Chase Claypool: 'I hope people haven't counted me out yet'

The Chicago Bears paid a pretty steep price to pry receiver Chase Claypool away from the Pittsburgh Steelers and out from under the Green Bay Packers.

And though his presence in the Bears lineup has yet to manifest itself on the stat sheet, Claypool is confident in time that Chicago will be the clear-cut winner of the trade.

‘‘We traded away a top second-round pick, very valuable,” Claypool said, via Patrick Finley of the Chicago Sun-Times. “I smile because I know it was a great trade for the organization. …I don’t want to get roasted for saying something too soon, like I have before. But I feel very confident the fans, the organization, the team will be happy.’’

In the five games he’s played since the trade, Claypool has just 12 receptions on 22 targets for 111 yards and zero touchdowns. 

His production is far lower than it was pre-trade with Pittsburgh — 33 receptions, 50 targets, 311 yards, one touchdown in eight games — but the Bears have brought him along slowly, methodically adding more to his plate as he learns the intricacies of their offense.

While much shouldn’t be expected from Claypool in Chicago’s final two games, with a full offseason and training camp, the 24-year-old could carve out a niche for himself next to Darnell Mooney and Velus Jones Jr.

‘‘I’m going to get with Justin [Fields] and the receivers in the offseason, and we’re going to start building this,’’ Claypool added. ‘‘Not only this season but in the offseason. I’ll be really excited for next season. I hope people haven’t counted me out yet, you know? I’ve got a lot to bring to the table.’’