Embattled Bears WR Traded
Dustin Baker
|
The Chicago Bears ended a nauseating 14-game losing streak on Thursday Night Football, notching an impressive road victory at the Washington Commanders, 40-20.
The next day, Chicago offloaded embattled wide receiver Chase Claypool to the Miami Dolphins via trade.
Embattled Bears WR Traded
The Athletic’s Dianna Russini tweeted Friday morning, “Trade! The Chicago Bears are trading WR Chase Claypool to the Miami Dolphins, per league sources. It will be a 2025 6th from Miami for Claypool and a 2025 7th from Chicago.”
Claypool gains a fresh start in a potent, innovative offense while the Bears jettison what they perceived as a headache. The Bears deactivated Claypool for their last two games, a curious development considering the young playmaker’s talent level.
Earlier this week, Bears head coach Matt Eberflus explained Claypool wouldn’t be allowed at team facilities this week with Thursday Night Football around the bend. He followed through with that promise, and Claypool was traded a few days later.
“He is not going to be in the building this particular week on this short week. I can give you that,” Eberflus told ESPN radio one day after his club collapsed versus the Denver Broncos.
The Bears swung a trade for Claypool at the NFL’s trade deadline last year on the same day the Minnesota Vikings netted T.J. Hockenson from the Detroit Lions. Chicago’s general manager Ryan Poles spent the 32nd overall pick on Claypool, a draft-capital tidbit usually considered a 1st-Rounder but flushed out as the first pick in the 2nd Round last April. Bears fans are quick to point out that Chicago did not spend a 1st-Rounder on Claypool — it was a 2nd-Rounder, they say.
The Steelers, Claypool’s former employer, used the 32nd overall pick to draft cornerback Joey Porter Jr., who is off to a magnificent start in Pittsburgh, with a 71.5 Pro Football Focus grade.
Claypool played in the Bears first three games — all losses — totaling 4 receptions for 51 yards on 14 targets. He took the league by storm in 2020 — Justin Jefferson’s rookie season — banking 62 catches for 873 receiving yards and a whopping 9 touchdowns as a rookie.
Instantly, Claypool joins this wide receiving corps in Miami:
- Tyreek Hill
- Jaylen Waddle
- Braxton Berrios
- Robbie Chosen
- Cedrick Wilson
- Chase Claypool
Through four games, the Dolphins passing game ranks first in the NFL per DVOA.
In essence, with Claypool shipped to Florida, the Bears traded the 32nd overall pick for a pick swap + 18 receptions in two seasons from Claypool.
The Vikings play the Bears at Soldier Field, sans Claypool, in nine days.
Vikings Add New QB
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. He hosts a podcast with Bryant McKinnie, which airs every Wednesday with Raun Sawh and Sal Spice. His Vikings obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band).
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.
You must be logged in to post a comment.