Just a day after shipping off their best defensive player, 25-year old all pro linebacker Roquan Smith, to the Baltimore Ravens, the Chicago Bears decided to upgrade on the offensive side of the ball by adding former Notre Dame star Chase Claypool via trade from the Pittsburgh Steelers in exchange for a second-round pick.
Bet https://t.co/W5z6ZJiFAA pic.twitter.com/K4uYtQam5I
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) November 2, 2022
The Steelers selected the 24-year-old wideout in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft. Claypool totaled 12 touchdowns on 153 receptions during his Steelers tenure, with nine of those touchdowns coming in his rookie season.
I watched one game of Chase Claypool and I’m even more excited he’s a Bear now. We know he’s big and explosive but this guy can run routes and catch too 👀. #DaBears #Bears pic.twitter.com/viARnXqHGo
— Clay Harbor (@clayharbs82) November 2, 2022
Claypool will now join an offense that has played better than expected despite a lack of weapons; therefore, he has a huge opportunity to prove that he is a great receiver. It will be exciting to see him paired up with fellow 2020 draftee Darnell Mooney; Mooney’s speed and shiftiness, along with Claypool’s giant body and ability to catch the deep ball, will be fun to watch if Matt Eberflus and the Bears execute their gameplan correctly.
New #Bears WR Chase Claypool on becoming a tandem with WR Darnell Mooney:
“I think it could be super dynamic. We are different receivers in a good way…I think it can open the offense up.”
— Chris Maltby (@ChrisMaltbyBD) November 2, 2022
This is also an excellent moment for quarterback Justin Fields who has not been helped by the front office so far in his early career but has shown flashes of greatness, so Claypool may allow him to show even more and open up the field for more Bears offensive weapons to get open.
.@justnfields on @ChaseClaypool: "I'm excited, he’s a playmaker." pic.twitter.com/xv49FyI3Pu
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) November 2, 2022
With that said, there is something head-scratching about this trade for Chicago due to them shipping off Roquan Smith, as previously mentioned, and Robert Quinn but especially Smith due to his age and him being an ideal piece to build your entire defense around.
However, regardless of their two previous trades, Bears fans should be excited that the team finally prioritized helping out their quarterback.
Claypool took to social media to express his gratitude to the Steelers as well as his excitement about becoming the newest member of the Bears.
I will always have an unbelievable amount of love for Steelers Nation and the organization that drafted me out of Notre Dame. I am beyond grateful for the amazing people in Pittsburgh for embracing me & the lifelong memories made. Now… Back to business in the Midwest. 🐻⬇️ pic.twitter.com/jCeHL1CBQ8
— Chase Claypool (@ChaseClaypool) November 1, 2022
Let us know what you think about the Bears acquiring Chase Claypool by either leaving a reaction at the bottom of the post or by sending us a tweet at @celebsecrets.
