Luke Getsy says Chase Claypool in a much better place entering second season with Bears

Chicago Bears fans experienced a roller coaster of emotions following GM Ryan Poles’ trade for wide receiver Chase Claypool before last season’s trade deadline. Claypool joined the Bears during quarterback Justin Fields’ midseason hot streak and was viewed as the missing piece to unlock the maximum upside of Chicago’s passing offense.

Unfortunately, Claypool’s first half-season with the Bears didn’t go so well. He totaled just 14 catches for 140 yards and zero touchdowns in seven games.

The odds were stacked against Claypool making much of an impact, however. He was expected to contribute immediately despite playing a position that requires time to understand an offensive playbook and build chemistry with the quarterback. But Claypool didn’t have the benefit of time. Not only did he join the Bears late in the season, but he also suffered a knee injury that sidelined him for Weeks 15 and 16.

The excitement Chicago Bears fans had when the team acquired Chase Claypool quickly turned into buyer’s remorse when the second-round pick Poles dealt to the Pittsburgh Steelers became the 32nd overall in the 2023 NFL draft.

But that’s all water under the bridge now. Claypool is getting a fresh start with the Bears in 2023, and he’s had an entire offseason to make up for the time he lost in Chicago last year.

Offensive coordinator Luke Getsy met with the media during the Bears’ final round of OTAs and said the difference in Claypool is obvious.

“I think comfortability within the building, whether that’s being around the head coach, being around us on the offensive staff, his teammates,” Getsy said of Claypool. “And then, most importantly, Justin. I think that relationship is always the most important — the quarterback/receiver relationship. I think all that’s improving. As far as his knowledge of what’s going on around him, that’s improving. Because we demand a lot of that position, as we’ve talked about here plenty of times. That’s a big part of what we do with that role. It’s been good to see him be able to take a step there.”

The Chicago Bears have made a concerted effort to continue building around Fields this offseason. They traded for wide receiver DJ Moore to become the unquestioned WR1 in the offense, bumping Claypool to a more suitable role as the big-bodied downfield playmaker on the other side.

As a rookie in 2020, Claypool looked like a budding superstar who could flip the field whenever he touched the ball. He set career highs with 873 receiving yards and 11 total touchdowns that year. It’s up to him and the Bears to return to that form in 2023.

Remember, Chase Claypool is only 24 years old. He’ll turn 25 at the start of training camp. He’s one year younger than Moore and almost a full year younger than Darnell Mooney. If he has a breakout season, there’s no doubt Poles will prioritize re-signing him to a monster second contract.

“To say where he is now, obviously, he’s definitely in a much better place,” Getsy said. “That’s what’s most important. Like coach Flus and those guys have said, I think that his positivity, his optimism coming into this thing, and his attack and his approach to how he’s trying to learn this thing is really cool to see.”