Former South Carolina QB Connor Shaw claimed by Chicago Bears

Former South Carolina quarterback Connor Shaw has found a new NFL home with the Chicago Bears. But the move didn’t happen without some intrigue.

Reports surfaced Friday afternoon that Shaw, released by the Cleveland Browns on Thursday, had been claimed by the New Orleans Saints. But apparently those leaks were premature. The Bears jumped ahead of the Saints to claim Shaw, who entered the NFL with Cleveland as an undrafted free agent in 2014.

Fox Sports’ Peter Schrager has the details:

Former Browns QB Connor Shaw has been claimed by the Chicago Bears. @NFLonFOX

— Peter Schrager (@PSchrags) July 1, 2016

Some July 1 NFL intrigue. Saints (accidentally?) leaked they were putting waiver claim in for Connor Shaw. Bears jump in and get him first.

— Peter Schrager (@PSchrags) July 1, 2016

Ryan Pace , Bears GM and former Saints front office wizkid, was one spot before Saints on waiver wire. Gets Shaw. That's the biz. @NFLonFOX

— Peter Schrager (@PSchrags) July 1, 2016

As @caplannfl noted, Saints sent email to entire league instead of just NFL office, notifying waiver claim for Connor Shaw. Clerical error.

— Peter Schrager (@PSchrags) July 1, 2016

This is a savvy move by the Bears if everything went down as Schrager says. Shaw has thrown just 28 passes in the NFL, all in 2014, but perhaps the move to Chicago will serve him well.

Saints officials have to be shaking their heads, though.