The Chicago Bears made a big trade for Chase Claypool. After the team looked as if they were going to be big sellers at the trade deadline, they turned some of their defensive talents into offensive talent in acquiring a wide receiver. What should the Bears know about the third-year wideout?
4. Will Chicago Bears play Chase Claypool in the slot?
While many view Claypool as a wide receiver who dominates on the outside, that has not been the case this season. He has spent 79.1% of his snaps in the slot this year. However, for his career, he only spent 33.9% of his snaps in the slot.
During his rookie season it was 22.4%, and 18.7% the year after. That is a huge shift. Overall, It is hard to say whether it is the scheme or the quarterback or what, but Claypool has not been as good this season as he has in years past. That happens to correlate with his slot usage.
So, the question will arise whether they keep him in the slot, where Pittsburgh was playing him, or if they move him back to the outside.
The bet would likely be that he goes back outside. Darnell Mooney has seen his snaps in the slot go up from 20.5% to 43.6% and then up to 59.1% this season. They probably want to keep Mooney in the slot and move Claypool back outside. However, one reason they may keep Claypool in the slot is that Equanimeous St. Brown is a much better blocker.
That could have Claypool moving back and forth between the slot and the outside.
Either way, they now have two players with slot and outside experience, and depending on if they want the size or the speed to stretch the field will decide who gets more snaps in that role. This is what Luke Getsy wants, and now the Chicago Bears can mix and match in guys like N’Keal Harry and Dante Pettis.