Bears reportedly stole Claypool out from under the Packers

Former Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Chase Claypool. Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports

Bears reportedly stole Chase Claypool out from under the Packers

By Michael Gallagher | Last updated 11/1/22

When Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst woke up on Tuesday morning, he likely believed receiver Chase Claypool would be a Green Bay Packer by the NFL’s 4 p.m. trade deadline.

After all, it was reported by CBS Sports’ Josina Anderson that Green Bay had the best offer on the table for the 24-year-old wideout in the early morning.

As of 8am this morning I'm told "it was looking like Green Bay was potentially going to offer the best deal for Chase (Claypool)," per league source. Obviously the #Bears have swooped in and nabbed the #Steelers WR.
— JosinaAnderson (@JosinaAnderson) November 1, 2022

My understanding is, after an offer was made this morning on Chase Claypool initially and it wasn't good enough--the #Bears figured another team was involved and they had to up the ante, and did.
— JosinaAnderson (@JosinaAnderson) November 1, 2022

But the Chicago Bears came in with an 11th-hour offer, stealing the Notre Dame alum out from under the Packers.

Though Green Bay offered the Pittsburgh Steelers a second-round pick for Claypool, Pittsburgh ultimately chose the Bears offer because they reportedly believed Chicago’s second-round pick would be “considerably higher” by the end of the season despite both the Bears and Packers having matching 3-5 records.

As some others have reported, the #Packers were in the running for #Steelers WR Chase Claypool. They offered the same compensation as Chicago did, a source said. But the #Steelers thought Chicago's pick would be considerably higher even though both teams are 3-5.
— Tom Silverstein (@TomSilverstein) November 1, 2022

Monday’s trade of linebacker Roquan Smith to the Baltimore Ravens, which fetched Chicago second- and fifth-round picks in 2023, made Tuesday’s trade for Claypool possible.

After Packers president Mark Murphy seemed to hint that a trade for a receiver was imminent, the Bears beating out their NFC North rival for a talented young receiver on a rookie deal may just be the only victory they have over the Packers in 2022.

In Chase Claypool, the Bears acquire a 24-year old WR who is under contract through 2023 and had 10 TDs as a rookie. He’s a big-body vertical threat that could soon become Chicago’s WR1.

An upside player with plenty of talent that fills a major need.
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) November 1, 2022

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