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Christopher Carter's Steelers chat: 09.05.25
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Christopher Carter
10:10
Alright ya'll it's Friday and football is back! Let's get into it!
Gregg from Shaler
10:10
When players like Cam seek new contracts because they feel they are outplaying their current do the team’s representatives point out that they didn’t seek a reduction in pay for any of their bad years? Seems players want rewarded beyond their contract for exceptional years but never offer rebates for bad ones.
Christopher Carter
10:13
Well, thing is, Cam Heyward's last contract WAS a pay reduction. And teams actually do renegotiate deals for less money all the time. Ask Jerome Bettis. They also cut players when they don't feel they're living up to their contracts and can't offload them in a trade.

Also, it's one thing to ask for more money because you made a Pro Bowl and you've been paid like a mid player. But when you make your fourth first team all-pro AND you're the 22nd-highest paid at your position in the NFL? That's a very unique situation.
Steeler fan near Philly
10:14
Do you think any Steeler Offensive Lineman make the Pro Bowl?
Christopher Carter
10:16
I actually think Troy Fautanu is the best candidate for this and will have a legit shot at it. The stuff I've seen from him suggests he'll have a pretty good year. If he doesn't allow much pressure AND is a good run blocker, look out.
Guest
10:16
Great article on tight ends and using the middle of the field. Looking forward to seeing how the O and AR work it down the field. On D, what are you most interested to see? I want to see how well the secondary communicates in their 1st game together, particularly if the Jets get down and need to air it out. Can't wait...Let's Gol Steelers!!!
Christopher Carter
10:21
Thank you! There's a lot I want to see out of the defense and the secondary is one key element for sure.

But for this game, there's actually a key aspect of the defense I've asked a lot about as it relates to this team's demise last year.

Can they stop the run when QB option is in play? If anyone remembers, I noted I thought they looked shaky against the QB option with Daniel Jones and the Giants in the middle of the season, and then they got shredded by it when the Ravens did it in the playoffs.

Well, here comes Justin Fields and Breece Hall. I've asked Mike Tomlin, Teryl Austin, and several defenders about the plan to be better at that and everyone's had tight lips about these "defensive schematic" changes they're planning. If it shows, it'll be a good sign they're better at a key weakness. If not, it'll be part of my assessment for how they're still struggling at something they should be better at.
Cdub
10:21
Can you explain why the O-line doesn't rotate players, but the D-line does?  Is it because a run or a pass is expected or do D-linemen need breathers?  If it's the latter, why do D-linemen get tired and O-linemen don't?
Christopher Carter
10:24
Sure!

Much of what the offensive line does REQUIRES very specific timing that often comes with long-developed chemistry. For example, when a team wants to run a wide zone to the right, each linemen will most likely use a right lead step or a right reach step, and you want each of those steps to be as close to being synchronized as possible. That leads to more successful double-teams and wins at the point of attack. Same thing goes for pass blocking and understanding how to anticipate different pass rushes and properly respond as a unit.
10:28
On the part of why d-linemen often need more breathers, it's partially because of their roles. Think about this: the offensive line knows the snap EVERY play. They get to be the first to move and KNOW where they're going each time. Plus, on more than half of the plays they're in pass protection, which isn't as taxing physically as run blocking as you're dropping back and protecting a space rather than attacking.

Now, compare that to a defensive lineman who, A) doesn't know the snap count and has to purely react; B) react to where the play is going and either penetrate or hold their ground; and C) has to attack either way whether it's a run or a pass.

D-lineman's roles are just going to tax you more because they're always supposed to get a push. You can still be the unit that tires out the offense if you win enough and have a good rotation, but it's a natural advantage to a good offensive line.

Hope I made sense in that explanation.
NY Steel
10:28
Hi Chris, I want to ask about Tomlin. I know you are a fan but I feel like the message is stale and the team needs change.  Many areas reflect that. For example, the Steelers have only won a playoff game in 4 of 19 seasons that Tomlin has been head coach.  That is not very compelling.  Since 2013, the only first round pick that has received a meaningful 2nd contract is TJ Watt.  8 of the 13 picks have been on defense, Tomlin’s expertise, but only Watt has worked out (and it is 9 if you count the trade for Minkah in which case 2 have worked out).  That is not a great drafting history.  And of course there is the absence of any meaningful coaching tree (even to coordinator roles).  Why is his case so compelling? We are steadily above average.  Shouldn’t we take some risk on change to aspire for more? Certainly it may not work out but isn’t it better to try than sit in the same spot perpetually?
Christopher Carter
10:35
The Steelers certainly do have their fair share of draft busts, but I do think there are some things you're overlooking.

For one, let's acknowledge that both Ryan Shazier and Bud Dupree most likely would've gotten major extensions were it not for other circumstances. Ryan Shazier was on pace to be the best LB in the NFL when he got injured. Bud Dupree was very productive at the end of his time with the Steelers, but they knew they couldn't pay him AND pay TJ Watt. So they had to let him walk.
10:37
So that would be four good uses of first round picks out of eight on the defense during the span you provided. Which honestly is a bit par for the course around the NFL. I think it's also important to note that the cutoff a run of three consecutive first round picks that each landed a multi-first team all-pro player in Maurkice Pouncey, Cam Heyward and David DeCastro -- so eventually  some misses are expected. Which between 2010-2020, that would be more like 7 good picks and 4 bad ones.

I hear you on Jarvis Jones/Artie Burns/Terrell Edmunds/Devin Bush being busts and that certainly set the team back. Not to mention Najee Harris and Kenny Pickett being right after that.
10:41
But to get to the later part of your questions: why is his case so compelling? I think it's because people who look at the whole picture recognize that over the past 5 years or so the Steelers should've collapsed, but haven't done so once.

They lost Ryan Shazier, Stephon Tuitt, Antonio Brown, Le'Veon Bell, Maurkice Pouncey and David DeCastro all before they were expected to be done in Pittsburgh. Not to mention Ben Roethlisberger's elbow giving out and he only had one decent year after that.

That would've bankrupted most teams. But Tomlin kept them afloat while they've tried to rebuild. There've been misteps for sure, but I think many who are in the know, get to talk to people inside the organization and around the league, and they recognize how much Tomlin does to prop the organization up from his position. It's not just me who thinks he's undervalued when people say the Steelers should move on from him.
10:42
If you're wondering when that would change for me, it would be if this new nucleus doesn't form in the next 2-3 years or so. Because if it doesn't, the guys who've carried the team will age out and you'll probably see consecutive losing seasons. If that happens, then I think they'd move on from him.
Ty Hink
10:42
Chris, knowing it was only week 1 for most what did you think of the QB play for top tier guys? Long way to go but pretty underwhelming with arch and a few others. Though Beck from Miami had a good game as well as the kid Haynes from Georgia Tech. Always interesting to see which prospects rises and falls.
Christopher Carter
10:45
I'm not big on Carson Beck but I did think both Garrett Nussmeier out of LSU and LaNorris Sellers out of South Carolina had good week ones.

We'll be tracking this all season, and if you missed it, here were my top 10 QBs to watch and my thoughts on their performances from week one! https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/steelers/2025/09/02/nfl-draft-2026...
Takoma Tom
10:45
Steelers reunion with Dionte Johnson? He’s cheap!
Christopher Carter
10:46
Tom. There are some bridges that are just too burned to be rebuilt.

In Diontae Johnson's case, do you remember the Frick Park bridge that collapsed a few years ago? Yeah, that.

The guy said it was too cold for him to go in for a game. And then ADMITTED that was the reason he didn't go in on public air. Steelers won't touch that guy unless it's an alumni weekend after he retires and he wants to show up to hang out with other former Steelers.
5K
10:46
Thanks for the chats Chris - I live in Buffalo bill territory and I'm  considering attending a steeler game. Does Heinz field provide a "family only" section?
Christopher Carter
10:48
Thanks for being here! So, this was not something I knew off the top of my head and I had to research it. But yes there is! If you get tickets in section 120 -- rows BB through HH, alcohol and inappropriate language are prohibited and there are family restrooms close by.
Bob D
10:48
Hey Chris...Thank you for the chat I enjoy your unique insight to Steeler football. My question/comment is that the Steelers running back room is not better this season and actually maybe worse with Najee Harris no longer with the team.  Warren, Johnson and Gainwell may well be able to match Harris's production, but each have their own set of issues ( Warren fumbles, Johnson pass blocking)that could negate any positives. What say you?
Christopher Carter
10:56
Thanks Bob!

I do think there's a chance Pittsburgh ends up missing Najee Harris if Jaylen Warren fumbles a bit.

Najee Harris had the second-best protection of rate per touches in the NFL during his time with the Steelers and is the ONLY player with 1000 rushing yards in each of the past four consecutive NFL seasons.

Putting that into perspective, he's only the 14th NFL RB to do that -- and the last player to do that was Chris Johnson from 2008-2011. Others would be Adrian Peterson, Clinton Portis, LaDainian Tomlinson, Jamal Lewis, Corey Dillon, Eddie George, Terrell Davis and Taylor Allderdice's Curtis Martin.

That's some good company.

Now, the big thing that could make the difference for the current RB group? The OL looks like it could be a lot better than any of Harris' years. If they are, Warren and company might have better production simply because there's more holes to attack.
10:57
And yes I specifically went just far enough back in that RB list to make sure my high school got a shoutout. Go Dragons.
Guest
10:57
Hi Chris,  Thank you for the chat!  Geez, I wish the game was today!  I am reading about Micah Parsons and how his podcast may have contributed to his egotism and hastened his trade.  Could the same thing be happening to Cam?  It sounded that way when he said, "we'll see".
Christopher Carter
11:00
Thanks for being here! And me too on the game being today. I would LOVE to have REAL film to evaluate.

On the Parson/Heyward thing: I think the the thing that got Parsons out of town was how Jerry Jones mismanaged the situation. Trying to negotiate without the presence of an agent, not paying a player their worth, all bad signs for other stars who want to sign with you down the line.

As for Heyward, I think the actions will prove louder than the words. I expect him to play Sunday as he was a full participant in practice this week. I doubt he does that just to sit it out. If he does, then I think we open that door of a conversation. But right now, I think this whole thing has been blown up to a higher degree than it really is. I get the sense he's not asking for a major pay bump, just a minor one that puts him inside of the top 20 paid DTs.
John
11:00
Does Friermuth deserve the hype and praise he gets from fans and analysts?
Christopher Carter
11:02
I think so. He does a lot of the little things right as a route runner and receiving tight end. He just hasn't had a QB proficient at attacking the middle of the field in his career. The two times he had at least an old version of a franchise QB (Roethlisberger 2021 and Wilson 2024) he had 7 touchdowns in each season.

I get that he hasn't exactly turned into a superstar but I also think that's not all his fault. He's toughed it out through some rough years for Steelers pass-catchers.
J D
11:02
Chris, do you have any indication if the Steelers offense will pass early to set up the run or run to set up the pass?  Conversely, will their defense pressure with blitzes or play a base defense to stop the run with a spy on Fields?
Christopher Carter
11:05
I do think that's the path this team's probably going to take with Aaron Rodgers at quarterback. Were this Russell Wilson or Justin Fields again, I think there'd be more intentional work to show they're going to grind the run. But with Rodgers' cerebral ability and arm skills, they're going to let him set the pace with smart throws that can let the young offensive line settle in as a unit.

On defense, everything I've seen is this unit wants to play fast and hit hard. So I do expect them to blitz and attack a lot against the run. But the key will be to do it responsibly. Certain guys need to take the fall and absorb blockers so other guys can be the attackers. With what I saw in camp and the preseason, that's their plan.
Turk in MD
11:06
Mr Carter!  Can't wait for game day.  Assuming Cam plays, this will quickly disappear.  So many Steeler greats have had their issues (sat out) with the team/front office at the end of their careers, but it always is "forgotten" relative to their performance:  Franco, Faneca, Harrison, TJ...it always blows over, unless the player blows it up (Antonio, Lev Bell).  Thoughts?
Christopher Carter
11:08
Add Polamalu to that list as well, as I believe there was one year he literally signed while getting on the team plane for a week one game.

And I agree. This whole thing has been blown out of proportion. Heyward isn't asking for some massive increase from what I understand and he's literally either been practicing or helping the rookies adapt to the NFL in each practice. Were he making a big stink about it, he'd just be a ghost like Le'Veon Bell and THAT would be a bigger question.
JPinPDX
11:08
Good morning CC. Two days away for our Stillers. What do you think will be the most surprising story line to emerge from Week 1 vs the New York football Jets?
Christopher Carter
11:09
Good morning! Hmm, that's a good question. I feel like we've properly set the stage to anticipate several directions for where this team could go.

But if I was to predict one storyline, it would be that Calvin Austin and Roman Wilson are further along than people expected and the WR2 trade talk will die down so long as DK Metcalf stays healthy.
Mass Fan
11:09
Great chats Chris! Thanks. How do you think defenses will attack the Steelers? Get AR down, or keep everything in front of them and hope for mistakes, other?
Christopher Carter
11:11
Thanks Mass!

If I'm a DC facing the Steelers, I'm doing everything I can to press and force Rodgers to hold onto the ball and the Steelers' WRs to win off the jam at the line, while also sending the heat to pressure this young offensive line to communicate and get after the Rodgers with his age.
Charleston Steeler
11:11
Thanks for the chat. Will Cam play?
Christopher Carter
11:12
Thanks for being here! And I think so. Everyone I've talked to gets the sense he will. Feels a lot like when players were telling us they expect the Watt deal to get done, or like the Heyward deal last time, or the Highsmith one, etc.
Guest
11:12
Chris, Arthur Smith made the comment a while back after Aaron signed that they were not signing him to run the wishbone.  Well, do you believe they will open this offense up and let Rodgers do what he does or does it stay conservative as it has for how many years now?
Christopher Carter
11:14
I do think they're going to open up the offense but not in the traditional 4-WR way. There will be a decent amount of passing, but expect them to come from TE-heavy formations that force defenses to consider the run as a threat.

They'll still want to run the ball, but there will be a trust in Rodgers that this team hasn't given anyone since 2020 Roethlisberger.
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