LAKE FOREST, Ill. (670 The Score) – The Bears have told frustrated receiver Chase Claypool to stay away from Halas Hall as his time with the organization could be nearing its end.
Claypool was inactive as a healthy scratch by the Bears in their 31-28 loss to the Broncos on Sunday at Soldier Field, and he didn’t attend the game like other inactive players because the team asked him to stay home. On Monday, coach Matt Eberflus confirmed the Bears' plan for Claypool to remain away from the team as Chicago prepares to play at Washington on Thursday on a short week.
"I would say that what we think is best for the team and how we operate here as a football team, the Chicago Bears,” Eberflus said. “When I came here Day 1, I talked about being on time, being respectful and working hard. That to me is important for every individual — if it’s a staff member, a player or a coach. That’s where we are. We feel right now this is the best decision for us."
Claypool’s designation as an inactive player Sunday came two days after he expressed his belief that the coaching staff hasn’t put him in the best position to succeed. Eberflus denied that those comments factored into the team’s decision to have Claypool sit out Sunday.
Eberflus also declined to address whether the Bears intend to trade or release Claypool. General manager Ryan Poles wasn’t made available for comment Monday regarding Claypool’s future.
“Well, he’s not going to be in the building this week, so he’s not playing this week,” Eberflus said. “We’ll see where it goes from there. Ryan (Poles) handles all those trades and transactions and we’ll see where it goes.
“All I'm saying right now is he's not going to be in the building this week."
In his postgame press conference Sunday, Eberflus initially stated that Claypool elected to stay home rather than attend the game at Soldier Field. A Bears official later clarified that the team asked him to stay home. Eberflus said he informed Claypool over the phone that he would be inactive Sunday and that he wasn’t wanted around the Bears at this time.
The Bears acquired Claypool from the Steelers in a trade last November, sending a second-round pick back to Pittsburgh. That selection became the No. 32 overall slot in the draft after the Bears went an NFL-worst 3-14. Chicago has lost 14 consecutive games and is 0-4 on the season.
Claypool, 25, has four receptions for 51 yards and a touchdown in three games this season. He has 18 receptions for 191 yards and that lone touchdown in 10 games in his Bears tenure.
"I’m just going to be there for him as a friend,” said Bears tight end Cole Kmet, who played alongside Claypool at Notre Dame. “At the end of the day, we’re all adults here and everyone gets to make their own decisions and can say what they want to say on things, act how they want to act, whatever it may be.
“It’s on him to do what he’s got to do, and just as a friend, I’m going to be there for him.”
Claypool has endured a difficult time with the Bears, which included a hamstring injury in August that halted a training camp in which he had showed strong emotion. Claypool returned in time for the regular-season opener against the Packers on Sept. 10, but his effort was called into question during that game. A social media montage of Claypool’s poor performance in run blocking went viral and drew negative attention.
Claypool addressed reporters Friday for just the second time this season after repeatedly declining interview requests. He was asked whether the Bears have best utilized him thus far. Claypool shook his head and responded “no.”
"I’m not going to give any pointers," Claypool said. "That’s their job to decide, and I’ll just do what they tell me to do."
Claypool is playing the final season of his four-year rookie contract. He’s set to become an unrestricted free agent this offseason. Prior to the start of training camp, Claypool declared that this was the “biggest year of my life,” referring to his contract future being up in the air.
Claypool’s future with the Bears is now in doubt after he was told to stay away from team headquarters.
“We feel like that’s best for the team,” Eberflus said. “And really, it comes down to this. When you’re evaluating players in meetings, in practice, in walk-throughs, all those things, it’s important that you evaluate the entire body of work. And we just feel that right now Chase is going to be out of the building, it’s best for our football team.”
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago’s sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.