Receiver Chase Claypool is away from the Bears. It won’t last very long, and it won’t.
Claypool hasn’t practiced at all this week and was sidelined Thursday night. The reason is “the team’s decision.”
This situation needs to end immediately. That’s very important for one reason. As of 2006, NFL teams can no longer send players home with pay.
The rule was changed in 2005 in direct response to an extended battle between the Eagles and receiver Terrell Owens. He was ultimately suspended for four games without pay for conduct detrimental to the team. The Eagles subsequently suspended him with pay.
The 2006 collective bargaining agreement prevented the team from doing that. If a team doesn’t want a player and there’s no basis to suspend him for harmful conduct, they should either waive him or trade him.
Probably no one would trade for Claypool. If he is waived and someone claims him, the Bears would avoid further financial obligations to Claypool.
Claypool may file a complaint. At some point, he should. Fox Sports’ Jay Glazer mentioned putting him “on the ice” as a potential outcome, but a player can only be “put on the ice” if he wants to stay there. If Claypool presses the issue, the Bears will have to bring him back, trade him or waive him.
Unless there is a reason to suspend him without pay. Probably if you do, you will.