The future of Abbotsford鈥檚 Chase Claypool with the Chicago Bears is unclear after a tumultuous week that saw the NFL club tell the Abbotsford Senior Secondary School grad to stay home for last Sunday鈥檚 (Oct. 1) game against the Denver Broncos.
Claypool has reportedly also been told that he will not be used on Thursday鈥檚 (Oct. 5) game against the Washington Commanders.
It鈥檚 rumoured that the Bears are hoping to deal him after what has been a lacklustre start to the season for Claypool and the Bears, who are sitting at 0-4.
Here is the exchange with Chase Claypool on his belief he's not being utilized to showcase his strengths beginning with the 2 questions I asked. The assumption that quotes from players are cherrypicked is something I take offense to, so you can see it verbatim for yourself.
鈥� Courtney Cronin (@CourtneyRCronin)
Claypool was asked by the media on Friday (Sept. 29) if the Bears were using him in the best way to showcase his talents and he simply replied 鈥渘o鈥�.
He went on to say that the Bears offensive struggles are something he has to deal with.
鈥淣o, I wouldn鈥檛 say that [it isn鈥檛 ideal],鈥� he told reporters. 鈥淓very situation has the ability to be ideal; we鈥檙e just working toward that. I鈥檓 not gonna say that. I wouldn鈥檛 say that it鈥檚 not an ideal place for me.
Here is WR Chase Claypool's response to whether or not he has been put in the best position to succeed.
鈥� Clocker Sports (@ClockerSports)
He was also asked how he can be better utilized going forward.
鈥淥bviously, there鈥檚 other places. You can say, 鈥極h, I want to be on the best offence with the highest passing yards,鈥� but that doesn鈥檛 happen in football. You just have to make do with what you鈥檝e got.鈥�
Shortly after those comments he was listed as inactive by the Bears. Chicago head coach Matt Eberflus was then questioned by the media for several minutes about Claypool鈥檚 status following the team鈥檚 decision to list him as inactive.
HC Matt Eberflus got nearly 20 straight questions to open his presser today about what's happening with Chase Claypool.
鈥� Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate)
Just got grilled on the topic... Question after question...
(via )
鈥淲e just feel that鈥檚 best for the team,鈥� he said, when asked about why Claypool was told to stay home. 鈥淩ight now Chase out of the building is what鈥檚 best for our football team.鈥�
Eberflus stated that being on time, being respectful and working hard are important and that those standards have to be met to play on the Bears. He added that everyone has frustrations, but everyone must keep their emotions in check.
Claypool faced criticism earlier this year for what some fans and media members said was a lack of effort, specifically with his blocking.
The 25-year-old has caught four passes for 51 yards in three games this season for the Bears. He was dealt to Chicago by the Pittsburgh Steelers for a second-round pick back on Nov. 1, 2022.
