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Christopher Carter's Steelers chat: 11.07.25
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Christopher Carter
10:34
Alright everyone just got done with the North Shore Drive pod. Let's get into it!
Rob
10:34
Hey, Chris, thank you for your detailed chats! 

Do you think the "simplification" of the Steelers D during the Colts game will help this unit continue to play well or, now that teams have that game on tape, will this unit suffer again.
Christopher Carter
10:38
Thanks for being here Rob!

I think the "simplification" of the defense can still yield positive results, but only if the players do their jobs well enough. Keeanu Benton needs to continue to be sharp and not get beat at the point of attack,  Queen/Wilson need to play downhill against the run and be in position to help limit the quick passing game. There are things that must be done regardless of complexity and/or simplification.

For the coaches, they have to have their finger on the pulse of the players to know when that switch is necessary. It was right last week, but make no mistake, there will be a time to ramp up the complexity this year when people get used to what the Steelers are running now. They'll need to be ready to execute there and not fold on their assignments.
Jim Bow Dean
10:38
Everyone says there is nowhere in Oakland to build a football stadium. Why not Schenley Park? I know it would be difficult; laws would likely need changed, and there would be lots of push back, but all things possible with enough money and will.
Christopher Carter
10:44
I mean, personally, as a Pittsburgher, it seems blasphemous to get rid of Schenley park. It houses so many events for people in that part of the city and is a resources to several communities.

I also don't think Pitt *needs* it's own stadium. Acrisure is a good venue and it's easy to get to. Putting a stadium in Schenley park would make traffic a nightmare in that area. Traffic flow is a big factor in my opinion, and the North Shore handles it well compared to other places like trying to get to Gillette Stadium in Massachusetts.
Pittfan
10:45
Hi Christopher. 12 teams have never won the Super Bowl. Only 13 teams have won in the 2000s. However, only 4 teams have never made it to the Super Bowl. The salary cap was introduced as part of the 1993 Collective Bargaining Agreement. Free agency also began in earnest after 1993. Is there parity in the NFL? Does making it and not winning count for anything?
Christopher Carter
10:52
I've always seen the NFL as having the best opportunity for parity, even when that parity isn't always present.

There are just legitimately bad organizations that can't get things right like the Browns, Jets, recently the Panthers under Tepper, etc.

But with draft picks, the insane amount of talent that comes through each year and free agency, the NFL gives teams a chance to fix their problems each year if they make the right moves.

The statistics show it's the NFL right now. In the past 25 years, the NFL has 13 different teams that have won a Super Bowl, while MLB has 12 different World Series winners, the NBA has 11 different Finals champions and the NHL has 10 different Stanley Cup champions.

That, to me, says the NFL is doing it right. One main change I'd add is to institute a lottery for the draft order. I don't that tanking is rewarded.
Yates
10:54
Hi Chris-  How are the Chargers delivering a high quality run game with top two backs and starting tackles on the sideline while our team still struggles to find consistency?
Christopher Carter
10:58
I think a big part of what the Chargers do with their current offense is to pass to set up the run. They'v egot the fifth-most passing attempts in the NFL and the 20th-most attempts. They're not trying to run you over like a typical Jim Harbaugh offense, which is interesting. But I think that's also smart because I think Justin Herbert might have the most untapped potential of a quarterback in this league.
Michael
10:58
Chris, is there any indication Cam retires after this year?
Christopher Carter
11:02
I haven't seen any. He's still playing at a high level and his position is one of those that can last later into your years and still play at a high level if you maintain your body.

Look at Calais Campbell, who's 39 and still playing hard at DT for the Cardinals. He's had 5 or more sacks now for four straight years, and already has 5 in eight games. I foresee Heyward being able to still be very good for at least another year, maybe two or three.
Rob
11:02
Five defensive turnovers is not a recipe for a consistent defensive game plan. What would D-coordinator Chris Carter do to slow down offenses aside from turnovers?
Christopher Carter
11:11
The raw turnovers themselves aren't, but the circumstances they created for those opportunities are a good plan. I do think there's merit to playing more Tampa 2 with this defense if the D-line is ready to step up and win the line of scrimmage more.

Two-deep safeties often tells the offense they should try to run. But if this defensive front can consistently win like they did last week against one of the best lines in football, and without an extra defender in the box, that's a good sign.

Winning with 7 in the box was a big part of the 2000s Steelers defensvie recipe as it allowed what happened in the secondary to operate more freely. If the two-deep safety looks help the cornerbacks be more aggressive, it could be the very thing that makes the defense a tough unit to deal with.

Because at the crux of this entire plan is the front being a destructive force against the pass. And that's something that naturally gives you turnover opportunities.
Michael
11:11
Chris, do you think B Jones’’ option year will be picked up and ultimately signed to a second contract?
Christopher Carter
11:12
I think the extension will be because it's not that expensive and they knew he was a project coming in. Plus, he's playing well this year. But I do think he needs to take a step forward next year to earn that second contract.
ABNormalville
11:12
Should we take a lesson from the Mike Webster tragic story and show some empathy toward  Antonio Brown? He 100% should be an accountable for his actions but his mental state may very well be a byproduct of sacrificing his future health during his incredible career.
Christopher Carter
11:17
Empathy in the sense that somebody needs to get that guy some help regardless of what happens with his case.

I said this on WPXI a lot back when his spiral started with his antics that got him off the Steelers. While many laughed at the ridiculousness of his situation and how insane the things he said and did were, I was very concerned for the healthy and safety of those around him, including his kids.

I just hope however this plays out that he eventually does listen to somebody, whether it's family, friend, or the government, and he gets professional mental health assistance.
Uncle T
11:17
Thanks for the chat Chris!
Did the Broncos W last night eerily remind you of 2024 Steelers. What can we provide on D with a hurt LA oline but seems we are affected by quick passes still and our pash rush isn’t as effective
Christopher Carter
11:20
Thanks for being here!

I didn't watch last night's game too closely, but I did catch the recap and got the sense of things. I don't know if you meant the 2004 Steelers or the 2024 Steelers, but I've been saying this Broncos defense is very good. Granted, they can also be streaky. The Raiders and Texans offenses haven't been all that and they allowed way too many points to the Giants  a few weeks ago.

But they've got a decent front, a really good pass rusher in Nik Bonitto, and maybe the best secondary in the NFL led by Patrick Surtain II. That's a lot to deal with.
Yates
11:21
How do you think about the fact that two first year Steelers had to light a competitive fire with the defense?  I get that 5 is special but c’mon.
Christopher Carter
11:29
I actually get it with Ramsey. It'd be one thing if it was like, Juan Thornhill or something -- no shade to him but he's not a future HOF candidate.

But when Ramsey arrived there was a lot of deference showed to him from the younger players on the team. And sometimes you need that player to speak up when they're a strong voice. Cam Heyward and T.J. Watt are certainly guys but from what I've seen Watt isn't the speech giver and Cam does lead at times, but leadership from good teams has to come from different places sometimes.

Ramsey's been one of the best cornerbacks of his generation and him speaking up might've lit a spark in guys who've been just off from finding their mark in this defense. If it works, it works.

I also think it's important to note that you can't always give the big message or the big speech, otherwise they lose their meaning. When I read/watch/listen to legends of the 70s teams talk about the Chuck Noll's most inspirational moments, they often weren't too complex of a message.
11:30
But a strong, passionate comment or thought from their coach that normally keeps his emotions out of coaching. And THAT resonates. I think sometimes good leadership is knowing when to push those buttons to get the right results.
Ryan
11:30
Chris what do you think about the play of Payton Wilson and Alex highsmith vs the colts i think both looked Good who wins this week i think Steelers’s win because chargers are without some of the offensive lineman for the rest of the Year
Christopher Carter
11:43
I actually gave both my highest grades this week. Alex Highsmith reminded everyone why they're so invested in him and not just moving him out of the way for Nick Herbig. Wilson looks like hs' growing as a producer in the middle of the defense with all the roles they assign him.

If you missed my grades, you can read them here: https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/steelers/2025/11/04/nfl-steelers-c...
Tom M.
11:43
When the Steelers swapped out Minkah for Ramsey the plan seemed to be to vastly improve cornerback play and also have flexibility to move him around. Do you think him playing safety will be permanent or just temporary due to the injuries? I’m not sure how well Minkah is doing in Miami, but how would you compare them as safeties? Steelers better off? Worse off? Or it’s a wash?
Christopher Carter
11:45
Here's the thing, if Ramsey ends up just playing safety, I do think the Steelers are missing out on just having Fitzpatrick play that role. But I think if the team can get get either Thornhill or Peppers to play that FS role a bit more, having them flex around with Ramsey could be a tricky X-factor to the defense. Especially if they go more two-high safety looks. Ramsey with a safety overtop would basically be an entire sideline eliminated as a place a QB wants to go.

And that's when you can start playing more advanced chess. I think Ramsey should still rotate in at safety, but they need to get him back to playing CB at least in some spots.
Raymund
11:45
Chris, I do think the bengals game we lost its going to come back and haunt us not winning the division at the end, still think Ravens will win it, our schedule left is tough, and there will be No wildcard from AFC North for sure the way its looking.. whats your guess at this point if you don't mind ? Thanks..
Christopher Carter
11:47
It's certainly possible as the Ravens have only played one divisional game so far and are 1-0 against the Browns. But I also think the Ravens might not have as smooth a path as I originally thought down the stretch.

Out of their last 9 games, 4 of them are against the Steelers, Patriots and Packers, and two of them are against the Bengals. If they end up splitting between the four games in the division, they'd probably need to win against both the Packers and Patriots to have a shot at the division, as that'd already put them at 7 losses.
Bengals loss could hurt down the line, but I need to see how consistent the Ravens can be after their bad start before I declare it as the prelude to a missed division title.
Sam
11:47
When we are getting burned by a TE, would it make sense for Watt to block him out of the play?  Sometimes he lines up across from whoever catches the ball, but he fails to touch receiver, or QB.  Thanks, CC!!
Christopher Carter
11:49
I think it would make more sense to have that be Payton Wilson or Patrick Queen. Let Watt get after the QB. Wilson and Queen are big bodies with athleticism so that they can defend the line and help underneath.Thought their plan for Tyler Warren was pretty good.
Dale
11:49
If the Steelers do stick with their simplified defense going forward, what kind of a ceiling does this put on their ability to play with the best offenses? Obviously it's better than a more sophisticated defense that they can't execute, but does it mean that they have no real chance to hang with the Chiefs or Bills?
Christopher Carter
11:52
That's the tricky part. When they face the elite quarterbacks, they'll need some of the complexity sprinkled in.

But I also think it's important to note: the Steelers just beat THE best offense and have beaten the No. 7 scoring offense in the Patriots.

Certainly, the Lions, Bills and Ravens are going to be their own challenges. But this isn't like the Steelers are doing this just to Dillon Gabriel. The Bills lost to the Patriots already, and at home. The Chiefs have lost to those Bills and to the Chargers. The Steelers' defense still has to play high-end offenses, but I don't think those units are some other-worldly groups when compared to who the Steelers have already beaten.
Yates
11:52
In what game circumstances have we used the 3 OLB package?  Do you think it should be used more often.   How will Steelers game plan Herbert’s run game?
Christopher Carter
11:54
Mostly when it's predictable passing downs to get off the field. I think the situations they've used them in make sense, but you don't want to overdo it unless you're just forcing 3rd and long every drive.

Think of it like how the Penguins will only put Crosby-Malkin together on power plays or when it's crunch time and they need a big shift. You want to have that rotation because that's a strength to keep the waves of talent coming at opponents without much of a letup. But if you keep playing all 3 OLBs together, they'll also have to rest together.

It's an exciting sub package, but not a base unit.
Yitzer
11:55
Chris I asked Gerry Wednesday but he didn’t answer. I haven’t seen his picks on postgazerre.com the last two weeks.  What’s going on?
Christopher Carter
11:56
That is a bit odd. I swore I read his picks last week but now I can't find them on the site. I'll ask management.
Ty Hink
11:56
Chris, I'm probably in the minority here but I didnt mind that we didn't give up draft picks for a WR that would most likely only be with us for maybe 9 games. Save the draft capital and work to get younger and faster in the 2026 draft. Thoughts?
Christopher Carter
11:59
We're aligned in our thinking Ty.

Here are the Steelers' 3rd and 4th round picks during the Khan era so far:

2025:
Kaleb Johnson
Jack Sawyer

2024
Roman Wilson
Payton Wilson
Mason McCormick

2023
Darnell Washington
Nick Herbig

The five non-rookies there are either starters or significant contributors right now the a roster that's getting younger. Unless I saw a significant upgrade with a player who can be signed for several years available, I'd let this front office do its thing in the draft.
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