3 reasons to be skeptical of Chicago Bears trade for Chase Claypool

1. Could Chicago Bears Contract negotiations get tricky

As we noted with the team passing on George Pickens, the big difference between trading for Claypool and drafting Pickens is the contract, With Claypool, they have this year, and then he will enter the last season of his deal.

They will probably want to decide this offseason, and at least give him an offer based solely on the next two months. That is better than overpaying a free agent they have never seen, but it does make the clock tick faster.

What will be interesting is how the Chicago Bears view Claypool, and how he views himself. Reports out of Pittsburgh are that they moved on because he saw himself as a top-tier wideout, and that he planned to make top-tier wideout money.

This may not even be quite like the Roquan Smith debate, because Claypool is just not a top-tier wideout at this point. He is a good wide receiver and could be a game-changer for the Chicago Bears, but there could be an issue if he wants to get Tyreek Hill money.

That is where Ryan Poles could give him a reasonable contract, and he still looks at Poles like the bad guy. This would make it a repeat of the Roquan Smith situation all over again next season.

If the Chicago Bears cannot extend him, and he hits free agency next season, it would be an issue. The team should have no issue paying him if he produces, but he also has to know that like Roquan Smith, the Bears are not going to set the market for him.