ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — Chase Claypool joins the Buffalo Bills wide receiver group at a much different place in his career than he was 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 catches total last season between Chicago and Miami.

"It is tough, and I went from being a starter playing every play to going to Miami and really not playing at all," Claypool said. "It almost reignited, not reignited, but made me realize my love for the game because even though I was doing nothing I wanted to do or expected to do, special teams and stuff like that at the time, I realized how much I loved football because even when I did get the opportunity to be out there I loved it, even if that was kick return, kick offs, so it’s really just making the most out of your situation and loving what you do.

"If I didn’t love the game, that’d be easy to just fold," he said. 

What You Need To Know

  •  Bills WR Chase Claypool is looking to restore what was once a promising NFL career

  •  Claypool broke out as a rookie in Pittsburgh, but has struggled over the past few seasons 

  • The 6'4" wideout has a chance to regain his form after the Bills signed him to a free agent deal 

At 6’4" and 238 pounds, Claypool is a physical specimen on the field. Yet, he hasn’t been able to maintain his level of play throughout his career. Bills head coach Sean McDermott has been impressed with Claypool’s demeanor since he arrived in Orchard Park.

"You don’t find that a lot around the NFL where a player has been at a certain level and then is on a mission right now to reclaim 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 very impressed with his day-to-day approach. True pro, high-character, smart player and has been a good addition to our team."

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

"There’s times where it can be frustrating if I’m not living up to my potential, but if it’s frustrating for the outside world it’s even more frustrating for 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 so I can meet and exceed those expectations."

If Claypool is able to find some semblance of the success he experienced early in his career, it could be a major boon for the Bills as they revamp the weapons around Josh Allen. 

The opportunity is right in front of him.