The Chicago Bears (3-5) part with a 2023 second-round draft pick in exchange for wide receiver Chase Claypool from the Pittsburgh Steelers (2-6); Claypool, taken with the 49th overall pick in 2020, had 10 receiving touchdowns as a rookie
Tuesday 1 November 2022 20:47, UK
The Pittsburgh Steelers are trading star wide receiver Chase Claypool to the Chicago Bears in exchange for a 2023 second-round draft pick, according to sources.
Claypool, himself a second-round pick by the Steelers in the 2020 NFL Draft, has had 32 receptions for 311 yards and one touchdown so far this season.
The 24-year-old Claypool has topped 850 receiving yards in each of his first two seasons in the NFL, while his rookie year in 2020 saw him also tally 10 receiving TDs.
The news was reported on Tuesday ahead of the 8pm (UK time) trade deadline in the NFL. The Bears had previously traded away defensive stars Robert Quinn (to the Philadelphia Eagles) and Roquan Smith (to the Baltimore Ravens).
The Steelers are receiving the Bears' original second-round draft pick as part of the deal, not the one they acquired as part of their deal with the Ravens on Monday for Smith.
The addition of Claypool provides Chicago's second-year quarterback Justin Fields with a much-needed weapon on offense. Darnell Mooney currently leads their receiving corps with 364 yards this season, with Equanimeous St. Brown the next best with only 164 yards.
The Bears are 3-5 through the first eight games of the 2022 season, while the Steelers sit 2-6.
The Steelers also made a further move ahead of the trade deadline, bringing in cornerback William Jackson III from the Washington Commanders.
The Commanders had reportedly been set to release Jackson, but will now receive a 2025 conditional sixth-round draft pick from the Steelers.
Washington signed Jackson to a three-year, $40.5 million contract in March 2021, but the 30-year-old hadn't played since Week Five after sustaining a back injury.
Jackson has five career interceptions and 51 passes defended in 75 games (64 starts) with the Cincinnati Bengals (2017-20) and Commanders. He was selected with the No 24 overall pick by the Bengals in the 2016 draft.
Sky Sports NFL is your dedicated channel for NFL coverage through the season - featuring a host of NFL Network programming. Don't forget to follow us on skysports.com/nfl, our Twitter account @SkySportsNFL & Sky Sports - on the go!
