“Grow up,” Steelers great Hines Ward questions Bears WR Chase Claypool’s attitude towards the team
Hines Ward has an advice for wide receiver Chase Claypool after his trade move to the Bears from the Steelers last season.
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The Chicago Bears had a horrendous 2022/23 NFL season finishing fourth in the NFC North division with the worst record in the entire league. Nothing really clicked for them last season, but if one looks at the positives, it would definitely be the trade of Chase Claypool from the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The Bears relinquished their second-round pick in the 2023 NFL draft, in a move aimed at increasing their offensive stocks for the upcoming season. Claypool started his NFL journey with the Steelers after being drafted as a second-round pick in the 2020 draft.
During his time at the Steelers, Claypool did not gain many fans at the franchise, courtesy of his performances or lack thereof. His stats over the 2 years include 153 catches for 2,044 yards and 12 touchdowns, a figure which has been bettered by most in the league.
He had a run-in with Steelers teammate Cam Heyward, once again hurting his chances of earning favors within the franchise. Due to this particular trait of his former Steelers wide receiver, Hines Ward urged the 24-year-old to grow up, and learn to get himself more involved within the team.
In an interview with Chat Sports, Ward pointed out the things Claypool needs to work on in order to become a better version of himself in the future. However, it wasn’t all criticism directed towards the Bears receiver, and Ward praised him for having all the makings a player needs to succeed at his position.
Hines Ward wants Chase Claypool to focus more on the team’s needs rather than his
“From the outside looking in, [he’s] very talented,” Ward told Chat Sports. “The size alone, the speed, the catch radius, the athleticism . . . this kid has everything you want in a wide receiver.”
“Sometimes I think with Chase, it became more about Chase and less about the team. I’ve always believed that the team comes first before any individual accolades. A little more maturity level on his part.”
“I love receivers that want the ball, but you have to do it in the confinements of the aspect of the team,” Ward said. “It’s about the team first.”
For Claypool, the objective should now be crystal clear for the upcoming season – build a good partnership with franchise quarterback Justin Fields and prove his doubters wrong.
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