Chase Claypool has been out of football for almost a year now, but he gave us an update on his football future in a recent Instagram post.
The former Day 2 pick stated that he has been rehabbing a toe injury for the past year, but is ready to step back onto the field and resume his playing career.
"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. I deeply and truly believe that the pieces will align, and I will work my way into the position to show off what’s been suppressed these last two years," Claypool wrote on Instagram.
At one point in 2020, Chase Claypool seemed destined to be the next great Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver.
Claypool, who was selected in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft by the Steelers, had a promising rookie campaign, tallying 62 receptions for 873 yards and nine touchdowns. However, Claypool was never able to regain that form and was traded to the Chicago Bears during the 2022 trade deadline, spending just two full seasons in Pittsburgh.
After a short and unsuccessful stint with Chicago, Claypool was traded to the Miami Dolphins in the middle of the 2023 season. After finishing 2023 with Miami, the Notre Dame product signed a one-year deal with the Buffalo Bills, but never played a down with the Bills after suffering a toe injury in August, the same injury he has been rehabbing.
Though his career has gone downhill since a stellar rookie season in 2020, Claypool still has the talent to be a potential difference-maker for a team. He would be a savvy pre-training camp signing that could compete for a roster spot on any team.
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