LAKE FOREST, Ill. (670 The Score) -- In sending out a second-round pick to acquire receiver Chase Claypool, the Bears believed he could be a dynamic playmaker who helps transform their offense. But putting him in that position hasn't been so simple.
Claypool has just three receptions for 21 yards in his first two games with Chicago. After getting 26 snaps in his Bears debut on Nov. 6, Claypool saw his workload decrease in Chicago's loss to Detroit this past Sunday, as he had just 19 snaps. Getting Claypool more involved in the Bears’ offense is two-fold equation, as he still needs to learn the complexities of his routes in this scheme and offensive coordinator Luke Getsy has to make a point to get him more opportunities.
“There’s a lot of moving parts,” Getsy said. “And we include a lot of people in what we do. I think it’s just not as simple as like if you’re watching some teams. Like, I’ll just use my past history of like in 2014, (the Packers) lined up in (four-receiver sets) and you lined up Davante (Adams), Jordy (Nelson) and Randall (Cobb) and Aaron (Rodgers) is your quarterback, and that’s it. So, if someone popped in that offense, it would probably be a little easier because you just plug in place. Where we just have a lot more moving parts as far as specifically one guy with the way we’re going right now to isolate. So, he’s having to learn a lot, and I mean he’s done a tremendous job.”
The Bears sent a second-round pick to the Steelers in exchange for Claypool on Nov. 1, the day of the NFL trade deadline. His addition represented an important investment in the team’s future, specifically by giving burgeoning second-year quarterback Justin Fields a new weapon.
Fields recognizes that Claypool faces a difficult acclimation period to get up to speed with the Bears’ offensive concepts.
“You kind of have to work him in slowly,” Fields said. “Our routes have a lot of details in them, so it’s tough for him to come in and learn every little detail of every route. Just working him in on the plays that he does have and trying to execute the best we can.”
A second-round pick of the Steelers in 2020, Claypool had 153 receptions for 2,044 yards and 12 touchdowns over 39 games for Pittsburgh.
The Bears believe he can make an impact in their offense and see his role evolving with time.
"The opportunities will just continue to grow,” Getsy said. “His role will continue to grow. We're on the right track."
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago’s sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.
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