Packers are looking to trade for a WR and Steelers may have the answer

A recent report suggests that the Green Bay Packers are looking for wide receiver help, and the Pittsburgh Steelers may have just what they need. 

It’s happening again. Rumors are swirling that, after a lackluster start on offense, the Green Bay Packers are looking to trade for a wide receiver. This isn’t the first time we’ve heard something like this. Recently, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler suggested that a Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver could be their potential target.

Chase Claypool has been underutilized most of the season so far, but he is coming off arguably the most impressive game of his career. Against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 6, Claypool hauled in all 7 of his targets for 96 yards and a touchdown, according to ESPN stats. Fowler suggests that the Packers could call the Steelers to inquire about a trade for the athletic wide receiver.

Claypool’s spectacular performance last Sunday included some thoroughly impressive third-down conversions that moved the chains and ultimately helped run the clock out. He also had a nice touchdown reception in traffic that helped maintain the lead and ultimately secure the victory.

We’ve known as well as anyone that Claypool can be very inconsistent, but he certainly isn’t aided by his offensive coordinator and spotty target quality at times. After watching him explode for over 800 yards in each of his first two seasons (in addition to chipping in 13 total touchdowns), Aaron Rodgers could be intrigued about the idea of going after a receiver like Claypool.

Could the Packers call the Steelers about Chase Claypool?

Though a deal still seems unlikely at this point, this potential trade scenario could make sense for both teams. Claypool isn’t an elite route runner, by any means, but Green Bay would be getting a big-bodied athletic receiver who could win down the field and on back-shoulder patterns. Meanwhile, the Steelers would likely receive some mid-round draft capital to help restock their talent in the 2023 NFL Draft.

Realistic Steelers fans know that this team isn’t a true Super Bowl contender this year, so trading away a receiver who won’t be part of the long-term plan isn’t a huge deal. However, this would have to be something that Mike Tomlin would be willing to do, and I’m just not sure that he would be.

We know how important it is for Tomlin to try to stay competitive each year, and I don’t think he would like the idea of giving up one of his pass-catchers — even if Claypool is third or fourth in line for targets.

Theoretically, however, this is a trade that could make sense. Omar Khan and Andy Weidl (the general manager and the assistant GM) need to start developing a plan for this team to be legitimate contenders 2-3 years from now, and stockpiling draft capital could be a step in the right direction — especially knowing that Claypool isn’t going to receive a second deal in Pittsburgh.

It will be interesting to see if anything comes of this, but for now, it’s best to just view this as a trade rumor. If it makes the Pittsburgh Steelers a better team in the coming years, I would be all for it.