(Pittsburgh) Canadian wide receiver Chase Claypool is headed for the Chicago Bears, The Associated Press has learned, although the deal has yet to be officially announced.
Posted at 3:07 p.m.
In return, the Pittsburgh Steelers get a second-round pick in the 2023 draft.
The trade gives Bears quarterback Justin Fields a prime target on the long runs and aims to help the club’s deficient air attack, last in the NFL with an average of 126.9 yards per game.
Clayppol, of Abbotsford, BC, has caught 32 passes for 301 yards and a touchdown this season. He also threw the first touchdown pass of his career on a trick play in a loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.
The six-foot-four footballer became available following the emergence of rookie George Pickens, who quickly established himself as the Steelers’ No. 2 receiver, pushing Claypool to No. 3.
Claypool was a revelation in 2020 after being selected in the second round, scoring 10 touchdowns, including eight passing, in his first 10 games. The Steelers had then won their first 11 meetings, en route to the title of the North American section.
He’s struggled to keep up the pace, though: Claypool has scored just four touchdowns in his last 29 games.
Hockenson moves to Minnesota
The Minnesota Vikings acquired tight end TJ Hockenson from the Detroit Lions.
PHOTO ANDY CLAYTON-KING, ASSOCIATED PRESS ARCHIVES
TJ Hockenson
In order to get Hockenson, the Vikings traded very little to the Lions: they also traded a second-round pick in 2023 and a third-round pick in 2024. In return, the Lions traded their fourth-round pick in 2023 and a conditional fourth-round pick the following year.
Hockenson has been one of the most productive tight ends in the NFL since becoming the Lions’ eighth overall pick in 2019. He caught 186 passes for 2,068 yards and 15 touchdowns in 47 games.