The Chicago Bears have traded a 2023 second-round pick to Pittsburgh Steelers for WR Chase Claypool, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.
Comp update: Bears traded a second-round pick for WR Chase Claypool, per source. https://t.co/eH6UEidGh9
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 1, 2022
Chase Claypool, 24, joins a Bears roster in desperate need of a playmaker with his ability. The 6'4, 230-pound speedster has enjoyed an up-and-down career through his first three seasons in the league, but there's little doubt he possesses upside as high as any wideout in the league.
Claypool has appeared in 39 games (27 starts) with 153 catches for 2,044 yards and 12 touchdowns.
The '23 2nd-rounder the Bears are sending to Pittsburgh for Chase Claypool is the one they acquired from Baltimore for Roquan Smith. So they get Claypool (1.5 years left on his contract) for Smith (.5 years left on his contract) and a 5.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) November 1, 2022
Chicago still has its own second-rounder.
The Bears traded linebacker Roquan Smith to the Baltimore Ravens Monday and received a 2023 second-round pick, among other things, in the trade. With the extra second-rounder in his arsenal, GM Ryan Poles found a way to land an alpha WR for his quarterback, Justin Fields.
Claypool joins Darnell Mooney atop the Bears' pass-catching pecking order and will instantly be counted on to make plays downfield in what's been a stagnant passing offense for Chicago in 2022.