The Chicago Bears had lost five of the first eight games of the 2022 season when the team made three trades to strengthen the future. Two players went out for draft picks while Chase Claypool was brought in to help quarterback Justin Fields, the team’s centerpiece, go to the next level. Less than a year later, the team is looking for the first win of the 2023 NFL season and a new home for Claypool.
Claypool has 18 receptions for 191 yards and a touchdown in 10 games with the Bears. He has four catches for 51 yards in three games this season. Since trading for Claypool, Chicago has lost 13 games in a row, and yet, he’s been a healthy inactive since Week 4.
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What Did the Chicago Bears Give Up for Chase Claypool?
The Bears traded a second-round pick to the Pittsburgh Steelers for Claypool, who was in his third NFL season. With the Steelers, he had 153 receptions for 2,044 yards and 12 touchdowns in 39 games.
With the pick acquired (No. 32 overall), Pittsburgh drafted Penn State cornerback Joey Porter Jr., the son of the former Steelers Pro Bowl linebacker. The younger Porter has played in all four games for the Steelers this season.
There were four wide receivers drafted in the second round after Porter was selected — Jonathan Mingo, Jayden Reed, Rashee Rice, and Marvin Mims Jr. Through three games, all had more receptions than Claypool’s four catches.
What Has Happened With Claypool and the Bears?
Bears head coach Matt Eberflus and Claypool have exchanged words in the media over the last couple of weeks. Eberflus was critical of Claypool’s blocking after the Week 2 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Last week, Claypool responded to a reporter’s question, saying he did not think the Bears were putting him in the best position to be his best.
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Claypool was instructed by the team to stay home for the Week 4 game against the Broncos. Eberflus said it was “best for the team” if Claypool stayed away and did not attend games or practice. The team is working on finding a trade for the fourth-year wide receiver, with the NFL trade deadline looming on Oct. 31.
What Other Trades Did the Bears Make Pre-2022 Trade Deadline?
General manager Ryan Poles sent linebacker Roquan Smith to the Baltimore Ravens for a second-round pick, fifth-round pick, and linebacker A.J. Klein. Chicago also traded defensive end Robert Quinn to the Philadelphia Eagles for a fourth-round pick.
The Bears drafted Florida defensive tackle Gervon Dexter and Oregon linebacker Noah Sewell, respectively, with the picks acquired for Smith and Cincinnati wide receiver Tyler Scott with the fourth-round pick acquired for Quinn.
Prior to his release and subsequent claim by the Buffalo Bills, Klein played two games with the Bears. Dexter, Smith, and Sewell have played all four games this season, but the former is the only one to start a game.
