Another important trade in the NFL trade deadline! On Tuesday, the Chicago Bears acquired wide receiver Chase Claypool for a second-round pick in the 2023 Draft sent to the Pittsburgh Steelers. The information is from Field Yates of ESPN.
The move is somewhat surprising from the Bears’ side, who in recent days have traded away some of their key defensive players, such as Robert Quinn and Roquan Smith, indicating a rebuilding trend. Claypool, however should be an important target in Justin Fields’ offense, fighting for the wide receiver 1 position with Darnell Mooney.
A second-round pick in the 2020 Draft, Claypool did well in his freshman season, with 873 yards (14.1 per reception), 62 receptions, and nine receiving touchdowns (plus two ground touchdowns). His sophomore year maintained similar averages (860/14.6/59), but fewer TDs (two). As for 2022, his numbers plummeted. So far he has 311 yards, 32 receptions, and one TD.
For the Steelers, getting a second-round pick seems like a good price for Claypool. The team already has other key wide receivers on the roster, such as Diontae Johnson and freshman George Pickens.
Chase Claypool, 24, comes to Chicago under contract through the end of the 2023 season.