Chase Claypool’s antics cost Steelers in loss to Vikings [Updated]

After trailing by 22 at the beginning of the fourth quarter, the Steelers mounted a comeback that left them down by only eight points. They made it into Vikings territory after driving. With the clock running under 40 seconds left, Ben Roethlisberger completes a throw to Claypool for a first down, and the wide receiver wasted several seconds by celebrating in a move that may have cost Pittsburgh the game.

Claypool didn't hand the ball to an offensive lineman who was trying to hustle up so that the Steelers could spike the ball and stop the clock, seeing as they had no timeouts left, but instead took the time. When the play was over, the clock was down to 37 seconds, and it was down to 24 seconds before Big Ben was able to spike the ball.

The Vikings won by a score of 36-28.

On December 10 at 3:42 p.m. Claypool explained his nonsense after the game.

Claypool said that definitely must be better. I got tackled near the hash and went to hand the ball to the ref. He had just arrived. Even if I looked for him, he wasn't there. He ran to get the ball. The ball was knocked out of my hands. That cost us time. I have to be better. I was aware of the situation.
The ball was knocked out of your hands because you were posturing and the other team was trying to take it from you. Why are you bothering to point out the situation if you know it?

The receiver had been benched by Mike Tomlin after shoving his finger into the face of a Vikings defensive player. Chase, again, situational awareness. Claypool has come under fire from fans in the past for his celebrations, which seem to happen after every single catch he makes, despite being second in receiving yards for Pittsburgh. His team may have lost the game because of yesterday's shenanigans.

I was happy to see Claypool drafted by the Steelers in 2020 because I liked watching him at Notre Dame. Chase Claypool has a perfect build for an NFL wide receiver, but he is mentally and emotionally underdeveloped as he is physically overdeveloped. This guy has all the things you need to be a great receiver. He has a good mental understanding of what it is to be a football player and a good teammate.

It was very bad.

He is correct. Claypool has to be fed up with the antics of the man. Roethlisberger is fed up with the situation. It seems like some shade is being thrown at Mike Tomlin's way for not being able to get Claypool under control, as he told the press, "Dealing with players' issues, that's the coach's job, not mine." Most of the time, celebrations are harmless, if annoying, but then you find yourself in a two-minute drill and your wide receiver won't give the ref the ball. It is hard to bench a solid player, but I am starting to wonder if he will do it to make a point or teach him a lesson. No other NFL wide receiver has more than 5 penalties under their belt right now.

The good news is that the meme was pulled through so that we could all laugh.