The trade deadline is near, and Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver, Chase Claypool continues to be at the forefront of rumors. As the team sits at 2-5 heading into their Week 8 matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles, Claypool could be looking at his last game in the black and gold. The deadline is Monday to be exact, so it's possible he could even be traded before the game on Sunday.
Credit: Jordan Schofield/SteelerNation (JSKO_PHOTO Twitter)
Throughout the process though, it's been quite clear that general manager, Omar Khan won't give him up easily. Claypool has been linked to the Tennessee Titans and the Green Bay Packers, and now another NFC North team has been linked, the Minnesota Vikings. Jordan Schultz of theScore provided an update on just what exactly the Steelers front office is asking for in a deal for Claypool:
Two teams have now told me the #Steelers want a second-round draft pick in return for Chase Claypool.
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) October 28, 2022
My sense remains that Pittsburgh would prefer to keep the talented third-year WR. We’ll see, but his upside is simply too high if I’m Omar Khan. https://t.co/nAWADiMVAT
This update shouldn't be of any surprise if you've been following along over the past few weeks. On Wednesday, it was officially announced that wideout Calvin Austin III would miss his whole rookie season. Austin suffered a setback from his foot injury, as he now has to undergo surgery. The news impacted the WR room, as the depth there certainly took a hit. Many expected Austin to at least be the team's fourth wideout this season, at minimum.
Credit: Jordan Schofield/SteelerNation (JSKO_PHOTO Twitter)
If you're asking how that news relates to Claypool, well, the team is likely less motivated to trade the third-year guy now. On Thursday, the Kansas City Chiefs acquired former first-rounder and second-year wideout, Kadarius Toney from the New York Giants. Despite being mostly unproductive in 12 career games as well as dealing with injury and off-the-field issues, the Giants were able to get a third and sixth-round draft pick for Toney.
This bodes well for anyone with a wide receiver in the trade market, inevitably raising the market. Toney was far from the best WR on the market, yet netted a third and sixth-round pick. It makes the likelihood of Claypool being traded less likely, as well as guys like DJ Moore and Jerry Jeudy. Again, we are just a few days away from not having to talk about trade rumors until the off-season.
With a 2-6 record looming, the Steelers certainly won't be buyers at the deadline, as CB William Jackson III is one of the only names that would make sense. Claypool seems to be the only name thrown around in talks at the moment. 93.7 The Fan's Andrew Fillipponi reported that an NFC team did ask the Steelers about veteran DL Cam Heyward, but were rejected immediately.
Credit: Abigail Dean/Pittsburgh Steelers
Do you think the team will trade Chase Claypool? If you think they should, what would you ask for him in return? Should the Steelers try trading for anyone like Jackson? Share your opinions in the comment section below!
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