The Pittsburgh Steelers were more active on November 1st's trade deadline on Tuesday than they typically are. The big move was trading third-year wide receiver, Chase Claypool to the Chicago Bears for a 2023 second-round pick. After dealing star defenders, Robert Quinn and Roquan Smith, no one expected the Bears to swoop in and steal the 6'4 pass catcher from the Green Bay Packers, who were also willing to deal a second-rounder.
This trade was a genius one by first-year General Manager, Omar Khan and should not be looked at as anything other than a win for Pittsburgh.
Steelers General Manager, Omar Khan. | Photo Credit: George Gojkovich / Getty Images
This deal is a win for Khan and company for so many reasons. It was the right move to make as the team sits at 2-6 and already has two wide receivers locked in for at least the next three seasons in Diontae Johnson and George Pickens. The Bears, appearing to be a seller, oddly gave their second-round pick and not the Baltimore Ravens, which they received in the deal for Smith. This is why it was a great move for Pittsburgh.
1.) Claypool Wasn't Resigning After 2023
The Steelers aren't winning the Super Bowl this season. They have a star-studded defense and plenty of talent on offense but are missing several key pieces including an effective and solid offensive line. That's not to say they are far from being competitive, which is why adding another pick in what could be the top 50 next April is an awesome move. The front office could sign a solid free-agent wide receiver and go after multiple offensive linemen early while also addressing defensive holes in the first two rounds.
Chase Claypool (#11) scores the first touchdown by a wide receiver in the 2022 season against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. (Photo Credit: Abigail Dean / Pittsburgh Steelers)
2.) The Third-Year WR Was Allegedly A Distraction
CBS Sports NFL insider, Josina Anderson tweeted after the trade occurred that Claypool was apparently an off-camera distraction in the locker room.
Added background: From what I am hearing, and been hearing over the last week the #Steelers moved on from what they felt like was somewhat of a 'distraction' behind-the scenes. I'm told the Claypool move has been on the table "for at least two weeks," per league source.
— JosinaAnderson (@JosinaAnderson) November 1, 2022
Whether he was trying to tempt the team to trade him or simply has a personality that didn't fit with the current roster, anyone who is doing the franchise a disservice in that regard should be held accountable. The funny part is he could have been hoping to be dealt to a playoff contender, while instead, was moved to a Chicago team that sits at 3-5 and just traded away two of their key defensive players.
3.) Claypool Simply Hasn't Been Good Since His Rookie Year
We can talk all about the potential for Claypool and his freak athletic nature, but the matter of fact is he only has one game with over 100 receiving yards since the beginning of 2021 to go along with four total touchdowns (one of them being a passing touchdown finding Derek Watt in the end zone against the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 8). He is averaging just 39 receiving yards per game this season and if you take away the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, that number falls to 31.
ORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 09: Kenny Pickett #8 of the Pittsburgh Steelers walks on the field during the first quarter against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium on October 09, 2022, in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Bryan Bennett/Getty Images)
4.) Rookie QB Kenny Pickett Can Focus On Offensive Future With Johnson, Pickens, Freiermuth
It's awesome to have guys with so much talent around the rookie quarterback, but it's time to focus on the guys who are here to stay. Pickett can now begin to build true chemistry with the guys the Steelers' offense is building around. Claypool was targeted 50 times this season while only hauling in 32 catches. The effort to get him the ball was there, but unsuccessful. The move takes away a guy with promise but allows Pickett and the offense to approach each week thinking both short and long-term.
Do you think the Steelers won the trade with the Bears on Tuesday? Let us know in the comments below!
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