Many Buffalo Bills fans thought the era of the diva wide receiver was over when they traded Stefon Diggs to the Houston Texans this offseason. But the team just signed a wide receiver with an interesting history since being traded by the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The Bills needed depth at wide receiver after trading Diggs and letting Gave Davis walk to the Jacksonville Jaguars in free agency. With the No. 33 pick in the draft, they drafted Keon Coleman to give quarterback Josh Allen a target for the upcoming season.
According to a statement by the Bills, the team signed Chase Claypool:
At 6-4, 238 pounds, Claypool is a big-bodied receiver with over 2,000 receiving yards and 13 TDs since entering the league. Claypool was a second-round pick by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 2020 NFL Draft and he set the franchise record in Week 5 with his four-touchdown performance.
He finished the 2020 season with 873 yards (4th among rookies) and nine touchdowns (1st among rookies).
Throughout his career, Claypool has had stints with the Steelers (2020-2022), the Bears (2022-23) and Dolphins (2023).
New faces in Buffalo.
We’ve signed WR Chase Claypool, DE Dawuane Smoot and LB Deion Jones to one-year contracts: https://t.co/1hRQbrkvCY pic.twitter.com/X9aKzbPzZW
— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) May 3, 2024
The Steelers sent Claypool to the Bears before for a 2023 second-round pick during the 2022 season when Claypool was considered a young star in the league. However, he struggled in Chicago, recording just 118 receptions for 191 yards and a touchdown in the ten games he played there.
Last season, the Bears told Claypool to stay home for a game a few days after he said the Bears had not put him in a position to succeed in their offense. The Bears would wind up trading Claypool to the Miami Dolphins for pennies. Claypool would record four receptions for 26 yards in nine games with the Dolphins.
Per an NBC Sports report in October, Claypool had several instances of getting into heated moments with teammates and coaches. He was consistently frustrated during his time with the Bears.
Claypool, a former second-round pick, is a talented player. He’ll have a chance to resurrect his career in Buffalo. After all, the Bills have dealt with wide receivers who bring a certain type of passion to their game.
Here are the best takes of fans reacting to Claypool.
How is claypool still getting chances
— Mr Unlimmmited (@chris_ferland) May 3, 2024
buffalo Busts
— G7enterprise (@pinkpurp11) May 3, 2024
You guys love 6’4 wrs who can’t run a route to save their life
Kenny golladay next
— evin (@KayvonOjulari) May 3, 2024
Why is chase claypool being signed
— dahl (9-6) (@dahldoes) May 3, 2024
— Just Another Year Chicago: Bears (@OfficialJAYCHI) May 3, 2024
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