PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Chase Claypool came into training camp saying he'd done 10 times the preparation he's done previously. He believed his offseason work with Pro Bowler Brandon Marshall could make him a top three receiver in the NFL. Finally, Sunday, he showed it.
Claypool came into the Bucs game with 16 catches on 29 targets for 129 yards. That's 8.1 yards per reception, 25 yards a game and seven catches for first downs. This despite playing a career-high 88% of the offensive snaps.
Sunday that changed. Claypool was targeted seven times, made seven receptions (several combat catches) for 96 yards (13.7 yards per catch) and became the first Steelers receiver to catch a touchdown this year. Of those seven receptions, six were for first downs, nearly matching his season total.
"I want to be the guy who can be counted on in those situations," Claypool said. "Anytime I get an opportunity, it's an honor to have the opportunity."
"To step up like that, especially on those third downs," said Steelers QB Mitch Trubisky. "That's what it's all about, that's football, that's life."
Trubisky mentioned the third downs. Those two worked together for a few big conversions. On Trubisky's first drive after coming in for Kenny Pickett, he hit Claypool for 16 yards on third and 15.
Then came the final drive. Steelers facing a third and 15 up two points with 3:07 left and Brady looking to get the ball back. Trubisky to Claypool for 17 yards. Third and 11 with 2:15 to play, Trubisky scrambles left and throws back-shoulder on the sidelines to Claypool, who is able to make the adjustment and keep his feet inbounds for a 26-yard completion. The former Notre Dame receiver wouldn't talk it up, but his QB would.
"He made a phenomenal catch," Trubisky said. "I thought I threw it to only where he could get it. It was kind of just backyard football scrambling around, he stuck with me. I was trying to see what he was going. He somehow got two feet in. It was incredible. I'm happy for him."
"Especially with Tom on the other side, we couldn't play safe," Claypool said. "We had to go try and score. We couldn't run the clock out. It was a must win. It's super awesome to let the defense lean on us and not have us lean on the defense."
"It was a good day today," said Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin. "We're talking about what transpired today. He made some critical plays today. We're not trying to paint with a broad brush and show some trajectory. He made some plays today and I'm appreciative of it."
"You are going to have weeks where it isn't going your way," Trubisky said of Claypool. "You have to stick with it and buy into the process. To have those big catches. To have a moment like this and get a win after the game. It kind of makes it all worth it."
"You put your head down & work, good things will happen."
Claypool said you have to earn the respect you get, he believes it's just the beginning.
'Hopefully,' he added.
