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On Saturday, Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin denied an ESPN report that huge receiver James Washington has requested a commerce.
It seems that Washington feels he received’t get a lot of an opportunity to indicate his skills within the last yr of his rookie contract taking part in behind fellow receivers JuJu Smith-Schuster, Diontae Johnson and Chase Claypool.
To not point out the truth that they’ll even be incorporating pass-catching tight finish Eric Ebron very often once more this season. Rookies Najee Harris and Pat Freiermuth will seemingly be labored into the passing sport fairly a bit as effectively.
So I get the place Washington could also be coming from if he feels underutilized in his first three seasons as a Steeler. His 90 catches for 1,344 yards are first rate, however not what many anticipated when he was drafted within the second spherical again in 2018.
In Washington’s finest yr — 2019 — he led the Steelers with 735 yards, a 16.7 yards per catch common and 31 first downs (tied with Johnson). However even with these stats, that was the quarterback-depleted season with Mason Rudolph and Devlin Hodges as a substitute of Ben Roethlisberger.
The crew didn’t need to draft Claypool with its high decide in 2020. It might’ve chosen working again J.Ok Dobbins as a substitute. But the entrance workplace grabbed Claypool anyway.
The crew didn’t need to maintain JuJu Smith-Schuster this offseason in free company. It did anyway.
These choices reduce off paths towards extra taking part in time for Washington, who seems to be a succesful reserve worthy of elevated snaps.
But, if the Steelers resolve they do need to commerce Washington, one crew makes excellent sense as a possible dance associate: the New Orleans Saints.
Multiple outlets have already pointed out that the Saints are seemingly available in the market for a large receiver. They usually appear to suppose the group ought to look into swinging a deal for Washington.
“It’s an open secret that the Saints lack viable choices at receiver,” stated John Sigler of Saints Wire (USA In the present day). “With accidents to Michael Thomas and Tre’Quan Smith and a suspension seemingly on the best way for Deonte Harris (DUI cost), second-year professional Marquez Callaway is the one receiver we will say with confidence might be prepared for Week 1.
“So Washington is sensible. The 25-year-old would instantly be the most-accomplished receiver below 30, with all due respect to Chris Hogan, and he nonetheless hasn’t actually scratched his potential within the NFL.”
However simply because Washington requested for a commerce, the Steelers don’t need to make it occur. The truth is, they completely shouldn’t do it.
The Steelers run loads of three-wide receiver units. At any level, if a type of different three receivers will get harm, Washington will get loads of reps. Plus, if Smith-Schuster actually does go away by way of free company this time round in 2022, Washington could possibly be an inexpensive carry on the open market on a short-term contract.
Plus, what are the Saints — or anybody else for that matter — going to supply the Steelers that’s a worthwhile return? A mid- to late-round draft decide?
Pfft! Large deal. I’d slightly see them retain Washington for his skills — and for his insurance coverage — this yr. Then consider his standing within the offseason.
No, not everybody within the Steelers household is pleased proper about now. T.J. Watt wants a new contract. Smith-Schuster clearly wished greater than he bought in free company this spring. Security Terrell
Nevertheless it’s not basic supervisor Kevin Colbert’s job to make everybody pleased. It’s his job to enter 2021 with the most effective roster doable.
Retaining Washington versus giving him away for desk scraps is the absolute best end result to this case.
Tim Benz is a Tribune-Evaluation workers author. You possibly can contact Tim at tbenz@triblive.com or by way of Twitter. All tweets could possibly be reposted. All emails are topic to publication except specified in any other case.
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