Chase Claypool presented himself as the next big breakout star following a rookie season in which he amassed 62 receptions, 873 yards, and 9 touchdowns for the Pittsburgh Steelers. However, injuries, issues with his attitude, and a constant decline in numbers derailed his career. And with the blink of an eye, Claypool was out of the league.
The 26-year-old signed for the Buffalo Bills at the start of the 2024 season. He was placed on injured reserve and was released during the roster cuts in August. For a long time, football fans speculated about what happened to Claypool. He provided the details in a recent Instagram post.
My first season-ending injury in 18 years came at the worst possible time. I felt like God was playing a joke on me.
Chase Claypool wrote, which was his first post on the platform for nearly a year
The injury happened at a crucial juncture of Claypool’s career. His attempts at building a connection with Bills quarterback Josh Allen remained on the drawing board as he rehabbed.
I tore a ligament and a tendon in my second toe and have been rehabbing, working out, and recovering every day for the past year. I am back to being the strongest and fastest I’ve ever been and couldn’t be more excited to step back out on the field and let my actions speak for themselves.
Claypool added
The caption under Chase Claypool's latest IG post is a must-read for all Bills fans (and NFL free agents).
— John Sparaco (@JohnSparaco) July 4, 2025
Yet another example of the strong culture in Buffalo.
Wishing Claypool nothing but the best moving forward #BillsMafia pic.twitter.com/2HCBhlfLkt
Claypool has remained on the free-agent list ever since and is crying out for a second chance with another team. The native of Abbotsford, British Columbia, turned down the opportunity to play in the CFL (Canadian Football League) to prepare for the NFL.
Claypool began his NFL career with the Steelers. He instantly became a favorite of the locals because his style closely resembled another former favorite, Antonio Brown. Unfortunately, Claypool also possessed Brown’s bad-dude persona as well.
He repeatedly angered the Steelers’ nation by creating TikTok videos from inside the locker room. When reporters confronted Claypool (H/T: On3.com), he confidently said,
It’s a different era. Social media is a big part of our era. So, I got to build a platform for myself. It helps me off the field. No doubt about it, on the field will always override the off the field, in terms of marketing and all that. The most important is on the field. But I was playing my best football when I was making TikToks.
The Steelers brass did not seem too concerned by Claypool’s Gen Z persona as long as he delivered on the field. His second year wasn’t on par with his rookie campaign, but he still logged 59 catches for 860 yards and two touchdowns.
Mike Tomlin’s patience ran out midway through the 2022 season, and the Steelers traded Claypool to the Chicago Bears for a second-round pick. They realized they could handle one George Pickens, but two of them together are a ticking time bomb.
Claypool failed to impress the Bears, and after just 10 games, he was traded to the Miami Dolphins for a seventh-round pick. His tenure in South Beach was limited to nine games and 26 yards before signing for divisional rivals, the Bills.
Chase Claypool has taken a lot of heat this year, rightfully so, but he has come up big late in Baltimore during his first 2 seasons.
— Tyler Wise (@TriggeredWise) January 14, 2022
He's scored game-winning & lead-changing 4th-quarter touchdowns in back-to-back games in the Charm City.
A Raven Killer in the making? #Steelers pic.twitter.com/w4RPlZnKFK
Staying away from the NFL has given Claypool a new perspective. He seems ready to take another shot at the life he dreamed of experiencing since he was a kid.
I am back to being the strongest and fastest I’ve ever been and couldn’t be more excited to step back out on the field and let my actions speak for themselves.
Claypool wrote
Chase Claypool has appeared in 58 games, starting 32. He caught 175 passes for 2261 yards (12.9 YAC) and 13 touchdowns (9 of them came in his rookie season). Claypool will be 27 soon.
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