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Christopher Carter's Steelers chat: 12.19.25
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TVC15
11:30
If the Steelers either miss the playoffs or go one and done with a blow out loss in the first round does Tomlin get booed worse than Goodell at the NFL Draft?
Christopher Carter
11:31
I think it would depend on how bad things would happen. If they get blown out at home against the Ravens or in that theoretical home playoff game, I can see that. But like, if the Ravens won with a last second field goal or the Bills did that? I don't think it would get to that level.

The Bills situation was an extreme because the team was getting beat down and there looked like no hope.
Bob
11:31
Chris, do you really think that James Pierre is really a starting CB or is he just flashing for the present? He has been a great special teamer but can he really keep us this high level of play, it would be nice with all the holes we need to address in the draft.
Christopher Carter
11:35
I think he's evolved into one. As I said above, he has the 4th-best passer rating allowed among cornerbacks who've played 100+ snaps this season. He also has zero penalties to his name. I think he's been pretty solid and could start. But he's also 29. He's close to the age when corners will start to lose their top-end speed/reaction times. Between him and Asante Samuel Jr., the Steelers have some options at CB to consider re-signing before considering draft prospects.
Ryan
11:35
Chris what do you think about the play of Ben Skrowronek he has looked good on special teams after downing the punt i think he should be named to the pro bowl games GO STEELERS Merry Christmas
Christopher Carter
11:39
Merry Christmas!

Ben Skowronek deserves all the praise for his grit and hard work on special teams and in the offense. I think he'll by the Myles Killebrew this year.
Bob
11:39
Chris, since like you said Mendoza will be long gone by the time we draft, do you think we will go for a WR2 or another stud DL or something else? Which of these positions is deep this year?
Christopher Carter
11:40
WR2 (and potentially a future WR1), DL, CB, or a high-end S would all be in play for me. I like the first round WRs this year, and think if they land Makai Lemon, Jordyn Tyson, and/or Carnell Tate that would be an excellent addition to DK Metcalf. Also like KC Concepcion, but I see him as a later first round guy.
Congrats
11:40
Chris good morning.  Though I don't always agree with your defense of Tomlin and his staff, I really enjoy your writing. Its insightful and clearly you know the game as it seems like Tomlin either respects you and/or is intimidated by you (just joking based on his response to you this week lol). On to the question......do you think Tomlin and staff stay aggressive with 4th down on offense or will they revert back to playing it safe these last few weeks (plus potential playoffs)? If he truly has changed his approach, this is a huge step for him imo.  Thanks!
Christopher Carter
11:43
Thanks!

I think they do. It worked for them last week and they need to ride what works. It won't just be aggressive without the right situation in front of them though. We're not talking about going for it on 4th and 20 or even 4th and 10. I'm thinking they need to be in more 4th and 1/2 varieties for the option to win with a tush push or a quick pass to the flat or on slant.
Stats Don't Lie
11:44
Do you think there is a coincidence that Whisehunt, Arians, and Haley had a better win percentage combined compared to Fichtner, Canada, and Smith?  Same goes with Lebeau and Butler compared to Austin.  Perhaps you could attribute the fact the Steelers had Ben during the 1st three OC's, but how do you explain the DC comparison? To be honest and I know it won't be popular, but I'm fine keeping Tomlin through at least the end of his contract, but he needs to remove Austin and step back himself from calling the defensive plays.  We both know one of those two won't happen though.  Hence, why he needs to move on.
Christopher Carter
11:44
Lots here.

First, Tomlin does not call the defensive plays. We've long established this. He sets the philosophy and the idea of what he wants from the defense. But Teryl Austin calls the plays. We've literally seen this on camera.
11:55
As for the coordinators, I don't think it's a coincidence. I think it's about personnel. Arians was OC for offenses that didn't have to score as much to win because of the elite defense that was No. 1 in points and/or yards for five of Tomlin's first six years. Haley's offenses were the best of those groups, and they were better than any of the OCs that came after because he had a top 3 OL, the best WR, the best RB and a franchise QB.

LeBeau is legitmately one of -- if not the -- greatest defensive coordinators of all time. But he also needed talent. His last two years the defense ranked 13th and 18th in scoring while the defense re-tooled. When it did, they were top 5 in back to back seasons in 2019-2020, and since Austin took over, they've been top ten all three years up to this season.

It's more about the Jimmys and the Joes than the Xs and the Os. But that doesn't mean some coaches aren't better than others.

On Austin leaving, maybe that happens. It's been four years and this hasn't been the best.
GM
11:55
Steelers have a lot of walking wounded plus others who are out for this week's game. Impressed with the reserves and their readiness that I think speaks to the strength of the Steelers organization. This week's game will a difficult test for them. What are your thoughts on the injuries and team readiness?
Christopher Carter
12:02
Dylan Cook is going to get tested in this game a lot with Aidan Hutchinson moving around and the Lions having good talent up front. Though, Brian Batko is at the facility today and he believed Zach Frazier and Nick Herbig were getting ready to practice. So, maybe they won't be as banged up.
paullochrane
12:02
if aaron retires, does big ben have a chance
Christopher Carter
12:02
No. Unless he had someone give him the winter soldier's arm, that's done. He was struggling to throw it in 2021. Hard to imagine it being better now.
Jim
12:02
Any idea why this defense is so up and down from week to week? I have no idea what defense will show up this week, what gives? Scheme, inconsistent players?
Christopher Carter
12:06
Inconsistency is the best answer. Sometimes guys are hurt, sometimes guys don't play their assignments as tightly as they need to. But bottom line is they've had to change their schematics a lot this year in how they've attacked things. With those changes have come bumps in the road. They've needed to basically rework the entire secondary, young guys have had to step up on the DL, and between all that there were communication problems.

But I'll have a story tomorrow on one thing that's changed when it comes to those communication issues, something that was told to me yesterday that I think has also played a factor.
Ed
12:07
Listening and reading way to much from the Pittsburgh press it sounds like we have 2 good chance against Detroit, but most outside voices pretty dire for Steelers
Christopher Carter
12:07
There's confidence in the team right now and when you read our work their confidence comes through because we're reporting what they're saying/doing. Nationally, they don't care about that stuff as much.
Yates
12:07
Chris- Assuming 51 and 90 are scratches will the Steelers deploy their ILB and OLB differently?  For instance could they use 56 along with Queen and Wilson and Harrison in non traditional package?
Christopher Carter
12:09
I think they'll keep the ILBs how they have and roll with Sawyer as a starter, Leal and Moon as the backups. But, as I said before, Batko tweeted Herbig is looking to practice today. So there's a chance that won't be the case.
Doyle37
12:09
If no quarter back falls to steelers,  could they use the draft picks to get a quality DT AND a quality WR or trade the picks for 2027 picks so they can get the QB then ?
Christopher Carter
12:10
They'll have all the option on the table with 12 draft picks. Rest assured, they won't use all 12 this year as they are. They're either trading up to get higher value picks, or trading into next year's draft to load up for that QB class. I think they come away with a pedigree WR and higher-end defensive player from the early rounds while getting draft capital for next year.
Yates
12:10
Chris-  one thing that must happen for Steelers to win?  Hold Lions to 135 or fewer ground yards?  Or win the turnover battle by plus 2?
Christopher Carter
12:12
I lean more towards the ground game. If you said something crazy like 5 turnovers -- though they've done that -- I would lean to turnovers. But this Lions team plays really well when they win on the ground. Limit their production there, and you are in a better situation to make plays with a secondary that's played well of late.
Jack
12:13
This question would have silly earlier in the year, but based on their recent performances, would you rather have Lamar Jackson or Aaron Rodgers for the upcoming Steelers/Ravens game? Thanks.
Christopher Carter
12:14
Huh. You know, that is a funny question. But with how Rodgers has looked recently and Jackson has looked this year on the whole, I'd say Rodgers? But I don't say that as a definitive answer I'm sure of. Jackson is highly talented and brings so much to the table that scares you. I just think right now, Rodgers is in more of a groove. Could be wrong there though.
Pitt58Steel
12:14
Hi Chris! Love your work. Do you believe the Steelers will ever give Will Howard a chance to compete for QB1 next season?
Christopher Carter
12:15
Thanks!

Tough to even imagine what next year looks like. If there's no Rodgers? Maybe. Could see them sign a vet QB, keep Rudolph and Howard. But I still think Howard's a long shot. Let's actually see him in the preseason before we get to any of that.
Chill Dave
12:15
Hi Chris, who do you think poses the biggest problem for the Steelers D on Sunday?
Christopher Carter
12:16
The balanced attack of the Lions. They're top five in the run and the pass, which puts stress on teams to be balanced as well. That's where guys make more mistakes, open up more chances to miscommunicate and overstress trying to stop one thing while leaving a door open for another part of an offense to beat them.
TVC15
12:16
If Drew Allar slips to the Steelers in the 1st round do they draft him? I feel he might go in the 2nd or even 3rd round and need a head coach or offensive coordinator who can mentor him. Definitely not Tomlin or Smith. Am I right?
Christopher Carter
12:16
I wouldn't touch Drew Allar with anything more than a 6th round pick.
Lou
12:17
Chris, what with the way the 2025 roster is built...after this make or break season, do you think the 2026 roster is going to have to a total rebuild?  They have lots of old guys, but I do suppose some of younger guys drafted or added during the season might back in 2026.  But the QB!
Christopher Carter
12:30
So uh, this wasn't a make or break season. If it was, they wouldn't have traded away George Pickens and Minkah Fitzpatrick. They would've signed a free agent who counted against their compensation pick formula. They would have re-worked deals  where they moved money down the line (they didn't) and opened up A LOT more cap space to add more talent.

I don't see a total rebuild coming. But I do think if they don't keep Rodgers, that will be another move and they'll probably have some shakeups on defense.
Yates
12:30
Do we currently have any open slots on the PS or 53?
Christopher Carter
12:32
I believe all are full. They just let go of Kanai'i Mauga to get Cal Adomitis on the PS. Adomitis, the former Pitt Panther and ACC champion long snapper!
TVC15
12:32
I thought part of the description of Roman Wilson on the NFL draft analysis was that he we a good route runner.  Am I mistaken?
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