Former Bears receiver Chase Claypool heads upfield after a catch against Carolina. Claypool says he has recovered from a foot injury and hopes to return to the NFL. Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images

One of Ryan Poles' biggest mistakes looking for NFL comeback

Originally posted on Chicago Bears on SI
By Gene Chamberlain | Last updated Jul 5, 2025 10:34 PM ET

He's baaaaack. Or, he hopes to be.

Just when Bears fans thought they might have seen the last of possibly the biggest mistake made by GM Ryan Poles, wide receiver Chase Claypool, is ready to make an NFL comeback according to his social media and NFL.com.

"I tore a ligament and a tendon in my second toe and have been rehabbing, working out, and recovering every day for the past year," Claypool wrote on Instagram. "I am back to being the strongest and fastest I've ever been and couldn't be more excited to step back out on the field and let my actions speak for themselves.

"I deeply and truly believe that the pieces will align, and I will work my way into the position to show off what's been suppressed these last two years."

Ryan Poles likes to talk about acquiring players with good character, but the football character of Nate Davis and Chase Claypool was really poor, as @SpiegsAndHolmes discussed.

Davis' actions in particular really frustrated the guys.

Listen: https://t.co/O10vhKtb5h pic.twitter.com/YekCWV3WOU
— 670 The Score (@670TheScore) November 13, 2024

Poles traded a second-round pick to Pittsburgh at midseason in 2022 for Claypool, the 6-foot-4, 238-pound former Notre Dame receiver. For their efforts, they got a player who made only 18 receptions and 191 yards with one touchdown in 2022-23.

Poles and Matt Eberflus eventually told Claypool to stay home and not come to practice after there were concerns over his work ethic. He threw a fit on the sidelines in a game at Detroit and fought with Bears defensive backs in practice, including Eddie Jackson and Tyrique Stevenson.

Ryan Poles acquired:

- Chase Claypool for a 2nd round pick

- Velus Jones for a 3rd round pick

- And Keenan Allen for a 4th round pick

Yep, of course. pic.twitter.com/ex6SddpOYf
— Dhruv Koul (@DhruvKoul) March 15, 2024

In Pittsburgh, Claypool had also been through a series of questionable antics and it led to the trade.

The Bears dealt him to Miami for a second-round pick in 2023 and he made four receptions. The Bills signed him last year but waived him midway through August.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Chase Claypool (@chaseclaypool)

After the Bills waived him, Claypool sat out all of 2024 due to his injury and now hopes to get back into the NFL.

Claypool once said he was one of the top three receivers in the NFL.

If so, he's a top three receiver who used to be in the league and is hoping for a chance to get back into it. Anywhere but Chicago would be a suitable place.

The Mayor's office has released the parade route for #Bears GM Ryan Poles getting a sixth-round draft pick from the Dolphins for WR Chase Claypool and a seventh-round draft pick: pic.twitter.com/LL8myq3Lf6
— Mark Potash (@MarkPotash) October 6, 2023

This article first appeared on Chicago Bears on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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