November 3, 2022 • 28 mins
Stan talks about the reasons why the Steelers might have traded away wide receiver Chase Claypool and whether or not what they got in return was sufficient enough. Stan is then joined by Gerry Dulac from the Pittsburgh Post Gazette to breakdown the days and hours leading up to the trade and what his thoughts are on the move for the team.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:01):
He was not seeking through his agent to be traded.
Uh and if Stealers weren't actively shopping him at all,
he Saffering on Steelers. Hello to all in Steelers Nation.
Welcome to the Savereigant on Steelers podcast. Glad you found us.
If you enjoy the content All Steelers all the time,
Please tell your friends, neighbors, relatives, the neighborhood dog, whatever,
(00:24):
that we're here. We're up twice per week at Steelers
dot com. Glad to have you along for the ride.
The big news this week, of course, involving the Steelers,
concerns the trade of Chase Claypool to the Chicago Bears
for a second round pick. Let's start there. I am
convinced that the Bears, who apparently initiated the conversation the
(00:48):
day of the trade deadline, which was this past Tuesday,
um that the Steelers were willing to entertain offers but
weren't necessarily shopping clay chap Pool round. There had been
some talk that teams were interested, but obviously when the
Bears called the Steelers management, Omar Khan Andy Wiles said yeah,
(01:09):
we'll hear what you have to say. I fully believe
that the Steelers don't make that deal if the Bears
were offering it too, but offering the two that they
got from Baltimore in the Rowe Kwan Smith deal. I mean, obviously,
the Ravens are gonna have a good record and they're
gonna draft somewhere in the twenties, if not higher than that,
(01:29):
or should I say lower than that. I'm I'm just
have this belief, and I believe that they were going
to trade Kate Claypool. The tread trade had to be
to their specifications that they wanted to be the Bears
pick their initial pick, because right now the Bears are
three and five a somewhat difficult schedule. I mean, they
(01:50):
have games against the Packers, and they have games against
the Bills and the Ravens. Um it's it's not gonna
be an easy ride for them. So anticipating that the
Bears will not have a good record when all is
said and done, that's why they agreed to make the deal.
I think the most important thing to monitor here in
evaluating this trade is the reason behind it. I have
(02:15):
to believe that the most important thing, and this hasn't
always been the case, the most important thing is that
this new Steeler management crew meaning Omar Khan meaning Andy Widle,
the assistant general manager, have finally come to the realization
(02:35):
of who they are and what they are. What they
are is a below five hundred team, perhaps perhaps headed
for their worst record and a number of seasons, and
then a rebuild is necessary. That not a change here,
(02:56):
a minor change there, is going to make any difference.
They need a significant rebuild. I didn't say total. There
are certainly some valued pieces on this team as it
is right now, but that they recognize their position. And
(03:17):
I don't think that's always been the case. The manch
has always been, well, we're super Bowl contenders every year,
we regard ourselves as such, because for large portions of
the last forty or so years that's been the case. Well,
as I've been saying for quite some time, it is
no longer the case. Hanging around the middle of the
(03:39):
pack and being nine seven and one, barely making the
playoffs and getting whacked in the first round is not
where you need to be. If your ultimate goal is
to get all the way to the super Bowl, this
is not the acceptable way to do it. And that
does means they're gonna get rid of every player, every coach.
(04:00):
But I think it served as a reminder and maybe
a reawakening of who they are, what they are, and
why they are where they are. Maybe it was Omar
Khan who may have had that feeling before but really
couldn't do anything about it. He wasn't the general manager.
(04:21):
His input was accepted from Kevin Colbert, but he didn't
have the authority to make those kinds of moves on
his own. Maybe the credit goes to Andy Widel, the
assistant general manager of Pittsburgh Native and a guy who
was largely responsible for building this current Philadelphia Eagles team
into the only undefeated team in the NFL. And maybe
(04:45):
it wasn't such a matter of talent. I mean, clearly
the Eagles have talent, and he helped restock that group.
And it's not all that long ago they won the
Super Bowl, so it's a quick turnaround for them. But
maybe he also recognized the character of the players who
(05:09):
are given the responsibility of playing winning football. Maybe it's
possible that Andy Widle, now his assistant GM and in
charge of the draft, said we've got too many guys
who are only concerned about themselves and concerned more about
(05:32):
the eye and there is no I in team. Maybe
that's Omart Cohn's decision as well. I wouldn't necessarily go
as far as to say that Chase Claypool's behavior was
(05:54):
disruptive to a large degree. He did do some disrupt
of things, like suggesting let's have music at practice and
what the first down signals the clock was running in Minnesota,
maybe even coming out and saying a couple of weeks ago,
(06:16):
we need to throw the ball deep more. But that's
not something that everybody wasn't saying. I think it's what
Chase Claypool said after his rookie season, which by and
large was successful and gave the Steelers great hope, where
he said, I'm concerned about my brand and I believe
in what Juju Smith Schuster is doing, more worried about
(06:38):
his brand than production on the field. Maybe that's what
triggered it all. Maybe there's too much of that going on.
Maybe it exists everywhere else, but it sure seemed like
Chase Colb Claypool learned that from Juju Smith Schuster and
(06:59):
Juju Smith Sho used to learned at the foot of
the Master an Tonio o'brown. So even though removed one
generational player a b continues to haunt the Steelers. I
I do think that was a factor that Claypool might
make a player too, But when it came down to
(07:20):
putting team above self, he wasn't in that mode. And
maybe that's one of the reasons that the Steeler team
is two and six. There's too much of that going on.
As for the return itself, I don't think you get
asked much more than that it's likely going to be
high number two. The Bears currently are three and five.
(07:43):
They've got a difficult schedule, and by all accounts, and
especially where the Steelers are headed at an even worse
record of two and six, they should get with this
second round pick, three selections in the fifty in the draft. Now,
before you can say it, I'm with you. It depends
(08:04):
on what they do with those picks. They cannot afford mrs.
And I'm not asking for Hall of Fame members, but
I do think when a guy is drafted with the
top fifty designation that expecting Pro Bowl style play is
(08:29):
not out of the ordinary. And exception to that would
be the first round pick, which is likely to be
top ten or top five. The way things are going.
That guy better be a pro bowler, not just a
service old piece. Get that in the third round. They
(08:51):
need difference makers, and we'll see what Andy Whittle and
a new crew of shouts comes up with. But at
least now they have the arsenal to address all that.
As far as the acquisition of William Jackson the third,
(09:11):
this has Mike Tomlin's foot handprints all over it because
the Steelers loved him when he was coming out. In fact,
they were drafting that year. They were prepared to take
William Jackson, but the Bengals with the pick, went ahead,
stepped in and took him. I know the Steelers were
(09:32):
really disappointed. They and Tomlin in particular, really wanted William
Jackson the third. Well, six years later, six years removed,
they get their chance. Well, the draft capital they gave
up was nothing. First of all, we're talking about draft picks,
(09:52):
and we're talking about in a conditional sixth as opposed
to a conditional seventh. It means it's meaningless. The only
negative in getting William Jackson is that he's thirty, and
that he's got a fairly substantial salary, a capit of
a round twelve million although we don't know if the
(10:14):
Commanders are picking up any of that, but if they
have to pay the full boat next year, and remember
we're halfway through the season, so it's pro rated now
with half the season gone, twelve million is not an
exorbitant fee to play a number one cornerback if he
plays like that. If he plays like that, and the
(10:41):
Steelers corners have been a disaster. Maybe that's too strong
a word, but after that performance against the Eagles, against
the Bills, even against the Dolphins, the interceptions they had
in their hands and drafted dropped them. It's Tomlin saying, oh,
you guys aren't good enough, and guess what, they're not.
(11:05):
So if you can insert a starting cornerback, even with
the price you gave up nothing in the draft for it,
why not. If you can add a guy like that,
why not given the way they are. So I think
it was a good day at the training deadline for
(11:26):
the Steelers, something they don't often do. They don't often
get involved in draft uh deals at the deadline day.
But William Jackson the third will make them better now
if indeed that's a serious concern, and in the future,
(11:47):
depending on what they do with that second round pick
Right now, I'd say it's a win. Yes, Claypool had
one year remaining on his contract next year, but they
were never gonna pay him. They are already paid Deonte
Johnson and they'll have to think about George Pickens in
the near future too, So the money for wide receivers
(12:08):
were going to those two, they would not have gone
to Chase Claypool, So it's unlikely he would have stayed
here anyway. And he's going to a friendly place because
Chicago is a huge Notre Dame bastion and at least
until he drops a pass or says something stupid, they'll
love him in Chicago. Asked her how the Steelers handle
(12:32):
the rest of the bye week. Mike Tomins said that
while he's not ruling out a significant change in the
bye he's not considering coaching or coordinator change, which means
Matt Cannon's your offensive coordinator at least for the rest
of this year. That may make you unhappy. They did
(13:00):
make one change that Mike Sullivan, the quarterbacks coach, will
now be in charge of all challenges. Mike tomas record
on those things is not very good, so maybe that's
a change. They need. But really the issue of the day,
the week really was a trade of Claypool. What they
(13:20):
got for him and what they long term or trying
to accomplish. Are they finally at a point where they
can admit we're in a rebuild. Jerry Doola covers the
Steelers for the Pittsburgh Post Gazette and for the Steelers
Radio network. He joins US now and Jerry just overall
in general, your reaction to the trading of Chase Claypool, Well,
(13:45):
I will tell you this, then, the Steelers were not
looking to trade Chase Claypool. Uh. And I was told
all along that he was not seeking through his agent
to be traded. Uh. And the Steelers weren't actively shopping
him at all. And act up until Tuesday morning, nobody
had even inquired about him. Um, but the Bears did.
(14:06):
And and what I was told, oh alone, is that, um,
if somebody came with a great offer, they would consider it,
and the Bears did. I mean, in fact, to the
points standard, I don't understand why the Bears would make
that move. There are three and five team I could
see the Cincinnati Bengals who lost Jamar Chase and you know,
(14:28):
let's face it, they're a super Bowl team from last year.
I can understand if they want to go get a
wide receiver or some team that's in contention, uh you know,
and and feels that they need an extra piece, uh
you know, to kind of helped put them over the top,
if you will. I get them giving up a number
two pick for Chase Claypool, who was the second round pick.
(14:51):
But to me, the Bears can get a can get
a receiver in the second round of a draft who
is as good, if not better than Chase Claypool. There
are three and five team I don't understand why they
would make that deal beyond the fact they want to
give Justin fields a a bigger target. But beyond that,
it doesn't make any sense. And to the Steelers that
(15:12):
was a no brainer. That was that that was if
somebody's coming with a really good deal, we'll consider it
and do it. And and they did. I will say
this as well, and do not forget Mike Tomlin signs
off or has a great deal to do with every
move that has made. And while I the Steelers and
(15:35):
Omar Khan for trading a starting player mid season, then
you could go back a long way and you can't
come up with somebody that they traded mid season. Um,
who's a who's a regular player, a star you know,
star player if you world starting player, And to do that,
that's that's something they you know, that's a rarity for them,
(15:57):
and I applaud them for pulling a trigger it and
doing it. It's only the second time they've made a
midseason trade ever. Ever, as ever, how much of it,
even if Tomlins signs off and Aren't Rooney signs off
or whomever, how much how much do you think um
his disruptive nature had to do with all this? And
(16:21):
the second part of the question, I'll go ahead, Jerry,
go ahead, No, go ahead, No, stay and go ahead
finish that second part. Go ahead. Yeah. I'm just wondering
if in their conversation the Bears and said, well, we'll
give you the second round pick we got from Baltimore, Um,
which is gonna be a much lower pick. Um, do
you have any information today? Steadfastly said we'll make the deal,
(16:43):
but it's got to be your second rounder because that's
gonna be most likely a top ten or twelve pick. Yeah, understand,
I don't know that for sure, but I'm I've not
been told that, or I haven't had a chance to
find out if in fact that discussion occurred. But I'm
sure um, that was part of it. Um, and that
(17:04):
you know that they would want the Bears pick um.
I do not know that Chase Claypool is a disruptive
influence in the locker room. I'm not aware of that. Uh,
but I will tell you that you know, and we've
seen this over the last couple of years, Chase Claypool
is worried about Chase Claypool. Chase Claypool is worried about
his brand. He said that himself. That's just that's the
(17:27):
number one thing he said he learned from Juju Smith Schuster,
which is astonishing. And the Steelers are aware of that
and so. But again, in terms of being disruptive in
the locker room, he's probably Hey, he's probably no different
then um then a whole bunch of other guys in
that locker room or in any professional locker room. The
(17:47):
way the game is now, what today's athlete, um, so,
and and being a wide receiver. Look after, there's a
wide receiver out there who doesn't want the ball and
is going to complain that they're not getting the ball
enough if they aren't getting it. But yeah, I just
don't know. I had to call him a disruptive force
in the locker room, I've seen no evidence of that.
(18:11):
I think you probably hit the nail on the head. Um.
I remember when he said that after his rookie year,
and that was a big red flag to me. And
he may have learned from Juju, but guess where Juju
learned it from. Um. And so the A B trickle
down effect um is definitely at the feet of the master.
That's that's right. Um Uh. It also intrigues me, and
(18:34):
we don't know about the inner workings. UM. I'm wondering
if Andy, I mean, Omar Khan certainly understood that there
were you know, these type of issues, but he was
not necessarily in a position to do anything about it
until now. But I'm also wondering with Andy Widel coming
here and looking at, you know, from fresh perspective and
looking at, you know, some of the issues that this
(18:55):
team has and saying, this is not the culture that
we need to you know, get get things right at here,
and this is the first step of a rebuild, you know.
With all due respect to Andy who. I'm a big
fan of it, as you know from the get go
stand going back the last year, I said he was
the number one candidate to come in for that job.
(19:16):
Of course, they've structured it the way they structured it,
but Andy doesn't have the say so. In terms of
implementing a trade, Andy's job is to identify the talent,
particularly collegiate talent, but that doesn't mean not professional talent
because he oversees that too. So he's the one who
would make recommendations about a player or players ability, or
(19:41):
might have some info about a player for potential trade.
But ultimately that that comes down to three people. It
comes down to Omar Kahn, it comes down to Mike Tomlin,
and of course it comes down to Art Rooney, who
signs off on every deal, so the other two can
want to think what they want. If Art Rooney doesn't
sign and off on it, um then it's no deal.
(20:02):
But part Rooney is smart enough to know Mike Tomlin
coaches the football team. It's his team, and if he
feels he has to make moves to improve his team,
nine percent of the time, part Rooney is gonna be
on board with it unless there's a huge red flag
with the player. You know, there's some personal issues, things
like that he lets Mike Tomlin make all decisions about
(20:23):
his football personnel. It would seem contradictory that they went
on and got William Jackson the third. I don't think that.
I think they got a guy. You know, whatever they
end up having to pay him, that's not an exorbitant price. Um,
if he's your number one cornerback, which frankly he's likely
(20:44):
to be. UM, and you know, the return was, you know,
virtually nothing. It was a washout, nothing like that. But um,
it seems like they're looking at the future and yet
you bring in a thirty year old cornerback who can
still play. Um. Does that appear contradictory to you? Or
what do you think the rat shanel was in acquiring
William Jackson, aside from the fact that they loved him
(21:04):
and we're gonna take him in well staying I could
tell you what the rationale was, and Uh, the rationale
was that there were there have been five touchdown passes
that they've allowed in which they were able to make
plays and didn't, And three of those occurred in Philly
Buffalo and the other one was against New England. There
(21:27):
were four interceptions in Miami where they got their hands
on the ball, they didn't touch them, they got their
hands on the ball clean and didn't make the interception.
That's nine plays that they didn't make. And Mike Tomlin
is not gonna sit there and let that go unchallenged
or unnoticed. He had to make a move to let
those other guys know, Look, we're not going to accept that,
(21:50):
and we're not going to tolerate that. So I don't
care if he brought me or you in to play cornerback.
He was making a move to send a message that
we're not going to tolerate guys who don't make plays.
As far as William Jackson coming in and being the
starter um book, to quote Tom Donahoe, they're not bringing
(22:10):
him in to lead the band at halftime. He will
play as soon as he can. But that's the reason
why they brought him in. They liked the way the
guy runs. Um. You know, obviously there's another there's a
number another number one pick pedigree that Mike thomlans. We
(22:30):
lose Jerry, well, maybe we can try him again. Uh,
he's on the road, obviously, So he lost a connection. Um. Again,
you can balance talking about projecting for the future, and
(22:51):
clearly the trade of Chase Claypool was exactly that, because
you're going to get a high second round pick. Um.
Now again there's always a car. What do you do
with it? And we'll see who they draft with it.
So but at least now you have the wherewithal to
to make some moves as far as Jackson is concerned. Um. Again,
(23:11):
you know this season, Um, basically, I don't want to
call it meaningless, but in terms of competitive action, UM,
it is, they're not going anywhere. You'd like to see
the team get better. Um. But you know there's also
next year to consider. He's not ancient. He can still
play for another year or two, depending on his level
of play. Jerry, we got you back there, Yes, And
(23:34):
I'm sorry, I'm not exactly sure how much at at
that discussion you've heard as to why they brought in
William Jackson. But I said, you know, to quote Tom Donahoe,
they're not bringing him in to lead the band at halftime.
He will play, but it's it's a message that Mike
tomlinbacks that we are in the secondary, but the cornerbacks
(23:56):
in this case, we're not going to tolerate a lack
of playmaking and that that was a message he is sending.
He had to do something, and he did it and
that was the reason why. Yeah. They Again the return
is is virtually nothing. Um. Do you have any information
onto how much, if at all, the commanders will pick
(24:16):
up on that salary? Well, you know, stand all the
signing bonus is the is the responsibility of Washington. You
know that it gets pro rated, it becomes dead money
for them that they then will have on their salary
cap by next year. Um, the Steelers would just have
(24:36):
to pick up, um, you know, basically whatever he is
owed for the second half of the season. Um. But
any of that salary cap money, Um, that's all excuse
me signing bonus. Uh if I said salary cap by
apologize any of that signing bonus is the responsibility. And
I what was that number? Fifteen million or twelve million
(24:58):
or whatever? Yeah, Washington is responsible for that. The Steelers
don't have anything to do with that. That goes to
their salary cabinet, becomes dead money. And lastly, Jerry looking
at it as an observer and one who is very
close the situation, Um, It just seems like the Claypool
trade had more than just a football transaction, um, the
(25:22):
cascading ramifications of a team that may finally realize that
there are ways away. Um. Otherwise, you wouldn't trade an
asset like Claypool for a future pick. Again, it's all
gonna be de termined on what they do with that
pick and who they draft. Obviously they cannot forward to
a miss. They're gonna have three picks in the top fifty.
But do you regardless of more than just a single transaction,
(25:47):
and maybe transitional in nature, you understand I wouldn't be
naive enough to think that that isn't the case, um,
because they weren't looking to trade Chase Claypool, because why
would they get rid of another receiver when they lost
three in the off season and Calvin Austin is already
on I R. And now if Calvin Austen we're healthy,
(26:10):
had been playing and showed a lot, then I'd sit
there and say, okay. But I do get why they
were willing to part with Chase Claypool because they've already
paid Deonte Johnson and George Pickens is going to be
you know, their their star of the future. At least
that certainly looks to be the case. So Chase Claypool
was never going to get a second contract with this team,
(26:33):
and he would have been a free agent at the
end of So I get why it's Chase Claypool, but
I think there there isn't i to the future that
if you can, if if Chicago offered a four or five,
they would have not made this deal. But the fact
that they offered it to which as I said, still
(26:53):
blows my mind. Um, they thought, you know what, we
can go get a receiver or something, uh you know,
uh that that will be a quality player. And and
I definitely think you know, you start looking at offensive
and defensive lineman is the way to reveald this team. Um,
if you can get another second round pick. Um, you know,
(27:16):
let's face it, stand there, two and six. They're not stupid.
You know, they're not gonna make a run and go.
Can't go twelve and four, you know, thirteen and four
or anything like that. Um. So, I mean, I don't
think there's any question there's an eye to the future.
But you know, Mike Tomlin stand he is trying to
win football games, and maybe Chase getting rid of Chase
(27:38):
playpool doesn't help. You could certainly make that case. Adding
William Jackson. I don't think it's going to make a difference,
but um so, I think there's a little bit of
both in play here. Thanks again to Jerry Doolack for
being our guest on the Savereigant Steelers podcast. You can
read him in the Pittsford Post Becausette, and you can
hear him on the Steelers pregame Show, which begins two
(28:01):
hours before every game. Bye week this week obviously, but
on the year at eleven a m. That will be
Eastern Standard time by the time that rolls around on
November the eleven. Where is that the twelve? You know
what it is, it's that weekend. Whatever. Don't forget the
Steelers postgame show. Charlie Batch and I conduct that about
(28:23):
twenty minutes after the game ends. I hope you joined
us there. Hope you join me for my weekday Talk
Shaw on ESPN Pittsburgh Am nine seventy. You can get
up by just downloading the I Heart media app and
we're there every day for you, or listen to it
live at seventy am. Once again, sincere, thanks for taking
time to listen to the Savannan Steelers podcast. Thanks for
(28:45):
finding us and for passing the word along. I appreciate it.
We'll talk again next time on the Savant Steelers podcast.
Thanks for listening.
He was not seeking through his agent to be traded.
Uh and if Stealers weren't actively shopping him at all,
he Saffering on Steelers. Hello to all in Steelers Nation.
Welcome to the Savereigant on Steelers podcast. Glad you found us.
If you enjoy the content All Steelers all the time,
Please tell your friends, neighbors, relatives, the neighborhood dog, whatever,
(00:24):
that we're here. We're up twice per week at Steelers
dot com. Glad to have you along for the ride.
The big news this week, of course, involving the Steelers,
concerns the trade of Chase Claypool to the Chicago Bears
for a second round pick. Let's start there. I am
convinced that the Bears, who apparently initiated the conversation the
(00:48):
day of the trade deadline, which was this past Tuesday,
um that the Steelers were willing to entertain offers but
weren't necessarily shopping clay chap Pool round. There had been
some talk that teams were interested, but obviously when the
Bears called the Steelers management, Omar Khan Andy Wiles said yeah,
(01:09):
we'll hear what you have to say. I fully believe
that the Steelers don't make that deal if the Bears
were offering it too, but offering the two that they
got from Baltimore in the Rowe Kwan Smith deal. I mean, obviously,
the Ravens are gonna have a good record and they're
gonna draft somewhere in the twenties, if not higher than that,
(01:29):
or should I say lower than that. I'm I'm just
have this belief, and I believe that they were going
to trade Kate Claypool. The tread trade had to be
to their specifications that they wanted to be the Bears
pick their initial pick, because right now the Bears are
three and five a somewhat difficult schedule. I mean, they
(01:50):
have games against the Packers, and they have games against
the Bills and the Ravens. Um it's it's not gonna
be an easy ride for them. So anticipating that the
Bears will not have a good record when all is
said and done, that's why they agreed to make the deal.
I think the most important thing to monitor here in
evaluating this trade is the reason behind it. I have
(02:15):
to believe that the most important thing, and this hasn't
always been the case, the most important thing is that
this new Steeler management crew meaning Omar Khan meaning Andy Widle,
the assistant general manager, have finally come to the realization
(02:35):
of who they are and what they are. What they
are is a below five hundred team, perhaps perhaps headed
for their worst record and a number of seasons, and
then a rebuild is necessary. That not a change here,
(02:56):
a minor change there, is going to make any difference.
They need a significant rebuild. I didn't say total. There
are certainly some valued pieces on this team as it
is right now, but that they recognize their position. And
(03:17):
I don't think that's always been the case. The manch
has always been, well, we're super Bowl contenders every year,
we regard ourselves as such, because for large portions of
the last forty or so years that's been the case. Well,
as I've been saying for quite some time, it is
no longer the case. Hanging around the middle of the
(03:39):
pack and being nine seven and one, barely making the
playoffs and getting whacked in the first round is not
where you need to be. If your ultimate goal is
to get all the way to the super Bowl, this
is not the acceptable way to do it. And that
does means they're gonna get rid of every player, every coach.
(04:00):
But I think it served as a reminder and maybe
a reawakening of who they are, what they are, and
why they are where they are. Maybe it was Omar
Khan who may have had that feeling before but really
couldn't do anything about it. He wasn't the general manager.
(04:21):
His input was accepted from Kevin Colbert, but he didn't
have the authority to make those kinds of moves on
his own. Maybe the credit goes to Andy Widel, the
assistant general manager of Pittsburgh Native and a guy who
was largely responsible for building this current Philadelphia Eagles team
into the only undefeated team in the NFL. And maybe
(04:45):
it wasn't such a matter of talent. I mean, clearly
the Eagles have talent, and he helped restock that group.
And it's not all that long ago they won the
Super Bowl, so it's a quick turnaround for them. But
maybe he also recognized the character of the players who
(05:09):
are given the responsibility of playing winning football. Maybe it's
possible that Andy Widle, now his assistant GM and in
charge of the draft, said we've got too many guys
who are only concerned about themselves and concerned more about
(05:32):
the eye and there is no I in team. Maybe
that's Omart Cohn's decision as well. I wouldn't necessarily go
as far as to say that Chase Claypool's behavior was
(05:54):
disruptive to a large degree. He did do some disrupt
of things, like suggesting let's have music at practice and
what the first down signals the clock was running in Minnesota,
maybe even coming out and saying a couple of weeks ago,
(06:16):
we need to throw the ball deep more. But that's
not something that everybody wasn't saying. I think it's what
Chase Claypool said after his rookie season, which by and
large was successful and gave the Steelers great hope, where
he said, I'm concerned about my brand and I believe
in what Juju Smith Schuster is doing, more worried about
(06:38):
his brand than production on the field. Maybe that's what
triggered it all. Maybe there's too much of that going on.
Maybe it exists everywhere else, but it sure seemed like
Chase Colb Claypool learned that from Juju Smith Schuster and
(06:59):
Juju Smith Sho used to learned at the foot of
the Master an Tonio o'brown. So even though removed one
generational player a b continues to haunt the Steelers. I
I do think that was a factor that Claypool might
make a player too, But when it came down to
(07:20):
putting team above self, he wasn't in that mode. And
maybe that's one of the reasons that the Steeler team
is two and six. There's too much of that going on.
As for the return itself, I don't think you get
asked much more than that it's likely going to be
high number two. The Bears currently are three and five.
(07:43):
They've got a difficult schedule, and by all accounts, and
especially where the Steelers are headed at an even worse
record of two and six, they should get with this
second round pick, three selections in the fifty in the draft. Now,
before you can say it, I'm with you. It depends
(08:04):
on what they do with those picks. They cannot afford mrs.
And I'm not asking for Hall of Fame members, but
I do think when a guy is drafted with the
top fifty designation that expecting Pro Bowl style play is
(08:29):
not out of the ordinary. And exception to that would
be the first round pick, which is likely to be
top ten or top five. The way things are going.
That guy better be a pro bowler, not just a
service old piece. Get that in the third round. They
(08:51):
need difference makers, and we'll see what Andy Whittle and
a new crew of shouts comes up with. But at
least now they have the arsenal to address all that.
As far as the acquisition of William Jackson the third,
(09:11):
this has Mike Tomlin's foot handprints all over it because
the Steelers loved him when he was coming out. In fact,
they were drafting that year. They were prepared to take
William Jackson, but the Bengals with the pick, went ahead,
stepped in and took him. I know the Steelers were
(09:32):
really disappointed. They and Tomlin in particular, really wanted William
Jackson the third. Well, six years later, six years removed,
they get their chance. Well, the draft capital they gave
up was nothing. First of all, we're talking about draft picks,
(09:52):
and we're talking about in a conditional sixth as opposed
to a conditional seventh. It means it's meaningless. The only
negative in getting William Jackson is that he's thirty, and
that he's got a fairly substantial salary, a capit of
a round twelve million although we don't know if the
(10:14):
Commanders are picking up any of that, but if they
have to pay the full boat next year, and remember
we're halfway through the season, so it's pro rated now
with half the season gone, twelve million is not an
exorbitant fee to play a number one cornerback if he
plays like that. If he plays like that, and the
(10:41):
Steelers corners have been a disaster. Maybe that's too strong
a word, but after that performance against the Eagles, against
the Bills, even against the Dolphins, the interceptions they had
in their hands and drafted dropped them. It's Tomlin saying, oh,
you guys aren't good enough, and guess what, they're not.
(11:05):
So if you can insert a starting cornerback, even with
the price you gave up nothing in the draft for it,
why not. If you can add a guy like that,
why not given the way they are. So I think
it was a good day at the training deadline for
(11:26):
the Steelers, something they don't often do. They don't often
get involved in draft uh deals at the deadline day.
But William Jackson the third will make them better now
if indeed that's a serious concern, and in the future,
(11:47):
depending on what they do with that second round pick
Right now, I'd say it's a win. Yes, Claypool had
one year remaining on his contract next year, but they
were never gonna pay him. They are already paid Deonte
Johnson and they'll have to think about George Pickens in
the near future too, So the money for wide receivers
(12:08):
were going to those two, they would not have gone
to Chase Claypool, So it's unlikely he would have stayed
here anyway. And he's going to a friendly place because
Chicago is a huge Notre Dame bastion and at least
until he drops a pass or says something stupid, they'll
love him in Chicago. Asked her how the Steelers handle
(12:32):
the rest of the bye week. Mike Tomins said that
while he's not ruling out a significant change in the
bye he's not considering coaching or coordinator change, which means
Matt Cannon's your offensive coordinator at least for the rest
of this year. That may make you unhappy. They did
(13:00):
make one change that Mike Sullivan, the quarterbacks coach, will
now be in charge of all challenges. Mike tomas record
on those things is not very good, so maybe that's
a change. They need. But really the issue of the day,
the week really was a trade of Claypool. What they
(13:20):
got for him and what they long term or trying
to accomplish. Are they finally at a point where they
can admit we're in a rebuild. Jerry Doola covers the
Steelers for the Pittsburgh Post Gazette and for the Steelers
Radio network. He joins US now and Jerry just overall
in general, your reaction to the trading of Chase Claypool, Well,
(13:45):
I will tell you this, then, the Steelers were not
looking to trade Chase Claypool. Uh. And I was told
all along that he was not seeking through his agent
to be traded. Uh. And the Steelers weren't actively shopping
him at all. And act up until Tuesday morning, nobody
had even inquired about him. Um, but the Bears did.
(14:06):
And and what I was told, oh alone, is that, um,
if somebody came with a great offer, they would consider it,
and the Bears did. I mean, in fact, to the
points standard, I don't understand why the Bears would make
that move. There are three and five team I could
see the Cincinnati Bengals who lost Jamar Chase and you know,
(14:28):
let's face it, they're a super Bowl team from last year.
I can understand if they want to go get a
wide receiver or some team that's in contention, uh you know,
and and feels that they need an extra piece, uh
you know, to kind of helped put them over the top,
if you will. I get them giving up a number
two pick for Chase Claypool, who was the second round pick.
(14:51):
But to me, the Bears can get a can get
a receiver in the second round of a draft who
is as good, if not better than Chase Claypool. There
are three and five team I don't understand why they
would make that deal beyond the fact they want to
give Justin fields a a bigger target. But beyond that,
it doesn't make any sense. And to the Steelers that
(15:12):
was a no brainer. That was that that was if
somebody's coming with a really good deal, we'll consider it
and do it. And and they did. I will say
this as well, and do not forget Mike Tomlin signs
off or has a great deal to do with every
move that has made. And while I the Steelers and
(15:35):
Omar Khan for trading a starting player mid season, then
you could go back a long way and you can't
come up with somebody that they traded mid season. Um,
who's a who's a regular player, a star you know,
star player if you world starting player, And to do that,
that's that's something they you know, that's a rarity for them,
(15:57):
and I applaud them for pulling a trigger it and
doing it. It's only the second time they've made a
midseason trade ever. Ever, as ever, how much of it,
even if Tomlins signs off and Aren't Rooney signs off
or whomever, how much how much do you think um
his disruptive nature had to do with all this? And
(16:21):
the second part of the question, I'll go ahead, Jerry,
go ahead, No, go ahead, No, stay and go ahead
finish that second part. Go ahead. Yeah. I'm just wondering
if in their conversation the Bears and said, well, we'll
give you the second round pick we got from Baltimore, Um,
which is gonna be a much lower pick. Um, do
you have any information today? Steadfastly said we'll make the deal,
(16:43):
but it's got to be your second rounder because that's
gonna be most likely a top ten or twelve pick. Yeah, understand,
I don't know that for sure, but I'm I've not
been told that, or I haven't had a chance to
find out if in fact that discussion occurred. But I'm
sure um, that was part of it. Um, and that
(17:04):
you know that they would want the Bears pick um.
I do not know that Chase Claypool is a disruptive
influence in the locker room. I'm not aware of that. Uh,
but I will tell you that you know, and we've
seen this over the last couple of years, Chase Claypool
is worried about Chase Claypool. Chase Claypool is worried about
his brand. He said that himself. That's just that's the
(17:27):
number one thing he said he learned from Juju Smith Schuster,
which is astonishing. And the Steelers are aware of that
and so. But again, in terms of being disruptive in
the locker room, he's probably Hey, he's probably no different
then um then a whole bunch of other guys in
that locker room or in any professional locker room. The
(17:47):
way the game is now, what today's athlete, um, so,
and and being a wide receiver. Look after, there's a
wide receiver out there who doesn't want the ball and
is going to complain that they're not getting the ball
enough if they aren't getting it. But yeah, I just
don't know. I had to call him a disruptive force
in the locker room, I've seen no evidence of that.
(18:11):
I think you probably hit the nail on the head. Um.
I remember when he said that after his rookie year,
and that was a big red flag to me. And
he may have learned from Juju, but guess where Juju
learned it from. Um. And so the A B trickle
down effect um is definitely at the feet of the master.
That's that's right. Um Uh. It also intrigues me, and
(18:34):
we don't know about the inner workings. UM. I'm wondering
if Andy, I mean, Omar Khan certainly understood that there
were you know, these type of issues, but he was
not necessarily in a position to do anything about it
until now. But I'm also wondering with Andy Widel coming
here and looking at, you know, from fresh perspective and
looking at, you know, some of the issues that this
(18:55):
team has and saying, this is not the culture that
we need to you know, get get things right at here,
and this is the first step of a rebuild, you know.
With all due respect to Andy who. I'm a big
fan of it, as you know from the get go
stand going back the last year, I said he was
the number one candidate to come in for that job.
(19:16):
Of course, they've structured it the way they structured it,
but Andy doesn't have the say so. In terms of
implementing a trade, Andy's job is to identify the talent,
particularly collegiate talent, but that doesn't mean not professional talent
because he oversees that too. So he's the one who
would make recommendations about a player or players ability, or
(19:41):
might have some info about a player for potential trade.
But ultimately that that comes down to three people. It
comes down to Omar Kahn, it comes down to Mike Tomlin,
and of course it comes down to Art Rooney, who
signs off on every deal, so the other two can
want to think what they want. If Art Rooney doesn't
sign and off on it, um then it's no deal.
(20:02):
But part Rooney is smart enough to know Mike Tomlin
coaches the football team. It's his team, and if he
feels he has to make moves to improve his team,
nine percent of the time, part Rooney is gonna be
on board with it unless there's a huge red flag
with the player. You know, there's some personal issues, things
like that he lets Mike Tomlin make all decisions about
(20:23):
his football personnel. It would seem contradictory that they went
on and got William Jackson the third. I don't think that.
I think they got a guy. You know, whatever they
end up having to pay him, that's not an exorbitant price. Um,
if he's your number one cornerback, which frankly he's likely
(20:44):
to be. UM, and you know, the return was, you know,
virtually nothing. It was a washout, nothing like that. But um,
it seems like they're looking at the future and yet
you bring in a thirty year old cornerback who can
still play. Um. Does that appear contradictory to you? Or
what do you think the rat shanel was in acquiring
William Jackson, aside from the fact that they loved him
(21:04):
and we're gonna take him in well staying I could
tell you what the rationale was, and Uh, the rationale
was that there were there have been five touchdown passes
that they've allowed in which they were able to make
plays and didn't, And three of those occurred in Philly
Buffalo and the other one was against New England. There
(21:27):
were four interceptions in Miami where they got their hands
on the ball, they didn't touch them, they got their
hands on the ball clean and didn't make the interception.
That's nine plays that they didn't make. And Mike Tomlin
is not gonna sit there and let that go unchallenged
or unnoticed. He had to make a move to let
those other guys know, Look, we're not going to accept that,
(21:50):
and we're not going to tolerate that. So I don't
care if he brought me or you in to play cornerback.
He was making a move to send a message that
we're not going to tolerate guys who don't make plays.
As far as William Jackson coming in and being the
starter um book, to quote Tom Donahoe, they're not bringing
(22:10):
him in to lead the band at halftime. He will
play as soon as he can. But that's the reason
why they brought him in. They liked the way the
guy runs. Um. You know, obviously there's another there's a
number another number one pick pedigree that Mike thomlans. We
(22:30):
lose Jerry, well, maybe we can try him again. Uh,
he's on the road, obviously, So he lost a connection. Um. Again,
you can balance talking about projecting for the future, and
(22:51):
clearly the trade of Chase Claypool was exactly that, because
you're going to get a high second round pick. Um.
Now again there's always a car. What do you do
with it? And we'll see who they draft with it.
So but at least now you have the wherewithal to
to make some moves as far as Jackson is concerned. Um. Again,
(23:11):
you know this season, Um, basically, I don't want to
call it meaningless, but in terms of competitive action, UM,
it is, they're not going anywhere. You'd like to see
the team get better. Um. But you know there's also
next year to consider. He's not ancient. He can still
play for another year or two, depending on his level
of play. Jerry, we got you back there, Yes, And
(23:34):
I'm sorry, I'm not exactly sure how much at at
that discussion you've heard as to why they brought in
William Jackson. But I said, you know, to quote Tom Donahoe,
they're not bringing him in to lead the band at halftime.
He will play, but it's it's a message that Mike
tomlinbacks that we are in the secondary, but the cornerbacks
(23:56):
in this case, we're not going to tolerate a lack
of playmaking and that that was a message he is sending.
He had to do something, and he did it and
that was the reason why. Yeah. They Again the return
is is virtually nothing. Um. Do you have any information
onto how much, if at all, the commanders will pick
(24:16):
up on that salary? Well, you know, stand all the
signing bonus is the is the responsibility of Washington. You
know that it gets pro rated, it becomes dead money
for them that they then will have on their salary
cap by next year. Um, the Steelers would just have
(24:36):
to pick up, um, you know, basically whatever he is
owed for the second half of the season. Um. But
any of that salary cap money, Um, that's all excuse
me signing bonus. Uh if I said salary cap by
apologize any of that signing bonus is the responsibility. And
I what was that number? Fifteen million or twelve million
(24:58):
or whatever? Yeah, Washington is responsible for that. The Steelers
don't have anything to do with that. That goes to
their salary cabinet, becomes dead money. And lastly, Jerry looking
at it as an observer and one who is very
close the situation, Um, It just seems like the Claypool
trade had more than just a football transaction, um, the
(25:22):
cascading ramifications of a team that may finally realize that
there are ways away. Um. Otherwise, you wouldn't trade an
asset like Claypool for a future pick. Again, it's all
gonna be de termined on what they do with that
pick and who they draft. Obviously they cannot forward to
a miss. They're gonna have three picks in the top fifty.
But do you regardless of more than just a single transaction,
(25:47):
and maybe transitional in nature, you understand I wouldn't be
naive enough to think that that isn't the case, um,
because they weren't looking to trade Chase Claypool, because why
would they get rid of another receiver when they lost
three in the off season and Calvin Austin is already
on I R. And now if Calvin Austen we're healthy,
(26:10):
had been playing and showed a lot, then I'd sit
there and say, okay. But I do get why they
were willing to part with Chase Claypool because they've already
paid Deonte Johnson and George Pickens is going to be
you know, their their star of the future. At least
that certainly looks to be the case. So Chase Claypool
was never going to get a second contract with this team,
(26:33):
and he would have been a free agent at the
end of So I get why it's Chase Claypool, but
I think there there isn't i to the future that
if you can, if if Chicago offered a four or five,
they would have not made this deal. But the fact
that they offered it to which as I said, still
(26:53):
blows my mind. Um, they thought, you know what, we
can go get a receiver or something, uh you know,
uh that that will be a quality player. And and
I definitely think you know, you start looking at offensive
and defensive lineman is the way to reveald this team. Um,
if you can get another second round pick. Um, you know,
(27:16):
let's face it, stand there, two and six. They're not stupid.
You know, they're not gonna make a run and go.
Can't go twelve and four, you know, thirteen and four
or anything like that. Um. So, I mean, I don't
think there's any question there's an eye to the future.
But you know, Mike Tomlin stand he is trying to
win football games, and maybe Chase getting rid of Chase
(27:38):
playpool doesn't help. You could certainly make that case. Adding
William Jackson. I don't think it's going to make a difference,
but um so, I think there's a little bit of
both in play here. Thanks again to Jerry Doolack for
being our guest on the Savereigant Steelers podcast. You can
read him in the Pittsford Post Becausette, and you can
hear him on the Steelers pregame Show, which begins two
(28:01):
hours before every game. Bye week this week obviously, but
on the year at eleven a m. That will be
Eastern Standard time by the time that rolls around on
November the eleven. Where is that the twelve? You know
what it is, it's that weekend. Whatever. Don't forget the
Steelers postgame show. Charlie Batch and I conduct that about
(28:23):
twenty minutes after the game ends. I hope you joined
us there. Hope you join me for my weekday Talk
Shaw on ESPN Pittsburgh Am nine seventy. You can get
up by just downloading the I Heart media app and
we're there every day for you, or listen to it
live at seventy am. Once again, sincere, thanks for taking
time to listen to the Savannan Steelers podcast. Thanks for
(28:45):
finding us and for passing the word along. I appreciate it.
We'll talk again next time on the Savant Steelers podcast.
Thanks for listening.
Popular Podcasts
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Special Summer Offer: Exclusively on Apple Podcasts, try our Dateline Premium subscription completely free for one month! With Dateline Premium, you get every episode ad-free plus exclusive bonus content.
On Purpose with Jay Shetty
I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!