It's game week for the Pittsburgh Steelers. We are now in week three of training camp, and the team is preparing for their first preseason game of the year against the Seattle Seahawks this coming Saturday. The highlight of camp so far has been the defensive side of the ball, with the offense being a bit of a roller-coaster so far. Amidst the current quarterback competition, many offensive play-makers have been out due to injury.
Steelers quarterbacks Mitch Trubisky (10), Chris Oladokun (5), and Mason Rudolph (2) practicing at St. Vincent College. | Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (Twitter: @JSKO_PHOTO)
However, between Dionate Johnson signing his new extension last week, and some other notable returns, the offense is reportedly starting to gel, and had a big day this past Tuesday. Specifically having a nice round of "7 shots," in which the offense had a rare 5-2 advantage on the defense. One player coming back that is making a huge difference is third-year wide receiver, Chase Claypool. Claypool talked with former Steelers defensive back, Bryant McFadden and Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports. Jones mentioned the offense looking good at Tuesday's practice and asked Claypool how camp has been so far:
"The first little bit of camp we had some guys down on offense and we weren't quite sure how things were going to go. But we got Diontae back, I came back, Pat [Freiermuth] came back, Najee [Harris] is working back. Ever since all those guys have come back, it's super fun. We're making a lot of plays and starting to click."
Claypool jokingly said that the absence of these guys is the reason the defense was winning so much. McFadden followed up Jones's question with asking how the pass catchers this year are different from the group from a year ago:
"With that last answer I didn't really give the guys enough credit in the receiver room. They've been doing a really good job picking up right where the older guys left off while we were out. Calvin Austin's doing a great job, Cody White's doing a great job, Anthony Miller, my roommate Gunner [Olszewski] is doing a great job. It's super fun to watch those guys take advantage of the opportunity when some guys are out."
Steelers' Claypool Talks About Quarterbacks; Says There Is "No Ceiling" For This Offense
Claypool was asked by McFadden what it was like practicing with the current quarterback competition and what he has seen from the trio of Mitch Trubisky, Mason Rudolph, and Kenny Pickett:
"I think just the leadership they each hold. They're all competing. Everyone is trying to get on the same page and you can see that chemistry building each day."
McFadden asked Claypool what he thought the ceiling for the offense is currently, specifically mentioning Trubisky, who is listed as QB1 right now and who many, including former Steelers quarterback Charlie Batch believe will be the Week 1 starter. Claypool responded with this:
"I think we can be the best offense in the country as long as we do all the right things. We have to stay healthy and we got to execute plays. I think there is no ceiling for us, and I know a lot of people are going to get on my head for that, but I believe that. As I should."
McFadden asked what we should expect from Claypool individually:
"No ceiling as well. I'm as good as I want to be. I just need to keep doing all the little things right. Keep stacking days, and not worry about too many things at once."
Claypool earlier this off-season said he believes he is a top three receiver in the league. He definitely has the physical tools to become that, but his numbers would need to increase by a decent margin to even be considered in the top 10. He has put up 873 and 860 receiving yards respectively, as well as 9 and 2 touchdowns in his first two seasons with the Steelers. Not terrible numbers, but not top three.
That's not to say Claypool hasn't had some truly fantastic moments, but he has also had some silly mental mistakes and as he said, can be as good as he wants to be. He is still young too, going into his third year as a pro. Claypool was also mentored by former All-Pro receiver, Brandon Marshall this off-season, which he touched on in his interview.
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver, Chase Claypool practicing at St. Vincent College. | Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (Twitter: @JSKO_PHOTO)
Although there is a change of guard at quarterback and some new faces, this offense can do what Claypool mentioned and be as good as it wants to be. For as many new faces the Steelers have, they have just as many young guys who have been together for a bit. Claypool and Johnson have two years together, and add in Najee Harris and Pat Freiermuth who also have a year together with the aforementioned guys, it's hard not to get excited. Add in rookie receivers George Pickens, who has been reportedly tearing up camp, and Austin and the other receivers, it's not hard to get behind what Claypool is saying.
No offense is ever perfect and there are many variables here. Execution is going to be key, as well as these guys gelling together as a collective. This Saturday's game will be a nice litmus test of where this offense and team is as the moment. Let's hope Claypool and the offense can live up to his expectations. If they do, it could be a big year for a team that is being counted out by many.
See Claypool's full interview here.
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