Next Years Wide Squad

[SteelerOfDeVille]

Only Diontae and Claypool are under contract going into 2022, with Claypools actually lasting through 2023. All the others are UFA after this season - just as a point of clarity for everyone. That being the case:
Resigning JuJu is a priority - he is the closest thing we've had to Hines since Hines... and doesn't get enough recognition for that.
To me, the 3 above are locks to be on the team in 2022 barring some goofiness with low-balling JuJu due to the injury

I don't see Washington's price being matched - he seems to have an inflated idea of his own value
RayRay is likely to get another 1-year deal, simply because they need a returner and losing Washington would be enough strain on the WR corps.

Funny, i think this is such a pivotal upcoming offseason. And we're in "my jam" with respect to college bowl-season and watching games just to assess players.

I'm so curious whether the team will "go get a QB" or simply draft their board this year, allowing Mason to have his one season.

I feel a "DeVille Does....." thread coming on

[pfelix73]

We've also gone downhill as Ben has aged and as our OL has been a broken floodgate. We have a L O T of needs on offense.

OL played pretty good last night. Not sure what else to add, unless its a replacement for the RG. Not sure if he'll be back. Hassenour played well last night. He may be a better option at Center going forward, and they hinted at this on the radio today. Maybe swing KG back to Guard. That OL is so young and it takes such a long time for it to gel. Another discussion today was on the new OL coach. Was it coincidence that they played so well as a unit because Klemm left? I will be interested to see how the Line plays against the Ravens, but they may be able to look elsewhere in the draft.

[steeler_fan_in_t.o.]

Claypool was a second round draft pick who was a known project. We have seen glimpses of what he can do, and also glimpses of the raw part of his game. We have also seen a little bit of his personality and character, and at this point that is most important. If he has the desire to hit the books, the gym, and the practice field all throughout the off-season, with the intensity of AB planning a comeback, then this kid will be fine and we will one day laugh at the suggestion that he should have been traded after two years. But that will take an extreme amount of dedication. I really hope that he has it in him.

[LPMAN]

Claypool was a second round draft pick who was a known project. We have seen glimpses of what he can do, and also glimpses of the raw part of his game. We have also seen a little bit of his personality and character, and at this point that is most important. If he has the desire to hit the books, the gym, and the practice field all throughout the off-season, with the intensity of AB planning a comeback, then this kid will be fine and we will one day laugh at the suggestion that he should have been traded after two years. But that will take an extreme amount of dedication. I really hope that he has it in him.

I'll bookmark this page, & i'll bet i'm right a few years from now.

[LPMAN]

I'd gladly trade Claypool for J Chase.

How about for DK Metcalf?

[steeler_fan_in_t.o.]

I'll bookmark this page, & i'll bet i'm right a few years from now.

Maybe, but right or wrong the cost of keeping him is so minimal that unless he is a locker room cancer type then no need to move him out yet.

[Chucktownsteeler]

Maybe, but right or wrong the cost of keeping him is so minimal that unless he is a locker room cancer type then no need to move him out yet.

Opportunity cost. I hope he puts the work in, as I said ealrier but so far I don't see it. I will give him a little credit, it appears the game-time antics has ceased.

[NJ-STEELER]

he won't be traded

but the difference in the optimism from last year at this time to this year is eye opening.

we were expecting improvement in year 2 but he has regressed.

this again is something coaching could have made a big difference in. even though most on here say it wouldn't make a difference with wins/losses

[Captain Lemming]

All one needs to see is what Chase has done for Burrow. That offense is night and day better than anything they have had in the past decade. And people were openly laughing at that draft pick. Too bad the Steelers just have too many other needs to even consider WR in the next draft. Guess they gotta roll with Ray-Ray and the gang....

THAT is the point.
You are arguing our old argument NOT this one. Sure he has disappointed. Sophomore slup, DJ had one.

The question is are we better off being done with him THIS early? You don't address THAT point. You just noted we have too many OTHER needs.

I would absolutely HATE the real possibility that he is a nice kid who got a little full of himself and he buckles down and has a does what DJ did and grows to his full potential elsewhere.

If he doesn't get it together next season seeya, be gone.

Cutting him loose NOW might come back to haunt us big time.

[NorthCoast]

THAT is the point.
You are arguing our old argument NOT this one. Sure he has disappointed. Sophomore slup, DJ had one.

The question is are we better off being done with him THIS early? You don't address THAT point. You just noted we have too many OTHER needs.

I would absolutely HATE the real possibility that he is a nice kid who got a little full of himself and he buckles down and has a does what DJ did and grows to his full potential elsewhere.

If he doesn't get it together next season seeya, be gone.

Cutting him loose NOW might come back to haunt us big time.

I don't think I have said to cut Claypool as others are suggesting. As you say it's sunk cost at this point. Just not expecting miracles on the upside either. And if JJSS is resigned, along with DJ and Muth catching passes on third down, Claypool is at least an inexpensive decoy.
On a more positive note, he does seem to have gotten the message about penalties and game awareness.

(OTOH, I was wrong on Washington being able to step up. He isn't worth any noise he might be creating about getting traded... thank him for his services and wish him well.)

[WindyCitySteel]

I don't think I have said to cut Claypool as others are suggesting. As you say it's sunk cost at this point. Just not expecting miracles on the upside either. And if JJSS is resigned, along with DJ and Muth catching passes on third down, Claypool is at least an

If they have JJSS and DJ, a stud #1 could make this a phenomenal group. Claypool is not a Z/deep threat, in fact, there was talk about him converting to TE leading up to the draft.

[Captain Lemming]

How about for DK Metcalf?

If it means hos QB comes with the package? Sure. Otherwise no.

It would be a HUGE Cap hit because we'd need to immediately extend him. Not doing a rental with a new QB if ain't a Wilson or Rogers and we are shooting for a Championship next season.

[Captain Lemming]

Only Diontae and Claypool are under contract going into 2022, with Claypools actually lasting through 2023. All the others are UFA after this season - just as a point of clarity for everyone. That being the case:
Resigning JuJu is a priority - he is the closest thing we've had to Hines since Hines... and doesn't get enough recognition for that.
To me, the 3 above are locks to be on the team in 2022 barring some goofiness with low-balling JuJu due to the injury

I don't see Washington's price being matched - he seems to have an inflated idea of his own value
RayRay is likely to get another 1-year deal, simply because they need a returner and losing Washington would be enough strain on the WR corps.

Funny, i think this is such a pivotal upcoming offseason. And we're in "my jam" with respect to college bowl-season and watching games just to assess players.

I'm so curious whether the team will "go get a QB" or simply draft their board this year, allowing Mason to have his one season.

I feel a "DeVille Does....." thread coming on

Agree 100 percent. And if we sign Juju to a reasonable deal I don't think we are as bad at the position as people think.

[Starlifter]

Steelers aren't cutting or trading Claypool. No way they walk away from that talent after only 2 years. Besides, 2nd year setbacks are not all that uncommon in the NFL. What Claypool does to correct himself and his performance NEXT year will be the deciding factor. Of course that also depends on who we have throwing the rock.

As for JuJu, would love to see him signed long term. Not sure if the Steelers are of the same mindset. I think it comes back to how they address QB. If they really do make a move and bag Rogers or Wilson, I don't know how much cap space is left to satisfy JuJu.