After a brief period with the Miami Dolphins , which did not improve his struggling career, Chase Claypool may now consider returning to Canada.
Justin Dunk of 3downnation.com reported on April 2nd that the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the CFL have put Claypool on their exclusive negotiating list. The 29-year-old receiver has become a free agent after playing for four different NFL teams over the last four seasons, during which he experienced a significant drop in his performance.
Second-Round Pick Faces Challenges After Strong Start
Claypool entered the NFL as a second-round pick of the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2020 and had a promising beginning to his career. In his rookie season, he made 62 catches for 873 yards with nine touchdowns, as well as gaining 16 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns. The following year, Claypool recorded 59 receptions for 860 yards and two touchdowns.
However, his career took a downturn from there. Claypool was traded to the Chicago Bears in the next season, where his role significantly decreased. When ESPN’s Courtney Cronin asked if he felt he was being put in the best position to showcase his skills as a receiver, Claypool replied, “I believe any situation has the potential to be ideal, and we’re striving for that. I won’t say that. I wouldn’t say it’s not the best place for me. Obviously, there are other places where you might say, ‘Oh, I want to be on the best offense with the most passing yards,’ but that's not how football works. You just have to work with what you have.”
Claypool also expressed that he was doing his best to make the most of the situation despite feeling disappointed in his role.
“Sometimes the things around you either lift you up or you have to adapt to enable yourself to rise with them,” Claypool said. “So I’ve been adapting to the new system and my new role in the system, and trying to make the most out of it.”
Last year, the Bears traded Claypool to the Dolphins in exchange for a swap of sixth- and seventh-round picks. The experienced receiver struggled to make a significant impact in Miami, only making four receptions for 26 yards in nine games with the Dolphins.
Chase Claypool Mulling Over Return to Canada?
Claypool has strong ties to Canada, having been born in Abbotsford, British Columbia, and garnering a strong reputation during his time at Abbotsford Senior Secondary School. Claypool caught the attention of several top American colleges and ultimately chose Notre Dame.
According to
As Mike Florio of NBC Sports , this recent move by the Roughriders does not necessarily mean a return to Canada for Claypool.
Florio added that there may still be significant interest in Claypool from the NFL.
“Perhaps he will be given an opportunity after the draft,” Florio stated. “Or maybe he will have to wait for injuries to occur. Nevertheless, Claypool has experienced a decline in his football fortunes over the past two seasons.”
Former Miami Dolphins wide receiver Chase Claypool might go back to Canada where he is from, because a CFL team is interested in him.
