The Pittsburgh Steelers former quarterback Ben Roethlisberger released his weekly podcast episode on Monday night. The Footbahlin with Ben Roethlisberger episode was a three-hour marathon that featured a watch party of the Sunday night football game against the Miami Dolphins and a lengthy guest appearance by Pittsburgh native and long-time Steelers backup quarterback, Charlie Batch.
Steelers Ben Roethlisberger and Charlie Batch embrace each other after the Steelers knock off Baltimore with a last-second field goal /Photo Credit: CBS Sports
Batch, who works on the KDKA pre-game show currently, did a fine job balancing with Roethlisberger and helping him to keep the podcast on track during the marathon episode. The two former Steelers quarterbacks turned their attention to Chase Claypool and the recent trade rumors that are swirling around the third-year wideout.
“Chase, I don’t think he should go anywhere,” Roethlisberger said. “Because he’s a really good football player. I think he adds something to the team. I have heard Green Bay if I’m Green Bay I’m trying to get him.”
Photo Credit: Karl Roser/Pittsburgh Steelers
Roethlisberger oversaw the former Notre Dame Fighting Irish standout’s breakout rookie season at quarterback in 2020 and knows firsthand the unicorn qualities that Claypool possesses physically. He does not always take advantage of his physical gifts and has demonstrated for the better part of two seasons since his breakout that he has difficulty staying on his feet.
“I don’t think they need to trade him,” Batch replied. “Obviously, if you get a deal you can’t pass up you have to take it. I don’t think he has the numbers right now to do something favorable that is going to pass him off. That could change if he has a big game here today. I’m thinking he possibly would. He had a good game last week, that one on the sideline (last week against Buccaneers) that sealed the deal, that was a heckuva catch.”
Chase Claypool (11) scores the first touchdown by a wide receiver in 2022 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers / Photo Credit: Abigail Dean / Pittsburgh Steelers
Claypool had his best game this season with seven catches for 96 yards and the first touchdown by a Steelers wide receiver this season last week. He demonstrated an ability to catch balls from both Kenny Pickett and was Mitch Trubisky’s favorite target down the stretch in the victory. Claypool boasted in the offseason that he was a top-three receiver in the NFL. While he has the physical tools to be that kind of player, he has rarely translated it to the field in his short career.
Steelers WR Chase Claypool "Is A top 3" WR In The NFL "When It Comes Down To Talent," confesses Ike Taylor
“The reason why I say, emotionally, I think he’s going to have a big game,” Batch continued. “Remember in April, Dwayne Haskins, they were right down there in South Florida. They are very close in this (game), and he was very close to him. I’m thinking there are a lot of emotions, returning to the scene. So, I’m expecting him to have a big game. That was tough, and during the offseason he was emotional as well.”
I spent your final moments with you and I can’t help but think about how selfless you were in those moments. All you cared about was making sure that everyone around you was okay and I can’t thank you enough for that. You are what I strive to be. #LL3
— Chase Claypool (@ChaseClaypool) April 9, 2022The Steelers took a flyer and signed Dwayne Haskins last season and all signs indicated that he had found a home in Pittsburgh. Haskins had some issues in his tenure with the Steelers, but he seemed to recognize that with the retirement of the Steelers Hall of Fame quarterback the opportunity to lead the black and gold was within his grasp. Claypool and Haskins were very close and the Pittsburgh wideout was one of the most visible teammates during the grieving process.
“He was emotional during the offseason,” Batch concluded. “Hopefully, he is able to rebound and get by and eliminate the trade. It’s hard when your name is brought up in trade rumors. It is hard to say you didn’t hear it. Players listen to that, I am sure his agent is behind the scenes, is it true, is it not? He is eligible for a deal this year, but it won’t be what he’s looking for.”
Batch served an extended term as the Steelers player rep to the union and was on the 11-man executive committee of players that regularly interfaced with the league during his career. The Steelers' long-time backup and current pundit mentioned a salient point, that the black and gold might consider extending Claypool at the right price.
Based on the current return on Diontae Johnson’s contract and the history of finding productive wideouts in the draft, that price is probably far from what Claypool is going to demand. The Steelers in 2023 will be heading into a pivotal training camp in Pickett’s development and are unlikely to tolerate the antics of another malcontent wide receiver next season.
Photo Credit: Jordan Schofield Steeler Nation (Twitter JSKO_Photo)
In fairness to Claypool, who has made some interesting statements in his young career, he has never projected the image of a malcontent. Contracts and the business of the NFL can turn any player who perceives a significant gap between his actual worth to the team and what he feels is his value on the open market. JuJu Smith-Schuster experienced this when his contract expired, and the Steelers allowed him to test free agency.
The organization, if they are interested in the biggest haul possible from the Packers might do better dangling the newest black and gold diva in the receiver room, Johnson, as trade bait. He should also fetch a higher price from teams desperate for wide receiver help. Claypool, George Pickens and Pat Freiermuth present unique matchup problems for defensive units, and that combined with the diminutive speedster Calvin Austin III may be the future in Pittsburgh.
What do you think Steeler Nation? Do you agree with Roethlisberger and Batch that the team should hold on to Claypool? Comment below or on my Twitter @thebubbasq.
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