Chase Claypool led all of the Steelers receivers with eight catches in 93 yards ahead of the Vikings, but no one talked about his stats after Pittsburgh’s comeback effort came on just a brief Thursday night.
The 23-year-old made a strange decision in the Steelers’ final game. With less than 40 seconds on the clock and Pittsburgh eight points ahead, Claypool caught a short pass from fourth-place Ben Roethlisberger to move the leash. Then he celebrates the transition instead of immediately getting up and preparing for the next moment.
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Steelers guard Trai Turner ran to Claypool and reached for the ball, but unfortunately for Pittsburgh, it appeared to have been knocked out of Claypool’s hands by Turner or Vikings goalkeeper Eric Kendricks. Roethlisberger eventually hit the ball to stop the clocks 24 seconds – Pittsburgh had no timeout – but Claypool’s gesture cost the Steelers precious time.
The Steelers were able to approach the Vikings’ 12-yard line with three seconds left, but Roethlisberger’s pass to rookie Pat Freiermuth didn’t complete well as time ran out. After leading 29-0 in the second half, Pittsburgh eventually lost by the final score is 36-28.
During his post-match media coverage, Claypool told reporters he has to be “better”, but he also believes a penalty should be imposed, perhaps against Kendricks for delay of the match.
“I got close to the hash, took my little first kill and gave the ball to the attendee. He just got there,” Claypool said. “So even when I got up and looked for him, he wasn’t there. So he ran down the field to get the ball. The ball went out of my hand. That’s what made them. I lost time.
“But I definitely have to be better. I know the situation. I know I’m close to the hash. I know the ball is on the hash. I have to be better. The ball shouldn’t come out of my hand. It has to be. is a punishment.”
That explanation probably won’t make much sense to Steelers coach Mike Tomlin, who was benched for Claypool in the first quarter after he repel the Vikings, Bashaud Breeland and was flagged for a 15-yard penalty. When asked if he thinks the couch sends a message to Claypool, Tomlin said, “We’ll see.”
After revisiting Claypool’s celebration, does Tomlin feel the need to send a stronger message to his youth?
