The Chicago Bears concluded the OTA and minicamp sessions, and now the offseason is officially over with eyes on the start of the season and training camp. While the movement is not significant, some players are able to edge up and down the depth chart or at least lay the foundation in these periods.
We highlighted some of the risers, but now who are the fallers from these sessions?
4. Chase Claypool continues to let down the Chicago Bears
Things have not gone well for Chase Claypool since he was traded to the Chicago Bears. To be fair, things were not going great in the weeks prior to him getting traded, either. Still, his first half of a season with the team was a disaster.
The Bears coaches have been supportive, saying they did not expect much and that this year is why the team wanted Claypool. Justin Fields said early into OTAs that he saw a different attitude from Claypool. Then, another injury, and he was sidelined for the entirety of the minicamp.
For a player in a contract year who needs to get on the same page as the quarterback, a minor injury in the off-season workout stages can go a long way. It just takes another chance for these two to get on the same page away.
What has been stark is seeing the difference between Claypool and D.J. Moore. Moore and Justin Fields have clicked instantly and there are major connections every day. Claypool has been here much longer and cannot get on the same page. Beyond that Fields talks about how Moore sets the tone in the locker room, while he says that Claypool has bought in more. Moore is already changing things while they are just happy Claypool is not disengaged.
The presence of Moore highlights how much this missed time is killing Claypool. He is trending down once again.