Since trading Diontae Johnson to the Carolina Panthers, the Pittsburgh Steelers have had a glaring need at wide receiver. Omar Khan addressed the position in the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft when he took Michigan's Roman Wilson, but more help is needed.
While Wilson projects as a player who could step in and help man slot duties as a rookie, the Steelers were still looking into a trade for a wide receiver. Then fans remembered a former player and high draft pick who was productive in Pittsburgh.
Chase Claypool was left sitting on the market until after the 2024 draft. That's when the Buffalo Bills inked a deal with the former 2020 second-round pick.
At 6'4'' and 238 pounds with 4.42 speed, Claypool has looked the part since his days at Notre Dame. With impressive athletic traits and a massive frame, Claypool seems like the perfect fit with QB Josh Allen in Buffalo... but don't expect him to suddenly become a different player.
Steelers didn't miss out on signing Chase Claypool
In two-and-a-half seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers to open his NFL career, Chase Claypool raked in 2,044 yards and 14 total touchdowns. He showcased the ability to make plays down the field or take a simple drag route for a big gain.
But don't let raw numbers or past highlights fool you. Claypool isn't the receiver the Steelers need.
Despite his frame, Claypool often struggled to reel in the football in contested situations, and his ball-tracking down the field was abysmal at times. Even playing with Ben Roethlisberger, Claypool was too inconsistent to rely on.
His career has only gone downhill from there. Since being traded to the Bears before the 2022 deadline (thank you, Ryan Poles), Claypool's career hit rock bottom. In Chicago, he caught just 48.3 percent of his targets for 140 yards in 7 games to close the season, per Pro Football Reference.
After beginning his 2023 campaign with the Bears, Poles cut his losses and shipped Claypool to Miami for a late-round pick swap in the 2025 NFL Draft. In 9 games with the Dolphins, even offensive mastermind Mike McDaniel couldn't find a way to get him involved. Claypool finished his tenure in Miami with just 26 yards on 7 targets over 9 games -- a dismal 3.7 yards per target.
Still just 25 years old and with another chance to hit the 'reset' button, too many fans will fall into the trap of believing Claypool will turn things around and that he's worth another look because of his size and athletic traits.
Chase Claypool may look the part, but he is on his fourth NFL team before the start of his fifth season. His first three landing spots proved he's not a natural receiver and he can't be counted on.
The Steelers still need wide receiver help, but it was never going to come from their former 2020 second-round pick. Don't expect Claypool to suddenly revitalize his career in Buffalo. He's only going to leave you disappointed. Good luck with him, Bills fans!