Sports Media

Chase Claypool Could Be A Healthy Scratch In Week 2

Isiah Wardlaw / NFL / September 14, 2023

Chase Claypool Bears — Photo Credit: (Brett Davis/USA Today Sports)

Chase Claypool Could Be A Healthy Scratch In Week 2

It wouldn’t be controversial if someone said that Chicago Bears wide receiver Chase Claypool played terribly in Week 1. He recorded zero receptions and zero yards on two targets in a blowout loss to the Green Bay Packers.

Not to mention, Claypool showed no commitment to virtually anything happening on the gridiron. He looked lazy, confused, and overall like he didn’t want to be there.

Pick 32 https://t.co/T1WJdH6s5c pic.twitter.com/MB636VIaov
— Mike Renner (@mikerenner_) September 11, 2023

Now, the Bears are now considering benching Claypool for their next matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, head coach Matt Eberflus announced Wednesday. When asked about Claypool’s play, he said that he met with the former Steeler about it, saying they’re exploring all possibilities for this Sunday’s game.

“You all saw the plays that … and again, the perimeter blocking needed to improve for all of us. And we’re gonna get that, work hard to get that done. We’re looking at all possibilities right now,” Eberflus said. “I’m not going to talk about who’s going to be up or down for the game right now for obvious reasons. We’re looking at all things to improve our team — Who’s going to be up and who will be down in terms of the active roster.“

If Claypool isn’t playing, quarterback Justin Fields will need to rely on Darnell Mooney, D.J. Moore, and Cole Kmet against a stout Tampa Bay defense.

Claypool’s Chicago tenure has been disappointing thus far. He looked as if he was going to be a force to be reckoned with coming into the NFL. Drafted out of Notre Dame to the Pittsburgh Steelers, Claypool was measured at 6-foot-4, 240 pounds, and ran a 4.42 40-yard dash.

In his first two seasons, Claypool showed his versatility as a deep threat and a jump ball receiver. He recorded 121 receptions, 1,733 yards and 11 touchdowns. However, Claypool’s numbers steeply dropped after the 2021 season, and the Pittsburgh Steelers eventually traded him to the Chicago Bears in the middle of the 2022 season.

The trade involving Claypool resulted in the No. 32 pick in the NFL draft, essentially giving up a 1st rounder in terms of value. In seven games with the Bears, he caught just 14 passes for 140 yards and 0 touchdowns.