what happened with chase claypool
Chase Claypool's Recent NFL Journey Chase Claypool, the former Pittsburgh Steelers standout wide receiver, has been out of the spotlight due to a serious injury but is now pushing for a comeback. His story is one of early promise followed by setbacks across multiple teams, and as of early 2026, he's actively training and sharing updates on social media.
Career Highs and Early Struggles
Claypool burst onto the scene as a 2020 second-round pick for the Steelers, earning All-Rookie honors with his athleticism and big-play ability. However, after a strong rookie year, he faced challenges like falling down depth charts and reported attitude issues, leading to trades to the Chicago Bears and Miami Dolphins. By 2024, he signed with the Buffalo Bills hoping for a fresh start alongside Josh Allen, but a torn ligament and tendon in his toe during training camp sidelined him for the entire season.
The 2024 Injury Setback
In August 2024, the Bills placed Claypool on injured reserve after the toe injury from late July practice. They reached an injury settlement, releasing him as a free agent, effectively ending his year before it began. This marked over two years without a regular-season game by late 2025, fueling speculation about whether his NFL days were over amid whispers of team frustrations from prior stops.
Comeback Push in 2025-2026
Fast-forward to July 2025: Claypool posted on Instagram about his rehab progress, declaring himself "stronger and fastest I've ever been" after a year of dedicated work. He thanked Bills figures like QB Josh Allen and GM Brandon Beane despite the release. By January-February 2026, videos emerged of him running routes, signaling readiness for a 2026 return—his first potential action since 2023. No team has signed him yet, but with training camps looming, he's positioning himself as a depth option for receiver-needy squads.
Key Timeline of Events
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| May 2024 | Signed with Buffalo Bills |
| July 28, 2024 | Suffered season-ending toe injury |
| August 2024 | Released via injury settlement |
| July 4, 2025 | Instagram post on recovery |
| Jan-Feb 2026 | Running routes videos surface |
Fan and Media Buzz
Forums and pundits offer mixed views: Optimists highlight his Notre Dame pedigree and physical tools (6'4", speed), seeing him as a camp invite candidate if injuries hit contenders. Skeptics point to his baggage—depth chart drops and no fantasy relevance lately—wondering if he's better suited for CFL or UFL. Recent CBS Sports and Yahoo updates as of March 2026 keep him on radars amid Bills' receiver mock drafts, but no firm landings reported.
TL;DR: Claypool missed all of 2024 with a toe injury after signing with the Bills, got released, and is now in comeback mode for 2026 with training clips—still unsigned but motivated.
Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.
