The Pittsburgh Steelers are not known for trading key pieces to their team in-season, especially ones that are still on a rookie contract. A name that has come up in recent months has been third-year wide receiver, Chase Claypool. Coming off of his best game of the season in Week 6 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Claypool has had NFL executives believing that he may be available ahead of the November 1st trade deadline. It was reported earlier this week that the Green Bay Packers were extremely interested in the wide receiver, but NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported early Sunday morning that the organization is unlikely to move Claypool.
Big-name WRs generating trade interest:
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 23, 2022
-- #Texans WR Brandin Cooks has been the target of multiple calls.
-- #Steelers WR Chase Claypool has been in focus, but is not expected to be deal, barring a shift.
-- Broncos WR Jerry Jeudy has been the center of calls, as DEN sputtered.
The Notre Dame alum has 23 catches this season with 225 receiving yards and Pittsburgh's only receiving touchdown from a wide receiver. It wouldn't make much sense for the team to trade him, even if he is unlikely to sign back with the franchise after the 2023 season when his rookie contract expires. If he performs well the next two weeks prior to the deadline, his stock may rise, but Omar Khan may still be unwilling to deal him.
Steelers wide receiver, Chase Claypool (#11) on the field at 2022 training camp in Latrobe, PA | Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (Twitter: @JSKO_PHOTO)
Khan would be silly not to field calls in case a desperate team, like the Packers, is willing to aggressively overpay for Claypool, but it would be a mix up from how Pittsburgh's front office has done business in the past. With that said, it is Khan's team now and he could surprise people throughout the NFL if he were to negotiate a deal that was impossible to say no to.
Rapoport is one of the most trusted insiders in the business and Steelers fans who are fans of the wide receiver can take a deep breath while ones who want him to be traded are likely to have to watch him play in the black and gold for at least the remainder of the 2022 season.
Do you want Pittsburgh to trade Claypool? Let us know in the comments below!
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