Mike Tomlin says Steelers made the Chase Claypool trade because of the compensation

When the Pittsburgh Steelers made an in-season trade last year, coach Mike Tomlin evoked a since oft-repeated phrase: “We want volunteers, not hostages.”

Their in-season trade this year — publicly, at least — offered so such colorful explanations.

“It was about draft capital and value for us,” Tomlin said of Tuesday’s dealing of receiver Chase Claypool to the Chicago Bears.

“The Bears’ second-round pick is something we value. We’re excited about what that brings us.”

When the Steelers sent outside linebacker Melvin Ingram to the Kansas City Chiefs exactly one year ago to the day prior, it wasn’t about the compensation (a sixth-round pick) as much as it was the proverbial addition by subtraction. Apparently unhappy with his role, Ingram made it clear he didn’t want to be in Pittsburgh anymore.

That’s what spurred Tomlin’s “hostages” quote.

Though there were reported whispers implying Claypool was not pleased in the Steelers’ offense that ranks last in the NFL in scoring, outwardly Wednesday the Steelers took the high road about their former teammate.

“Chase was a great player and also a great friend,” Steelers No. 1 receiver Diontae Johnson said. “So I wish him nothing but the best.”

Diontae Johnson on the Chase Claypool trade pic.twitter.com/9wvzUNpPDb

— Chris Adamski (@C_AdamskiTrib) November 2, 2022

The only hint of unhappiness Claypool expressed in his introductory press conference with Chicago media Wednesday was when he termed himself “a playmaker.”

“I feel like I didn’t have the full opportunity to show what I could do this year,” Claypool said from the Bears’ facility, “but I feel like I’ve been able to show that in the past.”

Claypool had 10 touchdowns over the first 10 NFL games he played after being a second-round pick of the Steelers in 2020. But in the 29 games since, Claypool scored just four times.

Taken with the 49th overall pick 2 ½ years ago, Claypool’s trade in all likelihood is netting the Steelers a higher pick than that in the 2023 draft. At 3-5, the Bears’ slot in each round figures to fall in the 10th-15th pick range, meaning — as things stand now — the Steelers will receive a pick around 45th overall in exchange for him.

“To have an opportunity to acquire top-end draft capital,” Tomlin said, “was attractive to us.

“Depth (at wide receiver),” Tomlin said moments earlier, “coupled with (tight end Pat Freiermuth’s) presence and development, is what allowed us to feel comfortable in terms of moving (Claypool) and acquiring that draft capital.”

At 2-6, the Steelers are projected as having a top-five pick in the draft. The Claypool trade could mean they have three picks among the top 40-50 selections.

When word broke of the trade Tuesday afternoon, Johnson and a handful of other teammates expressed surprise in the Steelers locker room. Though Johnson had seen internet rumors about the Green Bay Packers’ interest in Claypool, that it was the Bears caught him off guard.

Some are taking the deal as a signal the Steelers as an organization are giving up on the 2022 season and pointing to the future.

The mood, though, in the locker room was upbeat Wednesday, albeit on a day among the annual NFL calendar that has many players in a good mood as they embark on a mandatory four-day, bye-week break. Johnson said trading away a starter didn’t do anything to curb the Steelers’ motivation for the remainder of 2022.

“Motivation, that’s got to come from within,” Johnson said. “If you don’t have that in you, I don’t know what to tell you, it’s gonna be kind of rough. That’s got to come from within, and I am sure everybody has got that within themselves or else they wouldn’t be here doing the things they do.

“Next man up. Let’s get ready to play.”

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