Plays of the Year: Chase Claypool scores first career touchdown – 84 yards from Big Ben

Steel City Underground presents “Plays of the Year” featuring the top runs, catches, hits and everything else in-between from the Pittsburgh Steelers 2020 season.

The Steelers opened their home slate of 2020 regular season games by hosting the Denver Broncos in Week 2.

This week’s Play of the Year highlights the Steelers top selection in last year’s NFL Draft – and without a first round pick (following the previous year’s trade for S Minkah Fitzpatrick) Pittsburgh still hit one out of the park by selecting Notre Dame WR Chase Claypool.

Pittsburgh looked to improve to 2-0 after a dominating performance against the New York Giants six days prior. In his first home game as a second round rookie, Claypool would also look to make his mark early in the season.

After a slow first quarter, the Steelers secured a 7-3 lead. The offense woudl get the ball back with 6:34 left in the second quarter following a Denver punt and starting on their own 16-yard line.

It would only take eleven seconds to watch Chase Claypool display his magic on the football field.

Matched up one-on-one against Denver rookie Michael Ojemudia, Claypool beats his man off of the snap on an outside release up the sideline.

Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger then launches the ball – as Claypool hauls in the catch while tip-toeing the sideline – and burning the Broncos defense for an 84-yard touchdown and the first of his young career.

The officials reviewed the play to make sure that Chase did not step out of bounds. However, the play stood after review.

“I knew I had a pretty good chance to get the ball,” said Claypool. “I kinda just went on the route, Ben just put it in a perfect spot to get it. It was pretty cool.”

This play once again showcased that Pittsburgh knows better than anyone about drafting wide receivers. Claypool displayed his size, strength, and speed all at once, as he would finish the game with three receptions for 88 yards and the aforementioned touchdown.

Despite only scoring once, Claypool’s big play was a key moment which opened up the game for the Steelers, who would improve to 2-0 with a 26-21 victory.