corner that's bleeding Black and Gold? Thanks for your time in advance.
Christopher Carter
11:18
Good morning!

Eh, this is always tricky because technically we're only allowed to report what we're told. Evans got the best of Ramsey during the two-minute drill with a touchdown and I can say that because Emeka Egbuka told me that when I asked him.

But Egbuka also noted that the Steelers were testing out different zone looks during practice and that they rarely ran man coverage--which was their staple in camp and will be their staple this year.

I wouldn't put much stock into yesterday.
Ryan
11:18
Chris  what do you think about the play of Skyler Thompson and Max Hurleman vs The Jaguars i think both looked Good and should get some more playing time Tomorrow GO STEELERS
Christopher Carter
11:20
I think Max Hurleman has been very good this camp and man, if there was space it'd be great to have him as an extra WR threat. Just don't know if he'll fit.

Skylar Thompson had to remind everyone that he's also played in an NFL playoff game before with his performance. Both looked good.
Tommy From Florida
11:20
Good Morning, Chris. I would love to know your thoughts on Roman Wilson. This is technically his rookie season....should I run out and buy a Wilson jersey for this season, or is there someone else you'd suggest? Here's hoping he balls out this year. Go Stillers!
Christopher Carter
11:21
Good morning!

I love a jersey question.

Roman Wilson has been good that last two weeks of camp and I'm getting the sense he's going to be a real part of the offense this year.

That being said, if I were to advise on getting a jersey of a young player who could turn into a prime playmaker, get Payton Wilson. That dude is lighting it up.
Hi Chris -
11:21
Why play this cat and mouse game with WR, our room is weak - horrible if anything happens to DK.  Are there no better options out there who could be building rhythm with Rogers?  Dumb if you ask me.
Christopher Carter
11:22
Hi! I don't think it's as much cat and mouse and more so they're just not going to overinvest for one as they want to protect their 2026 draft picks.
CoalportKid
11:22
What's the word on the street on the training camps of the balance of the AFC North.  Any insghts beyond the Browns have no QB, Bengals can't play D and the Ravens win everything until the playoffs?
Christopher Carter
11:23
I think you have most of that right. Ravens could put it together in the playoffs though. They've got the talent for sure.
Gracie Lou
11:23
Let's jump in to the time machine Mr. Carter! Playoffs are here....AFC side...Division winners and wildcard teams.... GO!
Christopher Carter
11:24
Gracie you're putting me in the hot seat! OK!

1 - Bills
2 - Ravens
3 - Chiefs
4 - Texans
5 - Steelers
6 - Chargers
7 - Broncos
Butcher
11:24
Chris, thanks as always for the chats.  Love the contrast between chat hosts. You are extremely detail oriented, and bring a different outlook.  What is the real chance that we will see brod Jones make a true jump this year, based on your analysis of his camp work? Do we have adequate coverage at LT or do we move fatanu there if the wheels fall off?
Christopher Carter
11:26
Thanks for the compliments!

The more I see Broderick Jones practice, the better I feel about that jump. He's getting sharper and finding the details. That's all I think he's ever needed as he's got the size and athleticism.

Dylan Cook's also had a good camp as the extra OT, but I wouldn't bank too hard on that.
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