Bills’ Chase Claypool addresses falling short of expectations with Bears

Bills’ Chase Claypool addresses falling short of expectations with Bears originally appeared on NBC Sports Chicago

Chase Claypool quickly became an NFL journeyman over the last two years after four relatively impressive seasons with the Steelers, who drafted him in 2020.

So much so, that the Bears traded a 2023 second-round pick to the Steelers to acquire him. But the move was quickly chalked up as a failure on Bears GM Ryan Poles’ résumé less than one year after acquiring him when the team traded him and a 2025 seventh-round pick to the Dolphins in exchange for a 2025 sixth-round pick.

Now, after landing on his fourth team in the Bills in the last four seasons, Claypool understands he’s fallen short of expectations at his last two destinations, including the Bears.

“I think it is tough believing the player that you are or can be, and falling short of those expectations, especially over the last two years, for sure,” Claypool said at Bills OTAs. “It is a tough position because I know there’s times where it can be frustrating if I’m not living up to my potential.

“But if it’s frustrating to the outside world, it’s even more frustrating for me. I understand where I should be. And I understand that I haven’t met those expectations. And that’s why I work harder and harder and harder and harder every year so I can meet and exceed those expectations.”

Upon arriving in Chicago mid-season in 2023, Claypool didn’t impress. He played in seven games, catching 14 passes for 140 yards and zero touchdowns. Claypool was supposed to be a strong second option for Justin Fields opposite of DJ Moore, but the production didn’t meet the expectation.

The Bears chalked up Claypool’s shortcomings for his midseason insertion. He wasn’t given much time, if at all, to learn Luke Getsy’s full playbook. Therefore, his difficulties on the field could be justified by his lack of playbook knowledge and his newfound connection with Fields.

The excuses were chucked out the window in Year 2. Claypool…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/bills-chase-claypool-addresses-falling-215105559.html

Author : NBC Sports Chicago

Publish date : 2024-05-22 21:51:05

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