James Washington soared above Justin Layne in the corner of end zone Saturday afternoon, making a terrific catch on a short pass from Mason Rudolph during a goal-line practice session.
The reception drew a nice ovation from the training-camp crowd at Heinz Field and served as a reminder of Washington’s potential.
How often the receiver gets a chance to showcase it this season and what team he plays for remains unclear. Steelers coach Mike Tomlin wouldn’t discuss an ESPN report claiming Washington wants out of Pittsburgh.
Adam Schefter, citing a source, reported Friday that the receiver has approached the team with a trade request, citing his limited playing time last season and early in this preseason. Any such request likely would have come through Washington's agents and gone to general manager Kevin Colbert.
Tomlin said the 2017 second-round draft pick has expressed no dissatisfaction to him.
“He has not,” the coach said. “Those unnamed sources — we don’t react to or respond to. James has been great here. Working and having a good camp.”
Washington finds himself in an unenviable position heading into a contract year. He’s the fourth receiver on a club committed to running the ball more with first-round draft pick Najee Harris. The Steelers also added tight end Pat Freiermuth in the second round.
The Oklahoma State product’s fortunes have changed since leading the club with 735 yards receiving in 2019. The rise of Diontae Johnson and Chase Claypool and the decision of JuJu Smith-Schuster to return to the Steelers on a one-year deal have dropped Washington down the depth chart.
He took snaps Saturday as part of second-team unity with fellow receiver Ray-Ray McCloud.
“I think he has a good role with us,” offensive coordinator Matt Canada said of Washington. “We’re really talented in that room right now. ... Certain games are a different matchup. Certain things happen. James is a big part of what we do and he will continue to have a role with us.”
The Steelers certainly hold the hammer. Washington, who wasn’t made available to the media Saturday, is a good depth option on a contract paying him $1.432 million this season. Teams like inexpensive, dependable players, and that’s what Washington represents.
If another club makes a reasonable offer, the Steelers can move him but they are under no pressure to act now. Meanwhile, Washington needs stats and he can’t afford to hold out.
A season ago, he caught 30 balls for 392 yards and five touchdowns. Washington’s snap count of 486 was a career low.
Canada, the first-year play-caller, kept all his comments positive regarding Washington.
“I’m a big fan, I really am,” he said.