Chase Claypool Explains How Bears Have Fixed What Steelers Broke

There is always pressure to perform in any given NFL season. That is the nature of the beast. You probably won't be employed long if you don't play well. It's somewhat different for Chase Claypool. Not only does he have to play well to keep his job, this season is vital to his long-term financial security. It marks the last season of his rookie contract. The Chicago Bears haven't approached him about an extension yet. They're likely waiting to see how he performs this season, hence why he must deliver.

Much of this will depend on how the coaching staff decides to deploy him. Usage within a scheme often plays a pivotal role in a player's success. It was here Claypool made an interesting revelation to Jason Lieser of the Chicago Sun-Times. Apparently, Luke Getsy is undoing something the Pittsburgh Steelers did to him last season.

Those hindrances are gone this season. Claypool said his confidence in the scheme ‘‘is up there,’’ and coordinator Luke Getsy has him in a role similar to the one he had when he thrived with the Steelers — ‘‘what I can really excel in,’’ Claypool said.

So there’s no reason he shouldn’t be back.

‘‘When you’re more confident in the system, you play faster, make plays, feel good about it, have fun with your teammates more,’’ Claypool said. ‘‘Last season had ebbs and flows. I was making the best of any situation I could, trying to make plays no matter where I was on the field, looking at the positive side of things. It’s tough mentally."

The evidence backs up what Chase Claypool says.

Through his first two years in Pittsburgh, they used him almost exclusively as a boundary receiver, or an "X," as they call it. He logged 1,245 snaps in that spot compared to only 313 in the slot. That works out to 79.91% of his snaps were at the "X" position. Then, last season, the Steelers made changes. Claypool had 99 snaps out wide and 399 from the slot. That shift resulted in his production going for only 311 yards and one touchdown. In the previous two seasons (31 games), he had 1,733 yards and 11 touchdowns. That never sat well with the receiver.

Once he got to Chicago, they immediately shifted Chase Claypool back to his primary "X" position with 177 snaps out wide and only 23 in the slot. It is another sign of how Getsy always works to his players' strengths. While the receiver never quite got on track, there were glimpses of the player from two years ago. Now, he has a far firmer grasp of the offense. On top of that, D.J. Moore and Darnell Mooney are there to demand attention from opposing defenders. Claypool is likely to see lots of single coverage this season.

If he can stay healthy, this might be a big rebound year for him.