Embattled Bears WR Chase Claypool voices criticism over usage
Patience is growing thin in the Windy City for the 0-3 Chicago Bears, and frustration is starting to spill over into the public eye.
On Friday, Chase Claypool was asked by Courtney Cronin of ESPN if he felt the team was utilizing him correctly on offense. The wide receiver shook his head before firmly stating "no."
Claypool, 25, has hauled in just four of 14 targets this season for 51 yards and a touchdown. Acquired in a trade with the Pittsburgh Steelers last season, the former second-round pick has amassed 18 receptions over his 14-game Bears tenure.
From anointing himself a top-three wide receiver in the NFL on the "I AM ATHLETE" podcast heading into last season to a bizarre game-costing first-down celebration with the Steelers, Claypool has been a lightning rod for controversy in recent years. That hasn't changed since he arrived in Chicago, where his lack of effort in the season opener led to outrage among fans and the organization.
According to NFL insider Jay Glazer, Claypool was put "on notice" after the Bears' Week 1 loss to the Green Bay Packers, being informed he could be deactivated or traded if he didn't improve his effort.
In the grand scheme of things, an uptick in effort or improved scheming to involve the 6-foot-4-inch, 238-pound wideout in the offense won't do much for Chicago's putrid passing attack.
Quarterback Justin Fields has averaged only 175.3 yards per game this season while posting an NFL-worst 21.3 QBR. Furthermore, no Bears wideout has more than 11 receptions on the year — 57 players across the NFL have totaled at least 12 receptions this season.
Surrendering the 32nd overall pick in last April's NFL Draft for Claypool has been a tough pill to swallow for Bears fans. Nevertheless, the team has far more pressing issues at hand. Having not won a game since Oct. 24, 2022, a loss to the Denver Broncos in Week 4 could prompt a full-blown rebuild in Chicago.
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