Chase Claypool Just Doing What He's Told

Bears receiver says he's trying to fit into the role coaches want but it might not be the one that best lets him showcase his ability.

Bears receiver Chase Claypool almost sounded like Justin Fields did last week. 

Claypool believes the Bears coaches haven't put him in good position to showcase what he can do best.

"No," was his answer when asked at Halas Hall if they had.

However, when asked what is the best way to use him, the fourth-year receiver punted.

"You know, I'll let them decide that," he said. "I'm not going to give any pointers. That's their job to decide and I'll just do what they tell me to do."

Claypool feels like he's doing what he's told better than he's being given credit for, either from the media or fans or someone–he's not specifying who. It's been a case of learn and adapt for him this season and he sees himself doing this.

  "You just have to make due with what you got."

Patience is the buzzword he's applying to his situation as well as the situation with his team.

"So I've just been adapting to the new system and a new role in the system and trying to make the most out of it," he said.

The Week 1 Green Bay game when he was spotted on film not giving great efforts on some blocks apparently still is a spur.

"Yeah, you cut the tape Week 2, I know no one wants to talk about it or no one will talk about it or no one will highlight any plays," he said. "Tampa game, I had a few knockdowns, had some critical blocks downfield, and I took pride in that. It will never be talked about because it was a good thing that happened, right.

Notable Bears receiving stats since trading for Chase Claypool:
Claypool: 4.3 targets/game, 42% catch rate, 4.4 yards/target
Mooney: 3.6 tgt/gm, 76% catch, 7.3 yds/tgt
Kmet: 5.3 tgt/gm, 73% catch, 7.6 yds/tgt
Moore: 5.0 tgt/gm, 73% catch, 11.3 yds/tgt

— Johnathan Wood (@Johnathan_Wood1) September 29, 2023

"I just think it's shifting our identity to a physical team that can run the ball efficiently, so just knowing I have to be good on those things."

Claypool has been targeted 14 times by Justin Fields and has four catches for 51 yards with a touchdown.

While he doesn't want to call it a frustrating start, it sure sounds like it is.

"I believe, like, if it's going to come it will come," Claypool said. "Doesn't have to happen right away. There's a lot of football left to be played. I'm not going to count the first three games and use that to highlight the rest of the season. So I just think be patient.

"As long as I control the things I can control, and make sure I do as best job as I can on those, and if we're winning, it's not that frustrating."

They're not winning, as an 0-3 record says. They're underdogs at home to a Denver team that lost to Miami last week 70-20.

Claypool is stressing patience about the team's success, as well.

"There's frustration," he said. "You just got to be able to learn from the mistakes we made and come back better each week so eventually we get to that point where we want to be."

Nor is he giving up on Chicago being an ideal place for him, as he heads into Week 4 of a contract year.

"I think every situation has the ability to be ideal and I think we're just working towards that," Claypool said. "I'm not going to say that, I wouldn't say, it's not an ideal place for me.

"Obviously there's other places–you can say, 'Oh, I want to be on the best offense with the highest passing yards,' but that doesn't happen in football. You just have to make due with what you got."

Twitter: BearDigest@BearsOnMaven