LAKE FOREST, Ill. (670 The Score) -- Bears wide receiver Chase Claypool made a quick cut across the field and left a defender falling to the Kentucky bluegrass on the back field at Halas Hall, but that wasn’t enough for him.
Claypool pointed back to the defender as he sprinted down the sidelines. It’s becoming clear that this is a player who is in a vastly different place entering his first full season with the Bears – which he termed “the biggest year of my life.” The work that Claypool put forth for this pivotal campaign has paid off early in training camp.
“Chase has been doing his thing lately,” Bears quarterback Justin Fields said of Claypool on Wednesday. “I’m proud of him. He’s one of those guys on offense that he’s going to bring that energy pretty much every day.”
Acquired by the Bears prior to the NFL’s trade deadline last November, Claypool had just 14 receptions for 140 yards over seven games. He was brought in with hopes of becoming an instant impact player for Fields and the offense. Instead, Claypool appeared frustrated at times and struggled to assert himself for a role.
Claypool, 25, had career-best numbers as a rookie in 2020 with 62 receptions, 873 yards and nine touchdowns. He fell off considerably since before the Steelers traded him to the Bears for a second-round pick – which became the No. 32 overall selection in April’s NFL Draft.
Claypool committed himself this offseason to growing alongside Fields and mastering the Bears’ scheme. He spent time reviewing routes on flashcards and running through them, then traveled to Florida and worked with Fields personally to develop a stronger chemistry.
“I can see it growing and growing,” Bears head coach Matt Eberflus said of that connection.
This is a contract year for Claypool, who recognizes the uncertainty of his own future. Once seen as a rising star in this league, Claypool was cast aside by a winning franchise in Pittsburgh and left to prove himself all over again now in Chicago.
During Claypool’s seven games with the Bears last season, he couldn’t come to grasp his responsibilities in offensive coordinator Luke Getsy’s scheme and it appeared Fields didn’t trust him.
Claypool reported to training camp feeling quite motivated.
“It’s the biggest year of my life, and I understand that,” Claypool said last week. “If anybody thinks my work ethic isn’t matching that, they’re deeply mistaken.
“I get motivated and motivated and motivated. It keeps building on top of each other. My work ethic grows from last year, it will grow after this year.”
So too has the chemistry with Fields, who now sees Claypool as a dynamic threat in the Bears’ offense. Playing alongside targets DJ Moore, Darnell Mooney and Cole Kmet, Claypool has established himself as a reliable presence and Fields is throwing him the football.
Claypool has worked and positioned himself to be a key figure this season to Fields.
“He’s such a big body to where he’s a big presence out there,” Fields said. “When he gets going on every route, it’s hard to stop him. Even in the running game, he’s crushing linebackers. It’s definitely great to have Chase.”
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago’s sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.
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