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Christopher Carter's Steelers chat: 12.05.25
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Christopher Carter
10:34
Good morning Post-Gazette readers! It's cold, it's Friday, but I've got a cup of coffee and your questions fired up. Let's get into it.
Yitzer
10:34
Chris, is the green dot wearer aloud to audible a defensive call he receives from Austin?
Christopher Carter
10:42
The short answer is yes, but I think it would help to have a bigger picture understanding of what audibles actually are in the NFL.

A lot of people that I see talk about audibles and pre-snap changes from the fan perspective think that audibles are just complete and total changes of plays that aren't part of a structure tied to the original personnel group and play called. But that's not what they are about 95% of the time.

Just like on offense, the defense has certain checks and calls they can make to adjust a play based off different alignments showed by the other team. The initial call made is usually based off down, distance, personnel grouping, and what you studied the other team being good at.

But personnel groupings also can have several different formations that can be used, and can warrant adjustments to plays.

This IS allowed on both sides of the ball by the Steelers. But the complete change of a play structure that goes away from the designed changes? Just not often that's applicable to win.
Alan in Bama
10:43
Good morning Christopher, appreciate the chat and your knowledge and insight. Just two years ago it seemed like we had a big problem with the Pickett/ Canada offense. I remember thinking if we could just score 18 points a game, we’d ease into the playoffs .Now  we seem to have glaring problems on both sides of the ball. What happened to the D? Did we get old, bad personnel moves ( Slay, Thorhill and others) or is it just bad coaching? You’re an X and O’s guy that sees more than we do on the tv broadcast. What’s the problem and solution. Fire Tomlin, Austin, move the team?
Christopher Carter
10:49
Good morning!

I think it's beeen a mix of all the things you've mentioned.

The defense isn't getting the superman level of play from T.J. Watt and that's not helped, and that's in part of him getting old. I still think he has some adjustments to his game he can make to be a consistent high-level player, he's just figuring that out as he's learning his burst isn't what it used to be. We'll see if that works from the end of this year and how he looks next year. Those changes don't come quickly.

Certain personnel moves definitely didn't work. Slay and Thornhill were both busts, and  I think almost everyone can admit now that the hate Fitzpatrick got last year was unwarranted as he's sorely missed in this defense. But I will say Echols, Dugger and Harmon have all been good adds.
10:55
I've noted in my film study my issues with some of the defensive game plans. It was fine that they initially thought the DBs could hold up in single coverage with cover 1 and cover 3 looks. But when they saw it didn't work, they needed to get away from it. And I think not doing that played a big role in their losses to the Packers and Bears.

So when you add the shortcomings of certain FA adds, the aging of the superstar of the unit and some of those Xs and Os mistakes, you get a mid kind of year you're having. Which is disappointing, as this spoils what had been a three-year run of having a top 10 scoring defense.
Marvin P
10:55
Good morning Chris.  I saw Ben’s comments about Mike Tomlin and I feel like Ben is a hypocrite.  We all know how he reacted when Mason was drafted.  They bypassed both Lamar Jackson and Jalen Hurts for guys no longer in the league; partially to appease Ben.  My question is how much are the ghosts of those decisions now affecting the Steelers?
Christopher Carter
11:00
The situation they're in now as a roster is very much a result of the investments they made to give Ben Roethlisberger a chance at the end of his career.

They swung big on positions of need instead of drafting for value --  a complete flip from how Kevin Colbert and Mike Tomlin had operated for years -- to give the late 2010s/early 2020s every shot. Can say I've heard that the coaching staff very much liked Jackson and Hurts in their drafts when they were passed on.

Add that to them losing Brown, Bell, Shazier, Tuitt, Pouncey, DeCastro and Roethlisberger's elbow falling off, and you have a roster that should've been a disaster.

They've overachieved in the years coming out of that. But they need to start taking their steps out of the hole they dug themselves soon.
Marvin P
11:00
Your analyses are spot on; especially about defensive schemes.  I’ve seen both Brady and I believe Julian Edelman talk about how the Patriots had figured out the Steelers defensive schemes and that theyhaven’t changed over the years.  What’s your take on their observations?
Christopher Carter
11:02
Eh, the Steelers' defenses have changed stylistically over the years. Under Dick LeBeau, they were one of the more well-oiled defenses that combined great blitz and coverage schematics to force problems.

Under Keith Butler, they sacrificed some of those coverage schematic advantages and focused on being a primary blitzing unit without much complex coverage behind them.

Under Teryl Austin, it's basically been a reverse of Butler. Complex coverages but not as tuned up pass rush plans.
11:09
As for Tom Brady and Julian Edelman, I've always maintained they got a lot of their edge from Spygate -- which people often forget they were still caught doing in 2019. They can say what they want now after they've retired and the NFL didn't hammer them for it, but I've always seen that playing a much bigger role in any of their "knowing" what the Steelers do. Especially when you go back to the original Spygate scandal's reporting that figuring out LeBeau's defense was one of the bigger efforts they took.
TC in Mooresville NC
11:09
Since you are a former Minnesota Viking's wide receiver (kidding), what can you tell us about another Viking we just picked up? Does he play and what about MVS?
Christopher Carter
11:13
Hey, I still have a Cris Carter jersey! And once got death threats from Steelers fans when he said Ben Roethlisberger was a terrible quarterback because they thought that was me LOL.

As for Adam Thielen, I think he's a good route-runner with size who can help in spots. He'll advance up the depth chart past Marquez Valdes-Scantling, partially because hee's been that much more consistent.

I think one thing to highlight about Thielen that might get overlooked is how he sets up opportunities and that could be something that Aaron Rodgers uses. He's not a speedster at hiss age, but last year he was still a deep threat. On 13 targets of over 20 yards or more, Thielen caught 7 of them for 4 TDs, 2 of them being contested catches.

That's a pretty good rate. If he can make that happen just a few times this year, it can help open things up for the offense.
Shredder
11:13
Chris, thanks for the great chats. Is the biggest indictment of Tomlin's and Smith's offense what Pickens is doing this year in Dallas (he never did that here, nor would he if he was still on the team) and the regression of DK Metcalf who most likely will have the least productive season stat wise of his career and has been a big disappointment?
Christopher Carter
11:20
Thanks for being here!

George Pickens is having the year I thought he'd have -- numbers-wise -- with a franchise quarterback and a top 5 receiver in CeeDee Lamb across from him. That part isn't a shock or an indictment, the Cowboys are just in a better position to be a high-level passing team than the Steelers right now.

The team moved on from him though because when the going got tough, he did not get going, and you saw that in his effort last night. Richard Sherman even called it out in the broadcast saying that he wasn't looking like he cared. He jogged through routes and didn't try to go for catches put right in front of him.

There's no doubt the guy's a talent. When he's locked in, he's one of the best. But he doesn't do it on his own enough and that's not what you want to pay big money long term. Which is why they got a pick for him.
11:25
As for DK Metcalf, his numbers are not good, but I've maintained I don't think that's as much on him as it is the quarterback play of late, and the situation around him. The receivers aren't Lamb-Pickens level around him and Rodgers has taken a step back as the year's progressed.

I still see Metcalf's best value to the Steelers being the WR1 when they do draft their next first round quarterback and he can be a leader who makes plays for that young quarterback.

Think of it this way; Metcalf is on pace to have 850 receiving yards for the Steelers right now and hasn't caught more than 50 yards since the week 9 loss to the Packers. But you haven't heard him complain, moan or seen him slack off in his routes/efforts. Pickens was pouting last night even in the perfect offense for him. What would he be doing right now on the Steelers?
Marvin P
11:25
Gerry’s chat this week alludes to the team being open to moving key personnel on the defense in the offseason.  I assumed he’s talking about TJ.  Do you see the Steelers making that move and what would a move like that bring the Steelers, a number 2 pick?
Christopher Carter
11:33
Not doubting Gerry or any of his sources, but the money it would take to move T.J. Watt would be insane. According to Overthecap.com, the Steelers wouldn't even save money on the cap if they moved Watt. In fact they'd still take cap hits of approximately $42M in 2026 and another $10M in 2027 just for moving him. They'd lose cap space just for getting rid of a player who's still very good, just hasn't been elite this year.

It's hard to see them making that work by moving on from him, or seeing another team give them good draft compensation for taking on that contract. Only way I could see that happening is if they took on all that financial burden and another team gave them a boatload of picks because he's still a high-end talent and Pittsburgh would be on the hook for a ton of money. But the chances that happens: astronomically low.
11:34
I could see them move on from Alex Highsmith. Not because he's not a good player anymore, as I think he's very good. But because of the emergence of Nick Herbig. Highsmith is set to be cap hits of $20.1M and $21.1M in the next two years. Team can save $8.8M in 2026 and $15.5M in 2027 by moving on from his contract, opening the door to sign Herbig.
Shredder
11:35
Chris, why is Scotty Miller still on this team? He has one catch for 9 yards and does not return punts or kicks. What is the obsession with Artie's Falcon Flunkies?
Christopher Carter
11:36
Some coordinators like to have guys around that know what they like to do. Helps in practice, and if injuries mount, they're better in emergencies that random players with similar skillsets who wouldn't know what the coordinator likes.

Doesn't mean it's a good idea. But I believe that's the logic behind that.
Andrew
11:36
I feel the steelers have lost the mistique.
They were feared for a long time but the last 10 years it seems teams are excited to play the steelers to have break out games
Christopher Carter
11:39
I think you could say that this year. But the Steelers' defense was top 10 in scoring in each of the last three seasons. And before 2021, they were top 5 in scoring in 2019 and 2020, as well as top 6 in yards allowed for four straight years from 2017-2020.

Defense has been a letdown this year for sure. But teams have had to get up to face the Steelers for years. It's not been some 10-year run of not being one of the better defenses in the NFL.
JPinPDX
11:39
Good morning CC. If this is a five game season, how well do the Steelers need to perform to make the playoffs? And do you predict that they will?
Christopher Carter
11:44
Good morning!

I think they at least need to go 3-2 with one of those wins being against the Ravens.

That's not great, but Baltimore has a tough stretch here -- maybe even tougher than the Steelers. Outside of both the Steelers games, the Ravens have to play the Bengals on the road -- who just slaughtered them in Baltimore on a Thursday night -- as well as the Packers in Green Bay and th Patriots.

That's a lot harder than the Steelers getting the Dolphins, Lions and Browns.

Bengals are coming down the stretch. But according to the playoff calculators, Steelers would just need to get 9 wins with 1 win being over the Ravens and another being over the Browns to ice out the Bengals.
*That's if the Bengals win out.
Mediocre Mikey
11:44
After watching the offense with Rodgers behind Center do you still think the Bears loss was on Rudolph? Ray Charles and Stevie Wonder can both see that coaching is the primary problem with this team. Why can't you see that?
Christopher Carter
11:47
Yes.

Aaron Rodgers not playing well doesn't mean Mason Rudolph missing wide open DK Metcalf over the middle is not on him. Rudolph even admitted as such during the week.

If Mason Rudolph, Justin Fields, Kenny Pickett, and Russell Wilson were being so held back by the coaches, they would've flourished or at least maintained what they did in Pittsburgh. But they all fell off the map when they did. Rudolph even returned.

I've pointed out where coaching issues do play a factor, like the defensive alignments with their safeties and the lack of snaps for Pat Freiermuth over Jonnu Smith. But quarterbacks not making standard throws to wide open receivers is not a coaching issue.
TooTall21
11:48
Chris, love your film analyses and chats. Look forward to both every week! Arthur’s “explanation” for his utilization of TE’s was really weak and unconvincing. Do you think Aaron could help him conceive of better ways to utilize Muth? Seems like AR recognizes the missed opportunities here. And Muth deserves a medal for how he responds to the questions about his lack of snaps and targets. Do you sense we’ll see any change in Muth’s involvement going forward?
Christopher Carter
11:50
Thanks!

I agree, I didn't quite buy it either. I think Arthur Smith has some good ideas, but his personnel usage is baffling at times -- as it was in Atlanta. I think part of why Freiermuth got paid was because of his great locker room presence and that he wasn't a guy who'd melt when not getting what he wants.

I think there might be changes, or at least there should be. Jonnu Smith just ain't cutting it right now. And Freiermuth at least makes plays.
RAM
11:50
Mornin’ Chris! What is your opinion on how the Steelers will eventually use Will Howard? Does he compete for QB1, backup, or QB3 in 2026? Not sure why they drafted him. Many fans think he is the next Brock Purdy (I’d love that) but I’m wondering what the Steelers plan was for him?
Christopher Carter
11:53
Good morning!

I see Will Howard being the young quarterback who competes with the rookie quarterback they eventually draft to be the future franchise guy. If he lights it up in training camp/preseason, maybe we have a discussion there. But I don't see this team not at least trying to take a quarterback at least once over the next two drafts.

If Howard can use his year of playing the scout team to help him get acquainted in the NFL, maybe it helps him next year and he gets a chance. But as a person who said for a month before the draft that I liked Howard as a 4th round pick -- he was a 6th -- I still think he's more of the team's next Mason Rudolph than the team's next Ben Roethlisberger. Which, would be great value!
dpreble001
11:54
Morning,  Chris,  Steelers have accumulated alot of draft capital for 2026, we're probably not going to  be able to move up ahead of teams for the better prospects. Why not beef up entire roster , ten , bring in a kid to be a franchise guy?
Christopher Carter
12:00
I disagree about not being to move ahead of teams. The Chiefs moved up from 27th overall to 10th with just giving up a future 1st and a 3rd to get Patrick Mahomes. They've got more ammunition than that right now to do something along those lines -- and I don't see the Steelers drafting as low at 27th.

But I don't think that locks the Steelers into needing to just get a quarterback or bust, either. There are a lot of good playmakers at WR and talented defensive players this team could really use in this draft class. Some of them high up. I doubt the Steelers stay pat with their projected 12 picks. They'll probably use 3-4 of them to move up, whether that's for a high first, or to get an additional first, an additional second, or just higher picks in those rounds.
Tim from Canada
12:01
Hi Chris. Thanks for your insightful chats. I respect the Steelers decision to hold on to picks for next year's draft. And as you have aptly noted, if a QB isn't there, they can get a lot of high impact players otherwise. But is it just dreaming to imagine that they have enough ammo (players trades and picks) to move up to the number one pick, or do they simply have too far to move up? Has such a move ever been done by an NFL team wanting that first pick? (How great would that be when they are the host).
Christopher Carter
12:03
Number one pick would be a lot. That, I don't see. But anything after the top 5 I think is actually in play. There's no doubt Art Rooney II wants to make a show of the draft being here. But I also don't think getting a pick from 6-10 would be something to sneeze at, either. Imagine if this team got a Caleb Downs-level player at safety. Would be a potential revolutionary level pick for the secondary.
Noah Kravitz
12:03
How hot is Tomlin's seat really?
Christopher Carter
12:04
I think it's lukewarm. There's some heat there, but nothing to break out the fire extinguisher for -- yet.

The Rooneys stomached Bill Cowher going 7-9, and 6-10 twice in the span of six years. Hard to imagine not giving Tomlin at least a year of having a bad season to rebound from when he's overachieved in years they were supposed to have losing seasons but didn't.
Shenandoah
12:06
In retrospect, given his less than stellar play this year, would you agree the huge contract given TJ Watt was a mistake?
Christopher Carter
12:09
I think you can certainly say he hasn't played up to the money he was given, as he played well above the money he was given in his first extension.

But I also think he's adjusting the way he plays based off realizing he can't win the same way he used to. Watt's burst off the line could win him plays by itself what it felt like 80% of the time in his prime.

Now, he has to learn how to win with leverage and different techniques. Joe Greene went through a similar change in his career after he suffered a pinched nerve around 1975 or so. He still found ways to be elite in the late 70s. Watt will have the opportunity to make such adjustments in his game. (Not saying Watt is Greene, but he's already a HOF player and HOF players make adjustments in their careers like Charles Woodson, Rod Woodson, and maybe now also Jalen Ramsey.)
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