Chase Claypool Says He's Not Being Used Properly amid Justin Fields, Bears' Struggles

Quarterback Justin Fields is not the only offensive player on the Chicago Bears that is frustrated about how he is being used.

When asked if the team was using him correctly thus far into the season, wide receiver Chase Claypool shook his head before saying "no."

Claypool has been targeted 14 times in 2023 and has four catches for 51 yards and a touchdown. This is on pace to be an increase from his production after joining the team midway through 2022 but is still low for a receiver who had more that 800 receiving yards in both 2020 and 2021.

Claypool's tenure in Chicago has not been smooth. He notably had a sideline outburst with Fields in 2022, although that was reportedly meant to motivate the signal-caller. He then was the subject of rumors that the team didn't feel he was self-motivated in the preseason. This all culminated in low energy levels in the early stages of this season, with an apology to the team from him coming after Week 2.

While these developments are concerning for the Bears, who dealt a second-round pick for him at the 2022 deadline, the dysfunction all around the team speaks even louder. The Bears are 0-3, down a defensive coordinator and appear to be heading towards another down season.

Fields called out coaching following Week 2, saying that he "felt robotic" and that "when you're fed a lot of of information at a point in time and you're trying to think about that info when you are playing, it doesn't let you play like yourself."

Week 3 did not make things better for anyone as the Bears were dismantled by the Kansas City Chiefs 41-10. The offense as a whole has underachieved, but Claypool not emerging as a key weapon for Fields is certainly not helping.

It is early in the season, so a turnaround is surely possible. Claypool, Fields and the Bears as a whole will look to start this Sunday when they take on the 0-3 Denver Broncos at 1:00 P.M. ET.