Claypool moves via trade from Steelers to Bears

The 2020 second-round draft pick has caught 32 passes for 311 yards and a touchdown for the Steelers this season. Also, he threw for touchdowns and racked up 55 ground yards on eight carries.

Claypool, 24, was at Tuesday’s practice and briefly chatted with the media from his locker room locker about his strategy for the week off, and discussions within the open receiver group in Pittsburgh.

He left the locker room shortly after the interview. With just minutes remaining in the locker room period open to the media, the news was revealed that the wide receiver was headed to Chicago. The room was emptying, but the players who remained there were noticeably silenced, including a group of wide receivers gathered around a phone.

Claypool moved into the slot in this, his third season with the Steelers, and was carrying just one touchdown in receptions this season. In last Sunday’s loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, Claypool threw a touchdown pass to fullback Derek Watt.

His best game came against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, when he recorded seven catches on seven passes for 96 yards.

Without Claypool, wide receiver Miles Boykin is likely to receive more opportunities in the Steelers offense.

The Bears have been the most active team in the NFL leading up to the trade deadline, but as sellers and not buyers. In recent days, Chicago sent outside linebacker Robert Quinn in a trade to the Philadelphia Eagles, and middle linebacker Roquan Smith via trade to the Baltimore Ravens.