Chase Claypool trade: Steelers dump WR, send him to Bears for one draft pick

Ahead of today's NFL trade deadline, the Pittsburgh Steelers have sent wide receiver Chase Claypool to the Chicago Bears. The wide receiver joins an offense with Justin Fields, David Montgomery, Khalil Herbert, Darnell Mooney, Cole Kmet and Equanimeous St. Brown.

The Steelers are effectively flying the white flag with this trade. Claypool isn't their entire offense, but they're sending players out for draft picks so they can begin the rebuild. They sit at 2-6 and are without much hope of making the playoffs.

---

Why was Chase Claypool traded?

The young wide receiver had a breakout rookie year with the Steelers, posting nearly 900 yards and scoring nine touchdowns. However, with the growth and explosion of Diontae Johnson, the Steelers felt that he was expendable. Combine that with their selection of George Pickens in the last draft and it makes sense that they'd want to send him elsewhere.

NFL Pro Bowl, Diontae Johnson

Any wide receiver that's not at the top of the depth chart has a price, so when the Bears sent the Steelers a good offer, they decided it was worth it.

---

What did the Bears give up for Chase Claypool?

The Steelers got back a solid price for their wide receiver. The Bears are sending a 2023 second-round pick to Pittsburgh for Chase Claypool. It's a pretty decent return for a wide receiver who hasn't produced very much this year. He only has 311 yards and one touchdown thus far as the Steelers offense has struggled.

Claypool was initially drafted in the second round of the 2020 draft. It's not often that teams get a similar return when offloading players who haven't worked out as intended.

---

Chase Claypool contract

The former Steelers wideout is still on his rookie deal and is under contract through next season. He initially signed a four year, $6+ million contract and is still playing through that.

For the Bears, this is not a rental as they look to provide Fields with weapons to hopefully make life easier for him. Thus far, they have run the ball more than anyone else in the NFL, so perhaps they're trying to diversify their offense with this trade.