GM Ryan Poles isn’t messing around. He gutted the defense with two big trades this past week, shipping out Roquan Smith and Robert Quinn for 2nd, 4th, and 5th round picks. Now he’s shifted in the other direction. Justin Fields badly needs offensive weapons. The Chicago Bears finally came through, sending one of their 2nd round picks to the Pittsburgh Steelers for wide receiver Chase Claypool. It is a massive move given this team’s needs.
Claypool is an exceedingly talented player. Not only is he 6’4, but he runs with above-average speed. He expressed frustration over the past year about not getting enough action in the passing game. That wasn’t helped when Pittsburgh drafted George Pickens in the spring. That made his departure all but inevitable. He has one year left on his rookie contract and is only 24 years old. This is a building block the Bears badly needed for their offense. He and Darnell Mooney can form a formidable tandem.
BREAKING: The Bears are trading for Steelers WR Chase Claypool, per source.
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) November 1, 2022
Comp update: Bears traded a second-round pick for WR Chase Claypool, per source. https://t.co/eH6UEidGh9
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 1, 2022
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The #Steelers are receiving the #Bears original second-round pick for Chase Claypool, source said. Not the pick the #Ravens pick.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 1, 2022
Chase Claypool to the BEARS 🚨
(per @FieldYates, via @NFLUK)pic.twitter.com/RIc1WBVmkQ— Overtime (@overtime) November 1, 2022
Justin Fields should be much happier.
People have questioned Claypool over the past two years. Despite quarterback problems in 2020 and 2021, he still has 1,171 yards and three touchdowns on 155 targets. The primary gripes with him stem from last year when he drew questions of immaturity over how he handled not getting the ball enough. It led to a clash with head coach Mike Tomlin. To his credit, the receiver has stayed out of trouble this season even as the Steelers suffer through their worst losing spell in well over a decade.
Nobody should be happier about this than Justin Fields. He desperately needs credible targets in the passing game. Claypool fits the bill. He’s still very young and presents the kind of giant target a young quarterback can grow to love. It also should take a ton of pressure off Mooney. Defenses have been able to key on him for weeks with nobody else stepping up. Claypool’s arrival should change that.
Complaining, he isn’t getting the ball enough? Isn’t that somehow a mantra that every receiver who ever played has running around constantly in their head. I have been following Football for a very, very long time. And, I recall every great receiver, at one point in their career making news with that complaint. I think it is a prerequisite of a competitive nature which drives them to excel.
Immaturity problems, hmm, can we say Jenkins. Makes me wonder if Poles doesn’t have a plan to extend Claypool if he shows promise.
This is an excellent move based on what may be available in FA next spring as well as what is in the draft. You simply cannot get a Claypool in the second round and there will be no available FA of his caliber, especially one on his rookie deal. By next year it should already be clear that Claypool needs to be signed to a long term deal and the Bears will happily do it. In the meantime, imagine Claypool as the #1, Harry as the #2 and Mooney as the best #3 WR in the league. Things are beginning… Read more »
Some of you Bear “Fans” are toxic! The GM (Ryan Poles) was hired to make moves to improve the long term status of the Bears. He had an opportunity to pick up an established NFL receiver who is still on his rookie contract for a Second Round Pick yet those of you who are toxic still complain! You are not NFL GM’s but think that you; while dwelling in your mothers basement, can make better personnel and financial decisions than a professional GM who has a staff and data and news available to him to make decisions is offensive. This… Read more »
Think this could be a great trade. Offers something a bit different to the other Bears receivers, and actually with him and Mooney have some legitimate threats. Likely a few in the WR room who won’t be here next season, some of these ‘prove it’ deals haven’t worked out either through injury or just poor drops. Sad to see Roquan go but long term it makes sense, still have eight picks next year and figure Poles may find a way to make this more. Gotta fix the trenches to become relevant long term but this is a positive move for… Read more »