Chicago Bears head coach Matt Eberflus spoke about several players, including Chase Claypool and Braxton Jones after the bye week.
After a much-needed bye, the Chicago Bears are ready to go at it again. They have four tough games remaining this season. First up is the team with the best record in the NFL, the Philadelphia Eagles.
Before that, however, head coach Matt Eberflus spoke to reporters about several Chicago Bears players, including offensive lineman Braxton Jones and wide receiver Chase Claypool.
Eberflus is excited and impressed with the season Jones is having so far. Jones is the Bears’ fifth-round pick who came out of an FCS school. Despite having Teven Jenkins man the crucial left tackle spot, Jones showed he was the man for the job. He ended up moving Jenkins over and started every game at that position.
Jones doesn’t look like a fifth-round rookie on the field. Sure, he still has some learning to do, but he is still doing a very good job. He makes plays that veteran players don’t. His football IQ is extremely high and he is very athletic.
Eberflus is impressed with Jones but acknowledges that he still has to keep getting better.
Braxton’s been solid. He’s done a good job for a rookie being able to play in there, his maturity. I think you could say too he just has to firm up the bull rushes. That’s the biggest thing he has to do, he’s gotta set. He’s gotta do a really good job these next four weeks.
As Eberflus said, this week will be a difficult one for Jones and the rest of the offensive line. The Philadelphia Eagles have the deepest defensive line in the NFL. They’ll throw player after player at the offensive line and wear the unit down. Jones has played well the last month, giving up just four pressures. If he continues this week he solidifies his importance to the offense.
Claypool’s struggles
Eberflus also spoke about Chase Claypool’s struggles since the Bears acquired him before the November 1 trade deadline. Chicago traded away a valuable second-round pick for Claypool but he hasn’t been a big part of the offense so far, recording 12 catches for 111 yards.
Eberflus explained that Claypool is still learning the system.
-
Ep 101: Conference Championship Sunday - Preview, Prop Bets, and Predictions
by Full Press Coverage on January 29, 2023 at 11:25 am
I wouldn’t say he’s there yet. I would say he’s getting there. He’s getting there and working there just like everybody else. But again, it’s all new to him and there’s a lot of volume of offense that he has to learn and he’s getting there.
Also, with the Bears utilizing a run-heavy offense, he doesn’t see as many looks. He’s had five games and a bye now for him to get better. Whatever expectations are for him, however, should be set for next season. Remember, too, that quarterback Justin Fields struggled with the offense early in the season. Adjustments were made and the offense is much better now.
Eberflus also went on to say that he expects running back Khalil Herbert to return. Herbert is on injured reserve and this will be the last game before he becomes eligible to return. Some people theorized that perhaps the Bears could shut him down for the rest of the season. It doesn’t look like they’ll do that. He is an integral part of the Bears’ league-leading rushing attack so the coaches want him back when he’s ready.
Reporters asked Eberflus about offensive lineman Alex Leatherwood. While he still won’t commit to having him start, Eberflus did say that Leatherwood would at least be in the rotation. Leatherwood played in his first game in Week 13 against the Green Bay Packers. He only played ten snaps, though. Perhaps he could play more this week.
Safety Jaquan Brisker and cornerback Kyler Gordon are two of the most important players on the defense. They missed two games. Eberflus announced that the two are out of concussion protocol and are ready to go. Having those two players on the field really helps, especially in the secondary.
Hopefully, this bye week helps the team the same way the mini-bye week worked for them earlier in the season. As I mentioned, however, the last four weeks of the season are tough. After Philadelphia, the Bears play the Buffalo Bills, Detroit Lions, and Minnesota Vikings.
-
Ep 141: Andy Reid, Eagles, And Conference Championship Weekend w/ Joe Bannerby Full Press Coverage on January 27, 2023 at 5:36 pm
Clark and Ira are joined by former Eagles President Joe Banner to talk […]
-
Ep 140: The 49ers/Cowboys Rivalry With Former San Francisco Tight End Brent Jonesby Full Press Coverage on January 19, 2023 at 9:02 pm
Clark and Ira are joined by former 49ers tight end and three time Super […]
-
Ep 137: Hall Of Fame Discussion w/ John Turneyby Full Press Coverage on December 30, 2022 at 5:33 pm
Football historian John Turney of Pro Football Journal joins Clark and Ira […]
-
Ep 136: Remembering The Longest Game Ever Played With Larry Littleby Full Press Coverage on December 24, 2022 at 1:09 am
On the 51-year anniversary of the longest game ever played (Chiefs vs. […]
-
Ep 135: Hall of Fame Semifinalist Jahri Evans Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on December 16, 2022 at 3:51 pm
Former Saints guard and 2023 HOF Semifinalist Jahri Evans joins Clark and […]
-
Ep 134: Remember AFL/NFL Star John Hadl with Nick Canepaby Full Press Coverage on December 8, 2022 at 2:39 pm
Former Hall of Fame voter, Nick Canepa, joins Clark and Ira to discuss the […]
-
Ep 133: Hall Of Fame Semifinalist Henry Ellard Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on November 30, 2022 at 4:28 pm
Former Rams and Redskins wide receiver, Henry Ellard, joins Clark and Ira […]
-
Ep 132: Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2023 Semifinalists w/ Rick Gosselinby Full Press Coverage on November 22, 2022 at 6:15 pm
Clark and Ira are joined by Pro Football Hall of Fame voter Rick Gosselin […]
-
Ep 131: 'Football Heaven' With PFHOF Senior Advisor Joe Horriganby Full Press Coverage on November 17, 2022 at 5:55 pm
Pro Football Hall of Fame Senior Advisor, Joe Horrigan, joins Clark and […]
-
Ep 130: Remembering John McVay With Hall of Famer Eddie DeBartolo Jr.by Full Press Coverage on November 13, 2022 at 1:42 am
Clark and Ira are joined by Hall of Fame owner Eddie DeBartolo Jr. to […]
-
Ep 271: NFL Championship Roundby Full Press Coverage on January 26, 2023 at 1:58 pm
-
Ep 270: NFL Divisional Roundby Full Press Coverage on January 19, 2023 at 1:31 am
-
Ep 269: NFL Playoff Previewby Full Press Coverage on January 12, 2023 at 4:13 am
-
Ep 268: Week 16 Fantasy Rankingsby Full Press Coverage on December 21, 2022 at 9:45 pm
-
Ep.130: Bowling For Talentby Full Press Coverage on January 28, 2023 at 6:00 am
Biggs sits down with Kenneth Berry from the Tangents And Touchdowns […]
-
(Season 3.1) Commanders Roundtable w/ Deuce, DH, and DTby Full Press Coverage on January 27, 2023 at 3:56 am
George Carmi hosts Deuce, DH, and DT as they discuss the latest topics of […]
-
1/27 - Conference Championship Preview: Who is Going To The Super Bowl?by Full Press Coverage on January 27, 2023 at 9:50 am
Ian and John preview Conference Championship Weekend and give their picks […]
-
1/23 - Divisional Round Recap; Chiefs, Bengals, Eagles, and 49ers Advanceby Full Press Coverage on January 23, 2023 at 2:00 pm
Ian and John recap Divisional Round Weekend in the NFL. Learn more about […]
-
1/20 - Buccaneers Fire Byron Leftwich, NFL Divisional Round Previewby Full Press Coverage on January 20, 2023 at 10:19 am
Ian and John discuss the firing of Byron Leftwich and whether or not it […]
-
1/19 - Brady/Gronk Reunion, Aaron Rodgers, NFL News and Notesby Full Press Coverage on January 19, 2023 at 10:14 am
Ian and John discuss the potential of Brady and Ground teaming up in 2023, […]
-
Talkamania Episode 230by Talkamania on September 6, 2022 at 11:43 pm
-
Talkamania Episode 229by Talkamania on August 5, 2022 at 3:37 am
-
Boot 2 The Face Episode 211 "Steel Reserve"by Boot 2 The Face on January 28, 2023 at 6:59 pm
We preview the Royal Rumble and other things in the week of pro wreslting. […]
-
Boot 2 The Face Episode 210 "No Monè, No Monè, No Monè"by Boot 2 The Face on January 19, 2023 at 12:55 am
Rucker and EJ are back discussing Rucker going to Impacts Hard to Kill […]
-
Pelicans at Bucksby Broken Controller Media on January 29, 2023 at 9:00 pm
-
Clippers at Cavsby Broken Controller Media on January 29, 2023 at 6:45 pm
-
Pick & Rollout: Memphis at Tulsaby Broken Controller Media on January 29, 2023 at 6:00 pm
-
Pacers at Grizzliesby Broken Controller Media on January 29, 2023 at 4:30 pm
-
Pick & Rollout: Drake at Belmontby Broken Controller Media on January 29, 2023 at 4:00 pm
-
Heat at Hornetsby Broken Controller Media on January 29, 2023 at 2:30 pm
-
Pick & Rollout: Rutgers at Iowaby Broken Controller Media on January 29, 2023 at 2:00 pm
-
Pick & Rollout: Michigan State at Purdueby Broken Controller Media on January 29, 2023 at 12:00 pm
-
Ep 101: Conference Championship Sunday - Preview, Prop Bets, and Predictionsby Full Press Coverage on January 29, 2023 at 11:25 am
-
Pick & Rollout: Michigan at Penn Stateby Broken Controller Media on January 29, 2023 at 10:00 am
-
1/6 - Damar Hamlin Update, Bills/Bengals, AFC Playoffs, Week 18 Picksby Full Press Coverage on January 6, 2023 at 3:11 pm
-
Winter Classic: Bruins Rally To Beat Penguins At Fenwayby Full Press Coverage on January 4, 2023 at 2:09 am
-
1/3 - Bills/Bengals Postponed; Bruins Topple Penguins In Winter Classicby Full Press Coverage on January 4, 2023 at 2:05 am
-
1/2 - Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers, Week 17, Bills/Bengalsby Full Press Coverage on January 3, 2023 at 3:22 am
-
12/30 - New Year's Eve, Luka Doncic, NBA Talk, Week 17 Preview and Picksby Full Press Coverage on January 1, 2023 at 2:29 am
-
Aaron Rodgers, Packers Win Third Straight; Playoffs In Sightby Full Press Coverage on December 27, 2022 at 7:36 pm