5 biggest deals made at the 2022 NFL Trade Deadline
4. Chase Claypool to the Chicago Bears
4. Scouting Report. WR. Bears. Chase Claypool. Pick Analysis. player. 57
Yet another reason to raise your eyebrow at the Roquan Smith trade.
The Chicago Bears were obviously quite active at the 2022 NFL Trade Deadline, but let’s look at their net gains and losses after all was said and done.
Bears gained:
- WR Chase Claypool
- Baltimore 2nd-round pick
- Baltimore 5th-round pick
Bears lost:
- LB Roquan Smith
- Own 2nd-round pick
The Bears still have a 2nd-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, but it’s not their own pick. It’s the Ravens’ pick. They sent the Pittsburgh Steelers their own second-rounder and the Steelers are obviously thinking that could end up being a potential top-50 pick overall. With the 2nd-round picks washing out, the Bears essentially settled on trading Roquan Smith for Chase Claypool and a fifth-round pick.
It’s not the best value, but what message does this particular deal send? The Bears are all-in on Justin Fields and are even willing to add someone like Chase Claypool to the fold, who was causing some potential disruptions in the locker room in Pittsburgh. Claypool is a big-bodied receiver who, in theory, should give Justin Fields a rather difficult-to-miss target on the outside.