Diontae Johnson and Antonio Brown have been exceptions for the modern Steelers, who usually move on from wide receivers during or after their rookie contracts. One of the many productive wideouts to come through Pittsburgh in recent years, Chase Claypool is being rumored as a departure candidate ahead of his contract year even beginning.
Mentioned in trade rumors at multiple junctures over the past week, Claypool is one of the buzzier relocation candidates ahead of next week’s deadline. Teams continue to look into the big-bodied receiver, per Jason La Canfora of the Washington Post. But Claypool should not be expected to be moved, Mark Kaboly of The Athletic writes.
The Steelers bucked their years-long trend of moving on from receivers after their rookie deals by extending Johnson at $18MM per year. Johnson is signed through 2024, while second-round pick George Pickens is locked in through 2025. Claypool’s rookie pact runs through 2023, and Pickens’ emergence has helped produce the rumblings Claypool could be available. The Steelers are even believed to have made the 238-pound target available this summer, but it is clear they are aiming for a strong offer.
One of the many Day 2 wideout draftees to flash while in Pittsburgh, Claypool appears likely in the early stages of an audition. With Johnson signed, Pickens chosen and the prospect of the Steelers hitting on yet another second- or third-round receiver looming, Claypool’s second contract will likely come from another team. But the Steelers are keen on keeping as many weapons around Kenny Pickett as possible, La Canfora adds. A trade would obviously interfere with that goal.
Pittsburgh separated from multiple starting wideouts via trade during Kevin Colbert‘s GM run, sending Santonio Holmes to the Jets and dealing Martavis Bryant to the Raiders. They also traded Sammie Coates to the Browns in 2017. Current GM Omar Khan was in Pittsburgh’s front office for these moves.
Claypool, 24, has back-to-back 850-plus-yard seasons on his resume, which has naturally made him an attractive trade piece. For now, a Johnson-Claypool-Pickens aerial corps stands to help Pickett progress. Claypool has seen his yards-per-catch average crater post-Ben Roethlisberger; it sits at 9.5 (28 catches, 266 yards, one touchdown) through seven games. Still, unless the Steelers are blown away, it seems likely Claypool will enter his 2023 contract year on the team that drafted him.
Bad attitude, poor play, and no heart, I’m sure the real reason they’re unlikely to trade him is because a late round garbage pick is all they’ll get.
It’s like you haven’t watched him play this year, at all. None
Steelers will point to the last 2 games as to why they need a haul for him. Other teams will point to the 80% of games he’s appeared in that he hasn’t done jack.
In the end he wont be dealt. Which is fine. He’s trending up and has seemed more mature this year. I’m sure Kenny would like to keep him around. The more weapons the better.
Hopefully he finishes the season strong and they can explore trades in the offseason when his resume is a bit stronger. Or just keep him again and hope for a ‘25 comp pick.
Claypool did not have a good game Sunday night.
he’s a very skilled player and should fetch a solid return regardless. don’t see them budging on a 2nd round pick.
very similar situation to Dionte where it’s hard to produce without throws downfield, and are sure to have some drops when they throw 50+ times to supplement an immobile rushing attack.
He statistically did not do much, but unless I’m forgetting a bad drop or two I wouldn’t say he had a bad game. Which to be clear, he has had many of — drops, poor tracking, lack of effort, costly celebrations, poor blocking, etc…
Again, feels like he’s trending up. Not saying a ton, but encouraging. But yeah, I imagine teams aren’t offering more than Day 3 picks at this point. Not worth moving for less than a 3rd.
He’s averaging 38 yards per game and has 1 TD, I get he’s been playing better of late but that’s some pitiful production. Add in his attitude and who’d give up more than a few late round picks at this point. Which is the real reason the Steelers aren’t trading him, makes no sense to trade him at the bottom of his value. Unless his personality is so toxic that you have to.
mitch the starter didn’t throw to him.. or anyone for that matter
Mitch 2.0 targeted him but imo mitch 2.0 was fearless and got very lucky moving the chains on some horrible reads
I think a lot of teams will look past a lot of flaws and see a receiver his age with his skillset and be very interested.
I personally really like Claypool, but having both Pickens and Dionte makes Chase disposable during what seems to be a rebuilding season
this offense would benefit more from having a true slot reviever with soft hands underneath (between George and Dionte)
I’m kind of wondering at what point Tomlin says, “Enough is enough” and fires Canada. I know the Steelers like to take the high road but watching this offense continue the dink and dunk routine is mind numbing
One really can’t get a true picture of what any receiver can do here and that said, I have to wonder why they rushed to extend Johnson
Again, Pickens, Claypool and Austin are a nice group without his inconsistent play. But what does it matter with such an incompetent OC
Let’s hit fast forward to the end of the season and assume Canada was OC
What will they have learned about Pickett? Will this offensive line only continue to make Najee tentative when he’s handed the ball?
Will the talents of guys like Pickens continue to be squandered?
Tomlin saying enough is enough?
Canada is his own personal selection. if anything he’s protecting him.
I think we see a lot of compensation for lack of a run game.
but I don’t get it. Run blocking is 90% grit 10% skill.. take the guy infront of you and run him thru a wall.
why is this team so soft?
Buzzier? Uhhhh “busier” ?
I believe the author means “buzzy” as in generating interest and excitement. He’s certainly not a “busier” relocation candidate that doesn’t make any sense.
Maybe Claypool has a breakout in him. He’s only 24 and never played with a very good QB or offense. But flash doesn’t matter without some baseline and consistency. What you’re capable of doing at your best doesn’t matter much if you don’t do it often.
back 2 back years he’s been stuck in Canada’s offense that doesn’t take shots downfield.
we saw the Chiefs pay a hefty price for MVS , who is a shell of Claypools skillset
Packers, Chargers, Jets, Ravens, Giants and Bears could all use him as potentially their #1
The word potentially is doing a lot of work there. Garrett Wilson and Bateman both look closer to being number ones than Claypool. And injuries are the only thing keeping the Chargers from having two better receivers. Canada has held him back, but let’s not go crazy.
I’m actually glad to read this. I’m hoping the kid has grown up and believe there’s a helluva lot more upside to having him, Pickens and Austin, if he ever sees the field, than there is Johnson.
A couple of mid-round picks for him?
Get a new OC, beef up the line
And I won’t even address the defense
ya unfortunately we have to start looking past this season
barring a win over the Eagles, the 2022 steelers are officially toast