Chase Claypool, a wide receiver, started strong in his career but hasn’t done as well recently. Claypool was drafted by Pittsburgh in the second round in 2020 and did well for two years. In 2022, he caught fewer passes and was traded to the Bears in the middle of the season.
He played 10 games for Chicago and caught 18 passes. He was then traded again, to Miami, for a lower draft pick. Claypool caught only four passes in nine games for Miami and became a free agent after the season.
The Bills decided to give Claypool a chance as they rebuilt their receivers. The coach, Sean McDermott, said Claypool is very determined to get back to being as good as he was before. Claypool himself said he wants to prove that his early success wasn’t just luck.
Chase Claypool, in an interview with ESPN, admitted it’s been difficult to deal with not meeting expectations over the past two seasons.
“It’s tough believing in yourself and falling short, especially recently,” Claypool said. “It can be frustrating if I’m not playing as well as I know I can. But trust me, it’s even more frustrating for me than anyone else.”
He understands his potential and is working hard to reach it.
The Bills receiving group has gotten a lot more crowded this offseason, with Curtis Samuel, Mack Hollins, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, and rookie Keon Coleman joining the team. This gives Claypool a better chance to earn a spot than if the group was already set, but whether he can take advantage remains to be seen.
