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Christopher Carter's Steelers chat: 12.05.25
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Noah Kravitz
12:09
Mendoza or Moore?
Christopher Carter
12:11
Dante Moore has the higher upside in my opinion, but man, it is tough to ignore how good Fernando Mendoza has looked this season. I've been doing my sky's eye review each week of these guys and I've held that Mendoza looks to be the better prospect. But I haven't had time to delve into the all-22 each week like I do once the season is over.

There could be things that move things around about their games when I look closer.
Depressed Steelers Fan
12:11
Good Morning, Chris!  I hope you are doing well.  I'm ok with the signing of Adam Thielen but what I'm confused about is why is Marquez Valdes-Scantling still on the practice squad?
Christopher Carter
12:12
Good afternoon! (Sorry, lots of questions to get to here!)

Thanks! I'm doing well and I hope you are too. I think MVS just hasn't hit in practice yet for the Steelers. But Aaron Rodgers keeps saying guys need to get open to help out DK Metcalf, and maybe that could be a sign of change this week.
Rocky Mountain Yunzer
12:12
Thanks for the chats, Chris.  You do a great job.  Question regarding the DC role - let's say that Austin is let go or his contract isn't renewed (I'm not sure whether this is his last year under contract).  What sort of talent could the Steelers attract to this position if everyone knows it's Tomlin's defense and you're more a coordinator in name only.  It's not different from being Andy Reid's or Sean Payton's or Sean McVay's offensive coordinator - yes you have the title but in reality you're not in charge of anything.  At least with Reid, Payton or McVay, you get to learn a brilliant scheme which hopefully helps you in your next job;  the Tomlin defense hasn't been successful in many years.  It concerns me that nothing will change if there's a new DC and what the Steelers need desperately is positive changes and a new, better way of operating.
Christopher Carter
12:18
Thanks! Appreciate you enjoying them!

You're right in that whoever the Steelers would attract to the defensive coordinator wouldn't have complete and total say over the defense, as Tomlin sets the philosophy before they get to designing plays and the DC eventually makes the calls.

So, in my opinion, they need to get a defensive coordinator that could help them specialize in an area they want to be strong in during the next few years.

On the staff, I think Gerald Alexanders (DBs) and Denzel Martin (EDGEs) are two very good young position coaches who could step up and be very good at their jobs.

But I do feel like getting some outside blood could also help the unit. I'm no expert in knowing who will be around in the next coordinator cycle, but I usually look to position coaches whose units are performing at a high level.
12:29
So, as an example, I'd be interested in getting to know more about some of these guys:

Texans DL coach: Rod Wright.

He's been with the Texans for 3 years and progressed from being an assistant DL coach to the team's primary DL coach. Under his watch, young players have flourished and the Texans are #4 against the run.Could see him being a good DC for the DL investments they've made, and probably still plan to make.

Jaguars DL coach: Matt Edwards

Had a good 2024 with the Bills as their DL coach and is looking to have another with the Jaguars. His groups help with the takeaway department and the Jaguars are the No. 1 run defense in the NFL right now.

Broncos defensive pass coordinator: Jim Leonhard.

Familiar face as a former Raven, and was the position coach for Pat Surtain II during his DOPY season. The Broncos are allowing the fewest yards per passing attempt in the NFL under his watch, and that could be something to like if you're the Steelers.
12:32
I saved this one for last intentionally:

Buccaneers defensive run coordinator: Larry Foote.

Alright, alright, calm dahn Yinzers. But I do think former Steelers linebacker Larry Foote has done a good job with his positional coaching in his career. He's been a pass game coordinator, inside linebackers coach, outside linebackers coach and is now the pass game coordinator.

That's a lot of roles and experience on a defense that's generally been decent. It looks like he might do better on the run defense side of things -- naturally as a run stuffing linebacker from the 2000s -- but also has the makings of putting it all together. Would be a cool reunion.
12:34
Alright, last question then I need to get on before I get punched for hogging the jotcast.com too long.
Josh
12:34
There has been a ton of Steelers criticism in many different ways and forms. I think one of the biggest issues - going back years - is that Tomlin and staff continuously get outcoached at in game adjustments. When you look at games this year, Steelers have actually done ok in the first half but then get stomped in second half (Seahawks, packers, bears, bills, and even colts came back) - all games leading at halftime but then severely outplayed second half. I have thought this was a major Tomlin flaw for years. Do you agree and is there any way to fix the issue?
Christopher Carter
12:42
I do agree this has been a major issue this season. The Steelers' second half socring margin is -49, towards the bottom of the NFL and only ahead of teams like the Giants, Raiders, Dolphins and Titans. I think that's in large part to this team not rebounding well from other team's making explosive plays in the second half, like we saw in the losses to the Packers, Chargers and Bills games.

But, that's not been a major flaw for years. In fact, the Steelers have been one of the better second half teams in the NFL under Mike Tomlin.

From 2020-2024, the Steelers rank 6th in second half scoring margin, per sports-reference.com. And during the entirety of Tomlin's tenure they rank 7th.

They've historically been one of the better second half teams in the NFL, and it's been adjustments that have won them plenty of games. I think that's been part of the problem this year, that the very aspect of what Tomlin's teams have done well for several years now hasn't panned out this season.
12:44
It's also why I don't think Tomlin's seat is actually hot this season at all. He's allowed a down year, as all coaches have gotten at some point with the success he's had. But if this year finishes poorly and this is the first losing season, I do think there will be pressure to forge that new nucleus and at least be trending upwards next seaon, or then the questions of mutual letting go will really start.
That's all for today! Thanks for chatting everyone! Stay tuned with our work this weekend and with Gerry, Ray and Brian as they'll be at the game!
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