On Tuesday, the Pittsburgh Steelers pulled off a last-minute trade with the Chicago Bears sending wide receiver Chase Claypool to Chicago in exchange for a second-round pick in the 2023 NFL draft.
Shortly after the trade was made public, Claypool posted the following on Instagram:
Man.. this is one of the hardest days I can remember. 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 and the lifelong memories made. Now… back to business in the Midwest.
Claypool was the Steelers second-round pick in 2020. Claypool started 27 games in two and a half seasons, hauling in 153 receptions for 2,044 yards and 14 total touchdowns. Claypool had a tremendous rookie campaign but was unable to replicate it. The Claypool trade makes room for rookie George Pickens to assume a much more prominent role in the passing offense.
