Chase Claypool

{{Short description|Canadian gridiron football player (born 1998)}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2020}}

{{Infobox NFL biography

| name = Chase Claypool

| image = Chase Claypool.jpg

| caption = Claypool with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2021

| current_team =

| number =

| position = Wide receiver

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1998|7|7|mf=y}}

| birth_place = Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada

| death_date =

| death_place =

| height_ft = 6

| height_in = 4

| weight_lb = 238

| high_school = Abbotsford

| college = Notre Dame (2016–2019)

| draftyear = 2020

| draftround = 2

| draftpick = 49

| pastteams =

| status =

| highlights =

| statleague = NFL

| statseason =

| statweek =

| 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 professional football wide receiver. He played college football for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and was selected 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{{Cite web |last=Brugler |first=Dane |date=September 18, 2019 |title=Meet the Prospect: Chase Claypool's journey from British... |url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/1214965/2019/09/18/meet-the-prospect-chase-claypools-journey-from-british-columbia-to-notre-dame-and-soon-to-the-nfl/ |access-date=2020-09-23 |website=The Athletic}}{{Cite web |last=Azpiri |first=Jon |date=April 24, 2020 |title=B.C.'s Chase Claypool drafted by Pittsburgh Steelers in 2nd round of NFL Draft |url=https://globalnews.ca/news/6858904/b-c-s-chase-claypool-drafted-by-pittsburgh-steelers-in-2nd-round-of-nfl-draft/ |access-date=April 28, 2020 |website=Global News |language=en}} where he played both basketball and AA football in his senior years and graduated in 2016.{{Cite web |title=Abby products win at all-star game |url=https://www.abbynews.com/sports/abby-products-win-at-all-star-game/ |access-date=2016-04-20 |website=Abbotsford News|date=April 20, 2016 }}{{Cite web |title=Abbotsford's Chase Claypool drawing NFL draft attention |url=https://www.abbynews.com/sports/abbotsfords-chase-claypool-drawing-nfl-draft-attention/ |access-date=2019-12-06 |website=Abbotsford News|date=December 6, 2019 }}

During his career, he set numerous school receiving records. After receiving recruitment offers from several top-tier US colleges,{{Cite web |title=U.S. colleges vie for football star |url=https://www.abbynews.com/sports/u-s-colleges-vie-for-football-star/ |access-date=2015-06-13 |website=Abbotsford News|date=June 13, 2015 }} Claypool decided to commit to the University of Notre Dame to play college football.{{Cite web |date=July 11, 2015 |title=Abbotsford football star commits to Notre Dame |url=https://www.abbynews.com/sports/abbotsford-football-star-commits-to-notre-dame/ |website=Abbotsford News}}{{Cite web |last=Arnold |first=Keith |date=July 11, 2015 |title=Jumbo WR Chase Claypool commits to Notre Dame |url=https://irish.nbcsports.com/2015/07/10/jumbo-wr-chase-claypool-commits-to-notre-dame/}}

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.{{Cite web |last=Padanilam |first=Benjamin |date=November 10, 2017 |title=Breaking the mold: Chase Claypool brings unique background to Irish WR corps |url=https://ndsmcobserver.com/2017/11/insider-claypool-breaking-mold/ |access-date=September 19, 2020 |website=The Observer}} As a sophomore in 2017, he started eight of 12 games, recording 29 receptions for 402 yards and two touchdowns.{{Cite web |last=Nole |first=Tom |date=August 9, 2018 |title=Noie: Talent, traits align for Notre Dame WR Chase Claypool |url=https://www.ndinsider.com/football/noie-talent-traits-align-for-notre-dame-wr-chase-claypool/article_37a60b54-2188-5ba5-bea4-e16a8b9ce61e.html |access-date=September 19, 2020 |website=Notre Dame Insider}}{{Cite web |last=Hansen |first=Eric |date=April 7, 2018 |title=Notebook: Can wide receiver Chase Claypool become Notre Dame's 'X' factor? |url=https://www.ndinsider.com/football/notebook-can-wide-receiver-chase-claypool-become-notre-dame-s/article_5b18640e-3aaf-11e8-bccd-c78eb2ab7d25.html |url-status=live |access-date=September 19, 2020 |website=Notre Dame Insider|archive-url=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 |archive-date=November 13, 2019 }} 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.{{Cite web |last=Hough |first=Austin |date=August 4, 2019 |title=Claypool ready to be Irish's No. 1 WR |url=https://www.heraldbulletin.com/sports/claypool-ready-to-be-irish-s-no-wr/article_64d9996a-b707-11e9-ab92-bf081756413d.html |url-status=live |access-date=September 19, 2020 |website=Herald Bulletin|archive-url=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 |archive-date=August 5, 2019 }} 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.{{Cite web |last=Burlage |first=Todd |date=November 7, 2019 |title=Chase Claypool emerges as top WR for No. 15 Notre Dame |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/chase-claypool-emerges-top-wr-no-15-notre-194752606--ncaaf.html |access-date=September 19, 2020 |website=Yahoo! Sports |archive-date=November 13, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191113042532/https://sports.yahoo.com/chase-claypool-emerges-top-wr-no-15-notre-194752606--ncaaf.html |url-status=dead }}{{Cite web |last=Ralph |first=Dan |date=October 4, 2019 |title=Canadian Chase Claypool living up to billing as Notre Dame's No. 1 receiver |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/football/article-canadian-chase-claypool-living-up-to-billing-as-notre-dames-no/ |access-date=September 19, 2020 |website=The Globe and Mail}}

=College statistics=

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
SeasonTeamGPRecYdsTD
2016 || Notre Dame

| 12 || 5 || 81 || 0

2017 || Notre Dame

| 12 || 29 || 402 || 2

2018 || Notre Dame

| 13 || 50 || 639 || 4

2019 || Notre Dame

| 13 || 66 || 1,037 || 13

colspan="2"| Totals{{Cite web |title=Chase Claypool statistics – College Football at University of Notre Dame Athletics |url=https://und.com/roster/chase-claypool/ |url-status=live |access-date=September 19, 2020 |website=University of Notre Dame Athletics|date=July 9, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191113042531/https://und.com/roster/chase-claypool/ |archive-date=November 13, 2019 }}501502,15919

Professional career

{{NFL predraft

| height ft = 6

| height in = 4¼

| weight = 229

| dash = 4.42

| ten split = 1.56

| twenty split = 2.57

| shuttle =

| cone drill =

| vertical = 40.5

| broad ft = 10

| broad in = 6

| bench = 19

| arm span = 32 1/2

| hand span = 9 7/8

| wonderlic = 27

| note = All values from NFL Combine{{Cite web |title=Chase Claypool Combine Profile |url=https://www.nfl.com/prospects/chase-claypool?id=3219434c-4178-1009-34a1-bfb9899e5d84 |access-date=April 24, 2020 |website=NFL.com}}

}}

=Pittsburgh Steelers=

File:Chase Claypool (50696367162) (cropped).jpg

Claypool was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the second round, 49th overall, in the 2020 NFL draft as the team's first selection.{{Cite magazine |last=Strackbein |first=Noah |date=April 24, 2020 |title=Steelers Select WR Chase Claypool |magazine=Sports Illustrated |url=https://www.si.com/nfl/steelers/news/steelers-chase-claypool-nfl-draft |access-date=April 24, 2020}} Although eligible as a Canadian and rated as the No. 2 prospect, Claypool went undrafted in the 2020 CFL Draft.{{Cite web |title=2020 CFL Draft |url=https://www.cfl.ca/draft-tracker/2020/ |access-date=May 11, 2020 |website=CFL.ca |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=April 20, 2020 |title=Gallimore headlines spring edition of Scouting Bureau |url=https://www.cfl.ca/2020/04/20/gallimore-headlines-spring-edition-scouting-bureau/ |access-date=April 20, 2020 |website=Canadian Football League}}

On July 22, 2020, the 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.{{Cite web |last=Saunders |first=Alan |title=Chase Claypool Signs Steelers Contract |url=https://steelersnow.com/chase-claypool-signs-steelers-contract/ |access-date=July 22, 2020 |website=Steelers Now}} 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.{{Cite web |title=Denver Broncos at Pittsburgh Steelers – September 20th, 2020 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/202009200pit.htm |access-date=2020-09-23 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} 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.{{Cite web |title=Steelers vs. Eagles final score: Chase Claypool's record performance propels Pittsburgh to 4–0 start |url=https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/steelers-vs-eagles-final-score-chase-claypools-record-performance-propels-pittsburgh-to-4-0-start/live/ |access-date=2020-10-18 |website=CBSSports.com |date=October 11, 2020 |language=en}} His performance helped the team start out with a 4–0 record for the first time since 1979.{{Cite web |date=2020-10-11 |title=Pittsburgh Steelers are 4–0 for the first time in four decades |url=https://steelerswire.usatoday.com/2020/10/11/pittsburgh-steelers-best-season-start-super-bowl-1979-nfl-2020/ |access-date=2020-10-18 |website=Steelers Wire |language=en-US}} On October 14, Claypool was named the AFC Offensive Player of the Week for his performance in Week 5.{{Cite web |last=Gordon |first=Grant |title=Cardinals QB Kyler Murray, Steelers WR Chase Claypool among Players of the Week |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/kyler-murray-chase-claypool-patrick-queen-aaron-donald-players-of-the-week |access-date=14 October 2020 |website=National Football League}} In Week 10, against the Cincinnati Bengals, he had four receptions for 56 receiving yards and two receiving touchdowns in their 36–10 victory.{{Cite web |title=Cincinnati Bengals at Pittsburgh Steelers – November 15th, 2020 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/202011150pit.htm |access-date=2020-11-20 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}

Claypool had a successful rookie year, catching 62 passes for 873 yards and 9 touchdowns, in addition to two rushing touchdowns.{{Cite web |last=Cantliffe |first=Wesley |date=2021-06-06 |title=Breaking Down Chase Claypool's 2020 Touchdowns |url=https://steelersdepot.com/2021/06/breaking-down-chase-claypools-2020-touchdowns/ |access-date=2024-06-29 |website=Steelers Depot |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=Chase Claypool Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/C/ClayCh01.htm |access-date=2024-06-29 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} He was named to the PFWA All-Rookie Team.{{Cite web |title=2020 NFL All-Rookie Team |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/awards/nfl-all-rookie-2020.htm |access-date=2024-07-27 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} 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.{{Cite web |title=Wild Card – Cleveland Browns at Pittsburgh Steelers – January 10th, 2021 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/202101100pit.htm |access-date=2021-01-10 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}

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.{{Cite web |last=Benjamin |first=Cody |date=2021-12-10 |title=Steelers' Chase Claypool celebrates with game on the line, costs Pittsburgh on final drive in loss vs. Vikings |url=https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/steelers-chase-claypool-celebrates-with-game-on-the-line-costs-pittsburgh-on-final-drive-in-loss-vs-vikings/ |access-date=2024-06-29 |website=CBSSports.com}} 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.{{Cite web |date=2021-10-02 |title=Steelers' Chase Claypool ruled out for Week 4 game at Packers with hamstring injury |url=https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/steelers-chase-claypool-ruled-out-for-week-4-game-at-packers-with-hamstring-injury/ |access-date=2024-06-29 |website=CBSSports.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Vaidya |first=Chinmay |date=2021-11-10 |title=Chase Claypool ruled OUT for Week 10 with toe injury |url=https://dknetwork.draftkings.com/2021/11/10/22775145/chase-claypool-injury-week-10-nfl-2021-steelers-vs-lions-fantasy-football-diontae-johnson |access-date=2024-06-29 |website=DraftKings Network |language=en}}

=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.{{cite web |title=Steelers acquire Jackson, trade Claypool |url=https://www.steelers.com/news/steelers-acquire-wiliam-jackson-trade-chase-claypool |website=www.steelers.com |access-date=2 November 2022}}{{cite web |title=Roster Move: Bears agree to acquire Chase Claypool in trade with Steelers |url=https://www.chicagobears.com/news/chase-claypool-trade-steelers-second-round-pick-bears-roster-move |website=www.chicagobears.com |access-date=2 November 2022}}

He was intensely criticized for a low-effort performance in the Bears' 2023 season opener against the Green Bay Packers.{{Cite web |date=2023-09-13 |title=Matt Eberflus on possibly deactivating Chase Claypool: Looking at all options |url=https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/matt-eberflus-on-possibly-deactivating-chase-claypool-looking-at-all-options |access-date=2023-10-04 |website=NBC Sports |language=en-US}} It was reported on September 17 that Claypool had apologized for this to his teammates and coaches.{{cite news |last=Florio |first=Mike |url=https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/chase-claypool-apologized-to-teammates-coach-g-m-for-lack-of-effort-in-week-1 |title=Chase Claypool apologized to teammates, coach, G.M. for lack of effort in Week 1 |work=Pro-Talk Football |date=September 17, 2023 |accessdate=October 6, 2023 }} 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.{{Cite web |date=2023-09-29 |title=WR Claypool frustrated by usage, Bears' losses |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/38522456/chase-claypool-upset-bears-losses-unsure-best-spot |access-date=2023-10-04 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}} The Bears deactivated him before their week 4 matchup against the Broncos, and activated Equanimeous St. Brown in his place.{{cite web |title=Bears' Chase Claypool to be inactive vs. Broncos, source confirms |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/38536841/bears-chase-claypool-inactive-vs-broncos-source-confirms|website=ESPN|access-date=1 October 2023}} 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.{{Cite news |title=Bears Kick Chase Claypool Out |language=en |work=Sports Illustrated Pittsburgh Steelers News, Analysis and More |url=https://www.si.com/nfl/steelers/news/chicago-bears-kick-pittsburgh-steelers-chase-claypool-out |access-date=2023-10-04}}{{Cite web |date=2023-10-05 |title=Ryan Poles bids farewell to Chase Claypool: 'I wish him luck' |url=https://www.nbcsportschicago.com/nfl/chicago-bears/bears-news/ryan-poles-bids-farewell-to-chase-claypool-i-wish-him-luck/511262/ |access-date=2023-10-06 |website=NBC Sports Chicago |language=en-US}} 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.{{Cite news |title=Bears Make Chase Claypool Inactive |language=en |work=Sports Illustrated Pittsburgh Steelers News, Analysis and More |url=https://www.si.com/nfl/steelers/news/chicago-bears-pittsburgh-steelers-chase-claypool-inactive |access-date=2023-10-07}}

As a Bear, he appeared in ten games, recording 191 receiving yards and one touchdown on 18 receptions.{{cite news |last=Thames |first=Alanis |date=October 6, 2023 |title=WR Chase Claypool traded from the Chicago Bears to the Miami Dolphins |work=The San Diego Union-Tribune |url=https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/sports/national/story/2023-10-06/wr-chase-claypool-traded-from-the-chicago-bears-to-the-miami-dolphins# |accessdate=October 6, 2023}}

= 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.{{Cite web |title=Roster Move: Bears trade Chase Claypool to Dolphins |url=https://www.chicagobears.com/news/roster-move-bears-trade-chase-claypool-to-dolphins |access-date=2023-10-06 |website=ChicagoBears.com |language=en-US}} 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.{{Cite web |title=Bills announce three free agent signings to one-year deals |url=https://www.buffalobills.com/news/bills-announce-three-free-agent-signings-to-one-year-deals |access-date=2024-05-03 |website=BuffaloBills.com |language=en-US}} On August 12, Claypool was placed on injured reserve with a toe injury.{{Cite web|title=Bills place WR Chase Claypool on IR in series of Tuesday moves|url=https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/bills-place-wr-chase-claypool-on-ir-in-series-of-tuesday-moves|access-date=August 13, 2024|website=nbcsports.com|language=en}} He was released with an injury settlement on August 15.

NFL career statistics

class="wikitable"

! colspan="2"| Legend

Bold

| Career best

=Regular season=

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
rowspan="2"| Year

! rowspan="2"| Team

! colspan="2"| Games

! colspan="5"| Receiving

! colspan="5"| Rushing

! colspan="2"| Fumbles

{{abbr|GP|Games played}}{{abbr|GS|Games started}}{{abbr|Rec|Receptions}}{{abbr|Yds|Receiving yards}}{{abbr|Avg|Yards per reception}}{{abbr|Lng|Longest reception}}{{abbr|TD|Receiving touchdowns}}{{abbr|Att|Rushing attempts}}{{abbr|Yds|Rushing yards}}{{abbr|Avg|Yards per rushing attempt}}{{abbr|Lng|Longest rushing attempted}}{{abbr|TD|Rushing touchdowns}}{{abbr|Fum|Fumbles}}{{abbr|Lost|Fumbles lost}}
2020PIT

| 16 || 6 || 62 || 873 || 14.1 || 84T || 9 || 10 || 16 || 1.6 || 8 || 2 || 3 || 1

2021PIT

| 15 || 13 || 59 || 860 || 14.6 || 59 || 2 || 14 || 96 || 6.9 || 25 || 0 || 0 || 0

rowspan="2"| 2022PIT

| 8 || 8 || 32 || 311 || 9.7 || 26 || 1 || 8 || 55 || 6.9 || 15 || 0 || 0 || 0

CHI

| 7 || 3 || 14 || 140 || 10.0 || 31 || 0 || 1 || 4 || 4.0 || 4 || 0 || 1 || 1

rowspan="2"| 2023CHI

| 3 || 2 || 4 || 51 || 12.8 || 20 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0

MIA

| 9 || 0 || 4 || 26 || 6.5 || 15 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0

colspan="2"| [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/C/ClayCh01.htm Career]58321752,26112.98413331715.225242

=Postseason=

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
rowspan="2"| Year

! rowspan="2"| Team

! colspan="2"| Games

! colspan="5"| Receiving

{{abbr|GP|Games played}}{{abbr|GS|Games started}}{{abbr|Rec|Receptions}}{{abbr|Yds|Receiving yards}}{{abbr|Avg|Yards per reception}}{{abbr|Lng|Longest reception}}{{abbr|TD|Receiving touchdowns}}
2020PIT

| 1 || 1 || 5 || 59 || 11.8 || 29 || 2

2021PIT

| 1 || 1 || 3 || 25 || 8.3 || 16 || 0

2023MIA

| 1 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0

colspan="2"| [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/C/ClayCh01.htm Career]3288410.5292

References

{{Reflist}}