Chicago Bears acquire WR Chase Claypool from Pittsburgh Steelers

The Chicago Bears have acquired wide receiver Chase Claypool from the Pittsburgh Steelers. In exchange for Claypool, the Steelers receive a second-round pick.

Analysts claimed that Claypool would bring elements that the Bears had missed out on this season, especially with his 508 yards throws. He could also support quarterback Justin Fields as his records are currently higher than any Chicago wide receiver.

So far, Claypool has recorded 12 touchdowns and 153 catches for 2,044 yards. His passer rating in Weeks 1 to 6 was 72.7, and he managed to increase the rating to 103.4 in Weeks 7 to 8. When the Bears lost to the Dallas Cowboys, Fields recorded his best passer rating of 120.0.

Bears general manager Ryan Poles often discussed the importance of providing Fields wideout support in past interviews. He said that his recruitment team continuously looked for new candidates. Poles added that Chicago was not only looking for a short-term fix for its roster but to sustain “success for a long period of time.”

“It’s not the short fix all the time,” Poles said. “Just blending that together is tough because it takes a lot of discipline to do. So that’s what we’re balancing.”

The acquisition was the general manager’s third trade ahead of the deadline on Tuesday. Earlier, Chicago sent linebacker Roquan Smith to the Baltimore Ravens and received a 2023 second-round selection in return. Chicago also sent Robert Quinn to the Philadelphia Eagles for a fourth-round pick.

Claypool’s former team also acquired cornerback William Jackson III from the Washington Commanders ahead of the trade deadline. In return, the Steelers sent a 2025 conditional sixth-round draft pick to Washington. Jackson signed a three-year contract worth $40.5 million with Washington in March 2021. However, the cornerback had not played since Week 5 due to a back injury.

The Bears are currently 3-5, while the Steelers are 2-6.