Chicago Bears updated depth chart after Chase Claypool trade

The Chicago Bears receiver depth chart looks better now after the trade deadline and the acquisition of Chase Claypool from the Steelers.

The dust has settled on the NFL trade deadline, and the Chicago Bears walked away with a piece for their offense in the form of WR Chase Claypool.

The cost was a second-round pick to the Pittsburgh Steelers, leaving the Bears with only one second for next year’s draft. They entered the day with two, one of which came from the Roquan Smith deal with the Ravens. Chicago had to trade their own second-rounder to acquire Claypool’s services.

As a bonus, Claypool is still on his rookie contract, meaning the Bears have him on a short deal for now and could potentially extend him for the long haul. While losing a high draft pick hurts, having another weapon on offense for Justin Fields matters in his development.

So what does the wide receiver depth chart look like right now?

Bears depth chart after Chase Claypool trade

• Darnell Mooney
• Chase Claypool
• Equanimeous St. Brown
• N’Keal Harry
• Velus Jones Jr
• Dante Pettis

Darnell Mooney isn’t leaving his spot at any point, which means Claypool jumps right up to No.2. St. Brown will keep his role as a slot player and third, while the rest will have to earn more playing time, and that includes rookie Velus Jones Jr, whose rookie campaign has gotten off to a poor start.

Perhaps that’s why general manager Ryan Poles felt the need to make this move. Jones was supposed to help in some way in the passing game, but so far, the third-round rookie has been a disappointment. Harry has shown some promise, including a TD catch against Dallas, and he’s a strong run blocker, so he’ll be fine. Eventually, Bryon Pringle might end up returning and will likely replace Pettis, but time will tell if that changes, so for now, this is what it is.

But this group is certainly better with Claypool, yet it is clear it will need more reinforcements to enter the upper echelon of receiving corps in the NFL. That said, every little bit counts.