First Call: 'Barring a shift,' Steelers not expected to trade Chase Claypool; JuJu Smith-Schuster's big day for Chiefs

Monday’s “First Call” takes the temperature in the room when it comes to the Pittsburgh Steelers potentially trading Chase Claypool or Mason Rudolph.

A pair of ex-Steelers receivers flashed against one another Sunday. We look at next week’s forecast for the AFC North.

And we check out what’s to come in Monday’s Penguins-Oilers matchup.

Going nowhere

As trade conversation continues to swirl heading into the NFL’s trade deadline on Nov. 1, speculation about the Steelers moving Chase Claypool may be fading.

According to NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport, as of Sunday morning, the team wasn’t of the mind to deal the wide receiver.

Big-name WRs generating trade interest:
-- #Texans WR Brandin Cooks has been the target of multiple calls.
-- #Steelers WR Chase Claypool has been in focus, but is not expected to be deal, barring a shift.
-- Broncos WR Jerry Jeudy has been the center of calls, as DEN sputtered.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 23, 2022

After Sunday night’s five-catch, 41-yard performance by Claypool in the Steelers’ loss, perhaps some of the buzz around him will cool. Then again, at 2-5, the Steelers may be inclined to sell off a piece of their roster now for future investments.

Meanwhile, last week, CBS Sports floated a player-for-player trade involving the Steelers. Cody Benjamin suggested the Steelers explore trading quarterback Mason Rudolph for Washington Commanders cornerback William Jackson III.

The Steelers were said to covet Jackson III out of the University of Houston entering the 2016 NFL draft. But the Cincinnati Bengals nabbed him at pick No. 24. The Steelers were slated to select 25th. They took Artie Burns instead.

Jackson III has had a so-so career, often impacted by injuries. This is his first season with multiple interceptions. He has two so far in 2022 with Washington. He reportedly requested a trade on Oct. 13. The 29-year-old was benched in Week 5 during a game against the Tennessee Titans. He blamed a sore back. Coach Ron Rivera simply said, “We pulled him. We will leave it at that.”

After what transpired with the Steelers defensive backs Sunday night, though, all I hope is that if the Steelers get Jackson, that he can catch an interception that hits him square in the hands.

On the horizon

After Sunday night’s 16-10 loss in Miami, the Steelers are now 2-5, good for last in the AFC North.

After outlasting the Cleveland Browns 23-20 on Sunday, the Ravens lead the division at 4-3. The Bengals are also 4-3, but they have a loss to Baltimore on the ledger already. So they are in second following a 35-17 pasting of the Atlanta Falcons.

The Browns are 2-5 now, in the basement of the division along with the Steelers.

Coming up, the Ravens start Week 8 of the NFL slate against the struggling Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Thursday night. The Steelers have to visit the unbeaten Eagles. The Browns and Bengals play each other on Halloween on “Monday Night Football.”

More sports news

• T.J. Watt takes step toward return, works out on field before Steelers-Dolphins game
• Steelers safety Terrell Edmunds proves his value with leadership, intangibles
• Penguins place forward Teddy Blueger on LTIR, recall forwards Drake Caggiula, Sam Poulin

JuJu’s jam

JuJu Smith-Schuster had a big day for the Kansas City Chiefs in their 44-23 defeat of the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday.

The former Steelers wide receiver went off for seven catches, 124 yards and a touchdown. Smith-Schuster’s scoring play in the fourth quarter was his second of the year, and it went for 45 yards.

.@TeamJuJu for 45 and a TD! @Chiefs have put up 44 points

: #KCvsSF on FOX
: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/USkaudAkBK pic.twitter.com/AE4OOliJhP

— NFL (@NFL) October 23, 2022

That’s Smith-Schuster’s second straight game going over 100 yards with a touchdown. He had five catches on five targets for 111 yards and a score during a 24-20 loss to the Buffalo Bills last week.

Another ex-Steelers wide receiver, Ray-Ray McCloud, scored in that game for San Francisco.

On McCloud 49.

First #49ers touchdown for @RMIII_34

#KCvsSF on FOX pic.twitter.com/lJfjsmcziy

— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) October 23, 2022

McCloud ended up with 65 yards on four catches.

The Chiefs are now 5-2 atop the AFC West. The Bills and the surprising New York Jets are the only other teams in the conference with five wins. The Niners dropped to 3-4. The Seattle Seahawks are atop the NFC West at 4-3.

As expected

It appears Penguins-Oilers is on track to be the offensive showcase we expected when the NHL schedule was revealed.

Monday night’s showdown in Edmonton will feature the Penguins, with an NHL-best 5.20 goals per game, against an Oilers club that headlines with Connor McDavid. The NHL’s four-time scoring champ currently has 10 points. Only Colorado’s Valeri Nichushkin (11) and New York Ranger Artemi Panarin (12) have more.

Pens captain Sidney Crosby also has 10 points through five games. McDavid has five goals. Tampa Bay’s Steven Stamkos has seven to lead the league.

Both clubs rank in the NHL’s top 10 in power play percentage. Edmonton is tied for third at 35.3%. The Penguins are 10th at 26.3%.

In terms of how all of that has translated into the standings, the Pens lead the Metropolitan Division with nine (4-0-1). Edmonton has only four points (2-3-0), fifth in the Pacific.

Last season, the Oilers beat the Penguins 5-1 in Edmonton and 5-2 in Pittsburgh.