It appears the Chase Claypool experiment is coming to a close. The Chicago Bears have told the wide receiver to stay home this week as the team prepares for its Week 5 Thursday Night Football matchup against the Washington Commanders.
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Eberflus just said that Claypool will NOT be in the building this week in preparation for the Commanders.
— Silvy (@WaddleandSilvy) October 2, 2023
Since arriving at the Bears last season at the trade deadline — in a deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers for a second-round pick — there have been many issues with the Notre Dame alum and his new squad.
Heading into Week 4, the Bears labeled him a "healthy scratch." This was his third absence from a Bears game but the first due to non-injury.
The healthy scratch came after Claypool responded with a simple "no" after being asked following a previous game if he was being used correctly in the offense.
Chase Claypool was asked if the #Bears are using him right…
He says no.
(🎥: @thecarm)
https://t.co/5ucEXBdtr6— JPAFootball (@jasrifootball) September 29, 2023
Bears WR Chase Claypool says Bears aren’t putting him in best position to succeed—https://t.co/YZa46lKJuK pic.twitter.com/nPDTAfj17t
— Jason Lieser (@JasonLieser) September 29, 2023
At the beginning of this season, Claypool apologized to his teammates, coaches and the front office for his lack of effort in the team's Week 1 matchup. Fox's Jay Glazer reported that if it continued, he could be "shipped out."
Wow: #Bears WR Chase Claypool was told if he continues to show lack of effort not only would he be made an healthy inactive, he might be "Shipped out", according to @JayGlazer on FOX.
Glazer adds that Chase Claypool apologized to teammates, coaches and the front office for his… https://t.co/huPVcia3Ef pic.twitter.com/sZ3ka5v4Pv
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) September 17, 2023
Well, it appears that Claypool is on his way out anyway. According to NFL Insider's Jordan Schultz, the Bears are seeking a fifth- or sixth-round pick — a small price compared to their second-round pick last season.
Schultz also reports that general manager Ryan Poles has been making calls.
Since arriving in Chicago, Claypool has seen 43 targets. He's caught 18 of those targets for 191 yards and one score. His lone score came in Week 2 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, where he had three catches for 36 yards. In Week 3, he had one catch for 15 yards. Going back to Week 1, he had two targets but posted zero catches.
It's clear this experiment is over, and now we'll look to see where Claypool ends up for the remainder of the season.
