Bills’ Sean McDermott: Chase Claypool ‘on a mission right now’

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — Buffalo Bills wide receiver Chase Claypool is “on a mission right now to get back to what he once was” as an NFL player, coach Sean McDermott said Tuesday.

After Claypool’s second OTA practice Tuesday, he completely agreed with his new coach’s sentiment.

“I think it’s hard to believe the player you are or can be, and not live up to those expectations, especially over the last couple of years, of course,” Claypool said. “It’s a difficult position because I know there are times where it can be frustrating if I don’t live up to my potential.

“But if it’s frustrating to the outside world, it’s even more frustrating to me. I understand where I should be. And I understand that I haven’t met those expectations. And that’s why I’m working hard. harder and harder and harder every year so that I can meet and exceed those expectations.

Claypool, 25, signed a one-year contract with the Bills earlier this month, a decision he called “tough” because the Bills expressed interest in signing him but wanted to wait until the end of the draft to make final decisions. The opportunity extends not only to the receivers room, but also to Claypool’s willingness and desire to contribute on special teams.

“(Claypool) is very focused, he works extremely hard day in and day out,” McDermott said. “…Very impressed with his daily approach, a true pro, high character, intelligent player, and he has been a good addition to our team.”

He joined a wide receiver room that saw an extreme overhaul this offseason. Joining the Bills marked Claypool’s fourth team since the start of the 2022 season.

After two seasons of 800-plus receiving yards to start his career in Pittsburgh, Claypool had just 43 in 10 games with the Bears and seven in nine games with the Dolphins.

“I went from being a starter, playing every game, to going to Miami and really not playing at all,” Claypool said. “So, that… made me realize my love for the game. Because even though I wasn’t doing anything that I wanted to do or expected to do, special teams and that kind of stuff at the I realize how much I love football. If I didn’t love the game, it would be easy to fold.

Claypool said he was aware of what he needed to work on and thought he was able to get a head start on his work this offseason since he didn’t play much last year. He stressed that he had learned from his mistakes.

On the field Tuesday, Claypool made a jump catch on a pass from former Steelers quarterback Mitch Trubisky.

The remixed wide receiver room provides opportunities to compete for a roster spot, while Claypool embraces a fresh start “with a new perspective on who I am.”

“It’s frustrating (to be characterized a certain way online), especially when it’s so far from the truth,” Claypool said. “…But I’m not here to prove that I’m not what they say, I’m just here to be who I am and be part of the team. I’m not trying to prove to anyone that Either he’s wrong or I’m just who I am. It doesn’t matter what the outside world says, as long as my teammates know what kind of guy I am, and so do the coaches.