Chase Claypool's Benching by Bears Wasn't Related to Usage Comments, HC Eberflus Says

Chase Claypool's public disappointment in his usage during the Chicago Bears' first three games was not the reason he was healthy scratched for Week 4 Sunday, head coach Matt Eberflus said Sunday.

However, Eberflus announced Monday morning that Claypool would not return to the team this week as the Bears prepare for the Washington Commanders on Thursday Night Football, according to per ESPN's Courtney Cronin. "He's not going to be in the building this particular week on this short week," Eberflus said.

Eberflus stated Sunday that he expected Claypool to be back with the team Monday, per NFL Network's Andrew Siciliano.

The wide receiver was told not to attend Sunday's game against the Denver Broncos after the Bears declared him inactive, a team spokesman told Adam Jahns of The Athletic. Originally, Eberflus told reporters it was Claypool's choice to not attend the game.

"At the podium yesterday, obviously after an emotional game, I was not clear on what transpired there," Eberflus said, per Cronin. "We did ask Chase to stay home during that time. We felt it was in the best interest of the team. We always base our inactives based on meetings, based on practice, based on walk-throughs during the course of the week. And we made him inactive for that point."

When asked Friday if he felt he had been "put in the best position to showcase his skill set," Claypool answered "No," per Cronin.

NFL insider Jordan Schultz reported Sunday the Bears were looking to trade Claypool. Schultz also reported the Bears are looking for "a fifth or sixth round pick" in return for Claypool.

"[General manager] Ryan [Poles] makes all transactions and does all things of that nature and we'll see where it goes from there," Eberflus said about Claypool's future, according to Cronin.

Claypool is off to a slow start to the season, with four receptions on 14 targets for 51 yards and one touchdown through three games.

The Bears are still searching for their first win of the season after losing 31-28 Sunday.

In Claypool's absence, Darnell Mooney joined DJ Moore and Cole Kmet as primary targets for quarterback Justin Fields.

Whatever reason Claypool wasn't on the sideline with the Bears, he had a locker designated for him at the game hung with "untouched" sideline clothes, according to Jahns.

"Sometimes the things around you either elevate you or you have to adapt to allow you to elevate with them," Claypool told reporters Friday. "So I've just been adapting to the new system and my new role in the system and trying to make the most out of it. ... You can say, 'Oh, I want to be on the best offense with the highest passing yards,' but that doesn't happen in football. You just have to make do with what you got."

Claypool made similar comments about his usage by the Pittsburgh Steelers following his midseason trade last year.

"I feel like I didn't have the full opportunity to show I could do this year, but I feel like I've been able to show that in the past," Claypool said after his November trade, per The Athletic's Kevin Fishbain.

Despite those comments, Claypool's numbers dipped in Chicago after the trade. After making 32 receptions for 311 yards and one touchdown in eight games for Pittsburgh, he made 14 catches for 140 yards and no scores in seven games in Chicago.

It has been 11 months since the Bears gave up a 2023 second-round pick to acquire him.