In the NFL, training camp fights aren’t an uncommon sight. But when things got heated between Bears wide receiver Chase Claypool and safety Eddie Jackson, there was a bit of an added twist.
As sportswriter Arye Pulli detailed from Chicago’s training camp, Claypool and Jackson had a heated exchange, resulting in the wide receiver grabbing the safety by the helmet and eventually throwing it to the ground. Fortunately, the two were separated before things escalated … by general manager Ryan Poles of all people.
Obviously, a team’s general manager being spotted at training camp is no surprise. But with coaches, trainers and other staff members also in close proximity, it’s interesting to hear that it was Poles who jumped in to separate Claypool and Jackson.
Bears WR Chase Claypool and S Eddie Jackson got into it today at practice.
— Arye Pulli (@AryePulli) August 5, 2023
Jackson hit Claypool as he went out of bounds. Claypool, unhappy with the hit, grabbed Jackson by the helmet — Jackson’s helmet came off and was thrown to the ground.
GM Ryan Poles stepped between the… pic.twitter.com/QrMFVOWMMe
Poles, who was with the Chiefs from 2009 to ’21 in various roles, became Chicago’s general manager in 2022. He replaced Ryan Pace and has made a number of significant moves thus far.
Among those moves, was the Bears’ acquisition of wide receiver DJ Moore from the Panthers. Poles was also in the role when the team acquired Claypool via trade from the Steelers in exchange for a second-round draft pick.
Claypool played in seven games for Chicago in 2022 but wasn’t heavily involved in the offense, catching 14 passes for 140 yards on 29 targets.
