WR James Washington reportedly requests trade from Steelers

A day after he didn’t make it onto the field with what served as the first-team offense in the preseason opener, fourth-year wide receiver James Washington reportedly requested a trade from the Pittsburgh Steelers.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter posted a message to his verified Twitter account Friday that Washington, a former second-round pick, approached the Steelers because of “his limited playtime last season and so far this preseason.”

Reached through email by the Tribune-Review, Washington’s agent, Drew Rosenhaus said, “No comment.”

Steelers’ WR James Washington, a former 2018 second-round pick, has approached the Steelers and requested a trade based on his limited playtime last season and so far this preseason, per source.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 6, 2021

Washington appears no higher than No. 4 on the team’s wide receivers depth chart behind JuJu Smith-Schuster, Diontae Johnson and Chase Claypool.

During training-camp practices in which all three of those players are participating, it has been rare that Washington has taken reps with the first-team offense. In fact, Ray-Ray McCloud seemingly has gotten more run during the highest level of practice reps.

Washington was not part of the offense during the first offensive drive of Thursday night’s 16-3 win against the Dallas Cowboys — even with Smith-Schuster not participating. The lone two targeted throws to Washington came in the second quarter. Neither was completed.

Washington was a distant fourth in 2020 among Steelers wide receivers in offensive snaps (44.3%), targets (56) and receptions (30).

He was second on the team in yards per catch (13.1) and his ratio of touchdowns to catches (he had five TDs) was best on the team.

Washington’s path to a meaningful role on the offense is further threatened by the Steelers’ drafting of a playmaking tight end, Pat Freiermuth, in the second round to pair with receiving tight end Eric Ebron. Also, the Steelers plan on using first-rounder Najee Harris as a three-down back and have pledged to deploy fullback Derek Watt more this season, all of which lessens available opportunities for Washington to get on the field.

At No. 60 overall in 2018, Washington is the second-highest pick the Steelers used on a wide receiver since 2008. The Biletnikoff Award winner as college football’s best receiver in 2017, Washington was a big-play threat at Oklahoma State. The Steelers envisioned a similar NFL future for him, but he hasn’t been able to stand out in a crowded position room that featured Smith-Schuster, Johnson and Claypool all being drafted within two years of him and at a similar draft slot (between Nos. 49-66).

As a rookie second-round pick last season, Claypool became the favored deep target of quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and then-offensive coordinator Randy Fichtner.

Washington has 90 receptions for 1,344 yards and nine touchdowns in three seasons. Benched and called out after a misplayed attempt at a catch during a loss at Denver as a rookie, he has been no more than a No. 3 receiver with the Steelers when all other options have been healthy. His single-game high in catches is six, and Washington has more career games with no catches (12) than he has with four or more (eight).

Only twice in 45 career games has Washington had more than 90 receiving yards.

Washington is entering the final season of his rookie contract, is due $1.093 million in salary with a $1.432 million cap hit in 2021 (according to spotrac.com). If the Steelers traded or released Washington, they would absorb a “dead money” charge of $338,428.

Smith-Schuster is also a pending 2022 free agent among the Steelers’ wide receivers corps. Johnson would be eligible for an extension next offseason.

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