Chase Claypool Explained

Chase Claypool
Current Team:Free agent
Position:Wide receiver
Birth Date:July 7, 1998
Birth Place:Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada
Height Ft:6
Height In:4
Weight Lb:238
High School:Abbotsford (BC)
College:Notre Dame (2016–2019)
Draftyear:2020
Draftround:2
Draftpick:49
Pastteams:
Highlights:
Statleague:NFL
Statseason:2023
Statlabel1:Receptions
Statvalue1:175
Statlabel2:Receiving yards
Statvalue2:2,261
Statlabel3:Receiving touchdowns
Statvalue3:13
Pfr:ClayCh01

Chase Claypool (born July 7, 1998) is a Canadian American football wide receiver who is a free agent. He played college football at Notre Dame and was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the second round of the 2020 NFL draft. He has also played in the NFL for the Chicago Bears, Miami Dolphins, and Buffalo Bills.

Early life

Claypool attended Abbotsford Senior Secondary School in Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada[1] [2] where he played both basketball and AA football in his senior years and graduated in 2016.[3] [4] During his career, he set numerous school receiving records. After receiving recruitment offers from several top-tier US colleges,[5] Claypool decided to commit to the University of Notre Dame to play college football.[6] [7]

College career

Claypool played in 12 games as a true freshman at Notre Dame in 2016. He finished the season with five receptions for 81 yards and led the team in special teams tackles with 11.[8] As a sophomore in 2017, he started eight of 12 games, recording 29 receptions for 402 yards and two touchdowns.[9] [10] As a junior in 2018, Claypool started 12 of 13 games, finishing second on the team with 50 receptions for 639 yards and four touchdowns.[11] Claypool took over as Notre Dame's number one receiver his senior year in 2019, a season in which he caught 66 passes for 1,037 yards and 13 touchdowns.[12] [13]

College statistics

Notre Dame
Season Team GP Rec Yds TD
Notre Dame12 5 81 0
Notre Dame12 29 402 2
Notre Dame13 50 639 4
Notre Dame13 66 1,037 13
Totals[14] 50 150 2,159 19

Professional career

Pittsburgh Steelers

Claypool was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the second round, 49th overall, in the 2020 NFL draft as the team's first selection.[15] Although eligible as a Canadian and rated as the No. 2 prospect, Claypool went undrafted in the 2020 CFL Draft.[16] [17]

On July 22, 2020, the Pittsburgh Steelers signed Claypool to a four-year, $6.61 million rookie contract that includes $3.28 million guaranteed and a signing bonus $2.37 million.[18] On September 20, during Week 2 against the Denver Broncos, Claypool finished with three receptions for 88 receiving yards, including an 84-yard touchdown, as the Steelers won 26–21.[19] In Week 5, against the Philadelphia Eagles, Claypool finished with 110 receiving yards and four total touchdowns (three receiving & one rushing), both career highs, as the Steelers won 38–29. With his Week 5 effort, Claypool became the first Steelers rookie in franchise history to score four touchdowns in a game, and the first Steeler since Roy Jefferson in 1968 to do so.[20] His performance helped the team start out with a 4–0 record for the first time since 1979.[21] On October 14, Claypool was named the AFC Offensive Player of the Week for his performance in Week 5.[22] In Week 10, against the Cincinnati Bengals, he had four receptions for 56 receiving yards and two receiving touchdowns in their 36–10 victory.[23]

Claypool had a successful rookie year, catching 62 passes for 873 yards and 9 touchdowns, in addition to two rushing touchdowns.[24] [25] He was named to the PFWA All-Rookie Team.[26] In the Wild Card round of the playoffs against the Cleveland Browns, Claypool recorded 5 catches for 59 yards and two touchdowns during the 48–37 loss.[27]

The following season, during a game against the Minnesota Vikings, Claypool, who had already been pulled from the game earlier for poking Vikings cornerback Bashaud Breeland in the face, received criticism after celebrating a first down reception while the Steelers were trailing 36–28 with just 30 seconds left in the game. The celebration, which was noted by CBS Sports to take "at least 5 seconds" off the clock, wound up being costly as the Steelers could not score in time and lost the game.[28] Overall, Claypool played in 15 games in 2021, starting 13, and posted similar catch and yardage totals compared to his rookie season, though he only caught two touchdowns. He missed two games due to injuries to his hamstring and toe, respectively.[29] [30]

Chicago Bears

Claypool was traded to the Chicago Bears on November 1, 2022, in exchange for their second-round pick (32nd overall; later used to select Joey Porter Jr.) in the 2023 NFL draft.[31] [32]

He was intensely criticized for a low-effort performance in the Bears' 2023 season opener against the Green Bay Packers.[33] It was reported on September 17 that Claypool had apologized for this to his teammates and coaches.[34] By week 4, Claypool expressed frustration with the Bears and stated that he did not believe the coaching staff put him in a position to succeed.[35] The Bears deactivated him before their week 4 matchup against the Broncos, and activated Equanimeous St. Brown in his place.[36] Claypool had been told by the team to stay home during the Denver game, and was later told not to return to their facility while they searched for a trade partner the following week.[37] [38] The team had instructed him to remain at home the following week as well, while they won in a Thursday Night Football road game (their first win since October 24, 2022) against the Washington Commanders.[39]

As a Bear, he appeared in ten games, recording 191 receiving yards and one touchdown on 18 receptions.[40]

Miami Dolphins

On October 6, 2023, the Bears traded Claypool and a seventh-round selection in the 2025 NFL draft to the Miami Dolphins in exchange for a sixth-round selection in the 2025 NFL Draft.[41] In Week 8 vs. the New England Patriots, Claypool caught 1 pass for 15 yards, his first reception with the Dolphins.

Buffalo Bills

On May 3, 2024, Claypool signed a one-year contract with the Buffalo Bills.[42] On August 12, Claypool was placed on injured reserve with a toe injury.[43] He was released with an injury settlement on August 15.

NFL career statistics

Regular season

YearTeamGamesReceivingRushingFumbles
PIT16 6 62 873 14.1 84T 9 10 16 1.6 8 2 3 1
PIT15 13 59 860 14.6 59 2 14 96 6.9 25 0 0 0
PIT8 8 32 311 9.7 26 1 8 55 6.9 15 0 0 0
CHI7 3 14 140 10.0 31 0 1 4 4.0 4 0 1 1
CHI3 2 4 51 12.8 20 1 0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0
MIA9 0 4 26 6.5 15 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0
Career 58 32 175 2,261 12.9 84 13 33 171 5.2 25 2 4 2

Postseason

YearTeamGamesReceiving
PIT1 1 5 59 11.8 29 2
PIT1 1 3 25 8.3 16 0
MIA1 0 0 0 0.0 0 0
Career 3 2 8 84 10.5 29 2

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Brugler . Dane . September 18, 2019 . Meet the Prospect: Chase Claypool's journey from British... . 2020-09-23 . The Athletic.
  2. Web site: Azpiri . Jon . April 24, 2020 . B.C.'s Chase Claypool drafted by Pittsburgh Steelers in 2nd round of NFL Draft . April 28, 2020 . Global News . en.
  3. Web site: Abby products win at all-star game . 2016-04-20 . Abbotsford News. April 20, 2016 .
  4. Web site: Abbotsford's Chase Claypool drawing NFL draft attention . 2019-12-06 . Abbotsford News. December 6, 2019 .
  5. Web site: U.S. colleges vie for football star . 2015-06-13 . Abbotsford News. June 13, 2015 .
  6. Web site: July 11, 2015 . Abbotsford football star commits to Notre Dame . Abbotsford News.
  7. Web site: Arnold . Keith . July 11, 2015 . Jumbo WR Chase Claypool commits to Notre Dame .
  8. Web site: Padanilam . Benjamin . November 10, 2017 . Breaking the mold: Chase Claypool brings unique background to Irish WR corps . September 19, 2020 . The Observer.
  9. Web site: Nole . Tom . August 9, 2018 . Noie: Talent, traits align for Notre Dame WR Chase Claypool . September 19, 2020 . Notre Dame Insider.
  10. Web site: Hansen . Eric . April 7, 2018 . Notebook: Can wide receiver Chase Claypool become Notre Dame's 'X' factor? . live . September 19, 2020 . Notre Dame Insider. https://web.archive.org/web/20191113042533/https://www.ndinsider.com/football/notebook-can-wide-receiver-chase-claypool-become-notre-dame-s/article_5b18640e-3aaf-11e8-bccd-c78eb2ab7d25.html . November 13, 2019 .
  11. Web site: Hough . Austin . August 4, 2019 . Claypool ready to be Irish's No. 1 WR . live . September 19, 2020 . Herald Bulletin. https://web.archive.org/web/20190805031801/https://www.heraldbulletin.com/sports/claypool-ready-to-be-irish-s-no-wr/article_64d9996a-b707-11e9-ab92-bf081756413d.html . August 5, 2019 .
  12. Web site: Burlage . Todd . November 7, 2019 . Chase Claypool emerges as top WR for No. 15 Notre Dame . September 19, 2020 . Yahoo! Sports . November 13, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20191113042532/https://sports.yahoo.com/chase-claypool-emerges-top-wr-no-15-notre-194752606--ncaaf.html . dead .
  13. Web site: Ralph . Dan . October 4, 2019 . Canadian Chase Claypool living up to billing as Notre Dame's No. 1 receiver . September 19, 2020 . The Globe and Mail.
  14. Web site: Chase Claypool statistics – College Football at University of Notre Dame Athletics . live . September 19, 2020 . University of Notre Dame Athletics. July 9, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20191113042531/https://und.com/roster/chase-claypool/ . November 13, 2019 .
  15. Strackbein . Noah . April 24, 2020 . Steelers Select WR Chase Claypool . . April 24, 2020.
  16. Web site: 2020 CFL Draft . May 11, 2020 . CFL.ca . en.
  17. Web site: April 20, 2020 . Gallimore headlines spring edition of Scouting Bureau . April 20, 2020 . Canadian Football League.
  18. Web site: Saunders . Alan . Chase Claypool Signs Steelers Contract . July 22, 2020 . Steelers Now.
  19. Web site: Denver Broncos at Pittsburgh Steelers – September 20th, 2020 . 2020-09-23 . Pro-Football-Reference.com . en.
  20. Web site: Steelers vs. Eagles final score: Chase Claypool's record performance propels Pittsburgh to 4–0 start . 2020-10-18 . CBSSports.com . October 11, 2020 . en.
  21. Web site: 2020-10-11 . Pittsburgh Steelers are 4–0 for the first time in four decades . 2020-10-18 . Steelers Wire . en-US.
  22. Web site: Gordon . Grant . Cardinals QB Kyler Murray, Steelers WR Chase Claypool among Players of the Week . 14 October 2020 . National Football League.
  23. Web site: Cincinnati Bengals at Pittsburgh Steelers – November 15th, 2020 . 2020-11-20 . Pro-Football-Reference.com . en.
  24. Web site: Cantliffe . Wesley . 2021-06-06 . Breaking Down Chase Claypool's 2020 Touchdowns . 2024-06-29 . Steelers Depot . en-US.
  25. Web site: Chase Claypool Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College . 2024-06-29 . Pro-Football-Reference.com . en.
  26. Web site: 2020 NFL All-Rookie Team . 2024-07-27 . Pro-Football-Reference.com . en.
  27. Web site: Wild Card – Cleveland Browns at Pittsburgh Steelers – January 10th, 2021 . 2021-01-10 . Pro-Football-Reference.com . en.
  28. Web site: Benjamin . Cody . 2021-12-10 . Steelers' Chase Claypool celebrates with game on the line, costs Pittsburgh on final drive in loss vs. Vikings . 2024-06-29 . CBSSports.com.
  29. Web site: 2021-10-02 . Steelers' Chase Claypool ruled out for Week 4 game at Packers with hamstring injury . 2024-06-29 . CBSSports.com . en.
  30. Web site: Vaidya . Chinmay . 2021-11-10 . Chase Claypool ruled OUT for Week 10 with toe injury . 2024-06-29 . DraftKings Network . en.
  31. Web site: Steelers acquire Jackson, trade Claypool . www.steelers.com . 2 November 2022.
  32. Web site: Roster Move: Bears agree to acquire Chase Claypool in trade with Steelers . www.chicagobears.com . 2 November 2022.
  33. Web site: 2023-09-13 . Matt Eberflus on possibly deactivating Chase Claypool: Looking at all options . 2023-10-04 . NBC Sports . en-US.
  34. News: Florio . Mike . Chase Claypool apologized to teammates, coach, G.M. for lack of effort in Week 1 . Pro-Talk Football . September 17, 2023 . October 6, 2023 .
  35. Web site: 2023-09-29 . WR Claypool frustrated by usage, Bears' losses . 2023-10-04 . ESPN.com . en.
  36. Web site: Bears' Chase Claypool to be inactive vs. Broncos, source confirms . ESPN. 1 October 2023.
  37. News: Bears Kick Chase Claypool Out . en . Sports Illustrated Pittsburgh Steelers News, Analysis and More . 2023-10-04.
  38. Web site: 2023-10-05 . Ryan Poles bids farewell to Chase Claypool: 'I wish him luck' . 2023-10-06 . NBC Sports Chicago . en-US.
  39. News: Bears Make Chase Claypool Inactive . en . Sports Illustrated Pittsburgh Steelers News, Analysis and More . 2023-10-07.
  40. News: Thames . Alanis . October 6, 2023 . WR Chase Claypool traded from the Chicago Bears to the Miami Dolphins . . October 6, 2023.
  41. Web site: Roster Move: Bears trade Chase Claypool to Dolphins . 2023-10-06 . ChicagoBears.com . en-US.
  42. Web site: Bills announce three free agent signings to one-year deals . 2024-05-03 . BuffaloBills.com . en-US.
  43. Web site: Bills place WR Chase Claypool on IR in series of Tuesday moves. August 13, 2024. nbcsports.com. en.