Former Steelers Standout Eyes NFL Return After Missing 2024 Season

A former Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver will attempt to rewrite his story with a triumphant NFL comeback.

Chase Claypool started his career strong, tallying 1,845 yards and 13 touchdowns in his first two seasons with the Steelers. However, he didn’t come close to replicating that production with the Chicago Bears and Miami Dolphins before suffering a season-ending toe injury last August.

Currently a free agent, Claypool is ready to return. The 27-year-old posted an update Friday on Instagram.

“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,” Claypool wrote. “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 made an immediate mark for the Steelers, who drafted him with the No. 49 pick in 2020. Yet the partnership came to an abrupt end when Pittsburgh traded him to Chicago for a second-round draft choice during the 2022 season. The Steelers used the No. 32 overall pick to select Joey Porter Jr.

Meanwhile, Claypool caught 18 of 41 targets for 191 yards and a touchdown in 10 games with the Bears. They moved him to Miami, where he mustered 26 yards in nine games during the 2023 campaign.

Claypool signed with the Buffalo Bills, but a preseason injury wiped out his 2024. He thanked Bills teammates, head coach Sean McDermott and general manager Brandon Beane for their support during his setback.

“Signing with Buffalo was the best thing that could’ve ever happened to me,” Claypool said. “I was the strongest, fastest, and most prepared I had ever been. I was playing my best football — working my way up from LAST (14th) string to taking first-team reps by camp. Most of all, I was doing it with a group of guys I truly appreciated.”

Claypool will seek a training camp invite in hopes of competing for an NFL roster spot this summer.

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