Pressure mounts on Chase Claypool as he heads into a crucial year with the Bears. This off-season has been quite the roller coaster ride for the fourth-year wide receiver, from injuries to a training camp fight with Tyrique Stevenson, Claypool has hit some bumps along the road. But the Bears' confidence in their trade deadline investment from last season hasn't wavered.
Claypool is ready for his redemption season this year and his coaching staff is confident in his ability to make it happen.
"At that point, I felt really good," Ryan Poles said of Claypool on Wednesday. "Got a little chipped up there and now he’s working back into it. I liked where he left off where he was at his pinnacle of camp, I felt really good about it."
Has Claypool made concrete improvements?
"Yeah, concrete is hard to say because we haven't played a game, but up until the point where he was out of practice, I thought he was showing that was his best version of himself," Poles said. "Making a lot of plays, bringing energy, physicality to the run game and the passing game."
Having a full offseason in the Bears' system is a luxury Claypool wasn't gifted last season. Part of his struggles last year came from his insufficient knowledge of the Bears' playbook since he hadn't been given the time to get acclimated with the offense. Now, he's had a full offseason to study and perform with it, which could make all the difference.
With a better handle on the team's playbook, a full offseason to get acclimated to the coaching staff and team, we can expect to see some real improvement from Claypool this season. With the season right around the corner, Claypool will be given the chance to prove himself soon. For now, Poles and the Bears have his back.
