Chase Claypool has failed to live up to expectations since he was drafted out of Notre Dame five years ago, but the wide receiver is hoping there is still time to change that.
Claypool returned from a lengthy social media absence on Friday to open up about the injury that cost him his 2024 season. After signing a one-year contract with the Buffalo Bills last offseason, Claypool suffered a toe injury and was released last August. He said few people knew the full extent, however.
"My first season-ending injury in 18 years came at the worst possible time. I felt like God was playing a joke on me," Claypool wrote. "It's been a year since I've posted on Instagram, and almost nobody knows what actually happened to me. ... 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 have ever been and couldn't be more excited to step back out on the field and let my actions speak for themselves."
Claypool also said that signing with the Bills was "the best thing that could've ever happened to me." He felt he was "playing my best football" prior to the injury and said he had worked his way up to first string.
The Pittsburgh Steelers drafted Claypool with the 49th overall pick in 2020. He showed a lot of promise in his first NFL season with 62 catches, 873 yards and nine touchdowns. He had similar production in his second year with 59 catches for 860 yards and two scores.
Things quickly went downhill from there. Claypool was traded to the Chicago Bears midway through the 2022 season. He was a virtual non-factor in Chicago's offense before then being traded to the Miami Dolphins in 2023, where he quickly fizzled out as well.
If Claypool is healthy and motivated, he still has plenty of time to turn his career around. He needs a team to sign him first, which is likely why he has decided to start campaigning via social media.
