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Christopher Carter's Steelers chat: 12.12.25
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Christopher Carter
11:03
Alright, the chat's fired up! Let's get into it!
AK
11:03
I don't understand why the Steelers are continuing to use Johnu Smith more than Freiermuth.  Smith isn't even remotely working out, so why not utilize Freiermuth?
Christopher Carter
11:06
You aren't alone. I don't see any situation Jonnu Smith should be on the field before Pat Freiermuth. The former Penn State standout is a better blocker and receiver at this point. The only thought that could be there is that they have specific personnel packages designed to get certain looks. But just from my perspective, that's been one of the bigger issues of Arthur Smith's offense. I think some of the personnel packages get too complicated without a payoff. I'm not against just making sure Washington and Freiermuth are the top guys at all times.
Let Him Cook!
11:06
Why can't or don't we use Pat in the slot instead of a WR?  He is a much better option and will provide much more production that any other WR2 we have right now.  As much as the Steeles are paying him, he needs to be involved more in their offensive scheme.
Christopher Carter
11:08
The wild thing is he's lined up in the slot for at least 10 snaps of his total snaps on the field for  all but one game this season. They need to get him the ball when he's there. Because he's been getting open.
Bolts
11:08
Thoughts on drafting a 1st round WR and taking a later flyer on klubik or allar and using our picks to trade back and into 2027 stock to then make a move to trade up for a QB with possibly more capital?
Christopher Carter
11:17
With the growing rumors that even Dante Moore might opt out of this class, that might be the move. Fernando Mendoza is a dude. But Moore is the only other top quarterback I think is worth trading up into the top 10 to get of this current class.

Meanwhile, I'd say that this WR class could be special. I have at least 5 first round guys in my early look at the class:

Makail Lemon USC
Jordyn Tyson AZ State
Carnell Tate OSU
Denzel Boston Washington
KC Concepcion Texas A&M

Really like the idea of Lemon. Smooth route runner. But Concepion is also good in that department. We'll see at the combine who stnads out.
11:19
As far as quarterbacks, it all depends on who declares for this year. If Moore and say Sellers and Mateer declare, maybe that changes things. But right now, I think everyone on my list below Moore and Simpson that's not a senior will return. And there's a chance that Moore and Simpson both return as well.

If they do, it makes the 2027 class even more stocked.
T RT ichard
11:19
The latest on the status of TJ , from the nature and cause of his condition and whether he’ll be available on Monday.
Christopher Carter
11:24
Reports are now coming from the NFL that there's a tiny hole in his lung and that it's not a significant situation that will hold him out long term. But probably does have to miss the game Monday just to be safe.
Chuck D
11:24
Great job always.  I truly feel we are getting to the part of the season where having Aaron Rodgers is going to pay off, December football.  We have been lacking a quarterback that knows what it takes in truly meaningful games.  It was important to put experienced receivers around him.  Do you think with him, and now the seasoned weapons at his disposal we will get to the last week of the regular season and be able to rest the starters because we wrapped up the division?  I feel the Ravens will help out with that also.  Thanks and Happy Holidays!
Christopher Carter
11:28
I'm a big Public Enemy fan from back in the day so I appreciate the name lol

Thanks for the compliment! I think there's a chance Aaron Rodgers has some things up his sleeves that we haven't seen yet that can kick in this part of the season, especially with the addition of Thielen and the calling up of MVS.

For the Steelers to wrap up the division, they'll at least need to win 2 of the next 3 games. Do that, and if the Ravens lose out (certainly possible with the Bengals in Cincy, Patriots and Packers coming up) and the division would be wrapped up by week 18.

But knowing my luck, it'll come down to that final game and we'll be reporting from Acrisure until 3AM on a Saturday or Sunday night lol. I just want a 1PM kickoff.

Happy holidays!
AK
11:28
I didn't understand why Miller was active and Wilson wasn't against the Ravens, but read it was due to Miller being the backup punt returner.  Is Wilson missing assignments, running incorrect routes as well?  I understand Miller is also the backup holder.  Who would that be if he was inactive?
Christopher Carter
11:30
Mike Tomlin gave the punt returner line, but I don't fully buy that. Aaron Rodgers talked last week about the deep ball having issues because some receivers weren't nailing down the details in their routes and then all of a sudden the deep ball works when they have Thielen and MVS running the routes with Metcalf? I don't think that's a coincidence.

As far as who's the third string holder, I have to admit I do not know that one.
Wheresthebeef
11:30
Best chance for a playoff win has to be hosting the LA Chargers, right?  We’ve seen the results of Buffalo even here in Pittsburgh.
Christopher Carter
11:31
I do think the Chargers would be a better matchup having to come from the west coast and play in the cold.

But I also think the Bills caught a bad day from Aaron Rodgers, didn't face the defense with Derrick Harmon, and also came in with 10 days of rest. I wouldn't be shocked if the Steelers stunned the Bills in a wild card round matchup.
The Ghost of Noll
11:32
In order for the Steelers to get the running game going, would you agree that they need a big RB? Love JW & KG.
Christopher Carter
11:34
I think both of these RBs are capable of being playmakers. But I also think this offense could use some familiarity to get things going. I get the sense that sometimes there's just not a flow between the runner and OL on some plays and that's chemistry that takes time. It was part of why Bell and Harris were such bellcows for the offense. That familiarity helped in tight spots.

But I also think the OL is taking some positive steps in their pass protection and could see a solid turnaround in the run game production soon.
Wheresthebeef
11:34
What is it about Art Smith’s offense that requires spreading the ball around to three or more tight ends?  He had Kyle Pitts and turned him into just another tight end (Jonnu Smith being the other TE).   Muth has like 30 catches when every year he played a full season he had over 60.  I get using Washington alot for blocking and some catches as he gets 90% of all snaps but what is with this a “play design for each player” approach?
Christopher Carter
11:36
Addressed this earlier, but the personnel usage does baffle me, and it seems to mirror the issues with the Falcons. I will give Arthur Smith the grace in Atlanta that he was told to build around Matt Ryan and then the front office sent him away a year later. That was a nasty reset that wasn't easy to navigate.

But I do think there are times these packages don't let the Steelers' best playmakers eat when they could flip the game in their favor. Washington is playing very well so I get him, but Freiermuth should not be losing snaps to Jonnu Smith.
Seven
11:36
Hi Chris, thanks for the chat and all of your great work. I am far from a wild-eyed optimist when it comes to the Steelers. I think they are a patched together clunker trying to win the Daytona 500. But, the AFC is such a mess right now that if they do get in and can somehow avoid Buffalo in the first round, they may have a puncher's chance to win a playoff game or two. Denver and New England look great in the regular season, but playoff football is a little different, yes? And Aaron Rodgers has done this a few times before.
Christopher Carter
11:39
Thanks for being here and thanks for enjoying the work!

I don't watch NASCAR, but I understood that reference! The AFC is a bunch of teams duking it out right now for slots.

If the Steelers have a hope, it would be their defense putting the good parts of what they've done this year together while the offense playing more consistent at the same time. We haven't seen what it's looked like when this team's fired on all cylinders yet.

That's not a good thing, but if it were to finally happen, it could catch teams off-guard and give the Steelers an edge. Both sides of the ball have flashed potential in both the run and the pass at different times. Just need to put it together.
jimmyo
11:40
I know Pickens was a head case but feel like they should of kept him this year. Steelers would of got compensation for him leaving, doubt it would be worse then a 3rd round draft pick that there getting from Dallas.
Christopher Carter
11:42
But, would they have? Pickens is getting massive numbers right now because he's with a franchise QB in his prime and is across from a top 5 WR.

If he's in Pittsburgh right now? I don't think he has the same production and we've seen what he's like when he doesn't get that. Heck, we saw last week when Lamb went out and he jogged through routes when he knew he was being double-teamed. Prescott was even yelling at him for not trying when a deep ball was put right in front of him.

If he was in Pittsburgh, it would've been interesting to see if he clicked with Rodgers and Metcalf, but I think there might've been more issues and maybe he doesn't get a payday.

Instead, they have a real third round pick this year, and not a potential comp pick in 2027. Plus, DK Metcalf is growing into a leadership role they desperately needed at WR and I'm  not sure that happens if Pickens is around.
Jack Splat
11:43
Hi Chris, If Ty Simpson enters the draft this year, do you think he would last until the Steelers pick around 20-25, or where might they move up to get him?
Christopher Carter
11:44
Hello!

This would depend on who else entered the draft. If it's just Mendoza and Simpson, I do think they'ree both gone inside the top 10.

But if Moore enters the field with them? That might push Simpson down to the range you're thinking. This class has a lot of high-end talent at other positions and there should be chances to get big players, quarterback or otherwise.
AK
11:44
With the temperature supposed to be cold, you would think the Steelers would win the game, but isn't the Dolphins ability to run the ball and the Steelers inability to stop it, a huge danger sign?
Christopher Carter
11:46
I think it is. And if Watt misses the game, that's a big problem as he's been an asset most of the season against the run.

Especially because the Dolphins like to test the edge a lot. That will require physicality and discipline from the OLBs this week. Highsmith did well last week there, but it could be a big test for Herbig and Sawyer.
Ryan
11:46
what do you think about the play of Alex highsmith DK Metcalf James Pierre and Dylan cook i think they all looked good on Sunday Go Steelers
Christopher Carter
11:52
I thought Alex Highsmith had a spectacular game Sunday and he's been very good when healthy. Here's my film study on him against the Ravens.

Metcalf hasn't posted the big numbers all year, but I think he's molding into the long term leader you want for the WRs and the offense. He's tough, athletic and even filling in on special teams.

Pierre has broken up 9 passes on 33 targets with an interception and a 52.8 passer rating on the season when targeted. That's tied with not just Joey Porter Jr., but both Pat Surtain II and Derek Stingley Jr. for the 5th most breakups on the season. And he's played nowhere near the snaps of any of them.

Dylan Cook filled in well at OT. But I'm interested to see him and more than just 9 pass protection snaps.
11:54
Also, a side note on my Pierre comment, any one else feel weird seeing me type about three sons/grandson of former high level NFL players? Porter, Surtain, Stingley, all being among the best corners in the NFL is kinda wild.
epiballo
11:54
Hi Chris! Thanks for the chats and your excellent analysis! Is Harmon going to play this game? From you study, what does he do that effectively limit the other team's running game that his backups do not? Thanks!
Christopher Carter
11:55
Thanks for being here!

We aren't sure yet. I do think he sounded confident about playing when we spoke with him yesterday. But he didn't practice. If he's at least limited today, that would be a good sign.
Pittfan
11:55
Hi Christopher. If there was a time to fire Mike Tomlin it's when he underperformed during the Super Bowl window he had with Ben, Bell and Brown. His defenses let them down more often than not. Since Ben he has kept this team competitive without a franchise QB. With this offensive talent I don't believe the great Bill Walsh can get them far.
Christopher Carter
12:00
I hear you on not capitalizing on the Killer B's era being a bigger issue than not turning a rebuilding roster with no franchise QB into a Super Bowl contender.

The thing I always point to about that era though is that they got hurt at the worst times. When Brown, Bell and Shazier were healthy for a whole playoff game, the Steelers were undefeated. The problem is, that only happened twice.

When they were out, the defense didn't have its big playmaker that put things together, or the offense couldn't do enough to be the unit that was supposed to carry the team.
12:06
When you look back at those games when the offense posted some numbers, they often came when the game was out of reach. But when the game was on the line, they often fell flat.

From 2014-2021, the Steelers played in 9 playoff games. In those 9 playoff games, the offense had 58 drives when the game was either tied or within a single possession.

Out of those 58 drives, only 3 resulted in touchdowns -- 5.2% of the opportunities. 2 of those 3 came against the Dolphins.

There were also 27 punts, 5 interceptions, 3 fumbles and 3 turnovers on downs (2 drives were ended by the half or the game).

That's where if Tomlin is to be held accountable, it's the offense not scoring when the game was on the line.

In fact, the only touchdown that's either tied or given the Steelers a lead in a playoff game since that 2016-2017 Dolphins game was TJ Watt's touchdown against the Chiefs in 2021.

To me, that was the biggest failure of the Killer B era.
Sunner in Orlando from Lebo
12:06
With Watt out does Herbig or Highsmith go to the left side?
Christopher Carter
12:07
I'd imagine they'd let Highsmith stay where he's most familiar and tell Herbig to take Watt's spot. But could also see them flip around a bit.
epiballo
12:07
From you analysis, how did Valdez-Scantling and Thelien affect the game? I know no production, but did the defense have to account for them and that led to Metcalf having a great game? Do you see them doing this going forward?
Christopher Carter
12:08
Working on a story on this and hope to talk to both players when I'm back in the facility on Saturday. But Rodgers and Metcalf had praise for Thielen and MVS as professionals who did their jobs with great detail to fully execute the passing concepts and open up what the Steelers were looking for.

We'll see if that maintains for more than just a week, but I do think their sticking to the assignments and being exact in what they're asked to do played a role.
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