LAKE FOREST, Illinois — Chase Claypool is only a month old as a Bear, but the third-year wide receiver already has a lot of respect for quarterback Justin Fields.
The second-year signal-caller was inactive after losing to the New York Jets last Sunday with a separated shoulder. Yes, but will only do so if he feels he can help the Bears go on a five-game losing streak.
Fields’ ability and willingness to overcome pain resonated with Claypool early on during his tenure with the Bears.
“You see the type of resilience you don’t get from all quarterbacks, right?” Claypool said Wednesday. “He’s been knocked down and bounces back every time. He wants to see his team win and do well, so I think it shows he’s such a leader. He knows he’s a big part of it, but he also knows he has to be smart.
Claypool played his best game as a Bears in a loss to the Jets on Sunday. Notre Dame’s product caught his two passes for 51 yards at MetLife Stadium. This includes his 33-yard catch against Sauce Gardner, the Jets’ rookie corner.
After four games on the Bears’ offense, Claypool feels like he’s stepping into offensive coordinator Luke Getzie’s system.
“When it comes to offensive time, you can get used to things,” Claypool said.
The important part is that you don’t have to think about it.
“If I think about it a little too much, I feel like I’m looking for clues as to what I have,” Claypool said. If you have it and know exactly where you’re going, you can look at your defenses and start thinking about what you’re going to do.”
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Fields still has practice restrictions, but Claypool affirms the Bears’ quarterback uncertainty hasn’t affected the wide receiver’s weekly preparations.
That said, Fields’ review of Wednesday’s practice was positive.
“He was great,” said Claypool. “He looked great.”
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