Report: Bears looking to trade former Steelers WR Chase Claypool
The Chicago Bears (0-3) are actively seeking a trade partner for receiver Chase Claypool, whom they acquired from the Pittsburgh Steelers (2-1) last November.
According to NFL insider Jordan Schultz, the Bears are asking teams for a fifth or sixth-round pick in return. The Bears originally acquired Claypool for the No. 32 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. Claypool is a healthy scratch for the Week 4 home tilt against the Denver Broncos (0-3) Sunday.
Claypool, 25, has struggled to carve out a role since arriving in Chicago. In 10 games — seven last year and three this year — Claypool has hauled in 18 receptions for 191 yards and grabbed his first touchdown last week against the Kansas City Chiefs (2-1). The former Notre Dame star also came under fire in Week 1 because of his effort. One particular instance came on a screen play when he didn’t block a defender, resulting in a loss of yards.
That led head coach Matt Eberflus to hint at possibly benching Claypool for Week 2. Ultimately, he was active for that matchup with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-1) and again last week against the Chiefs.
Chase Claypool opens up on struggles with Bears
On Friday, he spoke candidly about how offensive coordinator Luke Getsy and the coaching staff are using him in the scheme. Claypool said he doesn’t feel like he’s being put in a position to succeed. When asked whether the staff was using him to show “the best that he can do,” he shook his head and said no.
Claypool was then pressed further on the topic and opened up about how the situation in Chicago is still a work in progress to make it “ideal.”
“No, I wouldn’t say that,” Claypool said. “Every situation has the ability to be ideal — we’re just working towards that. I’m not gonna say that. I wouldn’t say that it’s not an ideal place for me. Obviously, there’s other places. You can say, ‘Oh, I want to be on the best offense with the highest passing yards,’ but that doesn’t happen in football. You just have to make do with what you’ve got.”
With Claypool out for Week 4, fellow receiver Equanimeous St. Brown will get the call-up off the practice squad. St. Brown, known for his blocking prowess, hauled in 21 receptions for 323 yards and a score for the Bears last season.