The Chase Claypool tr🔜ade sure had this place buzzing in the fall of 2022.
Unfortunately, for the Chicago Bears, the Claypool era was short-lived and costly — a nefarious combination that still stings to this day. Because even after jettisoꦍning Claypool for a future sixth-round pick from the Miami Dolphins, knowing that the Bears gave up a second-rounder in 2023 (which turned into cornerback Joey Porter Jr.) serves as a reminder that sometimes big swings result in big whiffs. Hey, it happens to the best of us.
For what it’s worth, at least the Bears were able to pivot at the position this offseason by trading for Keenan Allen. Plus, as owners of the No. 9 pick in the upcoming NFL Draft, the Bears could still add on to their collection of wide receivers. All in all, this team isn’t in an awful spot at the receiver position despite its misstep with the Claypool trade.
As for Claypool, his future doesn’t look as bright as it once did. As a result, he could end up taking his talents north of the border:
The Canadian Football League’s Saskatchewan Roughriders have put Chase Claypool on their exclusive negotiation list, . Claypool, an NFL free agent, still hasn’t found a new football home. So by putting Claypool’s name on this list, the Roughriders will have first crack at Claypool should he choose to play in the CFL.
To be clear, this doesn’t mean Claypool is heading to Canada just yet. But as a native Chicagoan, I understand (and respect) the importance of dibs.
MORE: Chase Claypool Explains Why Things Went Off theꦑ Rails with the Bears
The rise and fall of Chase Claypool
I had high hopes for Chase Claypool. So did Bears fans. And with good reason, too. The Notre Dame product had some post-hype sleeper vibes around him after the trade. Even after things sputtered out of the gate in Chicago, Claypool was looking good in training camp and was looking like someone who was being motivated by doubters and critics. But between injuries, poor play, and a whole incident surrounding his inactive status, it just never clicked in Chicago.
It’s never good when your quarterback has to address a receiver’s whereabouts and your head coach has to fight six minutes of getting grilled by reporters for your actions.
Hence, Claypool finished out his rookie contract with the Miami Dolphins after an early October trade. And while Claypool could still find his way back into the NFL, PFF’s Brad Spielberger notes that Canada could make for a nifty fallback plan:
Hey, maybe this will work out for Chase Claypool and the Roughriders. We’ve seen players parlay success in the CFL into workouts and tryouts in the NFL. This isn’t out of the realm of possibilities for Claypool, who will likely need to play his way back into the good graces of NFL teams. I wish Claypool luck on his future endeavors. Unless he plays the Bears. In that the event Claypool’s next team plays the Bears, I hope Jaylon Johnson locks him down.
