Chase Claypool says Bears aren't using him correctly
One of the Chicago Bears’ biggest moves last season — Ryan Poles’ first as general manager — was to trade for Chase Claypool. The former Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver was seen as a potential weapon for Justin Fields and the struggling Bears offense, but he’s been fairly quiet since his arrival last November.
On Friday, he spoke candidly about how Luke Getsy and the staff is using him in the scheme.
Claypool met with reporters in Chicago ahead of Saturday’s game against the Denver Broncos and said he doesn’t feel like he’s being put in a position to succeed. When asked whether the staff was using him to show “the best that he can do,” he shook his head and said no.
Claypool was then pressed further on the topic and opened up about how the situation in Chicago is still a work in progress to make it “ideal.”
“No, I wouldn’t say that,” Claypool said, via the Chicago Sun-Times’ Jason Lieser. “Every situation has the ability to be ideal — we’re just working towards that. I’m not gonna say that. I wouldn’t say that it’s not an ideal place for me.
“Obviously, there’s other places. You can say, ‘Oh, I want to be on the best offense with the highest passing yards,’ but that doesn’t happen in football. You just have to make do with what you’ve got.”
Top 10
- 1New
Desean Jackson
Finalizing deal to be college HC
- 2
Jim Larranaga
Miami HC set to step down
- 3Hot
CFP selection process
Urban Meyer predicts changes
- 4
National Championship odds
Updated odds are in
- 5
LaNorris Sellers
South Carolina QB signs NIL deal to return
Get the On3 Top 10 to your inbox every morning
By clicking "Subscribe to Newsletter", I agree to On3's Privacy Notice, Terms, and use of my personal information described therein.
In 10 games since arriving in Chicago — seven last year and three this year — Chase Claypool has totaled 18 receptions for 191 yards and grabbed his first touchdown last week against the Kansas City Chiefs. The former Notre Dame star also came under fire in Week 1 because of his effort. One particular instance came on a screen play when he didn’t block a defender, resulting in a loss of yards.
That led Matt Eberflus to hint at possibly benching Claypool for Week 2. Ultimately, he was active for that matchup with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and again last week against the Chiefs.
Claypool’s comments are part of a larger conversation about the Bears’ offense, which is among the NFL’s worst through three weeks. Fields’ development appears to have stalled, and last week, he pointed to multiple reasons for his “robotic” play against the Buccaneers.
This week presents an opportunity for a get-right game for the Bears against the Denver Broncos, who allowed 70 points to the Miami Dolphins a week ago. However, Denver is favored in the game, which will take place in Chicago.