Another day, another silly trade proposal about the Steelers dealing Chase Claypool for draft picks.
On Wednesday, Pro Football Focus floated the idea of Claypool heading to the Titans in exchange for a 2023 second-rounder and 2024 third-round selection. The idea makes sense for Tennessee: Claypool still has a year-and-a-half remaining on his reasonable rookie contract, and big-play potential. The Titans could use another playmaker at receiver, given the loss of A.J. Brown and rookie season struggles of Treylon Burks, who was expected to replace some of Brown's production.
But like other Claypool trade ideas, PFF leaves out why it would make sense for the Steelers to give up on the talented, albeit struggling wideout. Immature shenanigans aside, Claypool produced in his first two NFL seasons. He caught 121 passes for 1,733 yards and 11 touchdowns from 2020-21.
It's been different for Claypool this season, but his woes can also be blamed on Pittsburgh's putrid offense. The 2020 second-round pick has caught 28 passes for 266 yards and one touchdown in seven games.
His lackluster performance has placed him behind Diontae Johnson and George Pickens on the depth chart.
But with a base salary of just $1.5 million next season, the Steelers would probably have to be faced with a compelling reason to trade Claypool. Dumping him midseason for a draft pick haul they could probably replicate, or beat, over the offseason doesn't seem appealing.
Worst case, the Steelers could collect a compensatory pick for Claypool if he leaves after 2023.
There's some rightful concern that Claypool's erratic behavior is worrisome, and reminiscent of other talented/mercurial Steelers wideouts. Indeed, last year he got into an array of skirmishes, including a bar fight and telling Mike Tomlin music should be played at practice. Ryan Clark was so sick of Claypool's act, the ex-Steelers safety laid into him on ESPN.
"Chase Claypool is as mentally and emotionally underdeveloped as he is physically overdeveloped," said Clark last December.
But this year, Claypool has only made off-field headlines for his critiques of the offense, with which many Steelers fans probably agree. This week, Claypool said they "need more go balls" to take advantage of their speedy wideouts. It would be great to see the playbook open up for Kenny Pickett.
The Steelers would be better off if Claypool outlasted Matt Canada, not the other way around.
