Courtney Cronin, ESPN Personnel Essayist
CHICAGO — A spokesperson for the Chicago Bears mentioned that broad receiver Chase Claypool used to be instructed to not attend Sunday’s sport in opposition to the Denver Broncos then being designated a wholesome scratch.
The Bears’ messaging contradicts what trainer Matt Eberflus mentioned following Chicago’s 31-28 loss to the Denver Broncos, when he showed that Claypool used to be no longer with the group at Soldier Farmland.
“We told him that it was a choice, and he’s at home right now,” Eberflus mentioned.
Sunday marked the 3rd future Claypool has been lazy since he used to be traded to the Bears in November 2022, however it’s the primary future he’s neglected a sport for non-injury causes.
“When you look at actives or inactives every single week, what we do is we obviously evaluate meetings,” Eberflus mentioned. “We evaluate walk-throughs. We evaluate practice, and we do that every single week, and then we declare actives or inactives based on that. And this week, Claypool was inactive.”
Claypool, 25, used to be benched two days then he expressed frustration together with his utilization within the Bears offense on Friday. Requested whether or not he feels he has been installed the most productive place to show off his talent eager, the broad receiver paused for seven seconds earlier than uttering, “No.”
“Sometimes the things around you either elevate you or you have to adapt to allow you to elevate with them,” Claypool mentioned. “So I’ve just been adapting to the new system and my new role in the system and trying to make the most out of it.”
Eberflus mentioned that Claypool’s feedback didn’t issue into him being lazy nor did the receiver know on Friday afternoon put up follow that he used to be getting to be a wholesome scratch. Quarterback Justin Fields mentioned he discovered that Claypool could be lazy right through a group assembly on Saturday and that the training body of workers didn’t give an explanation for their reasoning for the broad receiver’s benching.
“I called Chase after whatever happened, and I was just checking up on him, making sure he was in good spirits,” Farmlands mentioned. “Regarding his comments and everything, I don’t know if they are or not, but one thing I do know is everybody in the building is trying to reach their full potential. So players, coaches, coaches are trying to get the most out of every player, and then us as players, we’re trying to get the most out of our receives and be the best we can.
“However so far as are you desirous about a man that’s right here or no longer right through the sport, negative, no longer in point of fact. You’re centered at the sport and what’s happening. So can’t keep watch over that, if he’s right here or no longer.”
Claypool was traded to Chicago in exchange for the No. 32 pick. In 10 games with the Bears, the wide receiver has been targeted 43 times and turned 18 catches into 191 yards and one touchdown. Claypool scored his first touchdown as a Bear in the second half of a Week 2 loss to Tampa Bay.
“Do I would like him in this group?” Fields said. “In fact. Chase, he’s a weapon. He’s passionate. He simply has to paintings on his show of his feelings, and me and him have had more than one conversations with that. However I cruel so far as do I would like him at the group, that’s a very simple resolution. Sure, after all.”
Fields turned in his best performance of the 2023 season against Denver when he threw for 335 yards, four touchdowns and one interception. In Claypool’s absence, wide receiver DJ Moore and tight finish Cole Kmet led the Bears with nine targets each. Moore had eight catches for 131 yards and a touchdown while Kmet totaled seven catches for 85 yards and two TDs. Wide receiver Darnell Mooney was also a factor in the passing game with four receptions for 51 yards.
Despite finding production elsewhere, Fields expressed frustration regarding Claypool’s absence.
“In fact, I’m pissed off, and , when certainly one of your easiest guns in your out of doors isn’t within the sport, however it’s what it’s,” Fields said. “Schoolteacher and the entrance administrative center, they made the verdict and that’s what it’s. As a participant, I will’t do the rest about it. Were given to progress in the market with the avid gamers that I’ve and kill to the most productive of my skill. So , I simply aim to keep watch over what I will keep watch over, and roughly simply keep out of what’s happening.”
Eberflus said that he expects Claypool back at Halas Hall on Monday, adding he “anticipates” the broad receiver being with the Bears in the future.
