CHICAGO (670 The Score) — Embattled Bears receiver Chase Claypool didn’t attend his team’s 31-28 loss to the Broncos on Sunday at Soldier Field after he was asked by the organization to stay home while being made inactive from the gameday roster.
The development came after Claypool expressed frustration with the coaching staff in an interview Friday, but those comments had nothing to do with the decision to make him a healthy scratch, head coach Matt Eberflus said. In his postgame interview, Eberflus indicated that Claypool elected himself to stay home, but a Bears spokesman later clarified that the team asked Claypool to not attend the game.
The Bears blew a 21-point lead in the second half in a nightmare collapse that extended their franchise-worst losing streak to 14 games
In addressing reporters Friday at Halas Hall, Claypool expressed the belief that the Bears haven’t put him in the best position to succeed.
"I’m not going to give any pointers," Claypool added. "That’s their job to decide, and I’ll just do what they tell me to do."
Claypool has four receptions for 51 yards and a touchdown in three games this season. In 10 games in his Bears tenure, he has 18 receptions for 191 yards and the lone score.
The Bears acquired Claypool from the Steelers last November in a deal that sent a second-round pick back to Pittsburgh. That selection became the No. 32 overall pick in the draft.
Eberflus declined to share details on why Claypool was a healthy scratch. Quarterback Justin Fields called Claypool upon learning he would be inactive, hoping to offer support. Fields hopes Claypool remains with the Bears.
“Of course," Fields said. "He’s a weapon. He’s passionate. He just has to work on his display of his emotions.”
Claypool is expected to rejoin the Bears this week, Eberflus said. It's unclear whether he’ll remain inactive for the team's gameday lineup.
The Bears (0-4) visit the Commanders (2-2) on Thursday evening in Landover, Maryland.
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago’s sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.