Chase Claypool has message for fans ahead of pivotal season

The early returns on the Chase Claypool trade have been very poor for the Chicago Bears, and he knows what the fans are saying about him.

And he seems to determined to prove them wrong and make them believers this season.

The Bears acquired Claypool from the Pittsburgh Steelers just before last year's NFL trade deadline, sending a second-round pick the other way. That pick ended up being the No. 32 overall selection in the draft — that the Steelers used to select cornerback Joey Porter Jr. — which could have been a valuable piece for the Bears' rebuild. 

Claypool, meanwhile, badly struggled with the Bears and has faced a mountain of criticism this offseason for his work ethic and approach.

Things got even more bleak for Claypool and the Bears when he opened training camp on the PUP list. 

Claypool spoke on Wednesday and admitted this is the biggest season of his career as he not only fights for his reputation as a player, but also a new contract in the final year of his rookie deal. 

He went on to address concerns about his work ethic, from NBC Chicago.

“Maybe people weren’t happy with how I dealt with the offseason, but that’s only the perception that was given to them and not the reality that’s true,” Claypool said. “I remember almost blowing my knee out against the Packers and being done for the game and kind of pleading to be put back in, putting the knee brace back on, went back in and tried to help my team win. “So if there’s any questions on how much I’m willing to do to help this team win, there shouldn't be. You know? I think that I’m doing everything I can to be as healthy as possible and knowing in the game everyone gets injured.”

Claypool burst onto the NFL scene as a rookie in Pittsburgh, scoring 11 touchdowns and looking like a future No. 1 pass-catcher.

But he took a big step back in year two and was even worse in year three. After the trade to Chicago, he caught just 14 passes in seven games and never seemed to make much of an impact.

The Bears already have Darnell Mooney on the roster and also acquired D.J. Moore as part of the trade involving the No. 1 overall draft pick, so there is going to be some competition for catches. Claypool has the size and physical abilities to be a star, but he needs to put it all together.

If it does not happen this season, it is fair to wonder if it ever will for him.