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Christopher Carter's Steelers chat: 09.19.25
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Christopher Carter
11:51
I've been putting my caution signs up around the idea of that move for a while. I think it's safe to say the Steelers have theirs up too.
Vinny
11:51
Hey Chris, really enjoy your work.  How much influence, if s any, do the players have with the coaches?  For example, can  players approach a coach and suggest that the scheme is not working as intended, and propose changes that they feel will benefit them and the team?  Thank you.
Christopher Carter
11:56
Thanks Vinny!

It depends on the player. Guys with the pedigree of Aaron Rodgers, Cam Heyward, Minkah Fitzpatrick, Jalen Rasmey, T.J. Watt absolutely have a voice in the game plan.

The best systems allow their best players to contribute, as the whole point of building up a unit is to group together concepts, calls and schemes that maximize their strengths.

But in the meeting room, that's where decisions are made when they choose to side with what a player thinks or a coach thinks if there's a conflict. Sometimes you have to trust your player, other times you trust your gut. Coaches that get it right more often than not end up sticking around longer.
JR
11:56
Good morning Chris. Can’t figure out why our receivers are so often not open, when the opponents receivers are more often open. Zone defenses are not my favorite approach. Too often we are too slow to cover the receiver in the zone. We signed these “stud” DBs so why can’t we just cover in man? You take this guy and I’ll take him!!!! Am I wrong?
Christopher Carter
11:58
Good morning!

I'd give it some time. The receivers were plenty open in week one but more covered up in week two as the Seahawks backed off their coverage more.

As for zone, you do want to use it from time to time and build a confidence for when and how to switch into it. Mix it with man coverage enough and that's often how you force QB mistakes as they get into guessing games and guess wrong.

Sometimes you don't have the CBs to run man coverage across the board. When Porter returns, I think they'll probably do it more often.
Arnie
11:58
Good morning.  I know it’s early in the season, but do you think the Steelers are having regrets about letting Elandon Roberts go?  Thanks Chris.
Christopher Carter
11:59
Good morning! Answered this earlier, but I do think Elandon Roberts staying would've been a good idea. Good for the team and the locker room. They wanted someone younger and bigger in Malik Harrison.
Give it up
11:59
The Steelers are not going to fire Tomlin this year, no matter much the fans incessantly whine about him, right?
Christopher Carter
12:00
The only way I see that happening is if they go 3-14. That would be different.
Cdub
12:00
Where does the Browns trade for Deshaun Watson rank all time?  Hershel Walker to the Vikings and Ditka giving up a whole draft class for Ricky Williams come to mind, but I think the Browns are the winners here.  What do you say?
Christopher Carter
12:05
I mean, at least Herschel Walker and Ricky Williams were good ... right? Deshaun Watson was good with the Texans, but has been a disaster for the Browns. That might be the worst trade of all time.

With the picks the Browns gave, the Texans added Kenyon Green, John Metchie III, Christian Harris, Will Anderson and Tank Dell.
A. Roy
12:05
Good morning Chris. Three things stick out in my mind: 1. If the Steelers play like they did last Sunday, they won't have to use any draft picks to move up in the 2026 draft to get a QB. They'll be in the top 5. 2. Tomlin has been against drafting a true nose tackle because the player would be used only 25-30% of the time. But if an opposing offense is gouging your defense during those 25-30% of the plays, wouldn't it be justified to draft a stud nose tackle??? 3. The Steelers are paying DK a gazillion dollars. Maybe use him a tad more??????
Christopher Carter
12:07
Good morning!

  1. Agreed. Not much else need to be said there.
  2. I think it's because the traditional idea of a nose tackle has changed. Keeanu Benton is bigger than Javon Hargrave. They thought that's what they were getting in him. It's still early, but they may need to revisit this soon.
  3. It's been two games. I wouldn't stress too hard over DK Metalf.
Laura Jean
12:07
Happy Friday Chris!  I haven’t seen every play, but I have to say that I haven’t seen Watt move from his usual position to the other side of the defense as it was purported he would do.  Am I right or am I missing something?
Christopher Carter
12:11
Happy Friday Laura!

So far he's lined up over the left tackle four times. They're moving him around in different ways though by using stunts and twists. But they're also a bit more limited as they haven't had a full week with a completely healthy OLB group yet.
Eric in TX
12:11
Read an article about Micah and the Packers last weekend - said that Micah lined up in over 10 different positions during the game, and was very successful across the board.  Why don't the Steelers do something like that for T.J.? Lining him up in the same place, over and over, doesn't seem to be working for him or the team.
Christopher Carter
12:14
According to charting I've seen Parsons lined up in eight different spots last Sunday while Watt lined up at five different spots. I think part of it is also Parsons' skillset as he's a been an edge rusher who can also play several different roles. But I do get the sense the Steelers are building up to letting him move around more at a higher frequency when all the OLBs are healthy.
Manny
12:14
Chris, I understand why you were late, but please remember that your Post Gazette chats take priority over Bats!😄
Christopher Carter
12:14
I'll be sure to tell him! lol
Matt
12:16
Good morning Mr. Carter. I know with the defensive struggles other groups have been less focused on. Are you optimistic or excited about the o-line in the coming weeks. Would love to hear your thoughts on fautanu as well.
Christopher Carter
12:17
Good afternoon Matt!

It's a mixed bag for the OL, but I think as a whole it should be looking upward. Broderick Jones made progress last week and I feel like Troy Fautanu will show progress soon based off what I've seen. Zach Frazier looks like he's on his steady climb, so I do think the unit will figure things out.
Yates
12:18
To add insult to injury do the Steelers make K Johnson inactive and elevate Sermon?  If you could make the call what would it be Chris?
Christopher Carter
12:19
I'm still keeping Kaleb Johnson. He made one mistake on special teams. They'll keep him off that but have him ready to play RB.
Benny W.
12:19
Chris, do you anticipate Harmon playing this week and if so, how much playing time does get?
Christopher Carter
12:20
If you had asked me Wednesday, I would've said no. But the way Teryl Austin talked yesterday, it sounded like they were considering him as a rotational option.

Right now, my prediction there is for him to play sparingly if practice goes well today. They're going to play it carefully so as to not ruin his rookie season.
Matt from LA
12:22
Chris, I appreciate your insights and expertise! My question is: Is Austin calling the defensive plays or is it Tomlin? In other words. Is Austin the D Coordinator in name only with Tomlin making all of the important decisions in a defense that he created and installed?
Christopher Carter
12:26
Last one here before I get the hook from the bosses.

This notion that Teryl Austin is some figurehead who does nothing is one of the biggest myths around the Steelers.

Mike Tomlin has a big say in what they emphasize in their game planning of the defense and voices what he wants to see in the defense as an ideal. But it's Teryl Austin who puts it together and calls it live.

Don't believe me? Look on the sidelines at games and see who's calling out defenses and talking to the players on the field. Tomlin manages and might say something along the lines of "let's bring some heat here," knowing they have some specific blitzes they've dialed up for that given week they're excited to use. But it's up to Austin to determine which blitz he'd use in that situation.

Want an example that proves my point? Think back to 2023, Steelers vs Packers, Nov. 12 at Acrisure. cont ...
12:29
It's the last play of the game, Steelers up 23-19 with 3 seconds left and the Packers are at the Steelers' 16 yardline. The defense comes out and lines up, but an injured Minkah Fitzpatrick who's on the sidelines sees they're not in their right spots and he goes OFF at the coach who called it. Saying to switch it.

Who was that coach? Teryl Austin. If Tomlin made those calls, why wouldn't Fitzpatrick in the heat of the moment be trying to get HIS attention and not Austin's? The answer is because Austin makes those calls.

Tomlin is heavily involved in the defensive plan and the tenor of how they play. But Austin is the playcaller and coordinator.
And with that, we've got to bring this to a close. Thanks everyone for joining! Keep following our coverage this week to get you ready for Sunday!
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