Christopher Carter's Steelers chat: 05.08.26
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Christopher Carter
10:03
Alright, we've complete North Shore Drive podcast and I'm ready to go. Let's get into it.
Doylestown Dewy
10:03
Hey Chris! Gotta give you a shout out love what you do man! With that being said, for all the work that you do, the platforms that you have and the Intel that you get…I gotta ask a question and or favor! Could you please start a petition to bring back the block numbers. If anyone could do it I know you could. The round numbers were good at a time and served a purpose, but it’s time to bless and release and bring back that Techmo Bowl type attitude and feel. And it all starts with those block numbers. The fate of the block numbers are in your hands. I thank you and good day.
Christopher Carter
10:08
Hello Dewy! Appreciate you enjoying the work!

I'M SO WITH YOU ABOUT THE BLOCK NUMBERS. They LOOK BETTER. Are BOLD AND EASY TO SEE. And SCREAM classic. It's bizarre the Steelers haven't switched back to them considering that's very much the vibe of the organization.

The main reason I can think of why they don't is because people buy the older Mitchell and Ness styled jerseys that way and there may be some profit boost.

But make all the jersey block numbers and I think it improves sales even more. I'm no marketing guy, but I agree with you 100%.
VA Joe
10:08
So if Aaron Rodgers comes back, and makes it through the whole season, do the Steelers draft a QB in round one without knowing what they have in Howard and Allar? This succession plan just seems weird.
Christopher Carter
10:10
Well, it's at least giving them 3 shots at it, right?

I do agree, it's not a traditional plan we've seen play out too often. But I think it's also important to remember the original succession plan wa Pickett, and then Wilson to prep the way for a rookie QB, then for Rodgers to do that same thing.

Now, Rodgers most likely won't be around for if they select a rookie QB next year. I do think it could get a bit crowded and jumbled if 3 young QBs are competing at the same time. But there's part of me that wants to cover that, because those will be some exciting training camp practices.
Rocky Mountain Yunzer
10:10
Good morning Chris thanks as always for your chats.  When you look at the film, what do you see as the strengths and weaknesses of Rudolph, Howard and Allar?
Christopher Carter
10:20
Good morning and thanks for being here! But I will note it's a bit more difficult for the young guys considering we haven't seen either at the NFL level.

Rudolph:
Strengths: Veteran processing. Decent arm. Already knows NFL pacing enough to step up in pinches. Good at limiting mistakes.
Weaknesses: Limited ceiling, not best accuracy, doesn't see whole field. Doesn't hit big throws enough.

Howard:
Strengths: Handles pressure, tough moments well. Decent size, arm, athleticism.
Weaknesses: Not a great arm, accuracy needs work, processing will be challenged with WR room not as elite as Ohio State's at the college level.

Allar:
Strengths: Cannon arm, ideal QB size, decent athleticism.
Weaknesses: Bad accuracy, bad form, loses technique often and relies too much on his arm, has made crucial mistakes in big moments too often.
LCGreenwood
10:20
Good morning Chris. I understand ARII philosophy of trying to  win each year. But at some point the Front Office has to take a different approach to winning that 7th Lombardi Trophy. What sense does it make to continue doing the same thing each year that results in 10-7, wild-card round, embarrassing exit?
Christopher Carter
10:32
Good morning!

I think this question misses the entire point of what they're actually doing, and that's developing and still trying to win at the same time.

The notion that's a bad idea or just a choice to "continue to do the same thing," completely overlooks all the changes that've undertaken in the past several years. They've reformed the offensive line -- which was a big reason why they even got to 10-7 last year. They had been changing coaches, and now have a completely new coaching staff.

Yes, they've been 10-7 for 3 straight years, but they've done that while the reasons they won 10 games in 2023 have faded and the reasons they won 10 games in 2025 have grown.

If the insinuation is that they should tank, I remind people that tanking most often doesn't work. While some might point the Patriots -- who had 3 straight losing seasons and back to back 4-13 seasons -- I'd point to the Jets, Cardinals, Browns, Dolphins, Raiders, Falcons, etc. for many more teams that tank for a long time.
10:35
The Steelers aren't giving up on their future, they're committing to it by trying to win and keep developing the young guys and people they see as part of that future. If they packed it up and tanked for a season, that could lead to further implosion and more rebuilding.

They do need to find a franchise QB in the draft. But they don't need to tank to do that. Patrick Mahomes, Lamar Jackson and Josh Allen are all examples of teams who didn't tank and still found their guy, and the list gets longer the further you go back.

I also don't think this town could handle an actual tank season. Heck, it's struggling with being in the playoffs on a regular basis.
bill
10:35
very glad to still see your byline and await your intelligent analysis!
Christopher Carter
10:35
Thanks Bill! I'm glad I'm still here too!
Saint
10:35
Why so much happy talk from the Steelers about Gabe Rubio, a sixth round pick who wasn’t even a starter at Notre Dame? Does he have a chance to unseat even Logan or Black?
Christopher Carter
10:37
I have to admit, that was not a player I even had on my radar going into day 3 of the draft.

I get his dad was a draftee of the Steelers long ago and there are moments I see on tape where he's a physical force, but he has a long way to go. I liked what Logan Lee and Yahya Black did last season as late round guys learning the defense. Maybe he develops into the backup nose presence that helps on run downs, but he'd have to overcome a lot to get there.

As for why the Steelers give happy talk, he's their draftee. So naturally, they're going to want to hype up anyone they pick. But I feel where you're coming from.
Pittfan
10:37
Hi Christopher. Mike McCarthy's experience with QBs have involved Favre, Rodgers and Prescott (I'm sure in his career there were others). Let's remove Favre and Rodgers from this equation because they came in as high pedigree players. Prescott aligns more with Howard and Allar. I realize Prescott had some years under his belt before McCarthy got to Dallas so we can't give a lot of credit for his development. Do you believe Howard or Allar have Prescott potential?
Christopher Carter
10:43
Hello!

Personally, I thought Prescott was an underrated talent in his draft class and I argued publicly -- albeit with a much smaller following -- that the Steelers should consider him in the middle rounds as a potential successor to Roethlisberger.

I do think this is the biggest challenge for McCarthy: he hasn't had a quarterback truly from scratch who he's developed into a franchise guy.

McCarthy deserves credit for developing Rodgers, as he hadn't started until McCarthy arrived. But we still haven't see McCarthy take a guy in the draft himself and oversee his development into a star guy.

But this will be a different challenge altogether. I think either Allar or Howard have the physical tools to rise to Prescott potential, but I think both have a long way to go when it comes to processing, reading defenses and making decisions -- as well as technique, fundamentals and accuracy.
10:44
This coaching staff also has multiple mentors who can help in that department. On top of McCarthy, I think Tom Arth and Frank Cignetti Jr. are great football minds from two different generations (sorry Frank) who can pair well to help the young quarterbacks while McCarthy handles the head coaching duties and Rodgers.
OneAndDone
10:44
What if Mr. Rodgers just came back to clean out his locker? laughing
Christopher Carter
10:44
That would be even more embarrassing than the Makai Lemon moment.
MPN586621
10:44
Chris, it is great to know that you are here to entertain us still. The report on Allar points out the fact that the Steelers are slowly becoming Browns like. They drafted 2 QB's last year and then another this year and still have Watson to contend with. There aren't enough footballs to go around. With Rodgers coming back, unless the kids blow away the coaching staff then we are in for a long season. One and done in the playoffs is hard to take every year. If MM is going to break the streak then Allar and Howard must be given a chance to overwhelm the staff or possibly go 4-13 and draft a stud QB.
Christopher Carter
10:53
Thanks!

But people do realize you can draft a stud quarterback without going 4-13, right?

The Chiefs were the 2nd seed in the playoffs (eliminated by the Steelers by the way) the year they drafted Patrick Mahomes.

The Bills made the playoffs for the first time in 18 years they drafted Josh Allen.

The Steelers could still compete this year, make the playoffs and even win a game or two and still have the ammunition to trade up and get a quarterback if it's a good draft class.

Tanking more often leads to regression, longer periods to develop and a complete overhaul that takes even longer to fix. And if you have a quarterback who's ready to start, you don't put in the rookie who has a long way to go.

Now, if Allar and/or Howard show in camp that they've knocked off the issues that made them 3rd and 6th round picks, then that's a horse of a different color.
Jim
10:53
No comment Sir, but 100% AGREE with bringng back the block numbers and your ability to make this happen. I think most real Steeler fans would concur.
Christopher Carter
10:53
Here here.
Dak
10:53
Chris, Wetjen is wearing #42. Any thoughts on this disgusting act? It's a shame to see a career over before it ever got started.
Christopher Carter
10:55
OK, this got a good chuckle out of me.

Personally, I love 42 as a number in general and am actually wearing a Jackie Robinson shirt as I do this chat.

But for a receiver? WHAT?!

Kaden Wetjen is either a mad genius or he's completely lost it. 42 for a WR makes zero sense. Save that for a DB.
Greenwood
10:56
Chris, let the new owners know at one subscriber is happy they made the right choice, and is please to see new articles from you, Brian, Gerry and Ray. Having said that, do you know if they will be working with Yayha Black to learn NT? It seems he's built better for it than Benton.
Christopher Carter
10:57
Thanks! That means a lot and I hope they see this!

I don't know that for certain, but I do think they'll give it a shot throughout this spring and summer. They need more guys who can take on the 0 and 1 technique alignment and allow Benton to play more of the 3.

My personal thing for Black is that he needs to fire out lower more consistently. He's huge and that's an asset, but too often he comes out of his stance high and it lets opponents control him on snaps. If he improves even just that, I think he's a much more dangerous interior guy.
JaxSteelersFan
10:58
People listen to Chris! Going 4-13 Is NOT the way to build a winning team. It would probably be better to trade 2 1st round picks next year move up and get the next Ben! (Although I would not suggest trading that)
Christopher Carter
10:58
This guy gets it!
Lou
10:58
Chris, last season it looked like Rodgers had plenty of time to throw the ball on deep plays. This season he will have legit WRs. So what do you think…Steelers are good for 1 more TD per game? Longer drives keeping the D fresh?
Christopher Carter
11:00
I do think you'll see an improvement in the offense, but one more TD per game is a lot to ask.

The Steelers averaged 23.4 points per game last season, which ranked them as the 15th-best scoring offense.

Another touchdown per game would get them to 30.4 points per game, and would've been the 2nd best offense in the NFL right behind the Rams at 30.5.

I don't think the changes will allow them to do all that, but I do think you could expect them to maybe finish closer to 27 points per game. That would've put them as the 9th best offense last year just behind the Colts and ahead of the Bears, 49ers and Ravens.
Arthur not Art
11:01
Hi CC.  Thanks for the time and the chat. Do you think Kahn and Weidl have built a team that can take off next season if they find the elusive franchise QB? I think they missed out on getting some defensive talent this year that may hurt them.
Christopher Carter
11:08
Hello and think you for being here!

I do agree that this could've been a good draft to add some defensive talent, especially in the third round. Domonique Orange was one of my favorite nose tackle prospects, AJ Haulcy was an underrated safety and Keionte Scott I thought could bring great value in the slot.

That being said, if the offensive line and weapons take big steps forward this year, it could pave the way for a rookie QB to have a lot of tools at their disposal and make their job that much easier to not have to create as much to make plays.

But the defense has to get back to being a top 10 unit as well if this team wants to be a Super Bowl contender. They were that for the 3 years prior and then fell to the middle of the league last year.

If the offense takes a collective step up this year and the defense surges back, then they could be where you hope they'd be with that franchise QB pick.
Henry Hill
11:09
Greetings Chris, very happy you and your colleagues are still here! As a lifelong PSU fan, I’m very skeptical of Allar; I predict when, and if, he ever becomes the Steelers’ starting QB, he wins less than 25 games. Right on, or ridiculous?
Christopher Carter
11:14
Hi Henry! I'm happy to be here as well and excited for what's to come.

I do think it's interesting how divided Penn State fans are on Drew Allar. I talk to some who are extra excited and think he just needs the right situation and Allar could be a superstar. Others like yourself are more skeptical, and think his issues at the collegiate level won't get solved even in a perfect system.

I lean more in your direction, as I watched and waited for him to ascend after seeing his potential in 2023. But the way 2024 and 2025 played out, I was not encouraged he was going to improve the things that have held him back.

Still, he does have the arm, frame and athleticism to make it work. But that's been the case for countless quarterbacks over the years who also haven't put it together. Will be a great story if he beats the odds.
JaxSteelersFan
11:14
I agree with your thought that were not going to be a favorite to win the Super Bowl but looking at New England and Denver's team last year, they should not have made it as far as they did, so there is always hope, right?
Christopher Carter
11:19
There's always hope.

I do agree both the Patriots and Broncos had favorable schedules to get as far as they did.

For the Broncos, lot of that ha to do with the Chiefs being VERY bad last year and drawing the NFC East in a bad year for that division. Add that plus a last place schedule and they had plenty of space to grow last season.

Patriots were similar in that way and even lost to the Steelers.

The Steelers won't get the benefit of playing last place teams, but they do get the NFC and AFC South, which could work in their favor.

But Pittsburgh still will need a lot to go their way.
Arthur not Art
11:19
On average, the defense gave up almost a FG more per game last season than they did in 2024. Have they done enough to correct this and get their PPG back to 20 or less?
Christopher Carter
11:28
This is about correct, as they dropped from 20.4 to 22.8 from 2024 to 2025, and dropped from 8th best defense to 17th.

On the personnel side, I think there are two aspects that could put them in a better position.

1) Jamel Dean should be a much better outside CB than Jalen Ramsey or Darius Slay were early last season. That played a big role in their losses to the Bengals and Packers that dropped them to 4-3 after a 4-1 start. If Dean and Porter become a nightmare combo for offenses, that'll go a long way.

2) If the defensive line stays healthy, that could do a lot for the run defense. They lost Derrick Harmon for a good portion of the season, and veterans Dan Ekuale and Dean Lowry were supposed to be good fill-ins but were lost for the season. A healthy DL with Sebastian Joseph-Day could make them a more consistent group along with growth from Harmon and Black.

Combine those two things, and I think they can get back there.
Shenandoah
11:28
Allar broke his leg last year,  so that may be partly to explain why 2025 didn't work out, you think?
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