It was announced on Friday by both the Miami Dolphins and Chicago Bears that Miami would be receiving wide receiver Chase Claypool from Chicago.
In addition to this acquisition, both the Dolphins and Bears will swap 2025 draft picks, pending a physical, and Miami will give Chicago a sixth-round pick in exchange for a seventh-round pick.
🚨 🚨 🚨
The #Bears are trading WR Chase Claypool to the #Dolphins, sources tell me and @TomPelissero. This ends a prolonged drama and gives Claypool a fresh start. They have tried to trade him since last week after he was a healthy scratch. Now, everyone has moved on. pic.twitter.com/RKJHrllA1T
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 6, 2023
This news comes after Claypool was a healthy scratch for the second time in the last five days, missing the Bears’ first win in over 347 days, a 40-20 victory against the Washington Commanders on Thursday. According to sources, Chicago team officials told Claypool on Monday that he would be inactive for that game and requested that he remain away from the team while the Bears prepared for said game.
Claypool’s brief time with the Bears
Claypool was traded for a second-round pick from the Pittsburgh Steelers back in November.
At the time that Claypool was traded to the Bears, he had key things to offer. He was coming off a nine-touchdown season in 2021 and had 55 receptions and 850 receiving yards in each of his first two pro seasons in Pittsburgh.
It’s not like the Bears are losing much, seeing as Claypool didn’t exactly put in 100% effort that the team would’ve liked to see. Coming to Chicago, Claypool showed struggle; He posted just 14 receptions for 140 scoreless yards over eight games. He did appear in Chicago’s first three games this season, only managing one touchdown and four receptions, but that’s when the coaching staff asked him to stay home for Week 4 and Week 5.
What Claypool brings to the Dolphins
While Claypool comes with some drama, he does add a bit of size to the Dolphins’ wide receiver crew. He stands at 6-foot-4, 238 pounds, compared to other wide receivers in the crew who stand a little under six feet.
Miami recently had Erik Ezukanma and River Cracraft go down with injuries, both of who were providing a lot of depth at the WR position. We’re unsure on when they’ll both return, but it sounds like they will be down for a while.
The Dolphins are lacking in a pass catcher who can get the ball to the endzone, and Claypool might be able to provide that; Miami’s offense is a difficult one to learn and takes time to adjust to and it’s nothing like Claypool is used to seeing with his tenure on both the Steelers and the Bears.
The Dolphins currently have Braxton Berrios, who’s currently out with a knee injury, and Robbie Chosen as the backups to Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, so this opens the door for some potential playtime under Hill and Waddle.
Dolphins Player Approves the Trade
Upon hearing news of the trade, Tyreek Hill tweeted his stamp of approval of Claypool coming to Miami.
Chase Claypool I like it 🥹
— Ty Hill (@cheetah) October 6, 2023
Hopefully the trade works out in Miami’s favor as Chicago isn’t really getting anything in return. Especially after Terron Armstead went on injured reserve, the Dolphins are down a key offensive player, Claypool could provide some needed backup for QB Tua Tagovailoa. No word has been said on whether or not Claypool will be activated for this weekend’s matchup against the New York Giants.
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