Locked On Steelers – Daily Podcast On The Pittsburgh Steelers

Christopher Carter of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, hosts the Locked on Steelers podcast.

The Pittsburgh Steelers' defense have a historical identity of protecting leads under Mike Tomlin, Bill Cowher and Chuck Noll. But will that continue under Patrick Graham? Christopher Carter dives into the numbers on how the Steelers have protected fourth quarter leads at an elite level not only under Teryl Austin, but throughout the entirety of Tomlin's tenure as head coach and even under Cowher and Noll. Graham's numbers in his previous years as defensive coordinator aren't as strong with the Miami Dolphins, New York Giants and Las Vegas Raiders, where his defenses regularly finished towards the bottom of the NFL when it came to protecting fourth quarter leads. Can he change that as the Steelers' defensive coordinator with weapons like Joey Porter Jr., T.J. Watt, Cam Heyward, Jalen Ramsey and Jamel Dean on his roster? Also, Chris takes your calls on the Locked on Steelers podcast where a fan asks about Payton Wilson's coverage abilities. Wilson's numbers show a completely different story from year one to year two, and not in a good way. Can the third-year linebacker out of North Carolina State rebound?

CALL INTO THE SHOW AT 412-223-6644 or if international, e-mail your audio message to LOSTEELERSTOPICBAG@GMAIL.COM

Follow Chris Carter on Twitter: @CarterCritiques.

Theme music is 'How Can I Lose' by Johnny Quest the Rebel, under his label Renaissance Music. Find more from their label here.

This show is part of the Locked on Podcast Network.

Photo Credit: Charles LeClaire, Mark J. Repilas

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Christopher Carter of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, hosts the Locked on Steelers podcast.

The Pittsburgh Steelers' top defender T.J. Watt wasn't as productive as a pass rusher last season, but is he not still one of the elite defenders in the NFL? Christopher Carter reviews a recent top 10 ranking of edge defenders where Watt was ranked seventh behind stars like Myles Garrett, Maxx Crosby, Danielle Hunter, Will Anderson Jr. and Aidan Hutchinson. But while Watt hasn't produced the sack numbers of some of his elite years, he's still having a big impact on games and Steelers wins. Is that an underrated part of his game that still makes him one of the best in the NFL? Or is he washed not an impact player anymore? Also, Chris answers a call from the Locked on Steelers call-in line about the outside linebackers. Does Watt make life easier for Alex Highsmith and Nick Herbig enough to make them an elite trio?

CALL INTO THE SHOW AT 412-223-6644 or if international, e-mail your audio message to LOSTEELERSTOPICBAG@GMAIL.COM

Follow Chris Carter on Twitter: @CarterCritiques.

Theme music is 'How Can I Lose' by Johnny Quest the Rebel, under his label Renaissance Music. Find more from their label here.

This show is part of the Locked on Podcast Network.

Photo Credit: Charles LeClaire

Everydayer Club
If you never miss an episode, it’s time to make it official. Join the Locked On Everydayer Club and get ad-free audio, access to our members-only Discord, and more — all built for our most loyal fans. Click here to learn more and join your team’s community: https://lockedonpodcasts.com/everydayerclub

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FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)

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Christopher Carter of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, hosts the Locked on Steelers podcast.

The Pittsburgh Steelers' new head coach Mike McCarthy has a long history of playing in big and tough games. But how does that history stack against Mike Tomlin's? Christopher Carter did the research and breaks down the numbers about which coach did better against some of the better coaches in the NFL. How will Mike McCarthy coach his teams in games against other top NFL head coaches and opponents? Will the Steelers win a different way with an offensive-minded head coach vs a defensive one like Mike Tomlin, Bill Cowher and Chuck Noll? Also, Chris takes your questions on the Locked on Steelers call-in line. With the ascension of Mike Vrabel, Drake Maye and the Patriots, are they destined to be the first NFL franchise to reach seven Super Bowl wins? Or can the Steelers turn things around and beat them in a race to be first again in setting Super Bowl standards.

CALL INTO THE SHOW AT 412-223-6644 or if international, e-mail your audio message to LOSTEELERSTOPICBAG@GMAIL.COM

Follow Chris Carter on Twitter: @CarterCritiques.

Theme music is 'How Can I Lose' by Johnny Quest the Rebel, under his label Renaissance Music. Find more from their label here.

This show is part of the Locked on Podcast Network.

Photo Credit: Charles LeClaire

Everydayer Club
If you never miss an episode, it’s time to make it official. Join the Locked On Everydayer Club and get ad-free audio, access to our members-only Discord, and more — all built for our most loyal fans. Click here to learn more and join your team’s community: https://lockedonpodcasts.com/everydayerclub

Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!

FanDuel

Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. From the opening whistle to the final kick, Let There Be Goals on FanDuel. Visit https://FANDUEL.COM to get started now.

Odoo

Great organizations win because operations matter. And that’s why you should get Odoo. Try for free today at https://Odoo.com/lockedon.

 

Betterhelp

This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp.Sign up and get 10% off at http://BetterHelp.com/LOCKEDON.

FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)

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On this week's Locked On Steelers Squad Show, Tyler Feldman and Wayne Gandy tackle one of the biggest debates surrounding the Steelers heading into training camp. 

Did Joey Porter Jr. get snubbed from ESPN's Top 10 cornerback rankings? And if he did, does that give the Steelers more leverage in ongoing contract negotiations? 

Then, in honor of July 8 (7/8), we settle a fun debate: Who is the greatest No. 8 in Steelers history? Is it Tommy Maddox, Aaron Rodgers, Kenny Pickett... or someone else? We compare the resumes and make our case. 

Plus, it's another edition of Trip Down Memory Wayne, as Wayne Gandy shares stories from his NFL career, and we wrap up the show with our weekly Food for Thought segment featuring your questions and takes. 

In this episode: 

-Was Joey Porter Jr. snubbed by ESPN? 

-What his ranking means for contract negotiations 

-Tommy Maddox vs. Aaron Rodgers: Best Steelers No. 8 

-Trip Down Memory Wayne with Wayne Gandy 

-Food for Thought with Steelers Nation 

Subscribe for new Steelers coverage every day, and don't forget to like, comment, and let us know: Was Joey Porter Jr. snubbed, and who is YOUR greatest No. 8 in Steelers history? 

Everydayer Club 

If you never miss an episode, it’s time to make it official. Join the Locked On Everydayer Club and get ad-free audio, access to our members-only Discord, and more — all built for our most loyal fans. Click here to learn more and join your team’s community: https://lockedonpodcasts.com/everyday... 

Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! 

FanDuel 

Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. From the opening whistle to the final kick, Let There Be Goals on FanDuel. Visit https://FANDUEL.COM to get started now. 

Odoo 

Great organizations win because operations matter. And that’s why you should get Odoo. Try for free today at https://Odoo.com/lockedon. 

Betterhelp 

This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Sign up and get 10% off at http://BetterHelp.com/LOCKEDON. 

FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)

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Christopher Carter of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, hosts the Locked on Steelers podcast.

The Pittsburgh Steelers' defense is going to have to be prepared to stuff the run out of nickel formations more often in 2026. Can Patrick Graham make them one of the more elite units in that department joining the Seattle Seahawks and Los Angeles Rams? Christopher Carter and Nick Farabaugh discuss the key elements of the defense that had worked in the past but must still improve. Will that come down more to Derrick Harmon, Keeanu Benton and the younger defensive linemen? Or to Patrick Queen, Jalen Ramsey, and the off-ball defenders who will need to fill the holes? Also, Chris and Nick take a caller's question on where certain depth chart battles might become problems for younger players' development. Could lower depth chart developmental players like Yahya Black, Daylen Everette, Max Iheanachor and Gennings Dunker see a setback with veterans like Sebastian Joseph-Day, Asante Samuel Jr., Dylan Cook and Brock Hoffman in the way? 

CALL INTO THE SHOW AT 412-223-6644 or if international, e-mail your audio message to LOSTEELERSTOPICBAG@GMAIL.COM

Follow Chris Carter on Twitter: @CarterCritiques.

Theme music is 'How Can I Lose' by Johnny Quest the Rebel, under his label Renaissance Music. Find more from their label here.

This show is part of the Locked on Podcast Network.

Photo Credit: Charles LeClaire, Katie Strahan, Mark J. Rebilas

Everydayer Club
If you never miss an episode, it’s time to make it official. Join the Locked On Everydayer Club and get ad-free audio, access to our members-only Discord, and more — all built for our most loyal fans. Click here to learn more and join your team’s community: https://lockedonpodcasts.com/everydayerclub

Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!

FanDuel

Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. From the opening whistle to the final kick, Let There Be Goals on FanDuel. Visit https://FANDUEL.COM to get started now.

Odoo

Great organizations win because operations matter. And that’s why you should get Odoo. Try for free today at https://Odoo.com/lockedon.

 

Betterhelp

This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp.Sign up and get 10% off at http://BetterHelp.com/LOCKEDON.

FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.