Claypool looks to return to promising career with Bills

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — Chase Claypool joins the Buffalo Bills wide receiver corps at a much different time in his career than he did a few years ago.

Claypool scored 9 touchdowns as a rookie with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2020. However, in recent years his production has fallen off a cliff and he only had 8 total catches last season between Chicago and Miami.

“It’s tough, and I went from being a starter playing every game to going to Miami and really not playing at all,” Claypool said. “It almost turned me back on, not turned me back on, but made me realize my love for the game because even though I wasn’t doing anything that I wanted or expected to do, special teams and that type of thing At the time, I realized how much I loved football because even when I had the opportunity to be there, I loved it, even if it was kickbacks. kicks, kickoffs, so it’s just about making the best of your situation and loving what you do.

“If I didn’t like the game, it would be easy to fold,” he said.

At 6’4″ and 238 pounds, Claypool is a physical specimen on the field. Yet he has not been able to maintain his level of play throughout his career. Bills head coach Sean McDermott, has been impressed with Claypool’s behavior since his arrival at Orchard Park.

“You don’t find many things in the NFL where a player has reached a certain level and then is on a mission right now to get back to what he once was in that regard – and those are my words, maybe not fair to Chase, respectfully,” McDermott said. “But I would just say that he is very impressed with his daily approach. A real pro, an intelligent player with a lot of character and who has been a good addition to our team.”

McDermott cited Claypool’s ability to play on special teams as an important part of what he brings to the Bills. Yet it’s the player who once starred in Pittsburgh’s offense that he’s working to restore, as Buffalo attempts to capitalize on his natural abilities.

“There are times where it can be frustrating if I’m not living up to my potential, but if it’s frustrating to the outside world, it’s even more frustrating to me,” Claypool said. “I understand where I should be, and I understand why I haven’t met those expectations and that’s why I work harder and harder every year to be able to meet and exceed those expectations.”

If Claypool can regain some semblance of the success he enjoyed early in his career, it could be a major boon for the Bills as they reorganize weapons around Josh Allen.

The opportunity is right in front of him.