Chase Claypool is in deep waters.
In 2022, Bears GM Ryan Poles sent an early second-round pick to the Steelers to acquire the wide receiver. While some lauded the deal at the time, the trade hasn't quite panned out the way the Bears expected.
In fact, the trade has just been panned.
Claypool hasn't performed up to that second-round value in 10 games with Chicago: In total, he's snagged 18 passes for 191 yards and a single touchdown.
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Whether it's his motor or his production, Claypool now finds himself off the field and on the bench in a very curious drama that's playing out for Chicago, in a season where there is no shortage of very curious drama. Now, Claypool will be out again in Week 5 against the Commanders, and may have played his last game as a Bear.
Here's how it all went down:
Why was Chase Claypool benched?
Effort, attitude, production: It all played a part in Claypool riding the pine in 2023.
First, there was the effort: In the Bears-Packers season opener, Claypool's motor came into question from coaches and players for on-field effort. Even some high-profile Bears fans noticed Claypool's lack of hustle in the matchup. Claypool would later issue an apology to Chicago teammates and to coaches for his sleepwalk through the game.
But, the effort has seemingly leaked into Claypool's attitude inside the Bears locker room, and that's been the latest twist in the benching. On Sept. 29, Claypool questioned his role in the Bears offense, saying that he feels like he hasn't been put in the best position to showcase his talents.
"I'll let them decide (how to utilize me)," Claypool 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 said he's trying to focus on controlling what he can control in the role he's been asked to play, but that wasn't enough for the Bears. Matt Eberflus and the Bears coaching staff rendered him inactive for their Week 4 matchup vs. the Broncos, and there's seemingly more going on behind the scenes than is being let on.
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Claypool's criticism and subsequent benching led to plenty of confusion from those on the team — including Justin Fields — and those on the outside looking in.
Eberflus added to some of that confusion after the Week 4 loss, saying that the Bears gave Claypool the option to show up to the game despite being placed on the inactive list. A Bears spokesperson made it clear, though, that Claypool was told to stay home by the organization.
That exile continues this week, as Claypool has not been with the team and will not be active for Thursday night's game at the Commanders.
"When you're evaluating players in meetings, in practice, in walkthroughs, all those things, it's important that you evaluate the entire body of work, right?" Eberflus told reporters Monday. "And we just feel that right now Chase is gonna be out of the building is best for our football team."
Of course, none of this would be happening had Claypool performed up to snuff after being acquired from the Steelers in 2022. In 10 games, Claypool has snagged 18 passes for 191 yards and a touchdown, hardly the kind of production that would warrant a second-round pick.
In 2023, the production hasn't gotten much better. Claypool's receiving grade (per PFF) sits at a 56.0, which ranks as the 15th worst in the NFL (minimum 25 targets). That's not a great look for anyone involved in the deal.
Now, Claypool may be on the business end of another deal in the coming weeks.