Chase Claypool, once heralded as a rising star at wide receiver, is now in search of his fifth team in just three years. The former Pittsburgh Steelers standout was released by the Buffalo Bills on Thursday, with an injury settlement, according to the NFL’s transaction wire. This move came just two days after Claypool was placed on injured reserve due to a toe injury.
The Bills had signed Claypool to a one-year contract in May, hoping to capitalize on his potential as a low-cost addition to a wide receiver room lacking depth. While Claypool received some positive reviews during his brief time with the team, the toe injury proved too much for the Bills to manage, leading to his release.
This is another setback in a career that has seen its fair share of challenges since Claypool’s impressive rookie season. Drafted in the second round in 2020, Claypool made an immediate impact with the Steelers, recording 873 receiving yards and nine touchdowns in his first year. However, his sophomore season marked a significant decline in performance, and by 2022, he had worn out his welcome in Pittsburgh, leading to a midseason trade to the Chicago Bears.
Claypool’s time with the Bears can only be described as disastrous. His struggles culminated in a 2023 season opener that was so poor it prompted an apology to the team after a lowlight reel of his performance went viral. Just a few mediocre games later, when asked if the team was putting him in a position to succeed, Claypool bluntly responded, “No.”
The Bears, clearly frustrated with Claypool’s lack of production, traded him to the Miami Dolphins for virtually nothing after just 10 games. Unfortunately, Claypool’s fortunes did not improve in Miami, where he managed only 26 receiving yards over nine games.
Now 26 years old, Claypool’s stock in the NFL has plummeted. As one source put it, he “doesn’t have much value to speak of” at this point in his career. While another team might follow the Bills’ example and attempt to sign him on the cheap, it could be difficult for any franchise to justify allocating a roster spot to him given his recent track record.
As Claypool continues his search for a new team, the question remains whether he can recapture the form that made him a standout in his rookie season, or if his journey through the NFL will continue to be marked by unmet potential and unfulfilled promise.
We’ve signed QB Ben DiNucci, WR Damiere Byrd, and WR Deon Cain to one-year deals.
— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) August 13, 2024
QB Shane Buechele and WR Chase Claypool have been placed on IR.
We’ve waived/injured WR Bryan Thompson. #BillsMafia pic.twitter.com/9kr4TP8qKu