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Christopher Carter's Steelers chat: 08.22.25
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Christopher Carter
10:07
Goooooood morning Post-Gazette subscribers! How we doing out there? Let's get into it!
artie bridge
10:07
Chris, Imho, MT HAS to find a roster spot for Lew Nichols, despite the three-deep rb room.  The guy has excelled at everything he's been asked to do in the preseason.  What's your take?
Christopher Carter
10:10
I lioke what Lew Nichols has brought to the table. But he's not better than Warren/Johnson/Gainwell and honestly I think Sermon is better as well. His best hope is the practice squad.
GM
10:10
CC...how do you see the secondary roster...do you think Seb Castro makes the 53?
Christopher Carter
10:16
I don't think Castro will make the 53, but maybe the practice squad.

Here's my secondary right now:
CBs: Ramsey/Slay/Porter/Echols/Trice/Pierre
S: Elliott/Thornhill/Clark/Killebrew

I think the fact that CBs are rotating into safety roles on occasion is a sign they won't take any extras. Elliott just signed an extension, both Thornhill and Clark look good, and Killebrew is the special teams ace. Castro's had a fine preseason/camp, but that's not enough in this case.
IUP 99
10:16
Good morning, there is a lot of curiosity among fans (myself included) about what Will Howard can eventually grow into but let’s be honest, he more than likely is going to do nothing to help this team this year. He has talent, was a great college success story and I’m glad the Steelers drafted him when they did in a sort of - ya never know - kind of a way. I wanted to see him play this preseason and his injury is unfortunate but I think Skylar needs to be on this team. He can help and despite what some want Mason to be, he certainly appears to still be a backup at best. Skylar, not trying to make him out to be a camp superstar, but seems like he could have an impact this year if called upon to help. Seems to be a different energy when he is in the game. Hopefully AR stays upright all year and he’s never needed like that but whatcha think?
Christopher Carter
10:30
I think the case was always that Will Howard wouldn't see the field this season unless an emergency. It's a shame we didn't see him in the preseason, as he was having a good camp.

I still say Will Howard is this team's next Mason Rudolph -- and that's a good thing. He'll be a good young arm to keep around the organization and challenge the first round QB I expect them to target in the coming draft.
Barry in MD
10:30
Here's what I need to see from Steelers. December 1 not clinched but in playoffs at that point at minimum maintain maybe increase position. Not sneak in on week 18 because someone else loses. Then win playoff game. What say you?
Christopher Carter
10:33
Well technically the Steelers clinched the playoffs with a 10-4 record this season in mid-December, so that wasn't the case.

I think the bigger thing is for this team to be healthy and riding a hot hand into a playoff game that isn't against a juggernaut on the road against an MVP level QB.

Be good enough to get the 5 seed and play the lowest division winner, or better yet, win the division.

The latter is a tall task as I see the Ravens as one of the more complete rosters in the NFL. But I do think this team has the potential to get 11 wins and earn the 5 seed.
Orlando steelers fan
10:33
Oline is just as terrible as last year, why wouldn't we bring Munchek back? Are you aware of any conflics with coaches that would stop the steelers from bringing him back?? I just don't get it
Christopher Carter
10:34
I don't know what preseason tape you're looking at but Broderick Jones at LT and Troy Fautanu at RT look miles better than Dan Moore at LT and Jones at RT.
10:36
I don't think either Jones or Fautanu allowed a single pressure in any of the preseason games, and that's a good sign for Aaron Rodgers. Zach Frazier had a hold that you don't like, but other than that, I think the offensive line is actually trending upwards right now.

Also, it's possible Munchak might just be enjoying life as a consultant. Position coaching in the NFL is a hard business and he's a HOF player at 65 years old. Maybe he just doesn't want that role anymore, because if he did, I do think he'd be an official OL coach somewhere.
10:37
Looking up reports, it looks like Sean McVay even offered for Mike Munchak to be a full-on coach for the Rams and Munchak preferred to be a consultant for the team. So, I'd say it might just be him enjoying a lesser role.
Pittfan
10:37
Good morning Christopher. It appears the Steelers are going all in this year. They brought in older players near the end of their careers. Rodgers and Tomlin talk like they’re soulmates. Rodgers announced this is most likely his last year. Do you believe Tomlin is also planning to ride off into the sunset? Does he want to stick around to break in a young QB and potentially lose his non losing season streak? Can you envision a Tomlin and Rodgers podcast or show?
Christopher Carter
10:40
Good morning!

The Steelers are not "all-in" this year. All-in would be trading away picks, bringing in Terry McLaurin, keeping Minkah Fitzpatrick and George Pickens. They've switched things around and added good talent, but that's not all-in.

Everything I see from Mike Tomlin is that he's preparing to build a new nucleus right now and enjoying it. I don't get the sense he feels like leaving nor do I sense the Steelers want him to.

I think if Tomlin was scared of losing his non-losing season streak he would've left when Roethlisberger did.

As for a Tomlin-Rodgers podcast, I think it would be an interesting show, but I don't know if either guy would really want it. Both are more like good guests than hosts.
Carl in Carrick
10:41
Good morning Chris.  I’m concerned about Warren.  He fumbled yesterday and I wonder if his lack of playing in the preseason contributed to this.  Given his history of fumbling, Tomlin can’t be happy.  Your thoughts?  Thanks.
Christopher Carter
10:48
Good morning Carl! Long live the Carrick Raiders. (Unless they play Allderdice).

I do think Jaylen Warren needs to improve his ball security for fear of Kaleb Johnson taking his job.

An underrated part of Najee Harris' skillset was his ball security. He fumbled just five times on 1,277 touches over four years. That's a fumble every 255 touches -- an insane rate that dwarfs even that of Jerome Bettis.

However, Warren has 7 fumbles on 473 touches, a rate of a fumble for every 67.6 touches. If ball security becomes an issue, look for Tomlin to give Johnson a chance when those fumbles become costly.
10:50
Warren has his job for now. But I could see a situation where he fumbles in a tight game once or twice and Tomlin thinking they need ball security, Johnson going in, and then if he does well, he gets the starting role.

FWIW, Johnson told me in OTAs that he asked the defense to try to punch the ball out of his hands no matter where he was. From rookie camp, to OTAs, to minicamp, to training camp, and now three preseason games, I have not seen Johnson allow a single fumble.

That could be his secret weapon to get more time sooner rather than later.
Mike W
10:50
To switch up from the usual topics…Sebastian Castro seems like a guy that would be perfect for the PS. He was around the ball a lot and when he engaged, it seemed like he got the guy on the ground a lot. Do you think they keep him around with the possibility of being in completion for starting in the future?
Christopher Carter
10:52
I like the spirit of Sebastian Castro as a player. He's physical, brings it and seems like a good young rookie doing his best.

I think he can be a practice squad guy, but he would need to increase his skillset to be a starter someday. Right now, he's a box safety. Not flexible enough for a starting strong safety role just yet.
Gregg from Shaler
10:52
Hi Chris - I’m a Skowronek fan. Haven’t seen him much in the preseason. Is he on the bubble?
Christopher Carter
10:53
I don't think so. They love Ben Skowronek and he's been injured so they've rested him. I think he'll be out there in the regular season as he's one of their favorites on special teams and they like him as a utility WR in the offense.
Gregg from Shaler
10:53
Also, Waitman has always looked good in his times with the Steelers. Cam obviously successful in the league. Is there a chance Waitman wins this job? Any punters in other camps go down that we couod trade one of these guys to for a late rd pick?
Christopher Carter
10:54
If you asked me this at the start of camp, I would've said it was a longshot for Waitman to make the team. But he's done very well watching him in games and practices. I still think Johnston wins the job, but I don't think it's as clear cut as it was. That should get Waitman a job soon somewhere in the NFL when a punter gets injured somewhere.

I have to admit, I'm not as familiar on punter injuries across the NFL. But if one happens this weekend, wouldn't be surprised at the Steelers getting a call for a bare minimum swap of super late picks.
Debbie
10:54
Hi Chris, I was disappointed watching the game last night.  With all the penalties and missed tackles, you would have thought it was the first scrimmage rather than the last game of the preseason.  Do you think it was just “one of those things “ or should the coaching staff and we fans be worried as the regular season approaches?  Thanks Chris.
Christopher Carter
10:57
Hi Debbie!

I thought it was a mixed bag of things on the penalties. The defensive missed tackles looked like they were overpursuing at times, which is not something I saw them do much of in camp.

Missy Matthews reported during the game that the first team defensive players who'd been sat out most of preseason were chomping at the bit to get back in the game, but Tomlin said no.

It's possible that they were just a bit over eager and made some uncharacteristic mistakes. So it's possible it was just "one of those things."

But if it's not, and this does become a discipline problem at the start of the season, that will be on Mike Tomlin for not finding a way to iron that out with the vets. So, we'll wait and see.
Big_Bri
10:57
IMO one of the most impressive plays in last nights game was after MR was intercepted and how Darnell Washington threw is Mt Washington sized frame into pile, not just once but twice. Do you think he could become TE #1?
Christopher Carter
10:59
You know, I've had this thought in my Carter Cave of "I think way too much about football things" where Washington could theoretically turn into a #1 TE.

If he's healthy at the end of next season, I do think they should offer him an extension, because he's improving as a TE each year and his frame allows for him to do A LOT.

I think he's still a ways off from being a TE1. But he's certainly climbed a lot of mountain to get to being this version of Mt. Wershington.
Southside Jimmy
10:59
Hey Chris, thanks for your chats.  I appreciate the thought you put into them which some of your colleagues don’t always do with their often flippant answers.  Chris, which receivers do you see making the team?  Also, do you think Omar is still trying to trade or sign a #2 receiver?
Christopher Carter
11:01
Hey Jimmy! Thanks for being here!

Here's my WR depth chart right now:
Metcalf
Austin
Wilson
Miller
Skowronek

--
PS
Hurleman
Williams
McCutcheon

I think the Steelers only leap at a WR if they find the right value. I don't think they give up anything higher than a 5th round pick in 2026 because they're saving their ammo for the QB trade-up and want to have picks to spare after that hypothetical trade.

But maybe a player like Alecc Pierce could work if the Colts were willing to come off him for something like a 5th round pick.
Rudolph’s Mustache
11:02
Christopher love your work and thank you for the chat. Two bubble guys that stood out to me all preseason were Skylar Thompson and Lee Nichols. Hope they find a way to keep both. Seem like great depth.
Christopher Carter
11:03
Thanks RM!

I have to say Skylar Thompson impressed me. I had him written off to start camp as the fourth camp arm who's just coming in to help. But he's done well.

I think the problem with keeping him is they need a plan for Will Howard. Does Howard go to IR? Do they try to cut Thompson and sneak him on the practice squad? I don't know if the latter works. So maybe the move is Howard to the IR and being done for the season.

But Thompson certainly has earned the position he's in to have made that a harder question.
11:04
I like Lew Nichols and think he runs hard, but it's difficult to see this team take more than three RBs and those are Jaylen Warren, Kaleb Johnson and Kenneth Gainwell. I also think Trey Sermon is ahead of Nichols in terms of the practice squad. But Nichols is a fun guy to watch in preseason.
Big_Bri
11:04
“Lacks a twitchy shed to get rid of blockers when it’s time to tackle. Below-average snap quickness and short-area movements. Will offer little help as an NFL pass rusher.” This was the pre-draft report on Yahya Black. Do you personally put much stock in these pre-draft analysis? 
Christopher Carter
11:07
Depends on the source. There are some analysts whose processes in film study align with mine and we see eye-to-eye. And there are others who don't. I've had the privilege to get to know some other analysts and hope to grow my network of people in that realm now that this is my full-time gig.

But it's also important to note that college tape doesn't always show the whole picture. People get that stuff wrong all the time, even when the observations are honest and well researched. That's why the draft is such a game of darts. You can aim for that triple 20 and even feel good about hitting it on occasion, but you're going to eventually hit some 1s and 5s during the process. Just part of the business.
(Also I will take any one of you out in a game of cricket. Don't mess with me on a dart board.)
Rudolph’s Mustache
11:07
Do you think they put Howard on IR to see if anyone has trade interest in either Rudolph or Thompson early in the season
Christopher Carter
11:09
I do think that possibility is on the table, but if they did that, I doubt they trade either QB. If Howard goes on IR before Tuesday (cut down day) he's out for the year.

They might try to shop a QB and if they move one, then Howard won't go on IR.
Vanessa
11:09
Hi Chris, first time chatter…it seems Aaron Rodgers has been saying and doing the right things since arriving here.  I was wondering if you have that same impression.  Thank you.
Christopher Carter
11:13
Hi Vanessa! Thanks for joining!

I do have that same impression. As someone who's only seen him from afar, I've only seen the clips where he's been sarcastic or scoffed at Robert Saleh on national TV. I was curious to see what would happen in Pittsburgh and if I'd see any of the smugness from some of my questions -- which I wouldn't hold against him as the minutiae of some of the things I ask can get annoying for players and coaches.

But at least with me, Rodgers has been very professional and answered my questions in full. Haven't really seen a bad moment with him yet and think he's said and done the right things that have avoided land mines since he's joined the team. We'll see if that maintains when this team hits some adversity, but he's given me the impression he'll be fine.
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