Bears QB Justin Fields: WR Chase Claypool needs to 'control' his emotions
Wideout Chase Claypool wasn't shy about showing his frustrations during the Chicago Bears' blowout loss to the Detroit Lions, 41-10 . After the game, quarterback Justin Fields spoke pointedly about Claypool's behavior.
"He's passionate," Fields told Kevin Fishbain of The Athletic. "Just has to learn how to control those emotions and keep them inside and know what's going to be best for the team."
After a Bears failed third down in the second half, Claypool was visibly "hot" on the sidelines, throwing his helmet to the ground. Shortly after, Fields walked over to talk with Claypool.
Fields said he had talked to Claypool, who was only "showing his emotion," but added that letting it out wasn't helping the Bears' cause on Sunday.
"That's not helping anybody. That's just spreading everybody apart," Fields said. "We need to be here for each other, stick with each other, and fight."
On top of the lopsided score, there may have been another reason for Claypool's outburst.
Returning after missing the last two games with a knee injury, Claypool was targeted only once on Sunday, finishing with goose eggs in the boxscore.
Things haven't gone well for Claypool since arriving in Chicago via a trade from the Pittsburgh Steelers in November.
In six games with the Bears, Claypool has managed only 12 catches for 111 yards with zero touchdowns.
If there's a silver lining to take away for the 3-13 Bears, it's how its young quarterback responded to the loss and toward his receiver.
Fields may only be 23-year-olds, but he seems wise beyond his years. Pair that with his obvious skills on the football field, and Chicago looks like it's in good hands at quarterback for the foreseeable future.
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