Michael Reaves/Getty Images
Chicago Bears wide receiver Chase Claypool’s status for the upcoming Week 2 matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers hangs in the balance following a lackluster performance in Week 1.
Coach Matt Eberflus has hinted that Claypool could potentially be a healthy scratch for the game, according to ESPN’s Courtney Cronin.
Claypool’s struggles were evident during the Bears’ season opener against the Green Bay Packers, where he was targeted twice by quarterback Justin Fields, resulting in two incompletions.
However, it was Claypool’s lack of effort performance in blocking on the perimeter that drew significant criticism on social media, with multiple missed assignments.
#Bears WR Chase Claypool was "sleep walking" throughout the #Packers game, here's a video showing his total lack of effort via @mikerenner_pic.twitter.com/SFD1UE4fQhhttps://t.co/hUM53ksP4v
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) September 11, 2023
When asked about the possibility of Claypool being a healthy scratch against the Buccaneers, Eberflus left all options open, saying, “We’re looking at all possibilities right now. I’m not going to talk about who’s going to be up or down for the game right now, for obvious reasons. We’re looking at all things to make our team better – who’s going to be up and who’s going to be down in terms of the active roster.”
A former Pittsburgh Steelers second-round draft pick, Claypool was traded to the Bears last season, and has struggled to find his footing since. Despite high expectations following his acquisition, Claypool’s performance hasn’t lived up to it.
And worse, Claypool was traded for what ended up being the 32nd pick in the 2023 NFL draft, essentially a 1st rounder in terms of value.