Claypool: No bad blood with Steelers after trade to Bears

Wide receiver Chase Claypool insists he doesn't have any hard feelings toward the Pittsburgh Steelers after he was dealt to the Chicago Bears on Tuesday.

Pittsburgh sent Claypool to Chicago in exchange for a 2023 second-round pick ahead of the league's trade deadline.

"I was grateful for the opportunity," Claypool said Wednesday. "I don't have any bad blood with anyone there. It was hard to take offense to it because I know it was just the nature of the business."

Claypool noted he didn't request a trade despite voicing his frustration with his usage last month.

"I feel like I didn't have the full opportunity to show what I can do this year, but I think I've been able to show that in the past," he added Wednesday.

The addition of Claypool provides second-year quarterback Justin Fields with an additional weapon alongside Darnell Mooney in the passing game. Chicago currently averages a league-low 126.9 yards passing per contest. Mooney leads all Bears pass-catchers this season with 25 receptions for 364 yards through eight weeks.

Claypool made his NFL debut in 2020 after Pittsburgh drafted him in the second round. The Notre Dame product made an immediate impact with 62 receptions for 872 yards as a rookie. He followed that up with another 800-plus-yard display in 2021.

He has 32 catches for 311 yards and one touchdown this season. It's unclear if Claypool will play when the Bears host the Miami Dolphins on Sunday.

Meanwhile, Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said Tuesday's deal came about because Pittsburgh feels "really comfortable" with its depth at the inside receiver position. He also pointed to the emergence of tight end Pat Freiermuth as part of the reason why Pittsburgh moved on from Claypool.