The Chicago Bears made an in-season trade for wide receiver Chase Claypool, who, despite his slow start with the Bears since joining the team on Nov. 1, will have a critical role in Chicago’s passing game next season. And, he’d better. The Bears traded their 2023 second-round pick for him, which is tracking to be No. 34 overall.
But just because GM Ryan Poles made one big trade for a wide receiver doesn’t mean he can’t make another. And if the goal of the 2023 offseason is to build offensive firepower around QB Justin Fields, leveraging assets for another wideout makes sense.
The 2022 offseason was highlighted by wide receivers who demanded new contracts on the eve of their fourth seasons in the league. Deebo Samuel, D.K. Metcalf, and A.J. Brown got paid after requesting new deals. Brown ended up getting traded from the Tennessee Titans to the Philadelphia Eagles in a move that appears to be the final piece the Eagles needed for a Super Bowl run.
The contract numbers were massive. Samuel signed a three-year, $71.5 million deal. Metcalf inked a three-year, $72 million contract. And Brown was rewarded by the Eagles with a four-year, $100 million deal.
Big money for big-time playmakers.
