Zach Godsey
Chase Claypool will bring his versatile skill set to the Miami Dolphins.
The Miami Dolphins have traded for Chase Claypool, the second-round pick out of Notre Dame in 2020. The embattled wide receiver had a promising start in the league during his rookie season, with 62 catches for 873 yards and 9 touchdowns over 16 games in 2020, establishing himself as a budding star for the Pittsburgh Steelers. However, his production would take a nosedive after being traded to the Chicago Bears in November 2022. During this brief stint with the Bears, he recorded just 14 catches for 140 yards and 0 touchdowns over 7 games. It was clear that Claypool struggled to find his place in the Bears’ organization, as he stated in a postgame interview that he didn’t think the Bears were putting him in a position to succeed.
Just one week after placing wide receivers River Cracraft and Erik Ezukanma on injured reserve and the non-football injured list, respectively, the Miami Dolphins traded away a sixth and seventh-round pick in the 2025 NFL draft in exchange for Claypool. Although the Dolphins boast formidable wide receiver talent, with stellar offensive weapons in Tyreek Hill and Jaelyn Waddle, it was an opportunity that Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniels couldn’t turn down. In a later interview with ESPN, McDaniels stated that the trade was made out of “a commitment to making your team as good as it can be.” Furthermore, Claypool’s 6’4, 240 lb frame will bring a physical presence to the Miami offense, complementing the smaller, faster receivers already in Miami. With quarterback Tua Tagoviloa healthy this year, there is optimism that Claypool may flourish within the Dolphins’ offensive scheme. This trade has undoubtedly set the stage for an intriguing chapter in Claypool's career and the Miami Dolphins' 2023 season.