Patriots were reportedly in on wide receiver Chase Claypool at the NFL trade deadline
The New England Patriots did not add anyone at the NFL trade deadline. Despite that, the team was reportedly showing interest in former Steelers wide receiver Chase Claypool.
Pro Football Talk’s Mile Florio reported on Wednesday on NBC’s “PFT Live” that the Patriots showed legitimate interest in Claypool. The Bears ended up acquiring him for a 2023 second-round pick.
"I think based upon the way this all fell together yesterday... I think the Patriots were in it up until the end, I do," Florio said of the Patriots reported pursuit of Claypool. "I have reason to believe that the Patriots were in it up until the very end.”
Patriots head coach Bill Belichick has been a fan of Claypool in the past and has compared him to Rob Gronkowski.
"Big, fast, really good hands, big catch radius. He's kind of always open -- reminds me of a guy like Gronkowski," said Belichick prior to the Week 2 matchup against the Steelers.
"No matter where you are on him, there's a place where he can reach and get the ball that you can't reach and get the ball,” added Belichick.
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The Patriots already have Jakobi Meyers, Nelson Agholor, Kendrick Bourne, Tyquan Thornton and DeVante Parker. If the Patriots added Claypool the team would have the young receiver for next season. Agholor will be a free agent at the end of the season.
Claypool will head to the Bears where that organization hopes the 24-year-old will turn into a superstar.
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