Christopher Carter's Steelers chat: 05.29.26
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Christopher Carter
2:02
Just got out of today’s OTAs! Let’s get into it!
Jersey Danno
2:02
Can you possibly envision a roster that includes Johnson, Nowakowski and Heidenreich together?
Christopher Carter
2:09
It would take some serious twists and turns. I don’t think this coaching staff will be as attached or patient to Johnson’s development, and the flexibility of both Nowakowski and Heidenreich helping on special teams could give them a leg up. I like the idea of Johnson getting more time, but he has to find a way to help on special teams or the rookies who do help there may become a higher priority to keep on the final 53.
Michael
2:09
Chris, multiple insiders have eluded to the fact that Queen won’t return next season. Is that based more on what his salary would be or his performance?  I don’t think he’s missed a game and he hasn’t had a lot of help in front of him.
Christopher Carter
2:17
Patrick Queen has been a good player for the Steelers, but he's playing to be very good to great. I thought he had a good first season, but a dropoff from that last season along with the rest of the defense.

I think the current state of no contract negotiations happening is a reflection of his play not matching that salary, and that he'll probably want a pay raise.

He's literally never missed a game in his six NFL seasons, and that's worth something. He also turns 27 in August, which means his prime is still ahead of him.

If he has a big bounce back year, it then becomes interesting to see if they'd want to pay him, or if they'd let him hit FA and get a decent comp pick for him.
Michael
2:17
What’s your latest thought on how the OLB personnel plays itself out by this time next year?  Who’s the odd man out?  Any chance there could be a trade prior to the start of the season?
Christopher Carter
2:21
By this time next year, I think they'll have re-signed Nick Herbig and decided which of TJ Watt and Alex Highsmith to keep long term.

I don't foresee a trade prior to the start of this season. But I do think a trade is more reasonable to expect around next year's free agency/draft periods. And right now, the contract that would make the most sense to move might be Alex Highsmith. He'll be 30, in the final year of a contract, and probably looking for a big pay day.

My guess right now, Watt and Herbig are kept with Sawyer as a backup and they draft another. Highsmith is part of a package that helps them with their QB draft trade ammunition pursuits.
Marvin P
2:21
Happy FriYay Chris.  From everything I’m reading, the new caches and their philosophies have me very excited about the upcoming season.  I’m especially excited about the possibility of seeing a more aggressive offense.  My question is what should the fans really expect from the team?  A playoff victory this year?
Christopher Carter
2:26
Happy Friday! And a beautiful one at that!

I do think there's a decent chance this team is back in the playoffs and a contender to win against the right opponent. Heck, they were last year until the offense gave up two defensive scores in the fourth quarter.

And while they're rebuilding a lot of the systems and schemes, the biggest thing is that the roster is still on the trajectory they've been working towards for years. The formerly gutted WR room is now much more full with players who want to be there, the OL continues to develop and new defensive playmakers are emerging.

If things continue on that trajectory, I think this can be a 10-12 win team. And if they get into a similar playoff matchup as last season, their WR group with Rodgers would be much more dangerous and probably make more of the plays where they let the team down last year.
Krut
2:26
Will we ever find out what the Sr. Special Teams coach did to be fired?  Seems like the best position coach to lose if you had to choose one, but not a good look anyway.
Christopher Carter
2:27
Doubt it. But to your point, it's not like they lost one of the primary coordinators and are going to have to institute a whole new scheme.
Marvin P
2:27
I remember toward the end of Minkah’s tenure with the Steelers, he mentioned ‘’communication’’ challenges with the defense.  I often wondered if that was part of the reason he was traded.  My question is why couldn’t or didn’t they address the challenges when it was frequently talked about?
Christopher Carter
2:30
They did address and improve communication from time to time, but new faces often brought more challenges and led to different things they had to fix. Minkah Fitzpatrick helped them be one of the better deep ball defending defenses in the NFL for some time and they were a top scoring defense in 6 of the last 8 years.

But EVERYONE has communication issues on defense. I think sometimes fans of specific teams don't look around and see all the problems that regularly happen around the NFL.

As for why Fitzpatrick was traded, I think they saw a change in what they really needed, as they haven't gotten a true free safety to replace him since he left. (Granted, it didn't work out last year when they tried it then!)
BeaverFallsKid
2:30
Hey Chris. What is Patrick Graham doing to bolster the steelers’ leaky run defense? Personnel? Scheme? Communication? They need to get that right if they want to be a top 10 defense again…. Thanks.
Christopher Carter
2:40
Seems like one of the things they're planning to do is switch Yahya Black to nose and lewt Keeanu Benton play more 3-tech. But I also don't know if Black's fully ready for that role, as his footwork and pad level need to become a lot more consistent so he doesn't get pushed out of the hole.

But if Derrick Harmon, Sebastian Joseph-Day, Cam Heyward, and Benton all can be healthy, they can have a stronger and fuller rotation.

If that happens, the LBs will be in a better spot to attack and stuff the run. That'll go a long way. But it also seems they're going to have Jalen Ramsey, Jaquan Brisker and DeShon Elliott helping there too.
Jersey Danno
2:40
Christopher, given how the Seahawks and Eagles have been so dominant recently with those great defensive lines, are you surprised the Steelers didn’t act to improve there besides the ND project?
Christopher Carter
2:42
I thought they would've at least taken a shot at the nose tackle position in the third round, so I was surprised. But I will say this was a weaker IDL class and that there should be some stronger ones coming soon. But a lot of this may hinge on whether they see Benton as a long term answer with Harmon. If he is, then they might not make another major investment there.
Emilio
2:44
Hi, of the Superbowl winning coaches not yet on the Hall of Fame where would you rank Mike Tomlin?
Christopher Carter
2:51
Personally I think the two obvious ones are Bill Belichick and Andy Reid, but I don't imagine Belichick will have to wait much longer.

Coaches around Tomlin are Sean Payton, John Harbaugh, Mike McCarthy, Pete Carroll and Sean McVay.

I think he's got a decent step ahead of Payton and Harbaugh, and a slight step ahead of Carroll.

McCarthy does have a SB win over him, but also with a much better QB for most of that time and has several losing seasons without another conference title So slightly ahead of him as well.

McVay is the one that I think could pass Tomlin soon if he pulls off another Super Bowl win. He's only had one losing season and was on the verge last year while already having two conference titles and a Super Bowl win.
ZO
2:52
First and foremost, thanks to you and your colleagues for putting out a first class product here on the PG.  It was great news that a new path was discovered and most of you were able to move forward in your traditional capacities...  It's been refreshing seeing the new coaching regime come in and taking an untraditional approach in flip-flopping their O-Line around to test the players for versatility.  Considering the Broderick Jones situation and all of the unknowns there, as has mentioned on this site, it would provide a plethora of options to fall back on if some "worst case scenarios" were to rear their ugly heads.  That being said what would you predict the starting o-line to be with and without BJ?
Christopher Carter
2:54
Thanks!

I do think it's important to remember the Steelers have flipped offensive linemen around over the years. But James Campen is the most accomplished OL coach they've had since Mike Munchak and probably can do more with this group than what's been seen in almost a decade.

With BJ:

Fautanu - McCormick - Frazier - Anderson - Jones

Without BJ

Fautanu - McCormick - Frazier- Anderson - Cook.

Campen said Iheanachor's been impressive but he's going to benefit from learning behind vets this year.
Alice
2:55
Chris, Tell me what you think please out of this .. I'm daring to say most people that think know about football say Brady is the QB goat, I have discussed this with so many people and most tell me: look at the SB he won which I think that is not a way to measure how talented you have to be or were to be named the goat.. I've seen NFL games since 70's and I can tell you just to name a few that Elway, Marino and even Montana were better and more talented anyday and twice on sundays in my honest appreciation, even nowadays in their prime Rodgers at his prime and Mahomes were/is more talented all around than him and not even close really, those mentioned are a few for sure and even I could mention others, By the way era doesn't matter cause when you are talented you are talented.. You are younger after 70's and 80's of course but I ask cause we all now you are very good to be honest and just want to know how you view this topic thanks..
Christopher Carter
3:06
Ah, a good ole QB GOAT conversation.

What made Brady great wasn't his raw skills, but his insanely detailed ability to assess defenses and read the field. He didn't have the strongest arm, make the craziest throws, nor was he among the most athletic.

So if you're lookiong at raw talent, many go ahead of Brady for just that. But with his cognitive skills, he goes among the top easily. Of course, being part of decades-worth of spygate helps, but he still had to make the plays.
Nicholas
3:07
Hi Chris...I think the loss of Kenneth Gainwell is being significantly underestimated.  He was team MVP for a reason and delivered 8 touchdowns and 1,000 combined yards.  He also fit Rodger's quick pass style providing an extremely reliable pass catcher and YAC runner.  More important, he consistently converted 3rd downs and kept drives moving.  To say that Dowdle and Pittman jr. (among others) will just pick those critical yards and plays up is not really understanding Gainwell's role and impact.  What do you think?
Christopher Carter
3:15
Gainwell was a huge addition for the Steelers last season and he answered a lot of challenges with his abilities in the receiving game.

But the multiple additions could give them a variety of answers to fill those answers. Dowdle also can be a bit of a help in the receiving game as well, as I wouldn't be shocked to see him line up in some of the spots he Gainwell did last year.

Pittman and Bernard can also win downfield enough that it would open up more chances for Rodgers.

But it's no guarantee that those players will make the plays in the big moments the way Gainwell did last year like what he did against the Vikings, Lions and other games. Still something to prove.
GreenfieldGorillas
3:16
If Jaquan Brisker and Jalen Ramsey roam then can Deshon Elliot be the 1 high deep safety that takes away the deep pass?
Christopher Carter
3:17
Honestly, I think either one of them would be better for that role than Elliott. Elliott is more of a box safety with his ability to help against the run and play downhill. I think Brisker is the ideal free safety option of the three, but he also just told me yesterday he doesn't see himself as a free safety. I think that's actually one of the bigger questions still about this roster.
Dr G in NC
3:19
Eli Heidenreich has measurables very similar to Christian McCaffrey. His 3 cone time is amazing. I hope the Steelers find a way to keep him on the roster. I think he would be extremely difficult to cover one on one similar to Wes Welker, and a very good receiving option out of the backfield. Your thoughts?
Christopher Carter
3:26
You're right about the measureables.

Heidenreich is taller, did six more reps on the bench, with a slightly faster 40-time, an identical time in the 20-yard shuttle and a slightly faster 3-cone timer. The one area McCaffrey has on him is the jumping stats.

But McCaffrey also was a dominant force against much tougher competition, with over 2,000 rushing yards in 2015 and over 1500 in 2016, and 150 forced missed tackles charted across those two seasons. Heidenreich had less than 1,000 yards in his last two seasons with 61 forced missed tackles againt lesser competition. That's not to say Heidenreich can't have a good NFL career or be a playmaker, but McCaffrey had a lot of skills with the ball in his hands that made him a unique weapon.

Heidenreich would have a lot to prove to get there.
DSFEDOR
3:26
Thoughts about that QB who might head into the supplemental draft? Or is the QB room already too crowded?  Is he any better than 15 or 18? or Too many red flags?
Christopher Carter
3:27
Not big on Brendan Sorsby. Thought he needed to go back another year and even then it would've been a stretch. They have enough backup QBs on the roster. I don't consider him a strong prospect to be a starter.
Aces High
3:27
Hello Chris and thanks for your time. Isn't it a better option to keep the younger QBs, instead of Mason, to see what you have in case there is an injury to AR early in the season? You have to find out about these guys in real games if there is an injury, in case you need to invest in a high round QB next year, which is probably the case anyway.
Christopher Carter
3:36
I've said here in previous weeks I think the ideal situation next year is to have an ideal first round pick rookie, second year Allar, and third year Howard.

But I think the situation the Steelers might be eyeing is how to maximized the return for getting rid of the one quarterback they won't want to keep. And that comes down to being between Rudolph and Howard.

If Howard's close enough to Rudolph in the eyes of the coaches, I imagine they'd move Rudolph for a late pick swap. If it's the opposite, I see them trying to hype up Howard as much as possible for a similar move.
Buffalo Mike
3:36
If Joe Burrow and Lamar Jackson stay healthy for the whole season, do you think the Steelers can win 2+ games from them?
Christopher Carter
3:40
I don't see why not. Neither of them have dominated the Steelers in their careers.

Jackson is 3-6 vs the Steelers and Burrow is 4-3. Especially if the team doesn't drop off this year, I could see them winning 2-3 times vs them.
JaxSteelersFan
3:41
I've been listening and reading your work since it was you and Tony on the podcast. I appreciate your sanity in the insane world of Steelers fandom! You are neither Steelers are going to win the Super Bowl every year and your not the Steelers are going to be lucky to win a game this year. Thank you and keep up the work!
Christopher Carter
3:41
Thanks! Shoutout to Tony Serino for being the man.
Alan in North Carolina
3:43
Hey, friend…I’m a little concerned about the cap and the implications for future signings. My concern is, even w the AR salary, the QB room is pretty inexpensive and the rest of the roster is not exactly brimming w All-Pro’s, how is it that out of guys like JPJ, Herbig, Queen, Washington, the beat guys are saying they might be able to sign just one of those guys??? I’m sorry but they’re not exactly Pro Bowlers either. How are they this tight already? What if a guy like Kenny would’ve been the real deal? They’d be paying him already and they’d probably have to get rid of half the roster. Something doesn’t add up!
Christopher Carter
3:51
I think they actually have a bit more wiggle room to sign who they want than people realize.

Looking at their contracts next year, only TJ Watt has guaranteed salary of more than $2.8M. If there are expensive veterans who don't play that well this year, they can move on from them.

For example, overthecap currently has the Steelers' next year cap space at $41M. Let go of Ramsey, and that jumps up to $62M.Trade away Alex Highsmith and that's up to $77M from there. Cam Heward retires or is gone and it would go up to $93M from there.

There are moves to make to create space to keep the players they want. I don't think they'll go into next season with just one of Porter, Herbig, Benton and Washington.
TVC15
3:54
In the old "3 in 3 out" rule for the playoffs who are the new 3 in and who are the old 3 out for the AFC?  And if you have the time the NFC?
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