Coaches explain what's next for new Bears WR Chase Claypool

During his weekly media availability Thursday at Halas Hall, Bears offensive coordinator Luke Getsy offered insight into newly acquired wide receiver Chase Claypool’s adjustment to the offense. 

“I think the opportunities will just continue to grow," he said. "I think his role continues to grow, and we’re on the right track.”

When discussing how Claypool was eased in to a complex offensive scheme, Getsy said, “How it started was like, hey, these are [the plays] you need to know for this game. And then last week it grew more. And now this week, he’s closer to just diving in and being a part of it. So now the expectation is we don’t have to just tag the play.” 

Tagging a play is a concept in which an additional word is added to the end of a play call to serve as an indication for a player about his responsibility. Tagging is often used to help integrate a newly acquired player into the offense. 

Chicago wide receivers coach Tyke Tolbert also mentioned that the play package for Claypool will be expanded in his third game with the Bears. 

“Hopefully we’ll see more playing time from him," he said. "We’ve always had a lot of plays in for him, but it’s just a matter of how the game’s going, what plays are called.”

The coaches' plan for and assessment of Claypool are encouraging. 

The Bears need talent at offensive skill positions. To address that need, GM Ryan Poles dealt a 2023 second-round pick to Pittsburgh for Claypool. It was a steep price.

Claypool has one more season left on his rookie contract. The faster he adjusts to the team’s offense and develops chemistry with QB Justin Fields, the more likely it is that the Bears offense will make a significant jump.

In his first two games as a Bear, Claypool played 35% and 31% of the team’s offensive snaps. He said practice reps are an effective way for him to learn the offense.

“You can look at the playbook for X amount of hours or whatever. But walking through it helps a lot,” the third-year receiver said, per NBC Sports.

Sunday's game against the Falcons will serve as a good gauge for how much Claypool has learned.