On Friday, the Bears traded disgruntled wide receiver Chase Claypool to the Dolphins. The deal involved late pick swaps.
Claypool was a healthy scratch the past two games for the Bears. The coaching staff clearly wasn’t happy with his effort on and off the field.
During this Friday morning’s episode of “First Take,” Stephen A. Smith sent a direct message to Claypool. He wants the former second-round pick to know that he’s developing an alarming reputation.
“Chase Claypool, please listen to me. This ain’t about football. Everyone knows you can play. We saw your skills in Pittsburgh before you got traded to Chicago. You are developing a very bad reputation,” Smith said. “… If you don’t turn it around, this could very well be your last stop. Whatever it is going on up here, please get it together so you can shine and show the world what you can do as a football player. If you keep getting moved, the message is going to be indelibly sent, you’re not somebody they want in the locker room.”
“Chase Claypool, please listen to me. … You are developing a very bad reputation. … If you keep getting moved, the message is going to be indelibly sent, you’re not somebody they want in the locker room.”
—@stephenasmith pic.twitter.com/ZwjuVr4SPo
— First Take (@FirstTake) October 6, 2023
Claypool was productive in Pittsburgh, hauling in 153 passes for 2,044 yards and 12 touchdowns. In Chicago, however, he had just 18 catches for 191 yards and a touchdown.
Maybe, just maybe, Claypool can turn things around on the Dolphins. If not, he could very well be out of the league by next season.