Former Steelers 2nd-Rounder Chase Claypool's Career May Be On Life Support After Another Horrific Performance

The Pittsburgh Steelers were believed to have an incredible 2023 offseason. No one can disprove that statement even after a disappointing 30-7 loss in Week 1 to the San Francisco 49ers. There wasn't much that went right in the beatdown as all three phases of the game disappointed throughout the contest. There were a plethora of concerning issues that came up, including captain and veteran, Cameron Heyward going down with a severe groin injury that will cost him at least half of the season. Overall, things aren't going great as the season has begun for Mike Tomlin and his team.

Pittsburgh seemed to not just have a solid free agency period, but a well-recognized draft. Broderick Jones was selected to presumably be the left tackle of the future, but that wasn't the most significant pick. In 2022, the Steelers traded highly-criticized wide receiver, Chase Claypool to the Chicago Bears for a second-round pick. The Bears would end up struggling to end the year and found themselves with the first overall selection in the 2023 NFL Draft.

This was phenomenal news for Steelers fans. Pittsburgh secured the first pick in the second round which turned out to be 32nd overall due to the Miami Dolphins forfeiture of their first-rounder. Things couldn't have worked out any better for Tomlin and co. as the trade allowed the organization to bring in Joey Porter Jr. Essentially, Claypool was traded for a cornerback who everyone hopes is the future at the position in the Steel City.

Claypool seemed to be the next best thing during his rookie campaign in 2020. He caught 62 passes for 873 yards while hauling in nine touchdowns through the air and running for two on the ground. The hype was real and when his second season came around, he managed 860 receiving yards, but was not productive in the red zone and an active social media presence brought on a ton of negativity.

After the Steelers traded Claypool to the Bears, he was less than impressive in the final couple of months of the 2022 season. He only caught 14 catches for 140 yards in seven games. A full offseason with Chicago should have gotten him up to speed and ready to make an impact, but it didn't always seem like the wideout was fully bought in and focusing on football.

Former Steelers Wide Receiver Clearly Not Bought In To New Team's Philosophy

That belief became even more relevant on Sunday when the pass catcher only had two targets and didn't haul in a pass during the Bears season-opening loss to the Green Bay Packers. It was more than that, though. Media pundits noticed that there was a certain someone playing for Chicago that wasn't giving it his all on the field in Week 1.

Kyle Brandt of Good Morning Football has always been an avid supporter of the Steelers. It doesn't mean he has a vendetta against Claypool, but it sure seems like he noticed a specific player just going along with the motions on Sunday.

Mike Renner, a draft analyst for The Messenger, put together a video showing all of Claypool's lackadaisical showings during certain plays against the Packers. Overall, it's tough to watch. He doesn't even look like he wants to be on a football field.

Renner is not specifically calling out Claypool by name, but Steelers fans can connect the dots with him referring to the 32nd pick. Claypool took the NFL by storm in his rookie year, but now it seems like he might be fighting for his career week by week. He doesn't seem motivated and the on-field effort isn't what it was back in 2020. He once called himself a top-three wide receiver in the entire league. Now, he might not even be considered in the top three on his own team.

Do you think Claypool is on the verge of being on the hot seat? Is he already there? Let us know in the comments below!

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