Most Improved Teammate According To Justin Fields? Prepare For A Shock

When talking about disappointments from last season, wide receiver Chase Claypool sat at the top for Chicago Bears fans. The team acquired him at the trade deadline for a 2nd round pick. That pick became the highest of the round. In return, the Bears got 14 catches for 140 yards and no touchdowns in seven games. It was a frustrating stretch for both team and player. He and Justin Fields never quite got on the same page. Some can't help but call the trade a bust, even though Claypool still has another year left on his contract.

GM Ryan Poles has remained firm in his stance that he doesn't regret the trade. Claypool stepped into a difficult situation last season. It was the first year of Luke Getsy's new scheme. Everybody was learning. The receiver injured his knee midway through the stretch, further hampering his progress. When the Bears traded for D.J. Moore this off-season, some wondered if Poles was pulling the plug on Claypool. Fields made it crystal clear that is far from the case.

The Bears quarterback offered unprompted praise of his receiver, indicating he has made incredible progress from where he was at the end of last season.

Justin Fields will be getting Claypool's best this year.

After a rough 2022, the clock is ticking for the receiver. If he wants to cash in for a lucrative new contract next year, he has to perform well this season. So it isn't a total shock he's attacking this off-season with a purpose. His mastery of the offense is growing. He is in shape and appears locked in with Fields. The two have worked together for months. The quarterback has seen the growth from start to finish. For him to single the receiver out in public like that is a great sign. It's not something he does often.

If Claypool rediscovers the promising form he showed as a rookie a few years ago, the Bears' offense is in great shape. Moore is already making his presence felt in practice. Darnell Mooney isn't too far from a return. That trio has a chance to be really good for this team. Unlocking Justin Fields as a passer stands to make Claypool a lot of money. It would also be a great way to remind Pittsburgh they shouldn't have given up on him so easily. This only heightens the excitement for the coming season.