While the Buffalo Bills only drafted one wide receiver in the NFL draft, they subsequently signed Chase Claypool in free agency.
Because the Bills traded Stefon Diggs and let Gabe Davis walk, fans hoped general manager Brandon Beane would snag a strong deep-threat receiver for quarterback Josh Allen. Adding Claypool didn’t exactly elicit an excited response, the 25-year-old knows it.
Speaking to reporters during Organized Team Activities (OTAs) on Tuesday, May 21, however, Claypool showed nothing but appreciation for a “fresh start” in Buffalo
Claypool expresses enthusiasm for gaining a “fresh perspective” on himself and appreciates the warm reception from his new teammates. He acknowledges the team’s understanding that online perceptions can be misleading and values being treated like family from the start. Despite being the Steelers’ former second-round pick, he states he doesn’t carry any external baggage or a chip on his shoulder.
I’ve learned from all the mistakes, even though I feel like any time you make a mistake, or any time you have mishaps… you have to learn from them. And if you learn from them, you grow from them. There’s going to be good days and bad days. But I think it’s important to learn from the bad days and build from the good days. Eventually, you’ll be in a spot you want to be at.”
While Claypool put up a career-high 62 receptions for 873 yards and 11 touchdowns his rookie year, his stats have steadily declined since. After the Steelers traded him to the Chicago Bears in 2022, Claypool criticized his usage and his work ethic came under fire.
After the Bears traded him to the Miami Dolphins last season, he barely made a dent on offense. In 3 games and 2 starts with the Bears, the 6-foot-4, 238-pound receiver caught 4-of-14 targets for 51 yards and 1 touchdown. With the Dolphins, Claypool registered 4 receptions for 26 yards in 9 game appearances.
Claypool addressed “falling short” of expectations, “especially over the past two years… There are times that can be frustrating if I’m not living up to my potential. But if it’s frustrating in the outside world, it’s even more frustrating for me.”
I went from being a starter.. to going to Miami and not really playing at all,” Claypool told reporters, “it made me realize my love for the game.
Even though I was doing nothing that I wanted to do, or expected to do — special teams and stuff like that at the time — I realized how much I love football. Because when I did get the opportunity to be out there, even if that was kick returns and kickoffs. It’s really just making the most of your situation.”
