Steelers Daily Links: Claypool Trade Impact, Watt on Renegade

Warren Sharp of Sharp Football broke down the details of how the Pittsburgh Steelers and Chicago Bears were both actually better without Chase Claypool in their offenses last year. The Steelers traded Claypool mid-season to the Bears for a second-round pick, and the trade has been an absolute disaster for Chicago so far. Claypool produced hardly anything for the Bears last season, and there are now reportedly concerns about his self-motivation both on and off the field. Claypool missed the final two weeks of OTAs and all of mandatory minicamp with a soft tissue injury.

“PIT was 2-6 with him, 7-2 without him. CHI was 0-9 with him, 3-6 without him. Both passing attacks were much more efficient without Claypool. CHI before trading for Claypool: 7.5 YPA. CHI w Claypool on the field: 5.5 YPA,” Sharp tweeted.

🏈 Footbhalin podcast: T.J. Watt said on Ben Roethlisberger’s podcast that he likes “Renegade” but he wonders sometimes if it actually works.

“I like Renegade. I mean, the fans love Renegade. But the problem is there was a stretch there where Renegade was being played and we were not backing it up, and that is the worst feeling,” Watt said. “It never really hit me until I went home after a game one day and my dad was like, ‘I told them to stop playing Renegade. After they play Renegade, they run it right down your throats.’ I was like, ‘I never thought about it.’ There are those stretches were it’s like, ‘Damn, we need to back this up.’ It’s never like I hate (that) this song is coming on, because it’s a huge moment.”

🏈 NFLPA: The NFLPA released their Rising Stars list that identifies the top rookies and veterans poised to have breakout seasons, gain fan support and ultimately rank among the top-sellers of all officially licensed player merchandise. Joey Porter Jr. was No. 10 on the list for rising rookies, while George Pickens ranked No. 5 for rising veterans.

🏈 Joey Porter Jr. gave a shoutout to his dad Joey Porter Sr. on Father’s Day.

.@JoeyPorterJr has looked up to his dad Joey Porter Sr. every step of the way. 💛🖤

"I'm happy to be a Steeler and put on that jersey, just like him." @steelers pic.twitter.com/04ijMbSfWS

— NFL (@NFL) June 18, 2023

🎂Happy Birthday to former Steelers running back Rashard Mendenhall, born on June 19, 1987 in Skokie, Illinois. Mendenhall, who starred at Illinois, was selected by the Steelers at 23rd overall in the 2008 NFL Draft. Mendenhall played in 57 games for the Steelers from 2008-2012, rushing for 3,549 yards and 29 touchdowns. He also caught 77 passes for 661 yards and two touchdowns during that span. Mendenhall played one year in Arizona before retiring. In March of 2014, at the age of 26, Mendenhall retired from the NFL, saying, “Football was pretty cool, but I don’t want to play anymore. I want to travel the world and write!” Mendenhall was a writer and story editor for the HBO sports comedy “Ballers.” A number of scenes from the show were inspired by his own career.

🎥 Doug Farrar of USA Today posted an All-22 clip of Minkah Fitzpatrick making an impressive tackle in the backfield against the Atlanta Falcons this past season.

finishing up a study of nfl safeties and hoo boy minkah fitzpatrick is good at everything pic.twitter.com/5yIfWtaHnD

— Doug Farrar ✍ (@NFL_DougFarrar) June 16, 2023

AROUND THE NETWORK

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: Should the Penguins try to trade down for more draft picks?

Pittsburgh Baseball Now: The Pirates are set to promote former No. 1 overall pick Henry Davis.

Pittsburgh Sports Now: Pitt legend Aaron Donald hosted his fourth annual youth football camp in his hometown.

West Virginia Sports Now: Bob Huggins has announced his resignation as the head coach of the West Virginia men’s basketball team after being arrested for DUI in Pittsburgh over the weekend.

Nittany Sports Now: Penn State quarterback commit Ethan Grunkenmeyer named to Elite 11.

Pittsburgh Soccer Now: The Riverhounds haven’t conceded a goal in four matches after Saturday’s 0-0 draw with Oakland.