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NFL trade deadline: Bears reportedly acquire WR Chase Claypool from Steelers

The Chicago Bears are trading for Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Chase Claypool, according to Field Yates of ESPN.

ESPN's Adam Schefter reported that the Bears sent a second-round pick to the Steelers in exchange for Claypool. NFL Network's Tom Pelissero further added that the pick will be for the 2023 NFL draft. While it was reported that the Bears actually sent the Steelers the second-round pick they got from the Baltimore Ravens in the recent Roquan Smith trade, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport tweeted that the Bears are sending their own 2023 draft pick.

The Steelers have also reportedly acquired Washington Commanders cornerback Will Jackson III. The compensation for the deal is unknown.

Claypool, 24, was the Steelers' second-round pick in the 2020 draft. He's tallied over 800 receiving yards in each of his first two NFL seasons, but he hasn't been used quite as much in 2022 with the quarterback changes. Claypool was popular with retired QB Ben Roethlisberger, but with Kenny Pickett starting under center this year, other guys like rookie George Pickens have gotten more use. This season, Claypool has caught 32 passes for 311 yards with one touchdown.

This is a trade that could help the Bears' young quarterback, Justin Fields, who has been making some noticeable improvements on the field after a rough start. Fields needs more weapons to work with, and if Claypool can be the kind of guy who can handle a contested catch or be that open man on the field, he'll help Fields a lot. And even if he can't be that particular guy, having a functional wide receiver to throw to will still help Fields.

PITTSBURGH, PA - OCTOBER 16:   Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Chase Claypool (11)  celebrates making a first down in the first quarter during the game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, PA on October 16, 2022.  (Photo by Shelley Lipton/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
The Steelers have traded wide receiver Chase Claypool to the Bears for a second-round pick. (Photo by Shelley Lipton/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)