Chase Claypool still thinks Ben Roethlisberger can be Steelers’ answer

Chase Claypool enters his second season with Ben Roethlisberger, and the Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver is high on the 39-year-old skills.

If the Steelers can do anything right, it’s finding mid-round wide receivers and transforming them into top-tier targets. Take a look back at the history of the players. Hines Ward was a third-round pick, as were Mike Wallace and Emmanuel Sanders.

Heck, Antonio Brown was an afterthought as a sixth-round addition in 2010. They all made their mark in the Steel City.

Is Chase Claypool next?

The second-year target is coming off a breakout rookie season in which he led all first-year pass-catchers in touchdowns with 10. Recording 62 catches, he managed to finish with over 800 receiving yards while averaging 14.1 yards per catch.

That was all during a COVID-19 season. There was no offseason workout or rookie minicamp. Instead, teams now have film on the Notre Dame product as he enters Year 2.

Defensive backs will be ready. So will Claypool.

“I try not to think about the pressure and really just focus on being a better player season after season,” Claypool told FanSided. “I always want to keep improving, learning, and evolving with my game. I’ve had a very productive offseason and I’m ready to hit the ground running in training camp.”

One way for the Steelers to remain a contender in the AFC is with strong quarterback play. That was the missing link in the second half of the season of an 11-0 start. Ben Roethlisberger was fresh off elbow surgery and showed regression. He averaged a career-worst 6.3 yard per throw and completed just 43 throws of 20-plus yard plays on the campaign.

Roethlisberger, 39, could elect to call it a career after the season. His return indicates that the Steelers will be trying to win one more time. Does he have it in him to lead the way once more?

Claypool believes so.

“He is absolutely a legend, I love playing with Ben,” Claypool said. “He’s so knowledgeable about the game and really emulates what it means to be a leader. I feel like I learned so much from him as a rookie, I’m really excited for what’s to come in season two.”

A connection with Claypool could be Big Ben’s best chance to succeed

Claypool became an instant favorite of Roethlisberger in the passing game, and a fan favorite in the city. The two geled from the start, recording over 200 yards of offense and five touchdowns in the first five weeks of the season.

Week 5’s matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles is where Claypool stole the show. He recorded three touchdowns through the air and picked up his first 100-yard game of his career. He added on the ground thanks to a jet sweep call from the slot.

Said Claypool: “I think a big part of that hot start was the chemistry and momentum we created as a team, and credit to the organization and coaching staff for putting us all where we needed to be to succeed. We had a great regular season last year and we’re looking forward to trying to do it again this season.”

The Steelers of 2020 are long gone, as is most of the offensive line. Pittsburgh is replacing four of its full-time starters and are banking on Kevin Dotson to show that his success in 2020 was the start of something special.

An offensive line is usually a quarterback’s best friend. This season, Roethlisberger must rely on the passing. For now, the trio of Diontae Johnson, JuJu Smith-Schuster and Claypool will have to work overtime to win the AFC North.

They trained for this moment. Now it’s arrived. Claypool believes that each player offers something in the passing game, including the new players up front.

Maybe that something is a chance for one last title under the direction of Big Ben.

“We all have our own unique strengths as wide receivers,” Claypool said. “Some of us are better on different routes, some of us are better on the inside versus the outside, some can do it all…so I think the versatility of our receivers really helps create opportunities for us as a team to be successful. But it’s not just the receivers, every player on our team plays a crucial role.”

Best of all, Claypool knows how to unwind after every game with Therabody, a revolutionary product that better equips him to win on Sunday afternoons.

“I think the most important thing to note is that Therabody is not just for professional athletes, it can truly help everybody– and that’s what Therabody is making possible,” Claypool said. “By becoming an athlete ambassador for Therabody, my hope is to help spread that message to everybody.

“I have been taught the importance of taking care of my body by world-class trainers, at both collegiate and professional levels, but self-care and recovery shouldn’t just be for the professional athlete. I am proud to represent a company that is helping me feel my best, but I also love that they are looking to help everyone feel that way so they can do what they love.”

Chase Claypool spoke to FanSided on behalf of his brand new partnership with Thearbody, the fastest way for body relief.  For more information on Therabody and their products, checkout their website here.