Mike Tomlin is fond of saying he wants volunteers, not hostages.
That rationale has seen LeGarrette Blount, James Harrison and Melvin Ingram depart Pittsburgh because they were unhappy. Keeping Blount in 2014 and Ingram this season would have proven useful because of injury above them on the depth chart.
But the Steelers want everyone to be content.
Except James Washington. He can get as frustrated as he wants, apparently.
Washington reportedly asked to be traded before the season. But he’s still a Steeler.
Washington appeared to be the team’s No. 4 receiver. But then JuJu Smith-Schuster got hurt.
That didn’t help Washington. Ray-Ray McCloud got more playing time. He leapfrogged Washington.
Over the last four games, Washington played 31, 35, 41 and 37% of the offensive snaps. McCloud played 63, 67, 85 and 67%.
Washington is a second-round pick. McCloud is a sixth-round selection.
Washington is 5-foot-11. McCloud is 5-9. Yet the latter is the target on fade routes.
Over the last four games, McCloud was targeted 23 times and made 12 receptions. Washington was targeted 14 times and get seven catches. Washington got two targets and no catches last Sunday at Kansas City.
That’s Tomlin’s decision, and offensive coordinator Matt Canada’s. If they put Washington on the pay-no-mind list while trying to turn McCloud into John Stallworth, that’s up to them.
But Washington saw this coming, wanted out, and was not obliged.
Washington is a hostage.
Ingram got his wish. Washington didn’t. That’s not fair.
