Bears WR Chase Claypool is a healthy scratch in Week 4 vs. Broncos

Chicago Bears wide receiver Chase Claypool is a healthy scratch for Week 4’s game against the Denver Broncos, NFL Network’s Ian Rapopport tweeted Sunday Morning, and will be replaced by Equanimeous St. Brown in the lineup Sunday.

Claypool’s tumultuous start to his Bears career in 2022 has spilled into this season. He has just four catches for 51 yards and one touchdown in three games.

Claypool joined the Bears at the 2022 trade deadline when GM Ryan Poles traded Chicago’s second-round pick to the Steelers. Poles couldn’t have predicted that that pick would become the 32nd overall selection — essentially a first-rounder — which increased the pressure on Claypool to deliver results early this season.

Instead, Claypool has been more of a distraction than reliable target for QB Justin Fields. He had an up-and-down, injury-riddled training camp and has had some of the most embarrassing tape of his career over the last few weeks.

The Chase Claypool roller-coaster ride hit a crescendo this week when he told reporters he didn’t think the Bears offense was using him properly, a comment that surprised Bears fans, considering how terrible Claypool has looked even when targeted.

Perhaps the Bears are allowing Claypool to step back and clear his mind by sitting him in Week 4. Maybe Matt Eberflus and offensive coordinator Luke Getsy have seen enough from the fourth-year wideout to know he isn’t a fit for their offense. Or maybe Claypool isn’t very good, and the Bears will be better without him in the lineup.

Subscribe to The Bears Talk Podcast: APPLE | SPOTIFY | GOOGLE