They never used the phrase, but a significant reason why the Pittsburgh Steelers dumped Chase Claypool was because of his lack of effort. Never mind the return they got in exchange for him — which is looking more and more genius by the week.
Buy Steelers TicketsStill can’t get over how bad the Bears got fleeced by the Steelers for Chase Claypool.
The #32 overall pick (2nd-rounder) for Claypool to catch only 14 passes for 140 yards & 0 TDs.
Omar Khan will never have an easier slam-dunk trade in his life.
— Daniel Valente (@StatsGuyDaniel) January 11, 2023
This offseason, if not before, the Bears saw what the Steelers did. His level of motivation wasn’t reflective of a pro, which showed in practices and, most recently, in Week 1 versus the Green Bay Packers. The fourth-year receiver had no catches on just two targets and looked like he didn’t even want to be there.
For Week 2, he was put on notice. Fox Sports’ Jay Glazer reported that Claypool was told he’d be a healthy game day scratch — and “possibly even shipped out of town again” — if he didn’t execute.
Claypool heard the message loud and clear and responded — at least for now. Per Glazer, Claypool apologized to teammates, head coach Matt Eberflus and general manager Ryan Poles for the lack of effort.
Midway through the second quarter, the Bears trailed the Bucs 10–7 and Claypool didn’t have a reception. He finally got things going and ended with three catches for 36 yards and a score.
“He played hard in this game,” said former Steelers and Bears quarterback Jim Miller on SiriusXM’s Movin’ the Chains. “He blocked extremely well, he was physical, he had a presence. He caught that skinny post for a touchdown.”
“He was shown the door in Pittsburgh,” added MTC cohost and former general manager Pat Kirwan. “That was the first warning sign. They’d had enough of him… He’s too talented to not be an aggressive and complete player. I like that he responded but I would say to him it’s not a one-week thing. You cannot revert. You’ve gotta be that guy every week. If he does, with his athleticism and size, he’ll get a nice fat contract from somebody. Right now, his career’s on the bubble.
Claypool earned himself a second chance, but it’s hard to imagine that Chicago’s offense and a quarterback who struggles to put the ball up will be able to keep him satisfied enough to remain motivated. It’s likely he’ll be wearing different colors next season.
