The hidden element that is the biggest benefit to the Chase Claypool trade

Many things have been said and debated about the Chicago Bears trading for Chase Claypool. However, Ryan Poles has been the only one to publicly identify the most important aspect of this trade. This element is a bit hidden but very compelling.

Ryan Poles said this regarding a quarterback’s confidence, “You can never have enough guys that help your quarterback gain confidence.” It does not matter what career anyone is in. Having genuine confidence in yourself is at the top of the list for success. Having important elements around you that help you build confidence is almost an absolute necessity for success. In terms of being a quarterback, it is an absolute necessity to have a quality support system.

In connection to the confidence factor, this is a well-known tactic early in a game to get the confidence factor rolling for a QB. Quite often, the game plan includes some plays early on where the quarterback can complete short and even medium-length passes. These plays typically don’t require complicated reads so they are your basic pitch and catch throws. The strategy is to get your quarterback’s juices flowing and confidence rolling early in the game. It often happens that these types of pass plays are included in the first scripted plays of a game.

Trading for Chase Claypool indicates Ryan Poles is learning

Now, you take this tactic and apply it to Justin Fields. What jumps out about his passing skills is that his strength as a passer is his long game. Therefore, logic would dictate to me that in the first second, or very latest third series of the game, his team includes go routes where the wideout running a long pass play is basically his first read.

With this offense, it makes sense to have him roll out to buy Fields some time and if needed some space to move around before he has to release the ball. If the Chicago Bears trusted their offensive line in pass protection, then keep Fields in the pocket for this longer developing play but these Bears aren’t there yet.