Plenty of players came under fire after the Chicago Bears’ ugly loss last week to the Green Bay Packers. Few more so than Chase Claypool. The organization gave up a high 2nd round pick for his services last year. He hasn’t rewarded them with much since arriving. Sunday might’ve been his lowest point yet. Claypool failed to make a catch on two targets and was a constant liability when asked to block on screens and outside runs. For a guy who is 6’4 and 230 lbs, you’d think he was 5’9 and 160 out there.
More than anything, it was how lackadaisical and disinterested he seemed at times. There wasn’t enough urgency and intensity. Bears fans are already calling for him to get benched. The team won’t do that. Not yet. They still feel the Claypool they saw dominate training camp is in there. It’s a question of drawing him out. This is where the recent comments from wide receivers coach Tyke Tolbert were interesting. He understands every player requires different motivation. From the way he spoke on Thursday, it seems like pinning down Claypool’s has proven difficult.
There is some good news, though.
“Everybody has a button to be pushed a different way,” Tolbert said. “His button is different from everybody else. It’s my job to find that button. I think I found it. I met with him extra. He’s come in early. He’s been the first receiver in the meeting rooms all week long. He’s the most hustled receiver on the practice field the past two days. Hopefully, that continues tomorrow. And that’ll continue to hopefully go into the game with that same attitude.
“Each person has their own different way of being motivated and corrected. And I have the way to get to him. And I need to do a better job of that. And he needs to do a better job of doing his part, so we can all get what we want, which is a win.”
Chase Claypool may finally recognize his dilemma.
He’s been coasting on his natural talent for a long time. However, he quickly wore out his welcome in Pittsburgh because of allegations he wasn’t always 100% committed to his duties. There were maturity concerns. Now he delivers this dud against Green Bay, and Bears fans don’t have nearly the same patience. This is a contract year for Claypool. Playing well can earn him a massive extension. Failing to deliver may cost him the biggest opportunity he’ll ever have to cash in.
The Bears aren’t pulling the plug yet. They’re staying patient. It sounds like Chase Claypool is dedicated to bouncing back this week. They need him to. Chicago has lost 11 games in a row. Falling to the Buccaneers in Tampa Bay could spiral the season out of control, especially with Kansas City on deck. They need this game, and they need Claypool to be part of that effort. If he can deliver even a modestly productive game, it might instill some confidence back into him.
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