Bears QB Justin Fields putting in extra work to lessen learning curve for Chase Claypool
There was an expectation that receiver Chase Claypool would an immediate contributor when the Chicago Bears traded for him two weeks ago.
But with just three receptions for 21 yards in two games with the Bears, quarterback Justin Fields has taken the third-year wideout under his wing to help make the transition from Pittsburgh to Chicago’s offense more seamless.
“Every day after practice we [get extra work together],” Fields told reporters on Wednesday. “…He’s coming in and having to memorize the offense and memorize the formations and not really having that base or foundation like the other guys on the offense have. So, we kind of have to work him in slowly and you know our routes have a lot of details in them. So, it’s tough for him to come in and just learn every little detail of every route and stuff.”
Claypool’s addition was expected to be a boost for a struggling Bears receiver group, which has just one player — Darnell Mooney — with more than 15 receptions and 200 receiving yards. However, he played just 26 offense snaps in his Bears debut two weeks ago against Miami but saw that number drop to 19 snaps in last week’s loss to the Detroit Lions.
The 6-foot-4 wideout had back-to-back 800-yard seasons in his first two years with the Steelers, totaling 121 receptions on 214 targets with 11 touchdowns.
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