The Chase Claypool era in Chicago is over, and Bears fans would like to quickly forget it ever happened.
The former Steelers receiver was acquired at last year's trade deadline for what would become the 32nd overall pick, but he struggled to gain Justin Fields' trust and didn't live up the expectations when he was targeted. Claypool had just 191 yards in 10 games with the Bears.
Claypool turned into a distraction early this season, publicly airing his grievances about his role in the offense. The Bears told him to stay home for their game in Week 4 against the Broncos, and he didn't travel with the team for Thursday night's victory over the Commanders, snapping a 14-game losing streak.
Chicago's offense has been decidedly better with Claypool out of the picture, and GM Ryan Poles indicated Thursday that the team had already moved on from the idea of him returning. Now the Dolphins are taking a chance on a once-promising pass-catcher.
MORE: Why Chase Claypool was benched by Bears
Here are the details of the Dolphins' trade for Chase Claypool:
Chase Claypool trade details
The Dolphins announced Friday morning that they agreed to trade for Claypool, as first reported by NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Here are the details of the deal.
Dolphins get:
- WR Chase Claypool
- 2025 seventh-round pick
Bears get:
- 2025 sixth-round pick
A year after the Bears traded a second-round pick to the Steelers for Claypool, they simply move up a round in 2025 in an effort to get him off their roster.
If the terms sound familiar, the Patriots and Chargers made a similar deal earlier in the week involving another player who was a poor fit. New England acquired CB J.C. Jackson and a 2025 seventh-round pick, sending a 2025 sixth-round pick to the Chargers.
MORE: J.C. Jackson trade details: Patriots reacquire veteran CB from Chargers in draft-pick swap
Like Jackson, Claypool never appeared to settle into his new home despite being a high-profile acquisition. As soon as the Bears offense started finding a rhythm with Claypool away, it became clear Chicago no longer had a reason to keep the former Steeler.
For the Dolphins, this is a low-risk deal that could pay dividends if Mike McDaniel can figure out how to use Claypool's size and talent.
Miami isn't looking for anyone to rescue its receiving corps, considering Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle already soak up most of the targets, but Claypool was considered a potential tight end leading up to the NFL Draft in 2020 and the Dolphins don't have much at that position.
While Claypool is unlikely to serve as an actual tight end, his size can give the Dolphins something they don't have. Both Hill and Waddle are 5-10, while Claypool is 6-4.
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Dolphins WR depth chart
1. Tyreek Hill
Hill has set his goal for this season at 2,000 yards, and he's on pace for 1,998 through four games. With 40 targets already, it's clear Hill will remain Tua Tagovailoa's top option in the passing game.
2. Jaylen Waddle
Waddle would be the No. 1 wide receiver on most teams, but he's proved to be an excellent complement to Hill and keeps defenses on their toes.
3. Braxton Berrios
Berrios, a former Jet, has made an impact in the return game during his career but has been targeted by Tagovailoa in the passing game 16 times already this season. Berrios has 146 yards and a touchdown on 13 catches.
4. Chase Claypool
The only other Dolphins wide receiver with more than two targets this season is River Cracraft, who is on IR. That means Claypool does have a realistic path to targets if he can learn the offense, and his size gives Miami something it just doesn't have much of in its receiving corps.
MORE: Revisiting Bears' deal with Steelers for Chase Claypool
5. River Cracraft
Cracraft had 87 yards and a touchdown on six catches before being placed on IR with a shoulder injury.
6. Robbie Chosen
Chosen, formerly known as Robbie Anderson, has only one catch this season: a 68-yard touchdown from backup QB Mike White in a game the Dolphins won 70-20.
7. Cedrick Wilson
Wilson had a significant impact with the Cowboys in 2021, but he was held to just 12 catches last season and has only one catch for 16 yards this season.
