James Washington says he loves taking part in in Pittsburgh regardless of reported commerce request from Steelers

The way forward for James Washington in Pittsburgh appears to be a bit up within the air. Following the Steelers‘ preseason opener in opposition to the Cowboys within the Corridor of Fame recreation, it was reported that the receiver had requested a commerce from the franchise, citing unhappiness along with his position within the passing recreation. Nonetheless, head coach Mike Tomlin adopted up a number of days later and mentioned that Washington didn’t request a commerce. Quick ahead to Wednesday and Washington himself spoke to the media for the primary time since that reported commerce request got here throughout the newswire. When requested about it, the fourth-year receiver did not say a method or one other if he really requested the staff to be moved. 

“That is a non-public dialog,” Washington mentioned, by way of Brooke Pryor of ESPN. “So far as me being joyful in Pittsburgh, I find it irresistible right here. Who would not be joyful taking part in soccer as their job? I come to work each day with a smile on my face.”

A part of the rationale Washington reportedly needed out was as a consequence of his position throughout the offense. On that entrance, he did admit that he approached the teaching employees about being extra concerned. 

“It has been talked about,” he mentioned.

The Steelers drafted Washington within the second spherical (No. 60 total) within the 2018 NFL Draft out of Oklahoma State. His 2019 marketing campaign the beginning of a major ascension within the Pittsburgh offense, as he performed 64% of the offensive snaps whereas totaling 735 yards receiving and three touchdowns on 44 catches. Nonetheless, his taking part in time and manufacturing took a step again in 2020 when he noticed the sphere on offense simply 44% of the time. 

It is going to be fascinating to see how the Steelers will be capable of improve Washington’s position within the passing recreation. Pittsburgh is fairly deep at receiver with JuJu Smith-Schuster, Chase Claypool and Diontae Johnson all above Washington on the depth chart. If that problem proves to be too daunting of a process, it will be curious to see if Washington turns into a bit much less coy about presumably persevering with his NFL profession elsewhere. 

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