Markus Wheaton has arguably been one of the most disappointing Pittsburgh Steelers in 2015. Through nine games, he has only 14 catches for 255 yards and only one touchdown.
He blamed part of the issue on a lack of chemistry with Ben Roethlisberger, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.
“The middle of the field is a chemistry thing. When Ben came back, he and Heath [Miller] had been doing it for years so their chemistry hadn’t gone anywhere. It’s just about building it back,” he explained to Fowler.
Though it’s the elephant in the room, Wheaton also noted not having Roethlisberger for four full games has also played a factor.
Wheaton has just 27 yards over his last four games. Excluding his injury-marred rookie season in the NFL, it’s his lowest four game stretch since his first four games on his first year at Oregon State. He’s on pace for just 25 catches in 2015 when some, myself included, anticipate him possibly reaching the 70 catch mark this year.
He is in a favorable matchup Sunday against the Cleveland Browns. The Browns’ pass defense is one of the worst in the league, allowing the seventh most passing yards and the third most passing touchdowns. They could be without cornerback Joe Haden and safety Donte Whitner, too. Both are suffering from concussions.
