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Christopher Carter's Steelers chat: 11.07.25
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Yuri
11:59
Good morning Christopher.  Christopher, with the Steelers not trading for a number two receiver, it seems that the Steelers are taking it for granted that they will be able to trade up in the next draft to get their quarterback by saving their draft picks. To me, there is no guarantee this will happen.  Your thoughts Christopher?  Thank you Christopher
Christopher Carter
12:02
Good afternoon (time's flying!)

I don't think the Steelers are locked into just trading up for a quarterback. They're certainly gearing up for the possibility to do so, but there's also a lot of exciting high-end talent in this class. For example, if they don't end up liking Fernando Mendoza, Ty Simpson or Dante Moore, what would you say to getting Ohio State safety Caleb Downs? That dude looks like a plug and play superstar and could revolutionize the defense.

I'm all for saving picks when you're confident about the draft value coming back to you.
Ty Hink
12:02
Joe Alt won't play sunday night, but Coach Harbough wont just let TJ Watt go crazy on the left side. I see alot of chips and doubles coming his way. Highsmith has to capitalize on this. What do you think will be the rotation ratio between Highsmith and Herbig?
Christopher Carter
12:04
Not just chips and doubles, but also a running attack/quick passing game that helps there as well. If the Steelers stop those things, that will inform the Highsmith-Herbig snap count as well.

Last week, Watt played 60 snaps while Highsmith played 48 and Herbig played 40. I'd expect a similar pattern this week.
Darnell
12:04
Hey Chris, I really appreciate your work.  You put the time and thought into these chats.  With your law background, I was wondering if you ever considered becoming a sports agent or going into the sports entertainment business.  Thanks.
Christopher Carter
12:08
Thanks Darnell!

The thought has crossed my mind and I've been approached by people who had ideas about it, but I don't know I'd be a good sports agent. To be really good at that job and make the money I'd want to make doing it, I'd have to lose the part of me that likes connecting with people and being upfront and honest about a lot of things. Relationships are important to me, and that's something you have to take out of consideration when being an agent because that's the business.

Just knowing people who operate in that world, there's a lot of throwing people to the side at the first sign of trouble that doesn't appeal to me and I don't know if I'd enjoy that part of it.

It's also a hard business to break into. I have law school friends who've been on that path and MAN is it a grind. I think I prefer Friday morning QnAs with the fine folks in this chat.
Tom M.
12:09
Do you think the recent play by Washington will stop all the talk about moving him to tackle? If he keeps the arrow pointing up, do you think he could become a primary asset like some of the other top TEs in the league?
Christopher Carter
12:10
Nothing will stop the talk, but I do think it's out of the considerations for the Steelers. People will talk all they want and you can't stop that. But it certainly seems like the Steelers like him at tight end and I get the sense they'd like to keep him for a while.
Simple J
12:11
Chris, as much work as you put into the 2026 NCAA QB class, do you think the Steelers use their plethora of picks to grab one?
Christopher Carter
12:13
I think they'll keep a close watch and take a shot if they see their guy in the range that allows them to trade up (which I think currently would be from the 8th overall pick and higher).

But it also depends on who comes out. If John Mateer and LaNorris Sellers go back to college, the potential class of them with a developed Arch Manning, Sam Leavitt, Jayden Maiava, Nico Iamaleava and other up-and-comers could make the 2027 class the one they'd prefer.

It's all about value and who's actually available. When we get to the end of the season, let's see who declares.
Ty Hink
12:13
Chris, even though Pittsburgh isnt huge in to using it, the TUSH PUSH works too well. We eventually got the TD on the goal line with Warren but I'm not sure why they just don't do that for 2 plays and get in its almost automatic. That being said it's kinda adding to the element of a boring play. They'll claim player safety, but I think after this year it's done. What say you?
Christopher Carter
12:15
Yeah I think it's headed that way too.

But I still maintain my point here that I think the NFL could keep the tush push with this rule:

Teams can call a tush push, but it must be declared that's what they're doing, and the on-field NFL referees do a countdown that determines when the ball is snapped so both sides have an equal opportunity to stop it. Would take away the huge advantage for the offense and make it a true power-on-power battle.
J D
12:15
Chris, every game is a big game in the NFL especially in the AFC but will this win set the Steelers apart by beating another division leader?  So far, they are not being noticed by anyone in the national media which is fine with me.
Christopher Carter
12:19
People choose what they want to notice. Some people thought this team would be 0-6 to start the season or were doomed to finish last in the AFC North, but now have to quietly concede they were wrong and will only comment when they eventually lose a game here and there like most teams do at some point.

I don't think this win will change that. But if this team finishes the year with 12 wins that include wins over the Patriots, Colts, Ravens, and at least a split between the Bills and Lions ... then I do think that would change some tunes.
Matty
12:20
With the perception the '26 QB class isn't as good as thought might there be a good chance that one of these guys is a franchise guy that can be had in the 2nd or 3rd round?
Christopher Carter
12:21
I think people are really missing the bus here on this class. The QBs who were projected to be good this year aren't good. But this class IS good, at least in terms of having good prospects.

We still won't know who these QBs really are until they're each 3-4 years into their NFL career.

But Mendoza, Simpson and Moore are each first round talents and Mateer/Sellers might gain interest if they enter as well. Just because that's not Nussmeier, Klubnik and Beck doesn't make the class bad.
12:22
If Sellers or Mateer go this year, they could be had in the second round. But would need to see the whole class and how things set moving forward.
Marvin P
12:22
Good morning Chris.  The defense was phenomenal against the Colts.  My question is how concerned should we be that they’re still not getting off the field on 3rd and especially 4th down?  I think the Colts were 5/5 on 4th down.  Not getting off the field on ‘’weighty downs’’ is troubling.
Christopher Carter
12:23
Somewhat concerned but not at red alert ... yet. The 4th downs were 4th and 1 four times and a fake punt. Wasn't like they were getting gashed there.

But it's not good tat this team is 24th in third down percentage and that must improve. Still, if you play a game where the top offense in football only makes it to the red zone on 2 of 11 drives, you're doing something right.
Steeler Sam
12:23
Hey Chris, thanks for all your great insight throughout the season. What are your thoughts on the best version of our secondary as guys get healthy? Who can we expect to see at each position down the stretch to give us the best chance to win in your opinion.
Christopher Carter
12:26
I think if everyone's healthy:

CB:
Porter - Echols - Ramsey (slot or rotate outside)

with

S:
Dugger, Thornhill, Peppers (Ramsey rotated in)

I think Dugger fits the role at SS well. And Thornhill is a smart defender who just needs to play the ball better. Peppers I think is being underutilized and Ramsey is obviously good at safety.

But I think more two-high safety looks with Dugger/Peppers in the back and having Porter/Ramsey being more aggressive in underneath coverage knowing they've got backup is what could make this unit a lot harder to beat.
Swannie88
12:26
Hi Chris - To what do you attribute the lack of a downfield passing game? Pass protection concerns? WRs not getting much separation? Game plan playing to strength of TEs? A Rod preference?  Thanks.
Christopher Carter
12:27
Culminatation of the factors you mentioned, but I the more pressing aspects here are WRs who can win jump balls and the Steelers wanting to be a better possession offense.

Taking more shot plays limits those opportunities. So it's important to scheme up when and how.
Bill
12:27
Saw a tweet that said you believe MVS will be active this weekend. Is that speculation or have you heard something? Prob could script a few plays for him
Christopher Carter
12:28
I just think that's a guy who Aaron Rodgers could easily have a rapport with him and with the injury to Scotty Miller, it would make a lot of sense to add a tall guy who knows your QB well line up on the outside for a few plays as a deep threat that either gets ignored and Rodgers exploits that, or is a distraction to open up other targets.
Ron
12:29
Isn't it better to keep Ramsey having the plays in front of him and covering tight ends/being the last line of defense than trailing/chasing/running with young WRs? Man outside CB duties are a young man's game, and Jalen could be an All Pro FS for the next few years. Feels like Echols should be playing outside in base and moving inside in 3 CB sets. That is, he should see the field more than Slay at this juncture, shouldn't he based on what we have seen to date?
Christopher Carter
12:30
So I hear this and I do think the Steelers are considering that. Granted, they just traded away an all-pro FS to get Ramsey. I also agree about Echols. Slay is getting cooked on the outside and needs to win more situational alignments.
Ron
12:31
In 2026, why keep Queen when Wilson is the same type of backer but with higher upside? Lot's of cap space to be saved there, it seems, and linebackers like that really need a thumper playing next to them, not a near carbon copy...no?
Christopher Carter
12:32
I think Queen helps keep Wilson free-flowing. In that Queen is able to receive the calls and checks on the headset and communicate so Wilson plays fast and that's an important role. Plus, having two guys who can hit, run and cover always helps in today's NFL. Both are also very close in age in their mid-20s. Instead of breaking them up, make them a pair for the next half decade.
Terri
12:33
Hi Chris, happy Friday!  Who are your current top five draft eligible quarterbacks and perhaps a couple who you would consider dark horses?  Thank you!
Christopher Carter
12:35
Hi Terri! Happy Friday!

1: Fernando Menoza, Indiana
2: Ty Simpson, Alabama
3: Dante Moore, Oregon
4: John Mateer, Oklahoma
5: LaNorris Sellers, South Carolina

Dark horses:
Jayden Maiava, USC
Taylen Green, Arkansas

Still depends on who comes out this year, but there are some interesting prospects.
Farmtastic
12:35
Chris, there's a good chance that LaNorris Sellers doesn't declare for the draft in 26 but if we're talking hypotheticals, do you draft a guy like that if he falls to pick 20-26 where the Steelers usually draft? I know he's had a rough season but he gets absolutely no help from his pedestrian o line or his brick hand receivers. Do you think he'd  be worth the risk? I hope he can rebound next year whether he transfers schools or not.
Christopher Carter
12:36
I also think Sellers goes back to college, transfers to some bigger offensive program and tries to light it up so he's a top 10 pick next year.

But if he comes out this year and is available? Man, that'd be tough for me to pass up. He's made some big time NFL throws and has the size and athleticism you'd want. Also makes plenty of big plays. You'
12:37
You'd like to see him develop more, but I do feel like he has real franchise QB potential and it's hard to pass that up.
shaif jetha
12:37
good day sir from snowy edmonton canada!
if Hayward can get 2-3 yards on the steeler surge? why not use it on 3 and 4? then again on 4 and 1? makes sense to me?
Christopher Carter
12:37
Ray Fittipaldo would be dapping you up right about now because he asks the same question from the press box all the time lol. I do think it's a reasonable point though. If you know they can't stop it, why not do it?
Tim
12:37
Great work, Chris.  You never cheat a question with anything other than an in depth answer.  I appreciate it.  If Steelers don’t go all in with a qb in 26 draft, will they use draft capital to move up for another stud position player of need?
Christopher Carter
12:39
Thanks Tim!

I actually do think this is very much in play. The Steelers aren't going to hold onto all 12 picks they're projected to have. Caleb Downs might be too rich to trade up for as a superstar safety some say might go top 5, but maybe Jermod McCoy, CB out of Tennessee. There's plenty of big time talent this year so they're not forced to go with a QB if they don't want to.
Tom M.
12:39
Your film studies are always very thorough.  Have you been coaching Benton on doing film study?  Seriously, how much film do players study and do some players put a lot more emphasis on that or is it driven by the coaches?
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