Justin Fields says connection with Chase Claypool ‘will be rolling’ next season after frustrating loss to Lions

Chicago Bears wide receiver Chase Claypool is frustrated. After being targeted one time and held without a reception in Week 17’s 41-10 loss to the Detroit Lions, his emotions got the best of him on the sideline when he tossed his helmet and shouted at wide receivers coach Tyke Tolbert late in the game.

Perhaps Claypool hears the whispers of unhappy Bears fans who are beginning to second-guess the team’s decision to trade their 2023 second-round pick for him. With just 12 receptions in six games with Chicago, Claypool needs a big finish in Week 18’s finale against the Minnesota Vikings to build momentum for the offseason.

One thing Claypool hasn’t lost is the support of Justin Fields, who calmed his presumptive WR1 during his emotional outburst.

“He was frustrated,” Fields said Sunday. “He’s a passionate player. He’s passionate about the game. But I think his emotions – he was just showing his emotions. It’s great to have emotion in the game, you just have to know how to control it. You can’t let it come out like that. At the end of the day, that’s not helping anybody. That’s not helping the team. Everybody is frustrated. We’re getting blown out. Just call it what it is. We got punched in the mouth. Everybody feels that way.”

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Offseason will be critical for Justin Fields” connection with Chase Claypool

Passion is one thing. Being a distraction is another. Claypool’s lack of production is enough to get Bears fans riled up. He has to be careful not to alienate himself completely by displaying a me-first persona.

“He’s passionate but just has to learn how to control those emotions and keep it inside and just know what’s going to be best for the team,” Fields said.

The entire Bears team is being tested at 3-13. With one game left on the schedule, frustration is bound to boil over. But it’s critical that the roster’s key players, including Claypool, keep an eye on the future.

Fields certainly is. And he knows his connection with Chase Claypool is a big part of it.

“By this time next year, we’re rolling,” Fields said. “I mean it’s a whole offseason. I’m going to link up with him in the offseason. We’re going to get working, and we’re going to keep working, and I just know his passion for the game and know his work ethic, and I know that he wants to be great, so we’re going to get together and work out, and just on the same page in the offseason.”