(Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
Through 10 games in 2020, the Steelers are 10-0 and are the lone unbeaten team in the NFL, and rookie second-round pick Chase Claypool has been on a tear with 10 touchdowns in 10 games.
With Claypool's 31-yard touchdown reception from Ben Roethlisberger in the second quarter against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday, Claypool became the first rookie wide receiver in the Super Bowl era to score 10 touchdowns in his first 10 games.
Claypool is the fourth wide receiver in NFL history with at least 10 touchdowns in his first 10 games and is the first player to accomplish the feat since Bill Groman did it with the Houston Oilers in 1960, scoring 10 as well. Harlon Hill of the Chicago Bears also had 10 touchdowns in his first 10 games in 1954 and Billy Howton of the Green Bay Packers holds the record with 11 touchdowns in his first 10 games in 1952.
Claypool against the Jaguars had four receptions for 59 yards (14.8 average) and a touchdown. Claypool also drew two defensive pass interference penalties that combined for 50 yards. On the season, Claypool has 39 receptions for 559 yards (14.3 average) and eight touchdowns. Claypool also has two rushing touchdowns.
It's been an impressive season for Claypool, to say the least, especially coming into a season that was altered by the COVID-19 pandemic with no OTAs, minicamp and preseason games. Claypool has made an impact in the Steelers' offense ever since Week 1 when he had a spectacular 28-yard sideline grab in the first quarter against the New York Giants.
After Claypool's four-touchdown performance against the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 5, he became the first Steeler to score four touchdowns in a game since Roy Jefferson did it against Atlanta on Nov. 3, 1968. Claypool is also the only Steelers’ rookie to ever score four touchdowns in a game. Claypool joined Jerry Butler (1979) and Harlon Hill (1954) as the only rookie wide receivers with four touchdowns in a single game in NFL history.
The record for most touchdowns scored by a rookie in Steelers' history is 11, which was set by Franco Harris in (1972) and Louis Lipps (1984). Claypool still has six games left in the regular season. There's a good chance he'll make history again.
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