You are viewing the chat in desktop mode. Click here to switch to mobile view.
X
Christopher Carter's Steelers chat: 12.19.25
powered byJotCast
Christopher Carter
10:06
Alright, the chat's fired up! Let's get into it!
RAM
10:06
Hey Chris! Is there any scenario where the last game against the Ravens could be meaningless?
Christopher Carter
10:08
Hello!

Yes! The way I help people look at it is that for that to happen, the magic number for the Steelers -- borrowing from baseball -- is 3.

There are four games that impact the chances of the Steelers locking up the AFC North before their week 18 rematch with the Ravens. The Steelers need THREE of them to go in their favor.

Steelers at Lions
Ravens vs Patriots
Ravens at Packers
Steelers at Browns

I list them in that order becuase that's when they'll be played. The Steelers play the Lions Sunday afternoon, Ravens and Patriots Sunday night, then Ravens and Packers the next Saturday night, and Steelers Browns that following Sunday.

If the Steelers pulled off an upset over the Lions, it would put pressure on the Ravens to win out. Otherwise, beating a 4-win Browns team could be the last thing the Steelers need to do to win the division.
Steeltowntim@aol.com
10:09
Chris,  thanks for your time doing these chats, do you think the Steelers will rest players until BALTIMORE? That's the only meaningful game left.
Christopher Carter
10:18
Thanks for being here!

And it's not the only meaningful game! As stated before, they could clinch before that game, and I think that might be preferable to the Steelers. If they did, A) their division rival who beat them twice last year won't get a rematch that matters; and B) they could use week 18 as a rest week for the playoffs rather than a week 17 games against the Browns; also C) they could still in theory climb to a 3-seed. Jaguars have to play the Broncos this week and then have 3 divsional games.

Steelers shouldn't rush back players who need to recover, but they shouldn't rest guys who aren't hurt, either.
Marvin P
10:18
Good morning Chris from Amsterdam!!!  Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to see Monday’s game from London because streaming rights are only in the US.  My question for you is about Joey Porter Jr.’s play.  It looks like he’s starting to become a shutdown corner.  Are you seeing the same thing?
Christopher Carter
10:22
Good morning!

Yes, Joey Porter Jr. is becoming that guy. Of cornerbacks who've played at least 100 snaps in coverage this year, Porter's 51.0 passer rating allowed ranks 3rd among NFL cornerbacks. That's better than Patrick Surtain II, Quinyon Mitchell, Derek Stingley Jr., Denzel Ward, and other star cornerbacks.

He doesn't have the big interception numbers, but he's become a guy that teams don't try to pick on. He does have 8 penalties on the year, but that's less than the reigning defensive player of the year in Surtain -- who has 9.

Also, the 4th best cornerback when it comes to passer rating allowed with at leat 100 snaps in coverage? James Pierre.
Mike B
10:22
Hi Chris. What do you think are the Steelers realistic option for QB #1 next year. QB draft class is disappointing and projected available veteran QB’s prospects are equally not exciting. What say you?
Christopher Carter
10:27
It's coming back to probably hoping Aaron Rodgers comes back or taking a bridge year. I'll have an update on the quarterback situation after this upcoming week of college football, as several of the prospects we've followed will play, and those who don't have updates.

But with LaNorris Sellers returning to South Carolina, and it looking like Dante Moore and Ty Simpson might stay in another year as well, that really just leaves this year with Fernando Mendoza as a bonafide first round pick guy. He'd probably go first overall or close to it.

If you're the Steelers, you can still use this draft to get some important pieces, but it's important to not reach at quarterback (again). If a viable shot is there on a player you truly believe in, take it. I just don't know that there will be one.

But that being said, holding out for the 2027 class would be interesting because several of the prospects that were exciting this year but don't come out will most likely look to do so then.
Big Bri
10:28
What’s your take on the clock management by Miami in the 2nd half? IMO, it was the equivalent of a player walking off the field during a game. If I was the owner I would have fired the coach at the end of the game and not allow him to fly back with the team. It was flagrant tanking and threatens the integrity of the game.
Christopher Carter
10:31
Here's the thing: who's to say the management isn't telling the coach to tank?

This is the same organization that's been punished for breaking the rules before -- which is why Brian Flores got ousted and a lot of stuff happened from that. They also have been accused of tanking before. Remember the 2019 game when they had the Steelers in 3rd and forever and sent an all out blitz that left Diontae Johnson wide open for a score? Several people thought that was part of a campaign to tank.

And even now, look at how they've responded to this loss. They're going to start Quinn Ewers, not Tua Tagovailoa or their 2nd stringer Zach Wilson.

I'm not saying the clock management wasn't bad, because it definitely was. But I do think things are smelly around the question of tanking with the Dolphins when they realize a team of theirs won't make the playoffs.
Marvin P
10:31
When you consider most of the 2026 quarterbacks (Sellers, Arch, etc) are rightfully going back to school for more seasoning, are there any other quarterbacks worthy of a first round trade up?  I’m guessing Mendoza would be outside the Steelers range.
Christopher Carter
10:31
Mendoza is the main one, and yes I expect him to be outside the Steelers' range. If Dante Moore and/or Ty Simpson come out, they'd be in that boat too. But there's questions if they even will.
Jim
10:32
Everyone is saying that the oline is jelling and playing better than last year, but I still see a line that can't push anyone off the line of scrimmage. Are they really better?
Christopher Carter
10:37
They aren't playing like the mid-2010s Steelers offensive line that bullied people off the ball, but they're comign together. Remember, it took YEARS for that group to come together and this is a line with three players in the second year -- one of them really in his first in Fautanu -- and a player in their third year in Jones, who was playing his first year at left tackle before he got injured and now the team is on a 4th string OT in Cook.

I'd say the Steelers allowing one of the lowest pressure rates is a good sign of this group coming together. It doesn't tell the full story, as Rodgers plays a big role in how quickly he gets rid of the ball. But this offensive line had improved, even while dealing with injuries.
Silent Bob
10:38
Hello Christopher,
 
Without taking into consideration free agency departures, I don’t think the Steelers need to draft any starters on defense. What do you think of my breakdown?
 
JPJ / Samuel / Pierre / Echols at CB. JPJ has been playing up to his draft position recently, hasn’t he? Dugger / Elliott / Ramsey at Safety. Outside of Ramsey, the other DBs are in their 20s. Haven’t they put together one of the better secondaries in the NFL?
 
Herbig / Highsmith / Watt & Sawyer at OLB. The best in the game?
 
Heyward / Harmon / Benton / Black on the line. Queen / Holcomb / Wilson at ILB.
 
Doesn’t seem like any glaring needs – although ILB and DL has room for improvement. Seems like they would not have to rush someone in to start.
 
I assume they’ll lose a number of these folks to free agency and will therefore be pressed to draft some defenders. But does seem to me they can concentrate on the offense.
Christopher Carter
10:40
Call me crazy, but I think this team could use another high-end DT. Keeanu Benton has improved this year, but isn't the dominant force yet that you'd hope.

That means that WHENEVER Cam Heyward retires, they might not be ready to fill that hole. He's played a high level -- which I know riles up some people in these comment sections because they didn't like him asking for more money this offseason -- but it's the truth.

If Heyward has one more in him, or two, it would help. But I think Derrick Harmon was a good step in the right direction. They still might need one more bonafide crusher on the DL for the future.

But bottom line, draft for value and best player available. Drafting just for need is what got them into the several swings and misses they had in the late 2010s and early 2020s.
chuck mac from Houston
10:41
Do you get any vibe that ARod might wish to stay in Pitts for next year??
Christopher Carter
10:47
I'll maintain the stance that I've had since they've signed him.

I could see him stay, but it would require a few things to happen. Some of which, I believe already have.

1) The OL must improve, especially in pass protection.
  • Talked about this in an earlier question, but the OL is actually protecting Rodgers well and is young. Could see them improve the rest of this year and be even better next year.
2) Team must win a playoff game
  • I do think them getting to the divisional round or conference championship round would make Rodgers think that he's close to something with this team that has a lot of young talent on it. And especially if this offense clicks the rest of the season the way it has the last couple of games, he could see this as a rising offense he'd give one more go.
3) Coaching staff must remain mostly the same
  • This means no leaving for Mike Tomlin or Arthur Smith. I think if there's an upheaval, Rodgers won't want to do all that again and just call it.
TODave
10:47
Hi Chris. Which path do you thinks the Steelers are most likely to take in the draft for QB - significant trade up for one of the top 3 QBs, take more of a flyer in the 2-4 round or wait for a stronger QB class in 2027 hoping to bring back AR for another year. Thanks!
Christopher Carter
10:53
Hello!

I'm inclined to lean towards your last option. A big reason why people were excited for the 2026 class was for several of the young prospects who had a chance to rise in it. Several of those players look like they could be available in the 2027 class, like Arch Manning, maybe Dante Moore and Ty Simpson if they stay, LaNorris Sellers, Jayden Maiava, and others.

There are so many swings and misses at quarterbacks these days in the draft. It's difficult to land the right one, and if it wasn't more teams would've figured out QB by now.

The way I look at it is this: it's better to take the shots at quarterback when there's more competition around in a QB class. The classes that were more loaded with first round prospects usually have at least one, and sometimes more, who can hit.

Think back to the 2004 class, there were three guys at the top of that list and they all worked out. But even in years like 2011 with Cam Newton, Jake Locker, Blaine Gabbert and Christian Ponder. Just 1 hit, but it did.
There are years where if there's just one legit first prospect, or none, that it leads to bad misses. This team can't afford another Kenny Pickett. It was known that was a down year for quarterbacks. They took the shot anyway.

Don't do that again.
Lee In SC
10:54
Hi Chris,

While Aaron Rodgers is playing well, he is a stop gap until they get their franchise QB.  Everyone acts like they grow on trees, and we will simply grab one in the draft. It usually doesn’t work that way.

So, let’s dream big and shoot for an established franchise QB that knows the AFC North.

If you were the Steelers GM what would it take to pry Joe Burrow away from the Bengals?
 
3 1st round draft picks (‘26, ‘27, ‘28)?
 
2 1st round picks and Mason Rudolph?
 
1 1st round pick and either Watt/Highsmith
 
Mike Tomlin? They need a coach
 
Yes I know it’s probably impossible, but if you were the GM what offer would it take to get Burrow?
Christopher Carter
10:55
Here's my thing, I don't think there's an offer that could pry Joe Burrow away from the Bengals to the Steelers. Maybe to another team, but I just don't see any way they gift their franchise QB to the franchise that's tormented them for decades. They might trade him somewhere, someday. But it won't be to Pittsburgh. We'd be talking five first round picks and multiple starters. Steelers don't need to do all that. Keep building and find your own guy.
Rocky Mountain Yunzer
10:55
Chris - I'm very impressed with the way you can break down film and explain what's happening.  Kudos to you for learning how to do that - I'm a lifelong football fan but never took the time to learn that skill.  My question:  What do you see in the defense which has changed so that (they aren't being easily picked apart by offenses (such as the CIn, GB, Buf games).  And how are they going to try to slow down Detroit this weekend - I'm concerned about all of the weapons Detroit's offense brings to the table and that the Steelers don't have enough manpower to match up.
Christopher Carter
11:10
Thanks!

We talked with Patrick Queen about this yesterday and one thing he says helped was a recent meetings where he said players acknowledged that they were seeing things and not saying what they saw wrong, but had changed that.

Something that non-schematic can be important. A lot of the Steelers' biggest mistakes have come on plays where someone's abandoned an assignment to help in an area they thought would be a bigger issue -- but in doing so, they left their own assignment unattended and that's where the big play would happen.

I agree that the Lions are a bigger test than what they've faced Heck, it's the No. 1 scoring offense. And they're top 5 in both the run and the pass. The Steelers defense -- most likely without Watt and Herbig -- will be up against it sunday.
David
11:10
You are becoming the star of Tomlin's weekly PC! I hope no one asks you any questions in this chat today that stress you out.
Christopher Carter
11:10
Ha. Thanks. I'd rather say woah than sick'em.
KJ
11:11
Good morning Chris, in all of your film studies, do can you determine if the Steelers, and Rodgers in particular, can have similar success against the Lions this Sunday as they did Monday night?
Christopher Carter
11:12
I haven't dove into the schematics of the Lions that much but I do think from  sky's eye view that this Lions pass defense can be beaten. They rank 24th in yards allowed and don't have their ace defender in Brian Branch, or another good player in Kerby Joseph.

If the Steelers are to win, Aaron Rodgers needs to light it up. If he does that and the Steelers possess the ball, it will give the defense  protection against having to play this offense for 70 plays.
Tom M.
11:12
It seems like Dylan Cook did very well. Could you tell from the film if he was that good or were the DLs he was playing against not very good? Also, did you see anything in his game that was better than what we’ve seen from Jones?
Christopher Carter
11:17
He didn't face elite talent but he did a very good job. Part of what he did well was just understanding when and where to be to protect against the blitz. The Dolphins sent multiple rushers his way and he didn't look overwhelmed, just passed guys off and picked up the necessary ones.

But he also credited Isaac Seumalo for helping him with that this week. If Seumalo's not there this week -- he's missed the past two practices -- that could be a lot to handle over there.

I don't think there was anything talent-wise that makes me say Cook is better than Jones. I think he played well that game. But, let's see how he follows it up against Aidan Hutchinson.
Tom M.
11:17
We’ve seen various comments about the new WRs being professional. Have you seen anything specific they’ve done vs what Roman Wilson was doing?
Christopher Carter
11:22
The main thing is the route-running, blocking and timing of everything. Aaron Rodgers stressed for weeks the importance of getting the little things right. Roman Wilson would get open on film, but just not in the designed way they were looking for sometimes.

MVS and Thielen have helped do those things, and that's playing a big role in opening up shots for others. Eventually, I think it'll open up more for themselves as well. Heck, we saw MVS get a TD this week.
Al Tuna
11:22
Is a Lazard-Rodgers reunion happening?
Christopher Carter
11:24
I thought it might. Does seem odd that no move has come yet. But that might be because of the space in the WR room. Metcalf-Thielen-MVS-Austin are the primary guys, and they're not getting rid of Skowronek's special teams abilities.

That's already 5 guys. They have Scotty Miller and Roman Wilson to consider. Miller's an emergency return man and Wilson's the second-year third-rounder.

Those are two things I think the Steelers aren't sure they want to part with just yet.But they might have to if they signed Lazard. Does make sense to get another taller WR backup for if someone goes down.
Henry Hill
11:24
Greetings Chris; unless the Ravens game is a winner-take-all game for the division, TJ shouldn't play until the playoffs, sound right? Yes, I know we haven't clinched anything yet, but it would take an epic collapse for the Steelers to not win the division at this point.
Christopher Carter
11:27
I wouldn't say an epic collapse. In theory, the Steelers and Ravens could win out and it still come down to a Ravens-Steelers week 18 game to decide it all.

But I do think it would be best to get back TJ Watt as healthy as possible to not risk re-injury or anything more serious. Just will need to be determined by team doctors. Gerry Dulac says they expect him back before the end of the season. So, maybe that's soon.
Albany Adam
11:27
If the Cleveland game is meaningless (which is basically the case if the Ravens beat the Pats and we lose this one), is there any chance we would rest players against the Browns?  Seems anti-Tomlin philosophy but I can't remember a case when the penultimate week was meaningless but the final week was winner-take-all.
Christopher Carter
11:29
Possibly. I could see them rest banged up players but not just rest everyone or unhurt players. If someone's dealing with an injury, they'd probably not play in that scenario. But I also think the Steelers have found a rhythm recently, and they don't want to lose it.
Load More Messages
Connecting…