After two years away from the field, former Steelers and Bears wide receiver Chase Claypool is seeking a return to the NFL. The first step in his comeback is a tryout with the Packers at their rookie minicamp, per Matt Schneidman of The Athletic.
Claypool, 27, was a second-round pick out of Notre Dame in 2020. He showed plenty of promise during his first two years in Pittsburgh, racking up 121 catches for 1,733 yards and 11 touchdowns. After a slow start to the 2022 season, the Steelers put Claypool on the trade block with the intention of elevating George Pickens into a bigger role in their offense.
The Steelers received multiple offers for the 6-foot-4 wideout, including second-round picks from both the Bears and the Packers. Pittsburgh wisely accepted Chicago’s bid, expecting the Bears to win fewer games than their NFC North opponents. That turned out to be the case, as the Bears finished with a 3-14 record, the worst in the league. As a result, the Bears had the first pick in each round of the 2023 draft. With the Dolphins losing their first-round pick that year, Pittsburgh received the No. 32 overall pick as a result of trading Claypool (the pick became Joey Porter Jr.).
Claypool did not come close to justifying that trade for Chicago. The big-bodied wide receiver posted just 14 catches for 140 yards and zero touchdowns over the rest of the 2022 season. In 2023, Claypool did start two games with the Bears but was soon made a healthy scratch and then traded to the Dolphins in a pick-swap agreement involving sixth- and seventh-rounders. He managed just eight catches throughout the 2023 season and has not seen the field since.
The Bills signed Claypool in 2024 but placed him on IR that August. No team added him in 2025. After their aggressive push for Claypool at the ’22 deadline, the Packers began the Jordan Love era by equipping him with 2023 draftees Jayden Reed and Dontayvion Wicks. The latter has since been traded to the Eagles, while the former just signed a three-year extension.
I wonder if he’s grown up yet
He could be a stud if he has. It’s smart for the Packers to find out.
Would u rather chase Claypool or Henry ruggs
Claypool, easy.
Hopefully he’s matured and can harness the talent he obviously has. Suddenly realizing you’re 27, flat broke, and threw away what could have been a million dollar opportunity will do that for most people. At least he’s getting a second chance, which most people don’t. If he can keep his head in the game and listen to coaching he might actually become a decent player.
We need a Claypool sequel even less than we need another Deadpool sequel.
Glad he’s haunting the Packers now. Giddy in fact.