Latest On Chase Claypool’s Trade To Miami
New Dolphins wide receiver Chase Claypool has now been traded twice under his rookie contract with both of the teams trading him away doing so with criticisms that have nothing to do with his talent. The former second-round pick out of Notre Dame will have a chance to start anew in Miami, but the most recent developments in his career lead to a few points of interest. 
Firstly, Josina Anderson of CBS Sports reflected on reports that came out about Claypool shortly after his initial trade from Pittsburgh to Chicago. The team had just used a second-round pick to add former Georgia wide out George Pickens. Additionally, the Steelers had just rewarded Diontae Johnson with a two-year, $36.71MM contract extension. The team was staking its claim on the pieces of the receiving corps it wanted to move forward with in the future, and all the while, Claypool was struggling to find where he fit in.
After a rookie season that saw him record 873 receiving yards for an outstanding nine touchdown receptions (and two more on the ground) and a sophomore outing where he nearly matched his receiving yards total while only catching two scores, Claypool struggled through much of the first few weeks of the 2022 season as Johnson and Pickens dominated the target share in the position room.
As he struggled, it was reported that there were internal issues concerning Claypool in Pittsburgh. He had reportedly become a “distraction” behind the scenes, and his trade was the result of weeks of effort trying to unload the problematic receiver. Those same vibes seem to be apparent in his departure from Chicago, where concerns about his effort on the field led to him being a healthy scratch from games as the Bears worked to offload him.
Many of the sources reporting these internal issues seem to hold the opinion that, at only 25 years old, Claypool has all the time in the world to turn his career around. He clearly has the talent that he displayed in his rookie year and should still be able to access it. Even better, he’s now landed in what could be a perfect opportunity to turn things around.
In Miami, Claypool becomes a low-risk, high-reward prospect for a team that can afford to swing and miss. Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel even told the media that the team “wasn’t looking for another wide receiver, but this was a good chance to pounce on (an) opportunity that presented itself,” according to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald.
To support McDaniel’s claim, Miami leads the league in total offense by a wide margin, thanks in large part to their league-leading 1,337 passing yards to date, which is even more than the two teams who have already played five games this season. Last year, the team’s top two wideouts, Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, combined for 3,066 receiving yards and 16 total touchdowns. This year, they added All-Pro return specialist and slot receiver Braxton Berrios, as well. Clearly, the team is well-stocked at the wide receiver position.
So, why not take a shot on Claypool for such a low asking price? Claypool, at 6-foot-4, adds a body type not present in the corps’ top three listed above, as none of Hill, Waddle, or Berrios even reach 5-foot-11. Claypool also doesn’t lack for top-end speed, an aspect of the game that the Dolphins clearly covet. The door is wide open for Claypool to walk through. He’s once again with a contending franchise and should be fighting for his life for his next NFL contract. Miami could be the perfect place to get it done.
This does seem to bring up some questions about the other big receiver in the corps, Cedrick Wilson. Miami signed him to a three-year, $22.8M contract last season before he got outplayed by Trent Sherfield for the WR3 spot. It was even reported in the offseason that the team was willing to trade Wilson. He’s continued to struggle to find the field this year, as well. With a potentially more capable big body in Claypool coming in, the Dolphins might view Wilson as even more expendable and look to find a trade partner who might reimburse their lost sixth-round pick.
Regardless, Claypool heads to South Beach with the opportunity to revive his flailing NFL career. He’ll have to work hard to find snaps behind Hill, Waddle, and Berrios, but his big frame provides him with the chance to earn some situational snaps and eventually expand his role. Miami may be his last chance to get himself together and stay in the NFL.
Edge Notes: Judon, Sweat, Van Noy, Bears
The Patriots’ defense has been hit hard by injuries lately, including the torn bicep suffered by pass rusher Matt Judon. The four-time Pro Bowler is out indefinitely after undergoing surgery, and it is doubtful he will be able to return this season.
Judon is likely facing a six-month recovery timeline, as noted by ESPN’s Dan Graziano. That would, of course, shut him down for the remainder of the season – something which would also carry financial implications for him given the nature of his restructured contract. The 31-year-old has expressed a desire to play again this year, though, and Graziano adds he and the Patriots are exploring a recovery path similar to that of Steelers star T.J. Watt.
The latter suffered a torn pectoral muscle in Week 2 of last year, an injury which usually shuts players down for the season. The former Defensive Player of the Year managed to recover in time to play in Week 9, however, which helped spark a late-season playoff push in Pittsburgh. Judon will attempt to emulate that, but for now it appears unlikely he will be able to do so.
Here are some other edge-related notes from around the league:
- Chase Young and Montez Sweat form the foundation of the pass rush contingent for the Commanders, but one has played to their potential far more than the other. Despite being a former No. 2 pick, Young is in line to reach free agency in March since his fifth-year option was declined amidst major injury concerns and an inability to follow up on an encouraging rookie season. Sweat is likewise in need of a new deal, as he is playing on his $11.5MM option in 2023. Of the two, SI’s Albert Breer expects the latter to be targeted for a long-term second contract over Young. Breer explains that Sweat – who already has 4.5 sacks in 2023, bringing him halfway to matching his single-season high – will likely be easier to extend than Young. With big-money commitments to defensive linemen Daron Payne and Jonathan Allen already in place, Washington would be hard pressed to retain both Sweat and Young on multi-year pacts.
- Facing a number of injury concerns amongst their outside linebackers, the Ravens recently signed Kyle Van Noy to serve in a depth capacity. The veteran has proven to be an effective hybrid defender, and his playing time should increase given the fact 2022 second-rounder David Ojabo could miss the rest of the campaign. Van Noy’s arrival in Baltimore could have come much sooner, though. Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic notes that the Ravens tried to sign 32-year-old this offseason, but the sides couldn’t agree on compensation. That opened the door to the team’s Jadeveon Clowney acquisition, but the pair are now in place together. Each will have a role to play as the Ravens look to maintain a top-10 sack total (13 through four games) through the remainder of the year.
- The Bears ended their 14-game losing streak last night, but the team’s defensive struggles were deserving of much of the blame for the skid reaching that length. The unit has been hampered in recent years by a lack of established edge rushing options, which made Chicago’s Yannick Ngakoue August signing an unsurprising one. The 28-year-old’s one-year, $10MM pact has led to a pair of sacks so far, but as a team Chicago has registered only seven to date. As a result, defensive end will be a priority in the 2024 offseason, writes Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune. The 1-4 Bears will have chances in free agency and the draft to add much-needed contributors on the edge, regardless of if Ngakoue is retained.
Bears Trade WR Chase Claypool To Dolphins
The Chase Claypool situation has come to a resolution. The Bears are trading the contract-year wideout to the Dolphins, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero. Dianna Russini of The Athletic reports Chicago will send Claypool and a 2025 seventh-round pick to Miami for a sixth-rounder in the same year. The deal is now official.
Claypool was a healthy scratch in Week 4, having been told to remain away from the team while a trade could be sought out. That approach continued through last night’s game against the Commanders, which saw the Bears snap their 14-game losing streak. Having repeatedly sat the former second-rounder, it was clear the Bears would move on in some fashion, though many around the league expected Claypool to be waived. Instead, he will now head to South Beach with the Bears clearing the remaining $2.2MM he is due this year from their books. 
Chicago sent a 2023 second-rounder to Pittsburgh less than one year ago in the hopes of boosting their passing attack and giving Claypool a fresh start. The 25-year-old Canadian had underwhelmed in his third Steelers campaign after posting 1,733 yards and 11 touchdowns over his first two. Things did not go according to plan in the Windy City, however, with Claypool amassing a statline of 18-191-1 in 10 games with the Bears. The pick sent to Pittsburgh (No. 32 overall) was ultimately used on corner Joey Porter Jr.
Miami already boasts a hugely effective WR tandem in the form of Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, but the team has been in search of depth. Both Erik Ezukanma and River Cracraft recently suffered injuries which will sideline them for an extended stretch, so Claypool will join Robbie Chosen as players the Dolphins will take a flier on in the hopes of providing career stability. The latter signed to Miami’s active roster last week to help fill the vacancy created by Ezukanma and Cracraft’s absence.
CBS Sports’ Josina Anderson notes that one other team expressed interest in trading for Claypool, who is set to hit free agency in March. The Bears used this past weekend to decide on a final course of action with the Notre Dame alum, which has produced an underwhelming trade return to no surprise. Claypool’s value has suffered given his lack of production, issues related to attitude and effort and his status as a rental for the remainder of the campaign. It will be interesting to see what role he is able to carve out for himself in Miami.
The Claypool gamble has proven to be a disappointment, something Bears general manager Ryan Poles admitted when speaking publicly about the situation. Confirming that a separation was imminent, he took to ESPN 1000’s pregame radio show last night to express regret for the way things played out.
“You’re always disappointed in this situation, and it’s definitely something I take ownership of,” Poles said, via ESPN’s Courtney Cronin. “The right thought process was there, and I feel comfortable with that. Unfortunately it didn’t work out and we were hoping for him to be a little bit more productive and be someone that could help us take it to the next level… I think Chase is going to learn from this situation, we all will, and I wish him luck moving forward throughout his career.”
Hall Of Fame LB Dick Butkus Dies At 80
Former Bears linebacker Dick Butkus, who became one of the NFL’s greatest players during a nine-year career, died at age 80, the Bears announced Thursday.
The Hall of Fame defender died peacefully in his sleep at his Malibu, Calif., home, according to his family. A Chicago native, Butkus spent his entire career with the Bears and quickly emerged as a dominant presence in the game. He was the rare player to land on two All-Decade teams, being voted to both the 1960s and 1970s’ squads. Although he arrived during a down period for the Bears, never playing for a playoff-bound team, Butkus forged an unassailable legacy that left him in the conversation for greatest off-ball linebacker in NFL annals.
“Dick was the ultimate Bear, and one of the greatest players in NFL history,” Bears chairman George McCaskey said in a statement (via ESPN.com). “He was Chicago’s son. He exuded what our great city is about and, not coincidentally, what George Halas looks for in a player: toughness, smarts, instincts, passion and leadership.
“He refused to accept anything less than the best from himself, or from his teammates. … His contributions to the game he loved will live forever and we are grateful he was able to be at our home opener this year to be celebrated one last time by his many fans.”
His career spanning from 1965-73, Butkus made eight Pro Bowls and earned five first-team All-Pro honors. Knee trouble stemming from a 1970 injury plagued Chicago’s 245-pound middle linebacker during his final seasons, leading to a retirement after his age-31 season. But a combination of ferocity, instincts and athleticism placed him in rarefied air.
Tackles and and forced-fumble counts are not available from that era, but in addition to being one of the most intimidating presences in NFL history, Butkus also was among the greats at creating turnovers. He finished his career with 22 interceptions and 27 fumble recoveries. When Butkus retired, that recovery total was tops in NFL history.
Selecting Butkus third overall in the 1965 draft, the Bears enjoyed one of the greatest rounds in NFL draft history. Chicago chose Hall of Fame running back Gale Sayers fourth overall; that selection was the franchise’s own pick. The Butkus pick came courtesy of the Steelers, who made a seminal trade with the Bears during the 1964 draft. Held in November 1963, the ’64 draft involved Pittsburgh sending its 1965 first-rounder to Chicago for 1964 second- and fourth-round picks (Nos. 28 and 51 overall). That first-rounder becoming No. 3 overall gave the Bears a legendary duo. Sayers, who died in September 2020, remains the youngest player enshrined in the Hall of Fame, getting there at age 34 in 1977.
While the Bears could not effectively build around Butkus and Sayers, both became Chicago icons. Starring at the University of Illinois, Butkus carried a head start on the elusive running back en route to that status. Sayers earned Rookie of the Year acclaim in 1965, before the Associated Press handed out separate awards to offensive and defensive players, but severe knee trouble sidetracked the running back’s career. During Butkus’ first eight seasons, he only missed two games. Butkus finished in the top five in MVP voting in 1968 and 1970, despite the Bears respectively finishing 7-7 and 6-8 in those seasons. Butkus played for just two winning teams as a pro.
“Playing in an era when middle linebacker became one of the game’s glamour positions — and several of Dick’s contemporaries also would end up in the Pro Football Hall of Fame — his name most often was cited first as the epitome of what it took to excel at the highest level,” Hall of Fame president Jim Porter said in a statement.
A no-doubt inclusion on the NFL’s 100th anniversary team in 2019, Butkus ended up 10th on a 2010 NFL Network project ranking the greatest players in league history. No off-ball ‘backer checked in higher on that list. College football established the Butkus Award, which is given to Division I-FBS’ best linebacker, in 1985.
Butkus remained in the public eye for decades after his retirement, serving as an announcer, commercial pitchman and actor. He appeared in numerous television shows, including in regular roles (My Two Dads and Hang Time), and in a number of movies. Butkus, who attended the Bears’ home opener last month, is survived by wife Helen and three children.
Bears Release QB Nathan Peterman
For the second time in two weeks, Nathan Peterman has been let go by the Bears. According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, Chicago released the veteran quarterback today.
Peterman spent most of the 2022 campaign as the Bears’ QB3, but he ended up starting the team’s regular-season finale with both Justin Fields and Trevor Siemian sidelined. Peterman fared okay in that contest, tossing a touchdown without an interception in an eventual loss.
The 29-year-old re-signed with the organization this past offseason, and despite being part of the Bears’ final roster cuts, he was brought back as the QB2 to start the season. Since then, the veteran has dropped down the depth chart, with UDFA Tyson Bagent being promoted to the primary backup behind Fields.
As a result, Peterman was cut from the roster in September but was quickly brought back. It will be interesting to see if the front office follows a similar path this time around. For what it’s worth, the organization is only rostering a pair of QBs in Fields and Bagent, so they’ll surely need some more depth following tonight’s game.
Peterman has emerged as a popular backup QB in recent years, having previously held the clipboard for the Bills and Raiders. In total, Peterman has seen time in 13 games (five starts), completing 53.1 percent of his passes for 712 yards, four touchdowns, and 13 interceptions.
The Bears also announced that they’ve officially activated guard Teven Jenkins off injured reserve and promoted defensive back A.J. Thomas from the practice squad. The 2022 UDFA out of Western Michigan has spent his entire career in Chicago, collecting four tackles in five appearances.
Minor NFL Transactions: 10/5/23
Just one minor transaction to pass along today:
Washington Commanders
- Promoted: RB Derrick Gore
The Commanders ruled out running back Chris Rodriguez for tonight’s game against the Bears, so the organization added some extra depth to their backfield. Gore was promoted for Week 4 to fill in for Rodriguez, and the practice squad RB ended up seeing time on six offensive snaps and 19 special teams snaps. Gore’s most productive season came with the Chiefs in 2021, when he finished with 256 rushing yards and two touchdowns.
Bears Activate G Teven Jenkins From IR
OCTOBER 5: Jenkins will be this season’s first IR activation. Despite being designated for return three days before a Thursday-night game, Jenkins will come off IR in time for the Bears’ matchup with the Commanders, Mike Garafolo of NFL.com tweets. This will be welcome news for a Bears team that has seen three starting O-linemen — Jenkins, Jones and Davis — miss multiple games. Jones remains on Chicago’s IR but will be a candidate to follow Jenkins back onto the active roster down the road.
This activation will shake up the Bears’ O-line. Cody Whitehair, per the Chicago Sun-Times’ Patrick Finley, will likely return to the center position he played earlier in his career — the team’s plan upon signing Davis this offseason — while Jenkins is shifting from right guard to left guard to accommodate the ex-Titan. Center Lucas Patrick will be on track to return to a backup role.
OCTOBER 2: Teams can begin opening practice windows for players on IR and the PUP list this week. The Bears will do so with one of their starting offensive linemen.
Suffering an injury during the preseason, Teven Jenkins went on IR just after the Bears finalized their initial 53-man roster. This allowed them to make the young blocker one of their in-season activations. It looks like Jenkins will be in play to return soon, with Matt Eberflus confirming (via the Chicago Sun-Times’ Patrick Finley) the interior starter is now designated for return.
Designating a player to return from IR means a 21-day practice window is opened. This transaction means the Bears have three weeks to decide on Jenkins, who will either be activated in that span or revert to season-ending IR. With this unspecified leg injury never expecting to end his season, it should be assumed the former second-round pick will return at some point in October. With the Bears having a Thursday-night tilt, it would not surprise if Week 6 became the Jenkins target date.
After struggling as a tackle, Jenkins broke through at guard last season. He graded as a top-10 guard, in the view of Pro Football Focus, despite moving to the post during the 2022 offseason. The Oklahoma State alum returning would certainly help the Bears, who are 0-4 and have seen other availability issues plague them up front. Left tackle Braxton Jones is on IR as well, while free agent pickup Nate Davis has missed two games.
Teams have eight in-season IR activations at their disposal. Players must miss four games upon being placed on IR, but they can now be activated from the injured list twice. From 2020-21, teams enjoyed unlimited IR activations. Opting for a middle ground between the pandemic-era format and the stricter setup of previous eras, the NFL settled on eight in 2022. For Jenkins, this marks his second NFL injury hiatus. He missed much of his 2021 rookie season due to a back injury.
Bears Expected To Waive WR Chase Claypool?
The Chase Claypool situation seems destined to end with a move out of Chicago. The Bears may not be able to find a trade partner for the disgruntled wideout, however, and he may wind up on the waiver wire as a result.
Since asking Claypool to remain away from the team in Week 4, the Bears have been seeking a deal which will send him elsewhere. No takers have emerged yet, and the 25-year-old will not take part in Chicago’s contest against Washington tomorrow. That decision is expected by personnel around the league to soon be followed by Claypool being waived, as noted by ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.
With less than four years of accrued time in the league, the former second-rounder would not be able to immediately hit free agency as is the case with vested veterans. Fowler adds that the Bears may still be able to land a late-round pick in a swap for Claypool, whose value is obviously at a low point. The 25-year-old publicly criticized Chicago’s offense prior to being made a healthy scratch this past Sunday, and his tenure in the Windy City has not gone according to plan. Claypool has averaged less than two catches and just over 19 yards per game across 10 contests in Chicago.
The Steelers dealt the Notre Dame alum to the the Bears last season as part of the latter team’s trade deadline efforts to add to their passing attack. That goal has since included the D.J. Moore acquisition as part of the deal involving the first overall pick in the 2023 draft, but the Bears have still struggled to produce through the air this season (215 passing yards per game). Parting ways with Claypool will likely not make a noticeable impact on that average.
The latter is set to hit free agency in March, so the following weeks and months will go a long way in determining his value on the open market. Claypool’s underwhelming Steelers exit, which seems destined to be followed by a similar one with the Bears, will no doubt give many teams pause when considering a waiver claim if his situation reaches that point. If he were to go unclaimed, Claypool would be free to sign with any team for the rest of the campaign.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 10/4/23
Wednesday’s practice squad moves:
Chicago Bears
- Released: S Macon Clark
Denver Broncos
- Signed: WR Michael Bandy
Houston Texans
- Signed: DT Taylor Stallworth
- Activated from practice squad/injured: S Brandon Hill
Minnesota Vikings
- Signed: DT Junior Aho
New England Patriots
- Released: P Corliss Waitman
New Orleans Saints
- Signed: OL Cameron Erving
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Signed: WR Dez Fitzpatrick, TE Noah Gindorff
San Francisco 49ers
- Signed: OL Ilm Manning, RB Jeremy McNichols
- Released: FB Jack Colletto, DL Marlon Davidson
Tennessee Titans
- Signed: WR Mason Kinsey
Erving finds a new home in 2023 after originally re-signing to stay with the Panthers in the offseason. The former first-round pick has plenty of starting experience over his eight years in the NFL and has started games at center, guard, and tackle. With several injuries nagging the offensive line in New Orleans, the addition of Erving could prove beneficial.
Matt Eberflus Addresses Bears Future
In charge of one of the league’s two 0-4 teams, Matt Eberflus is aware his days with the Bears may be numbered. When speaking publicly about his standing in the organization, though, he confirmed his focus remains squarely on the immediate future. 
“I’ve been doing this 32 years, so I understand the business,” Eberflus said, via Patrick Finley of the Chicago Sun-Times. “But I understand that to do it right you got to focus on your job, and you got to focus on right here, right now… You can focus on your job and where your feet are right now. Our sole focus is on Washington.”
Tomorrow’s contest against the Commanders threatens to extend Chicago’s losing streak (which is already the longest in franchise history) to 15 games. A loss would drop Eberflus’ record with the Bears to 3-19, and no doubt lead to a fresh round of calls for changes to be made on the sidelines. A report emerged last week indicating the dismissal of Eberflus and/or general manager Ryan Poles would not come as a surprise to many around the league.
Having received his first head coaching gig in large part on the strength of his success as a defensive coordinator, Eberflus has seen the Bears allow at least 25 points in each game during the losing skid. For the most recent portion of that stretch, the 53-year-old has handled defensive play-calling duties following the sudden resignation of defensive coordinator Alan Williams. The lack of an experienced successor in the organization – OC Luke Getsy is in only his second season as a coordinator – could help Eberflus retain his position through the remainder of the season, Finley notes.
In the end, the views of the McCaskey family (which has never authorized a midseason coaching change) and new president Kevin Warren will determine Eberflus’ fate. Warren has the authority to pull the plug on the current coaching and management regime, though doing so in his first year on the job and with Poles in particular early in a rebuilding effort would come as something of a surprise. For now, at least, Eberflus is confident he does not need to worry about receiving his walking papers.
“I haven’t talked to anybody about any of those things,” he said when asked if he has had discussions with ownership about his job security potentially being in danger. “I feel the support and we’re just focused on Washington.”