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Christopher Carter's Steelers chat: 12.26.25
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Christopher Carter
11:02
A belated Merry Christmas to all, Happy Kwanzaa, and happy holidays to everyone!

Let's get this chat fired up!
Sergio from Mexico
11:02
Hello Chris. Amazing work you do for us Steelers Junkies!
Chicago Joe
11:02
Merry Christmas CC
Sergio from Mexico
11:02
sorry. Hit the wrong button.  What do you think of our new o-line? Any chance it stays that way and we part ways with B. Jones? Or he stays as a backup? GonSteelers
Christopher Carter
11:05
Merry Christmas Joe! And thank you for enjoying the work Sergio!

I think the O-line has done well in adjusting to new people and new challenges. I don't think it should be a given that Broderick Jones is out of a job. But I do think that can be a good camp battle next offseason. Dylan Cook has done a great job handling the basics and doing his job. But what the Steelers are hoping to develop in Broderick Jones -- and seen moments of -- is a high level dominant player. Cook has brought stability, and that's important. But I don't think it's a given he is the starter and Jones is the backup should both be on the team heading into camp next year; and I think both will be.
Silent Bob
11:05
Hi Christopher- hope you had a very nice Christmas. You see these halftime adjustments where it is like a different team comes out in the second half. Why do these changes need to wait until halftime? If the coordinators see something is not working, why can’t they make changes sooner?
Christopher Carter
11:22
Some of the adjustments people talk about aren't as grandiose as they're made out to be. Halftime is only 15 minutes and much of that time you're catching your breath, drinking water, stretching and confirming things with your unit.

But what does happen is everyone gets a chance to step away from the action and look at the notes compiled on how the other team has played -- and if that has matched up with what that team had shown on film going into the game.

Football is a complex sport with lots of moving pieces and matchup possibilities. But the changes at halftime are sometimes smaller schematically, and the bigger part is players just realizing a tweak here or a tweak there.

But what makes football so amazing, is those small tweaks can sometime have HUGE results.
Marty
11:22
Hi Chris, I don’t condone what DK did, but it seems the fan is not being held responsible for his actions.  Your thoughts please.
Christopher Carter
11:29
DK Metcalf must keep his head. We don't know if the allegations mentioned where the fan used a racial slur (noted by Tom Pelissoro, Chad Ochocinco and James Harrison) and called Metcalf's mother a derogatory name are true, as no evidence has been offered. We also have video evidence of this fan calling DK Metcalf by his first name -- DeKaylin -- as he alleged in his statement.

We also do know that DK goes by DeKaylin in his normal life and calling him that doesn't get a rise out of him by itself. So, I doubt that the fan's side of this is all that clear either.

I think the NFL doing something is fine about it, but a two game suspension seemed completely out of the ordinary. I looked up lists of NFL suspensions, and I don't think a player has ever been suspended a single game -- let alone two games -- for contact with a fan. That's with other incidents like Shaq Lawson, Jordan Phillips, Quinton Jefferson, Lamar Jackson and several others over the years. So, the punishment doesn't seem to match the precedent.
11:32
But that doesn't excuse Metcalf, either. As a Black man, I've been called the N-word before, and been called a liar for reporting it. That can be very frustrating to deal with, and honestly is something that can stick with you for a while. That word isn't like a normal insult of being called a punk or saying that you stink at football -- historical context proves that.

If that's what the fan said, whether it be this year or last year, he needs to be banned from stadiums for violating the NFL Fan Code of Conduct.

Metcalf needs to take this as a lesson whether he's telling the truth or lying; don't interact with a heckler, and nothing will happen to you.

Granted, he took the right route when they engaged last year and reported the guy, and nothing came of it either, as the fan was neither ejected nor banned (despite that guy being ejected from other games this season as well). While Metcalf must be smarter, the NFL also needs to be better and not allow people like that at games.
JP
11:33
Hi Chris, if the Steelers lose their next two games are they out of the playoffs? how much of DK’s mistake could affect the teams success?
Christopher Carter
11:46
It could have a huge impact if the Steelers let it. Fortunately for them, I think this is a team built to be able not depend on their WR1 each week.

Make no mistake, they'll need Metcalf for the big games. But this is a game against a 3-win team that's struggling to stop the run (the Browns have allowed 3 straight opponents to rush for 140 or more). This is a game for the O-line, RBs, and some well-timed play action passes to be a deciding factor.

If they lose this game -- barring more major injuries -- all bets might be off against the Ravens week 18, and THERE you might see Metcalf have a huge impact and potentially cost them the playoffs.
Go Dice
11:46
Happy Holidays CC. I’ve seen amazing catches from receivers in the past
Yuri
11:46
Happy holidays to you and your family Christopher.  I don’t know where the Steelers’ security and Lions’ were when the DK incident occurred.  Do you think the league will change its policy or lack thereof to prevent future incidents?  Thank you.
Christopher Carter
11:53
I think there will be some sort of adjustment because the incident became national news as it was caught on the broadcast of one of the most watched games of the past several years.

Granted, the fan said right after the incident that he got what he wanted. But I do think they might add extra protocols to keep something like this from being a worse situation in the future.
Sergio from Mexico
11:53
So do you think rests if (HOPEFULLY) we win the division today or tomorrow? Do you think A Rod has another year left In him?
Christopher Carter
12:03
The Steelers could clinch the division Satuday if the Ravens lose to the Packers or Sunday if the Steelers beat the Browns. If neither happen, it all comes down to week 18 at Acrisure Stadium.

That Saturday game is in an interesting spot though. The Ravens list Lamar Jackson as doubtful, so it's Tyler Huntley time at QB. The Packers list both Jordan Love and Malik Willis as questionable, which could mean one or the other starts, or they go to practice squad QB Clayton Tune.

If Tune happens, Ravens probably roll. Otherwise, Packers win. They can still win the division and fight for a higher wild card seed, so I don't think they'll lay down. But the pressure on them to win is certainly less with the Lions being eliminated yesterday.

As for Rodgers, I've maintained there are certain parameters to him sticking around for next year.

A) Steelers win a playoff game and show promise for next year.
B) O-line matures as a group to protect him. Think they've done that.
12:04
C) Offense and coaching staff don't change much. This means Mike  Tomlin AND Arthur Smith. I don't think Rodgers wants to change a whole lot for another year.
D) Rodgers likes the vibe of the Steelers. I think that box is checked.

If the Steelers make the AFC championship game and fall, I think Rodgers sees a chance with this team to win it all next year and wants to come back.
Takoma Tom
12:04
The Packers are going to rest players tomorrow so Ravens should have an easy time. Lamar won’t play as it’s a business decision not to play with a bruised back since he wants a new contract. Steelers need to come down hard on DoorDash Sanders.  Stains OL isn’t very good. Most of the Browns players are checked out.
Christopher Carter
12:05
I don't know if that's going to be the case at all. Packers can still win the division and can claim a higher seed.

But I agree that the Steelers have to make nothing else matter and beat the Browns. Get up on them early, run the ball, stuff the run, and get after Sanders. The blueprint is there.
Takoma Tom
12:05
Why not rest TJ for the playoffs?  Honestly Sawyer and Herbig are doing a better job.
Christopher Carter
12:07
OK, first, no they're not. Herbig and Sawyer have played well. But Watt was still playing at a high level before he was hurt. That high level isn't DPOY-level, but it's still very high. He's been a force against the run and still makes plays in the pass rush (Bears fumble/TD anyone?)

That being said, I think Watt isn't being rushed back. He's taking his time and the team wants him to take his time as well. I think the priority might be to get him at least some action before the playoffs to let him get his groove back, then have him fresh for the first round -- should they make it.
Go Dice
12:07
Happy Holiday Cc & Steeler nation.   On a scale of 1-10. How much easier is it to catch a football using gloves versus not wearing them. I feel like today’s receivers have a huge advantage compared to ones from the past.
Christopher Carter
12:23
I'd give it an 8. The gloves I've seen really do help especially on high velocity throws and cold environments. The material on them also helps catch where past ones didn't. Some of the older players from past eras have said the current gloves are like stick-em from back in the day.
Shaif
12:23
Merry Christmas CC, hope u had a lovely Christmas! How much Gbay clinching plays into how they approach ravens? Steelers need to treat browns like sudden death football! Control your own destiny! Happy new year!
Christopher Carter
12:30
Merry Christmas and same to you! I don't think it stops the Packers from wanting to win. They can still win the NFC North and improve their position in the playoffs. That being said, the Steelers need to beat the Browns. If not for locking up the division, it's also big to keep the train rolling into the playoffs. They're hot. Need to stay hot.
J D
12:30
Chris, what's the latest info on Broderick Jones neck injury and will it affect his next contract since  Cook is playing admirably?  Is he good enough to supplant Jones at LT and maybe move Jones to guard?
Christopher Carter
12:37
I haven't seen anything that's suggested he will be back before the playoffs. But I do think that the Steelers still sign Jones to his fifth-year extension as he's shown very solid progress this year. I've thought the potential move of Jones to guard, but I think they might let these two duke it out in camp next year before asking him to play a different position for a third year in a row.
Tom M.
12:37
Roman Wilson fell off the radar when the veteran receivers were added. From watching film, are you able to figure out what he was doing wrong that the new guys are doing right?  We’ve heard he was getting open but not in the right place. IsIs it correctible?
12:38
Hit enter too soon.  Are Wilson’s issues simply route running and are they correctible?
Christopher Carter
12:46
It's very correctable. Roman Wilson has done a good job to get open this year, but not in the ways that fit the exactness Aaron Rodgers is looking for in play design. The little things are very important to be good at in the way Rodgers works, and that hasn't been a strong suit of Wilson's game. But it can be, and at times, Rodgers has praised Wilson for his improvement there.

This could be a week to see how much more improvement there's been while he's watched from the sidelines.
J D
12:46
Chris, do you think the game suspension where the player cannot be at the team facilities or practice with the team and basically persona non grata too harsh?  Is the NFLPA in line with the suspensions?
Christopher Carter
12:49
I get why it's done the way that it is, because a suspension typically means from work entirely, not just a game.

But I also think part of it is in the contract, too. Players are played per game -- or in other words, per week. If the NFL allowed players to come in during week's they're suspended from being paid, I could see that becoming a legal issue.

I get where Cam Heyward was coming from this week in that when players make mistakes, sometimes the village of the team can be a helpful to a player in tough spots. But I also think there's more at play there.
Tom M.
12:49
The running game has improved. Has the line play gotten better or are the backs doing something different? Or, has it simply been the competition?
Christopher Carter
12:58
Both groups have gotten better. The OL is winning more consistently in ways the RB can expect and that's helped them hit holes more consistently. That's been the problem for years now. RBs would have a great start to a run, but the hole they thought would be there, isn't.

The Steelers OL would win on schedule, but an RB would not expect the hole to be there because they haven't been consistent. All of that is important to the chemistry of a run game.

This group is doing that on a consistent basis, and that's a big reason for their success.
Uncle Larry
12:58
Does AR stay on the field in Spartan play to keep an option of a direct snap to him?
Christopher Carter
12:58
Heh. I've been saying for week's I think there's a special play lined up with that as a possibility.
Seven
12:58
Happy holidays to you and yours, Chris. What can the Steelers do to improve their "prevent defense"? This team protects leads almost as badly as the Penguins. They were a questionable pick play end zone penalty away from giving up 21 4th quarter points and blowing the game at Detroit.
Christopher Carter
1:11
Woah woah woah. The Penguins? The team that gives up 3-1 leads regularly and has a losing record? Please. The Steelers' defenes is 5-1 this season when protecting a one score drive at the end of the game. They drop back into prevent defense at times to slow the game down and keep an offense from having big plays that hit.

That strategy certainly allowed the Lions to move the ball and score points, but it also ended up winning the game, as it has most times this year. In fact, the one time they lost while protecting a one-score game late, was when they pressed the issue and weren't in prevent against the Bengals.

And again, they did it to stop the No. 1 scoring offense in the Lions in their house.
Seven
1:12
If Calvin Austin is out Sunday, who becomes the Steelers' "field stretcher"? Wilson?
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