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Christopher Carter's Steelers chat: 09.12.25
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Christopher Carter
11:22
So, it's a mix of both, but it's important to recognize how both not shedding blocks and not staying in gaps play off each other.

The DL not being able to get off their blocks were such a consistent problem that it clogged up the linebackers, which led to the linebackers eventually trying to overplay their roles and jump into wrong gaps to circumvent that issue. Here was my film piece on that from last week. https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/steelers/2025/09/10/nfl-steelers-k...
11:23
Sometimes you get beat. I saw times when Casey Hampton and Aaron Smith had bad days too. But what determines how good you are is how long you let the bad play linger. Those two rarely allowed for two bad games in a row against the ground.

This group has to rebound. If they don't it will change the entire outlook for the season.
Barry in MD
11:24
Why is playing left tackle so much different than right. Maybe BJ and TF should switch. Not pertaining to Steelers but if a QB is left handed shouldn’t the best blocker be on the right? By the way I too am an Allderdice alum but a bit older than you.
Christopher Carter
11:27
Shoutout to a fellow Dragon!

Left tackle often faces the other team's premier edge rusher and is more of a pass protecting role while right tackle is more of a run-first role. Those two come with different things you want to specialize in.

Jones is a taller player with longer arms and bigger hands, making him a more physical fit for pass protection as a role than Fautanu. Fautanu also played LT for a left-handed QB in college, because that was his preferred role at his size. I also think he could be elite-level player at RT, which is why they want him there.
Jersey Danno
11:27
GM Christopher. Did the coaching staff understand that Johnson was a project coming out of Iowa that was going to need major developmental coaching?
Christopher Carter
11:29
I think they're just using the RBs that more fit what they can do early on right now. Johnson is a good downhill runner and they don't have the OL blocking in a way that will let him play his best just yet.

Both Warren and Gainwell are quicker, faster guys who can exploit things a big better with Rodgers the way the Steelers play offense right now. If that OL comes together, expect to see more of Johnson there. I don't think they missed on him, and that he just needs to grow and let there be time for that to happen. I rarely judge a player based off one game.
JPinPDX
11:29
Good morning CC. Beyond the obvious pressure/sack count … what could a discerning OL fan look for to see improvement in 77’s game?
Christopher Carter
11:31
Good morning!

The biggest thing I saw that was different about Jones -- in a positive way -- was the he at least knew where he was supposed to be each play. That was a big problem last year. He still lost quite a bit, but he did that mostly to players who are high-end guys on defense like Williams and McDonald who've been at their positions for years while Jones made his first start at LT.

That's not an excuse, as he does need to play better. The biggest thing he can do right now is to be quicker and more precise with his hands. When his hands lock in on an opponent, he wins virtualy all of those reps. He just has to do that consistently, and a lot of losing reps will turn into winning reps.
Chipped Ham Sammich
11:31
Are Steelers coaches guilty of anointing players as starting (insert position here) without truly getting a feel for their ability at said position or are we really so thin at certain positions on OL/DL that this is the best that we can do?
Christopher Carter
11:32
I mean, everyone who's starting at their positions are doing so after playing them all camp. Jones was LT every snap this summer as was Fautanu at RT and Benton at NT when they went 3-4.

I don't think that's the issue.
Bob D
11:32
Hey Chris...your chats are the best hands down.  While I enjoyed the Steeler's game against the Jets its was painfully obvious that the Steelers did not win that game...the Jets simply lost it. Just one man's opinion.
Christopher Carter
11:35
Thanks!

I sometimes think those types of conversations can be a bit outdated. The Steelers certainly wanted to win that game, as their offense lit up the Jets better than the Jets did the Steelers.

I grew up around the whole "they didn't want to win that game" rhetoric and there's sometimes that applies. But it doesn't apply when the other team tries to bully you with the concept they've won all game on a drive they have the chance to close the game out, and you outplay them. The Steelers definitley showed the "want" when they stuffed the Jets and forced the punt that let Rodgers lead a game-winning drive.

Think they also showed it when they shut down the offense on the last drive too, and Ramsey's hit certainly had that passion with it as well.
Steeler fan near Philly
11:35
Thanks for doing the chats.  Do you think they'll adjust to stop the run by committing more players to it and leave the corners   to handle the WR's more 1 on 1?
Christopher Carter
11:35
I think they'll go another game or two expecting the DL/LBs to be better. But if they're not fixing this by Ireland, then you'll see adjustments like that.
Dj
11:35
Tomlin has the second longest streak of playoff futility of a head coach employed by the same team. Why is he still the right guy, the defense has not been great since Lebeau left, as they failed when it matters most in the playoffs. In the last 5 years both coaches in the Super Bowl have been offensive minded (Andy Reid) or former OCs.
Christopher Carter
11:39
I think the Steelers still see Tomlin as the right guy because his team has never fallen out from under him. It's the same grace they gave Bill Cowher -- even when he did have consecutive losing seasons before he ever showed he was a Super Bowl winning coach.

The locker room and the leaders don't just buy-in on Tomlin, they're all for him. I think if that turned, that would be something that changes things for the Rooneys.
Saint
11:39
The Steelers D line got pushed around again against the Jets, like numerous games over the past several years. They need more beef up front. They have maintained during the entirety of Tomlin’s tenure that they can and will use both the 4-3 and the 3-4, yet we mostly see the 3-4 on running downs. Why won’t they go to the 4-3 more on running downs, particularly since they don’t have many dominant defensive linemen?
Christopher Carter
11:41
Well if they go to a 4-3 front on run downs you'll probably want bigger DEs than Watt/Highsmith. I don't think that's the issue at all right now.

As for the interior, the same guys who are on the inside in the 3-4 are going to be the same guys on the interior for a 4-3. They need Benton to be better and they need Harmon back. Then we'll get to see the full vision of what they're doing.
Florida Finn
11:41
Didn't see TJ rush from any new location. Did you?
Christopher Carter
11:42
He did for one play on a third down and I think it resulted in a pressure, but not a sack.
Ryan
11:42
chris what do you think about the Play Of Aaron Rodgers and Chris Boswell i think They both Looked good GO Steelers
Christopher Carter
11:42
I gave both the highest of grades this week! https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/steelers/2025/09/09/nfl-steelers-g...
11:43
But a note about Boswell, as I said in my grades, was that he not only made all his field goals and extra points, but he put every kickoff in play to force the Jets to return. One of those turned into a fumble that flipped the game for the Steelers. I think that's another thing to say about his consistency and brilliance as a kicker.
AG
11:43
Hi Christopher-Thanks for the awesome chats! I know it's a stretch, what about a Jones move to guard at some point?
Christopher Carter
11:44
Hello and thanks for enjoying them!

I think Jones moves there ONLY if this year is a complete disaster. They're going to let him grow at LT where he's just getting started.
11:45
Hey all I just got the hook from management so I have to call it. But thank you for joining me for another live chat! Follow our work this Sunday from the game where we'll have our full team ready with live coverage!
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