The reactions to Chicago trading for Chase Claypool ranged from excitement to shock to disappointment. Many fans were thrilled to finally see Bears GM Ryan Poles make an aggressive move to get Justin Fields help on offense. The move was unexpected because, up until that point, Poles had only traded players away. Khalil Mack, Robert Quinn, and Roquan Smith were all shipped out for draft picks. Claypool marked the first transaction in the opposite direction.
Most liked the move, but some backpedaled when they saw the price paid to make the deal. Chicago gave their 2nd round pick in 2023 to Pittsburgh. Based on the team’s current trajectory, it is likely that the selection will end up somewhere in the 30s range. That is too expensive for a receiver in the middle of his least productive season. However, new details have surfaced since that help to explain.
It first came out that the Green Bay Packers were also in heavy pursuit of Claypool. They, too, offered a 2nd round pick for him. That forced Chicago to up their offer. Yet that might not be the only curveball. According to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk, it sounds like a third team was quietly in the mix right up until the end.
Poles understood the market with Chase Claypool.
When more teams are involved in a player, the price goes up. That is how this business works. This is where Poles’ early maneuvers gave him a leg up. Green Bay offered their 2nd round pick but wasn’t willing to go any further. New England may have put together a similar package. The problem is both teams are expected to finish with better records than the Bears. Poles understood the leverage he had with that original 2nd rounder and used it. Don’t forget he did so, knowing he had another 2nd in his back pocket thanks to the Smith trade.
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That is what smart GMs do. They read the market and make sound decisions without overpaying. Everything points to the Bears having handled the Chase Claypool trade well. They acquired a 24-year-old receiver with immense talent while maintaining eight picks in the upcoming draft. Nobody can say for sure how good Claypool will be in Chicago. Yet it’s already apparent the Bears offense got better.
Ferrari FAX ✨🐻⬇️✨
Ghost just mad that his team is in win now paying 50M for a QB that lost his magic and they have the she record as we do.
The thing I don’t like about the trade is that the draft class & FA market is weak this yr compared to the last 2 yrs. The pick they traded is basically a late 1st. Claypool was drafted 2nd rd 49th pick, Bears pick probably 35-40, Pit improved investment by 10 picks or better then were he was drafted, Bal pick will be late 2nd rd mid 50s to 60s. 15-20+ pick difference, Also Claypool is a FA after next yr alongside Mooney, I doubt either of them resign this offseason. Per NFL rule Bears must spend, what 89 or… Read more »
@Danc.. I believe Calypool has the make up and athletic traits to be every bit as good as Brandon Marshall. And also a much better teammate. There’s no guarantee he will be as good or better than Marshall, but his overall ceiling is higher due to his higher level of athleticism. He just has to get to that ceiling. Marshall was a beast, no doubt. But he was also being force fed the ball 400 times a game lol
The truth is you have no idea if you over paid, in any trade, until you see what the player does for you on the field. If he is a bust for your team, then what amount of draft capital wouldn’t be paying too much?? But if he turns out to be a star. Then wouldn’t almost any draft pick be worth it? Nobody knows the value of the trade until you see the outcome. I personally think Claypool is a stud and will be a beast for Fields. And the Bears still have a 2nd round pick… #Beardown