Chase Claypool may be headed back north of the border after his brief stay with the Miami Dolphins failed to revitalize his flagging career.
On April 2, Justin Dunk of 3donwnnation.com announced that Claypool had been added to the Saskatchewan Roughriders’ exclusive negotiation list in the CFL. After spending the last four seasons splitting time between four NFL clubs, during which he witnessed a steep decline in output, the 29-year-old receiver is now free to sign with any team.
The Pittsburgh Steelers selected Claypool in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft, and he had a great rookie season. In his rookie season, he added 16 rushing yards and two rushing scores to his 62 receptions for 873 yards and nine touchdowns. In his second NFL season, Claypool followed it up with 59 receptions for 860 yards and two scores.
But that was the low point in his career. The following season, Claypool was moved to the Chicago Bears, where he witnessed a sharp drop in playing time. Later in the season, when ESPN’s Courtney Cronin questioned whether the receiver thought he was being “put in the best position for you as a receiver to showcase the best of what you can do,” the player took a jab at his team.
In response, Claypool said, “I think every situation has the potential to be ideal, and I think we’re just working towards that.” “I won’t make that claim. It’s not exactly the spot I would say is great for me. You can say, “Oh, I want to be on the best offense with the highest passing yards,” but that doesn’t happen in football. Of course, there are other areas. All you can do is work with what you have.
Notwithstanding his dissatisfaction with his employment, Claypool said, he was attempting to make the most of the circumstances.
According to Claypool, “there are times when the things around you either elevate you or you have to adapt to allow yourself to elevate with them.” “I’ve been attempting to maximize its potential by adjusting to the new system and my new role within it.”
Last season, the Bears traded Claypool to the Dolphins in exchange for sixth- and seventh-round draft selections. In his nine games with the Dolphins, the seasoned wide receiver managed just four grabs for 26 yards, demonstrating a lack of influence.
Being born in Abbotsford, British Columbia, and building a solid reputation at Abbotsford Senior Secondary School, Claypool has deep ties to Canada. Several elite American universities expressed interest in Claypool, but he finally decided on Notre Dame.
The departure from the Roughriders this week does not inevitably imply a return to Canada, as highlighted by Mike Florio of NBC Sports.
It does not imply that Claypool is going to Canada. However, the Roughriders have first dibs if he ever makes it there, Florio wrote.
Florio continued by saying that Claypool might still be of great interest to the NFL.
Florio stated, “Maybe someone will give him a chance after the draft.” “Perhaps he’ll have to hold off till injuries occur. In any case, Claypool’s football career has taken a turn for the worse over the past two seasons.