Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel had much to say about the team’s acquisition of wide receiver Chase Claypool from the Chicago Bears.
The Dolphins sealed a deal for Claypool on Friday, sending a 2025 sixth-round pick the other way, with the Bears adding a 2025 seventh-round pick to the pot.
Claypool, who is joining his third team since 2020, has faced some criticism over his attitude and work ethic. However, McDaniels claims the slate has been wiped clean and he won’t judge the player simply based on what he’s heard.
“There’s a balance with that. Everybody hears things. I think it’s very, very important that you let people tell you who they are,” the HC told reporters during a press conference on Friday. “I see better than I hear. There’s so many things that can go on, certain circumstances. From my vantage point, I looked at it like this, I’m not going to make myself wrong with something that I don’t know by judging X, Y or Z.
“We give you the opportunity to define who you are in the most honest, organic, real way possible. That’s an open mind, clean slate, let’s go. To me, then we as an organization, myself as coach, you don’t have to play the end all be all predictor. You let people – that’s the way it should be. They should be able to decide who they are and whatever that is.”
Claypool was traded to the Bears last November, having notched over 800 yards in each of his two seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers. However, he failed to replicate that form in Chicago and hopes to show some semblance while playing in Miami’s firepower offense this term.
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McDaniel didn’t skirt the issues during his talk with the media but insists he will allow Claypool to prove everyone wrong.
“You hear stuff left and right. I’ve been in the league long enough to know that circumstances can be all sorts of different things. I don’t downplay what he’s gone through. He went through it. You give an opportunity and you allow someone to follow their dream, put the control in their own hands and show teammates each and every day what you’re really about.”
