PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – It was roughly an hour after practice on Tuesday when not only did we all find out about the Chase Claypool trade. It was at the same point the players found out about it.
“It’s wild, the NFL you never know,” said guard James Daniels. “It’s unpredictable. Once I saw him after, I told him if he ever needed anything. I know a lot of people out there. I wish him the best of luck. I hope he can change the situation he was in and get into a better situation.”
“That’s one of my best friends, at least for me, seeing a friend like that go,” said receiver Miles Boykin. “Someone that I played with since college, it sucks. There is a business aspect, we understand that. I was sad. In terms of the big picture, I’m happy for him.
He’s happy for us.”
“It’s really with anybody, you never want to see none of your guys go because you create that bond from being together all these years,” said Steelers safety Terrell Edmunds. “It is a business. I will probably play against him one of these days.”
“I saw some stuff on Instagram that he might go to the Packers,” said receiver Diontae Johnson. “He might go there and that’s when Chicago happened. I’m happy for him.”
Daniels said Claypool was a great teammate and others had similar things to say about him. For the more veteran players, they had noticed a change in maturity with him and there doesn’t seem to be any hard feelings or now saying something while he’s gone.
Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin said Wednesday it was about an extra second-round draft pick for Claypool. He said the team is excited for what that brings them.
“We feel really comfortable with the depth that we have at that position, the wide receiver position,” Tomlin said. “More specifically, we are really comfortable with our play-making ability inside. He’s made the majority of his plays to this point of the season inside. That’s a space where we are really comfortable with Pat Freiermuth as well being a significant component of our attack on the interior portions of the field.”
“That depth, coupled with Pat’s presence and development allowed us to feel comfortable in terms of moving him and acquiring that draft capital.”
“It’s the next man up,” Johnson said. “I wish nothing but the best for Chase. He was a great player here, also a great friend. Whoever it is has to step up and keep the train rolling.”
He hopes that means he gets more opportunities. After a breakout season last year, Johnson is 41st in the league with 372 receiving yards on 43 receptions. An average of 8.6 yards-per-catch.
“I would hope so,” Johnson said. “Whoever steps up in the slot, we will still work the middle. Me and GP (George Pickens) will make plays downfield or find ways to get us the ball in different positions.”
Johnson is also open to moving in the middle to get opportunities. He said he can play anywhere on the field, he’s actually hoping to get some slot time. Boykin said he will do whatever he can do to win, although he’s more of an outside receiver. He said all have to step up and fill that void.
Steven Sims would likely get a first shot as a straight-up fill-in at that position. He worked the majority of Wednesday’s practice in the slot. Tomlin said he’s been making plays when called upon and it’s reasonable to think that would continue.
“Real good player, smart, can run every route,” Johnson said. “Great hands, yards after the catch. He’s a four-year veteran and knows the game of football.”
Say what you want about Claypool, but it will be a void. The third-year receiver was second on the team in receptions, was one of two receivers with a touchdown and threw a TD pass. The move is understandable, but will cause a short-term issue for a rookie quarterback.