5 Reasons why the Chicago Bears did not overpay for Chase Claypool

The Chicago Bears just added a wide receiver who is only 24 years old

The joke still remains, that Velus Jones is 80 years old. Well, the Chicago Bears just traded for a 24-year-old receiver who has two years-plus of experience. In fact, Velus Jones will turn 26 years old in May 2023 and Claypool won’t see 25 until July. This matters for many reasons.

This means that Claypool isn’t just a filler. He can be brought in, develop a connection with Justin Fields and will still be under contract in 2023. Having that final year of control is important. It gives Ryan Poles enough time to evaluate the connection between Claypool and Fields and determine if he’s worth extending. Obviously, the Bears have plenty of cap space going forward. Claypool, even with a strong 2022 backend season, shouldn’t break the bank.

In fact, even with a strong 2023 season, I can’t see him being paid more than $16 to $18 million per year. The top wide receiver right now from a salary standpoint is Tyreek Hill who is making $30 million per year. At $18 million per year, he’d be the 20th-highest-paid WR in the league. At $16 million he’d be closer to 25th. In fact, that would put him around the current Allen Robinson contract.