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Christopher Carter's Steelers chat: 09.12.25
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Christopher Carter
10:04
It's Friday! Let's get into it!
Kevin
10:04
Is the Teryl Austin hate a reach? I don’t think he was responsible for the defense’s struggles last week. I thought he had a good scheme but there was a lack of communication with the players & they couldn’t tackle to save their lives
Christopher Carter
10:07
I've always felt like the anger around Teryl Austin has been a bit misplaced. If you're saying, "he's no Dick LeBeau," you'd be correct. He's not one of the -- if not the single greatest -- greatest defensive coordinators of all time.

But he's had three years as a coordinator and in each of those three seasons he's coached a top 10 defense. And in one of those years he was missing the best defensive player in football for half the season.

I thought last week their biggest problem was they got whooped up front. Can't have it happen consistently and he'll catch heat if it does. But I did think last week was more about being more physical up front than the overall plan.
AK
10:07
The Jets have a good running attack.  What do the Seahawks have that could give the Steelers trouble?
Christopher Carter
10:13
Kenneth Walker and Zach Charbonnet are no jokes as a RB duo. If the DL gets pushed around again, they're good enough to turn that into big plays.

That being said, the Seahawks do not have the pedigree of an OL that the Jets did. They do have two first round picks in Charles Cross (2022) at LT and Grey Zabel (2025) at LG, but an undrafted second year center, 3rd year 4th round pick at RG and 4th year 3rd round pick at RT.

This needs to be a week the DL gets physical and wins up front.
Bob
10:13
Why was Gainwell in for so much on Sunday? Warren totally outplayed him.
Christopher Carter
10:15
I think we haven't seen the full usage of what Gainwell would do for the offense. At camp, they used him a lot as a legitimate receiving threat. He motioned all over the field, caught passes out of the slot and forced mismatches. I think that will be his primary role. Warren is definitely the more traditional RB, he just doesn't offer that kind of flexibility.
Stlrmad
10:15
Once again we hear they are going to fix the run defense. Do any of you look at them and say “yeah. You’ve been telling us that for years?”
Christopher Carter
10:18
Well, being fair, the run defense hasn't been terrible for years. It's had bad days, but so have even the best run defenses at times.

Last year the defense did get run over by the Eagles and Ravens late in the season, but they allowed the 6th-fewest rushing yards and 5th fewest in yards per attempt. That's a good rate.

In 2023 they were mid-group ranking in the teens, but in 2022 they were a top 10 unit against the run again.

If I said "you've been telling us that for years," it would be dismissive of the fact that they've been good against the run in some of those years.

Regardless of any of that though, they have to be good at stuffing the run this year. If they aren't, it will ruin some really good opportunities at wins this season.
Cool it
10:19
Can the endlessly negative fans just cool it with calling the players names like "TJ Washed".  He's not washed!
Christopher Carter
10:21
Agreed. If you looked at the game objectively, the Jets chose to run away from T.J. Watt's side all game and he still found a way to make two tackles for loss. Maybe Watt isn't superstar 22.5 sacks in a season Watt anymore, but he's still a very good, if not a great, player.
AK
10:21
Can we just say absolutely not to acquiring Hill?
Christopher Carter
10:23
Yeah have to admit, the legal stuff surrounding him does make that a situation I'd want to stay away from if I'm the Steelers. That and the chaos going on around the Dolphins with his comments and how bad that situation is would say keep that away. He's still an amazing talent, but I think the Steelers have prioritized a good locker room and that might jeopardize it.

Now, if the Dolphins look as bad as they did against the Colts all season, they'll be sellers soon. And if they are ... maybe a reunion with a specific former Steelers safety would be something they could make happen for very, very cheap.
Chuck D
10:23
Love your approach to these chats, very informative and insightful.   Do you think the Steelers will keep this year’s off season philosophical approach to free agency into the foreseeable future?  It seems that several of the teams that built through the draft have changed their approach, i.e. Green Bay.  Thanks for the work.
Christopher Carter
10:25
Thank you Chuck!

And I think so. But I also think it's important to remember they're much more flexible now in part because they aren't tied to many players long term for big money. Back in the 2010s when they were paying Roethlisberger-Bell-Brown-DeCastro-Pouncey-Heyward-etc. they had a lot of bills to pay at home and it kept them from being ultra-aggressive in making moves.

If the Steelers find their franchise QB soon and re-sign him in an era when there's lots of other highly paid homegrown talent, I'd imagine there'd be less aggressive in offseason moves then as well.
AK
10:25
To the fans who want the Steelers to use an old style, run stuffing NT, it's not the 90s anymore!
Christopher Carter
10:26
AK, you're not wrong there. I thought it was interesting Cam Heyward responded to my question about Keeanu Benton at nose tackle by talking about Javon Hargrave. If you missed it, here's his full quote:

"He's athletic. He can get upfield very fast. He has a good chop ... He's very similar to how Javon Hargrave used to play. Not always the biggest stature, but can get to the spot quick. He's going to be a great player. I have no doubt in my mind that he's going to be a nose we can depend on, and he can also rush the passer. Having that type of flexibility at that position is key."

When asked how Benton's responded to the Jets game:

"I think you take your lumps, but go out there and answer. There was 17 games, now there's 16. Sometimes the bear gets you, but sometimes you get the bear. Hopefully he learns from his mistakes and we move forward."
10:29
Benton HAS to be better. But that said, the idea of what the Steelers are going for at NT isn't just a run stuffer, it's a guy who can do that AND be a good pass rusher. Those are hard to find.

They did find that guy in Javon Hargrave back in 2016. But they couldn't afford to pay him AND Cam Heyward AND Stephon Tuitt, both who were double-digit sack producers.

If Benton can mature into a more consistent run stuffer and be a good pass rusher up the middle, people will understand the vision. But for now, it's hard to see through how teams have neutralized him.
Jeff M.
10:29
Tyreek Hill trade rumors are almost as frequent as his he is accused of doing something violent. I hope the Steelers are not the team he is on when it goes beyond accusations. Do you think the Steelers are serious about acquiring him?
Christopher Carter
10:31
I think the Steelers simply kicked the tires once in a phone call and haven't revisited it. I could be wrong, but so many times when I ask around about how these trade talks went, it's the most brief mention of the idea of a player by a GM. Then an agent hears about it, and they'll put it out to (mostly national) reporters for them to make noise about it so that more public interest in their client spreads and that maybe some pressure comes on the organization.

I wouldn't be shocked if Drew Rosenhaus has done that a few times for Hill.
TVC15
10:32
Hi Chris,  Just to be clear Hall of Fame Head Coach Mike Tomlin took over a Steeler team that was  34-14 in the previous 3 years and that includes the 8-8 season when Big Ben had his motorcycle accident and appendix out.  That is an elite team he took over and got  1 Super Bowl win and 1 Super Bowl loss in his 1st 4 years and then 3 playoff wins in the next 14 years.  Most of those 14 with Big Ben in his prime. Are those really Hall of Fame credentials? What if he took over a team that had around 10 wins in the previous 3 years like most new hire head coaches do?
Christopher Carter
10:45
Try to wipe it away however you like, he still inherited an 8-8 team and coached them to 3 division titles in the next 4 years, with 2 trips to the Super Bowl and a Super Bowl win. A big core of the 2005 team that won was it's OL and it's OLBs, all of which were gone for Tomlin.

I've shown this before but there are several NFL head coaches who've made the Pro Football Hall of Fame with as many  (and less) seasons where they won a playoff game than Tomlin.

Dick Vermeil, Don Coryell, George Allen, Tom Flores, just to name a few.

So yes, 2 Super Bowl appearances with a Super Bowl title, 7 division titles and never having a losing season over 18 years is a HOF resume.

If Tomlin could avoid a losing season with 2nd-year Mason Rudolph and a duck caller, I think he's shown he can coach teams that aren't fully developed.
Southside Jimmy
10:45
Hey Chris.  What do see the role of Peppers being?  Can he play safety and corner?  Could he blitz from the secondary ala Mike Hilton?  I think that’s something the Steelers have been missing.  Thanks Chris.
Christopher Carter
10:48
I think Peppers will be a versatile asset to this defense, but it might take a week or two for him to catch up. But looking at how he was used for the Patriots, he played a lot of free safety and nickel. I think that's where you'll see a lot of him. Clark is more of a strong safety anyways, so I could see him flipping with Clark early on so Thornhill can just play free safety.

But eventually, I think you'll see Peppers float between the box and deep coverage roles as a method to free up Jalen Ramsey for more matchup opportunities. I don't know if Peppers will directly take a Hilton role, but I think he'll be flexed into that role occasionally to keep quarterbacks guessing.
Pittfan
10:48
Hi Christopher. I once had a football coach who would tell a player they were too light in the butt if they wanted to play a position their size or their football character wouldn't accommodate. I believe P. Wilson is too light in the butt to play inside linebacker in the pros. He was a wonderful, very athletic, very good sideline to sideline LB in college. Chased down everything. The only knock on him (besides his medicals) was he wasn't a thumper. Do you believe he can be converted to a safety? I frankly think he could become an all pro. He touts his ability to cover the pass.
Christopher Carter
10:51
I think Payton Wilson is more of a fit at linebacker and just needs to settle in behind a DL that can keep him clean. His biggest mistakes last week were trying to jump out of his role to help others.

All linebackers struggle when they're constantly hit by OL. Ask Ray Lewis. When they lost Tony Siragusa and Sam Adams from the 2000 team, he had to basically talk with the Ravens to get more top tier DL like Haloti Ngata otherwise he was going to get neutralized at MLB by interior OL.

Give Payton Wilson time to settle in. I think he will.
Carl in Carrick
10:51
Good morning Chris.  With the injury to Jayden Reed, I would think the chances of the Steelers getting Doubs isn’t very likely.  Do you think the Steelers still try trading for a number 2 receiver or will that depend on how Calvin Austin plays?  Thank you.
Christopher Carter
10:53
Good morning!

And correct, I don't see the Packers trading away WR right now, even before Reed's injury because of Christian Watson.

But I also think the Steelers might not really need such a move right now, either. Calvin Austin had a heck of a week one, and they didn't even need to get Roman Wilson involved yet. They'll see how this group does over the next month or so before they make a big splash of a trade for another WR -- if they ever do.
Josh H
10:53
The Steelers defense should be the least of their worries yet it seems to be the most
Christopher Carter
10:54
This will be the leading point for Brian Batko and I on the Saturday edition of the North Shore Drive podcast. For this Steelers team to be very good, the defense HAS to be very good. A bad game here and there is going to happen, as it does to even the best defenses, but they must be a top tier unit this year. Otherwise, it'll be a big problem.
John
10:54
Watched the GB game last night. Parsons is clearly a better player than Watt. Speed, explosion, power and it's not even close. Wondering if you agree with that assessment?
Christopher Carter
11:08
Micah Parsons is a premier athlete in his prime, his athletic traits are definitely more primed than T.J. Watt.

But Watt also hasn't won most of his years by being the best pure athlete. That is actually the reason so many people prefer Myles Garrett to him -- because Garrett has him in most physical traits.

But where Watt closes the gap on both his consistent technique and his motor. He's outworked both of those guys more seasons than they have him, and I think that's a big part in why he's still a star, and been better than both of them for a while now.
Yuri
11:08
Good morning Chris.  I watched John Mateer from Oklahoma and was pretty impressed by his arm, running ability and leadership. I’m thinking he could be a dark horse candidate to be drafted by the Steelers if he continues to play well.  What is your opinion of him to date?  Thank you Chris.
Christopher Carter
11:09
Good morning!

Mateer is definitely moving up the list. I like his moxy and he has good traits. He also has A TON of ranked opponents on his schedule this season and will get tested plenty. There's a chance he's not just the dark horse, but if chips fall to the right places, he could launch himself into being a high first round pick. Say he goes off against the SEC this year and leads Oklahoma to the playoffs, that could change the QB landscape by a lot.

Certainly someone to watch.
Josh H
11:09
Is it an ego thing or a personnel issue as to why Tomlin insists on Benton being the NT in certain schemes? I think Benton can be a great player, but just like they did with some of their o-lineman, they seem to be playing Benton at a spot that’s not tailored to his best qualities. And yes, I know the run defense has way more issues than just where Keanu lines up. Thanks for taking the question!
Christopher Carter
11:13
As said earlier, I don't think it's an ego thing as much as it is the Steelers trying to play in the modern NFL. Benton's traits make him not the old school run stuffing NT like Hampton, but closer to what Javon Hargrave was for the Steelers.

I think there is a line that balances stubbornness and persistence. Because there are times when temporary shortcomings encourages quick change, but then forfeits the chance for development. Some people were very down on Cam Heyward early when he didn't produce as a young player, only for him to turn into one of the best DTs in the NFL.

Good coaches don't always get it right on when to be persisent and when they're being stubborn about a player, but they do get it right more often than not. Mike Tomlin's missed on some guys, but he's been right about plenty more. I think that's what they're waiting to see about Benton this year.
Pittfan
11:13
Hi Christopher. Why does the local media allow Teryl Austin to get away with saying the defense's performance this past week was a one off? The local stations have been blowing up with callers screaming about how horribly consistent the defense has been. He even mentioned putting the players in the right place. That has been an issue for at least the last 2 years. Your colleagues are on the talk shows with statistics on how bad the defense has been over the last nine games or so. Why isn't he or Tomlin called out when they minimize how bad that defense is and has been? I'm tired of Tomlin saying "we own that."  Those are the words of a man who knows his job is not in jeopardy.
Christopher Carter
11:20
Hello!

So I sat in on both of those press conferences and I literally just scoured the transcripts for both Mike Tomlin and Teryl Austin -- neither said that Sunday was a "one-off" or anything like that.

They did say that the reasons the Jets ran the ball well were not the same reasons the Ravens ran the ball well -- and they're right. But that's not excusing either performance. It's just a diagnosis of what they have to do to get better.

As far as being in the wrong place, I went over that a lot in my film study this week and how it was tied to players overcompensating to help others and abandoning their roles -- which isn't something the coaches teach, but a natural thing that happens to every NFL team at some point.

I don't think they're minimizing the defense's efforts when they say they have a chance to learn from a week one win where they didn't play their best.
I do think they need to play better -- and soon. If they allow the Seahawks/Patriots/Vikings/Browns to put up 24+ points each week and gashed on the ground each week, that will be a concern they will not escape as it will cost them games.
TVC15
11:20
I have heard two explanations for the Steelers poor run defense.  1) They do not shed their blocks and 2) They do not stay in their gaps. Is it really both or just mainly one?  Is it lack of talent, poor coaching, or do they just need more money?
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