CHICAGO — A spokesperson for the Chicago Bears mentioned that huge receiver Chase Claypool was once advised to not attend Sunday’s recreation in opposition to the Denver Broncos later being designated a wholesome scratch.

The Bears’ messaging contradicts what mentor Matt Eberflus mentioned following Chicago’s 31-28 loss to the Denver Broncos, when he showed that Claypool was once now not with the crew at Soldier Farmland.

“We told him that it was a choice, and he’s at home right now,” Eberflus mentioned.

Sunday marked the 3rd age Claypool has been idle since he was once traded to the Bears in November 2022, but it surely’s the primary age he’s ignored a recreation for non-injury causes.

“When you look at actives or inactives every single week, what we do is we obviously evaluate meetings,” Eberflus mentioned. “We evaluate walk-throughs. We evaluate practice, and we do that every single week, and then we declare actives or inactives based on that. And this week, Claypool was inactive.”

Claypool, 25, was once benched two days later he expressed frustration along with his utilization within the Bears offense on Friday. Requested whether or not he feels he has been installed the most efficient place to exhibit his talent prepared, the huge receiver paused for seven seconds sooner than uttering, “No.”

“Sometimes the things around you either elevate you or you have to adapt to allow you to elevate with them,” Claypool mentioned. “So I’ve just been adapting to the new system and my new role in the system and trying to make the most out of it.”

Eberflus mentioned that Claypool’s feedback didn’t issue into him being idle nor did the receiver know on Friday afternoon publish observe that he was once committing to be a wholesome scratch. Quarterback Justin Subjects mentioned he discovered that Claypool could be idle throughout a crew assembly on Saturday and that the training personnel didn’t give an explanation for their reasoning for the huge receiver’s benching.

“I called Chase after whatever happened, and I was just checking up on him, making sure he was in good spirits,” Subjects mentioned. “Regarding his comments and everything, I don’t know if they are or not, but one thing I do know is everybody in the building is trying to reach their full potential. So players, coaches, coaches are trying to get the most out of every player, and then us as players, we’re trying to get the most out of our receives and be the best we can.

“However so far as are you concerned with a man that’s right here or now not throughout the sport, refuse, now not truly. You’re centered at the recreation and what’s occurring. So can’t keep an eye on that, if he’s right here or now not.”

Claypool was traded to Chicago in exchange for the No. 32 pick. In 10 games with the Bears, the wide receiver has been targeted 43 times and turned 18 catches into 191 yards and one touchdown. Claypool scored his first touchdown as a Bear in the second half of a Week 2 loss to Tampa Bay.

“Do I would like him in this crew?” Fields said. “After all. Chase, he’s a weapon. He’s passionate. He simply has to paintings on his show of his feelings, and you recognize me and him have had more than one conversations with that. However I heartless so far as do I would like him at the crew, that’s a very easy resolution. Sure, in fact.”

Fields turned in his best performance of the 2023 season against Denver when he threw for 335 yards, four touchdowns and one interception. In Claypool’s absence, wide receiver DJ Moore and tight end Cole Kmet led the Bears with nine targets each. Moore had eight catches for 131 yards and a touchdown while Kmet totaled seven catches for 85 yards and two TDs. Wide receiver Darnell Mooney was also a factor in the passing game with four receptions for 51 yards.

Despite finding production elsewhere, Fields expressed frustration regarding Claypool’s absence.

“After all, I’m annoyed, and you recognize, when one in all your absolute best guns for your outdoor isn’t within the recreation, however it’s what it’s,” Fields said. “Schoolmaster and the entrance workplace, they made the verdict and that’s what it’s. As a participant, I will’t do the rest about it. Were given to walk available in the market with the avid gamers that I’ve and kill to the most efficient of my skill. So you recognize, I simply struggle to keep an eye on what I will keep an eye on, and roughly simply keep out of what’s occurring.”

Eberflus said that he expects Claypool back at Halas Hall on Monday, adding he “anticipates” the huge receiver being with the Bears in the future.