Former Steelers Bust Chase Claypool May Be Headed To The Canadian Football League After Terrible NFL Career

The Pittsburgh Steelers are known for successfully drafting wide receivers, especially after the first round. Kevin Colbert was incredible throughout his two-decade tenure as the team's general manager when it came to selecting pass-catchers with tons of potential. It appears the team most recently hit a home run with George Pickens. The same, however, was said for Notre Dame standout Chase Claypool. After a phenomenal rookie season, many believed he would blossom into a star. The tides significantly turned for him, and he has bounced around. He finished the 2023 campaign with the Miami Dolphins.

Everyone knows the story of Omar Khan swindling the Chicago Bears when it came to Claypool. Khan was able to get a second-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, which ended up being 32nd overall. The selection was used on Joey Porter Jr. who appears to be on his way to having a very successful NFL career. The Bears traded Claypool to the Dolphins in 2023 after it didn't work out for the Canadian.

Now, it appears as if a team from his home country is counting on him being available and out of the NFL. According to 3DownNation, Claypool was added to the Saskachewan Roughriders' exclusive negotiating list. Per Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk, this gives the Roughriders control over negotiating with Claypool if he has a desire to play in the Canadian Football League (CFL).

As of now, Claypool is a free agent and there hasn't been any reported interest between him and other teams. He could hold out until after the draft when organizations are looking for depth, but his hopes of being a dominant NFL wideout are quickly coming to an end. He might prefer the option of going home and being one of the best players in his country's football league.

It was quick fall for Claypool, who caught nine touchdown passes and ran for two in his rookie campaign back in 2020. He only has 54 catches since 2022 and combined for a whopping eight in 2023. There is a very strong chance that he doesn't land on an NFL roster, which is why the Roughriders are adding him to their exclusive negotiating list. It seems as if the belief in Canada is that no NFL teams will have interest in the former second-round pick.

Claypool said in 2022 that he was a top three wide receiver in the NFL. It's safe to say that he was wrong, and his future in the NFL is in doubt. The prospect of him playing in another country in 2024 and beyond wouldn't have seemed fathomable in 2020, but that seems to be where he is currently at in his career.

Steelers Need Help At Wide Receiver

Pittsburgh is in desperate need of more wide receivers on the roster, but don't expect them to give Claypool a call. Additions of Van Jefferson and Quez Watkins fill the depth void, and now, a formidable starter is necessary to play alongside Pickens. Claypool might not be headed to Canada, but is certainly turning into an option after a lack of interest in NFL free agency.