The Steelers are trading Chase Claypool to the Chicago Bears for a second-round pick. Here’s why Pittsburgh just won big before the NFL trade deadline.
The Pittsburgh Steelers are notorious for not trading away quality players during the season. If anything they typically go the other way — giving up draft capital to get players who can help their team in the present. But kudos to them for recognizing where this team is and making a proactive move that will help them in the future.
Just hours before the NFL trade deadline, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that the Steelers have traded wide receiver Chase Claypool to the Chicago Bears for a second-round draft choice. Pittsburgh should be thrilled with this compensation.
The Bears are getting a quality wide receiver with excellent size and athletic traits. In his first two seasons in the NFL, Claypool has topped 850 receiving yards twice and earned 13 total touchdowns. However, he is currently on the pace for just 660 receiving yards in 2022.
Chicago may be able to revive Claypool’s fallen career, but this trade clearly favors the Pittsburgh Steelers, in my opinion.
Steelers winners in Chase Claypool trade
I know it’s technically too early to declare a winner in this Steelers-Bears trade, but I am thrilled with the magic Andy Weidl and Omar Khan were able to work in the waning hours before the NFL trade deadline. Pittsburgh essentially got to rent Claypool for two-and-a-half seasons before getting a pick back for him that is likely to be higher than the one they spent on him in 2020.
This is a fantastic move. Instead of playing Claypool during the 2023 season with just one more year remaining on his rookie contract, the Steelers make the first real proactive move I remember by getting an excellent pick for a player who isn’t making much of an impact on the team right now.
With Diontae Johnson signed to a big deal and George Pickens looking good, there wasn’t a chance the Steelers were going to give Claypool a big contract extension next offseason. Instead of letting him walk away for the shot at a late compensatory pick (assuming it wouldn’t be canceled by the money they spend in free agency), Khan and Weidl shopped him before the deadline and found a team willing to give up a second-round pick.
The Steelers can use this added draft capital to invest back into the WR position or to start building their trenches. Either way, I think most fans would agree that this is an excellent move. We wish Chase Claypool the best of luck in his future with the Bears.