The Pittsburgh Steelers have traded away wide receiver Chase Claypool to the Chicago Bears in exchange for a second-round pick, and Twitter is in shock.
As the saying goes, if you can’t beat them, join them.
When it comes to drafting elite wide receivers, the Pittsburgh Steelers are practically unbeatable. In a move to strengthen their own roster, the Chicago Bears decided that they would make a move to have Chase Claypool join their own team. Rather than spending a second-round gamble on a wide receiver, the Bears shipped their pick to the Steelers in exchange for the 24-year-old receiver.
Comp update: Bears traded a second-round pick for WR Chase Claypool, per source. https://t.co/eH6UEidGh9
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 1, 2022
Pittsburgh Steelers trade Chase Claypool to Chicago Bears: Best memes and tweets
As several NFL journalists have quickly noted, the main takeaway from this trade is that quarterback Justin Fields will finally get some help on offense.
The #Bears are trading a 2023 second-round pick to the #Steelers for WR Chase Claypool, as @FieldYates said. A big move for Chicago to help Justin Fields.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) November 1, 2022
In Chase Claypool, the Bears acquire a 24-year old WR who is under contract through 2023 and had 10 TDs as a rookie. He’s a big-body vertical threat that could soon become Chicago’s WR1.
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) November 1, 2022
An upside player with plenty of talent that fills a major need.
Ari Meirov and The Game Day NFL also noted that the Bears essentially traded Roquan Smith for Chase Claypool. With defensive pillars Robert Quinn and Roquan Smith shipped out, the Bears now had the capital to rebuild now and in future drafts.
The Bears basically traded Roquan Smith for Chase Claypool. Let that sink in. pic.twitter.com/dOMJK4dIPr
— The Game Day NFL (@TheGameDayNFL) November 1, 2022
#Bears essentially flipped Roquan Smith (half year left on contract) into Chase Claypool (year and a half left) and a fifth-round pick. https://t.co/v5s1vEUUcS
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) November 1, 2022
The Bears basically traded a 25 year old 2x All-Pro LB for Chase Claypool...
— Thomas R. Petersen (@thomasrp93) November 1, 2022
What.
NFL fans are divided on the value that Claypool went for in the trade.
I like Chase Claypool... but someone's going to have to explain to me how he's worth a 2nd round pick.
— Ben Heisler (@bennyheis) November 1, 2022
The Steelers get a 2nd round pick in return for Chase Claypool. A good move by both parties. https://t.co/PId1CyNyEJ
— Jarrett Bailey (@JBaileyNFL) November 1, 2022
Let's see what the #Bears gave up for Chase Claypool. But I am extremely intrigued by this move. Much-needed upgrade at WR.
— Jacob Infante (@jacobinfante24) November 1, 2022
#Bears are trading a second-round pick for #Steelers WR Chase Claypool, @FieldYates confirms. Unbelievable draft compensation for Pittsburgh. pic.twitter.com/WvHwcRlP8P
— Tommy Jaggi (@TommyJaggi) November 1, 2022
The Bears traded a 2nd round pick for Chase Claypool.
— Nick Karns (@karnsies817) November 1, 2022
The Browns traded a 5th round pick for Amari Cooper. pic.twitter.com/eKvMySTa04
Some fans are eagerly awaiting the tea to spill from Claypool when he touches down in Chicago.
I can’t wait to hear what Chase Claypool has to say about Pittsburgh/Canada/everything when he gets to Chicago. He’s the kind of guy who will spill some beans.
— Adam Crowley (@_adamcrowley) November 1, 2022
A Steelers fan was happy to offer a little friendly advice to the new bevy of Claypool fans.
For Bears fans - there are five stages Chase Claypool
— Sean Gentille (@seangentille) November 1, 2022
1) This guy is unbelievable!
2) Imagine how great he’d be if he could land on his feet!
3) … is there something wrong with his toes or his inner ear?
4) Is he point shaving? Maybe he’s point shaving.
5) Whatever, he’s fine.
Of course, NFL analysts can’t help but think about how the whirlwind of NFC North moves are making Aaron Rodgers and the Packers feel.
Vikings land TJ Hockenson
— Sayre Bedinger (@SayreBedinger) November 1, 2022
Bears land Chase Claypool
Aaron Rodgers: pic.twitter.com/AdZHmywqsw
It seems like the Packers should have made that deal for Chase Claypool.
— Matt Verderame (@MattVerderame) November 1, 2022
As for the actual trade, I actually like it for both the Bears and Steelers.
Pittsburgh needs to rebuild, and gets a second-rounder. Claypool gets a fresh start, and Justin Fields gets a weapon
I know there's plenty of time before the deadline, but the Vikings adding TJ Hockenson and the Bears (!) trading for Chase Claypool before the Packers have done anything is objectively funny.
— Will Ragatz (@WillRagatz) November 1, 2022
As of 8am this morning I'm told "it was looking like Green Bay was potentially going to offer the best deal for Chase (Claypool)," per league source. Obviously the #Bears have swooped in and nabbed the #Steelers WR.
— JosinaAnderson (@JosinaAnderson) November 1, 2022
It also has some reexamining the Christian McCaffrey trade to the San Francisco 49ers.
Chase Claypool cost the Bears a 2. Christian McCaffrey might be exponentially more impactful than Chase Claypool, especially in the context of the 49ers system. SF price for CMC not looking bad at all, especially with the comp pick equation factored in
— David Lombardi (@LombardiHimself) November 1, 2022
NFL insider Josina Anderson offered the best scoop and the rationale behind the trade for the Steelers: Claypool felt he was No. 1, but the Steelers are ready to roll with George Pickens.
There was a lot of chatter on the #Steelers potentially trading Chase Claypool leading into today, as this move was authorized weeks ago & the internal impression is that Claypool felt he's a #1 talent while the #Steelers feel ready to give rookie George Pickens an expanded role.
— JosinaAnderson (@JosinaAnderson) November 1, 2022
PFF’s Doug Kyed also added context in Claypool’s favor: he had a “monster” rookie season, but the decline of Ben Roethlisberger and switch to Mitch Trubisky, then Kenny Pickett, caused a dip in production.
https://twitter.com/DougKyed/status/1587502167551770625?s=20&t=YNs0XpRjDCcMZKCqfyd6Cg
Once again, it’s one of those frustrating phenomena for opposing NFL fanbases. The Pittsburgh Steelers are not only unmatched at drafting wideouts, but they’re able to flip them frequently for more draft picks. Claypool is incredibly talented and a massive upgrade for the Bears, yet the Steelers still have George Picks. Talk about being burdened with riches.