It sounds like this WR's time with the Bears is finished

Chicago Bears wide receiver Chase Claypool. Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

It sounds like Chase Claypool's time with the Bears is finished

By Adam Gretz | Last updated 10/5/23

The Chicago Bears are making wide receiver Chase Claypool inactive for the second week in a row when they face the Washington Commanders on Thursday night, and based on the words from general manager Ryan Poles it sounds like his time with the team may be coming to an end.

Poles spoke about the situation on the Bears' pregame show and said he was very frustrated with how the situation has played out, but that he wished Claypool well moving forward in his career.

Ryan Poles sure made it sound like Chase Claypool's time with the Bears is over on the @ESPN1000 pregame show. Here are the GM's thoughts on how the Claypool saga unfolded.

Poles: "You’re always disappointed in this situation and it’s definitely something I take ownership of.…
— Courtney Cronin (@CourtneyRCronin) October 5, 2023

Ryan Poles said he wishes Chase Claypool luck moving forward in his career and that this situation is one Claypool and the Bears will learn from.

Poles: "I always look at things from a player’s perspective. You have a player going into his free agent year, who wants to be…
— Courtney Cronin (@CourtneyRCronin) October 5, 2023

The Bears acquired Claypool from the Pittsburgh Steelers at the trade deadline a year ago, sending a second-round pick the other way. That deal has turned out to be a nightmare for the Bears. That second-round pick ended up being the No. 32 pick in the 2023 draft which the Steelers used to select Penn State cornerback Joey Porter Jr.

He already looks like a potential long-term starter in the Steelers' secondary.

Claypool has caught just 18 passes (on 43 targets) for 191 yards and a touchdown in his 10 games with the team.

The Bears first made him inactive a week ago and have told him to stay away from the team facility ever since. Despite that, he still remains on the team for now and the Bears are taking that situation day by day.

It seems unlikely that there would be a robust trade market for him given how poorly his production has fallen off. Even worse, the Bears had concerns over Claypool's motivation coming into the season.

All of this is a dramatic fall from where Claypool was when he first entered the NFL during the 2020 season. He was a breakout star for the Steelers that year, catching 62 passes for 873 yards and scoring 11 touchdowns, including four in one game against the Philadelphia Eagles.

His production steadily declined over the next two seasons, resulting in the trade to Chicago. Now his future remains in doubt.

More must-reads: