Former Pittsburgh Steelers' wide receiver, Chase Claypool had highs and lows during his two and a half year tenure with the black and gold. The wideout was selected in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft with the 49th overall pick. Right off the bat, the rookie built a strong connection with veteran quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. The phrase "7/11 always open" could be heard throughout the stadium, as a nod to Roethlisberger's and Claypool's respective numbers. During the 2020 season, the 6'4" receiver's production was solid with 62 receptions for 873 yards and 9 touchdowns.
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Pittsburgh Steelers' receiver Chase Claypool and quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.
After a strong rookie season, the expectations were high for Claypool to continue to progress. Though he had sparks of greatness, his production decreased. Things took a turn for the worse as he took heat following a December 9th contest against the Minnesota Vikings. With seconds left in the game, Roethlisberger was charging down the field in hopes of a 4th quarter comeback victory. This wasn't out of the question as the Steelers were eight points behind and the quarterback had a knack for 4th quarter comebacks. The 7/11 connection looked better than ever until Claypool took crucial time off the clock with a first down celebration. Ultimately, the Steelers ran out of time and lost, and the receiver was under scrutiny as a result.
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This, along with an unnecessary roughness penalty, didn't help Claypool's reputation among the fan base. The wideout became known as a diva and was in rocky waters as the season came to a close. Heading into the 2022 season, Claypool had a lot to say about his approach moving forward. The receiver was a guest on the I Am Athlete podcast, and he shocked some when he spoke so highly of himself.
"I'm not normal -- I feel that way when I'm on the field. I know for a fact I am not like the rest of the guys in the NFL. I know I'm a top-five receiver. I know I'm a top-three receiver."
Unfortunately, Claypool's performance in 2022 wasn't enough to back up this statement. Matters became even more difficult for the receiver as the quarterback competition was the number one priority for the Steelers at the time. Kenny Pickett didn't make his NFL debut until Week 4, and he wasn't named starting quarterback until Week 5 against the Buffalo Bills. At this point, Claypool and Pickett had a lot of catching up to do as they had very limited reps until this point. This didn't end up making a difference, however, when the Steelers opted to trade Claypool to the Chicago Bears for a 2023 second round pick.
The trade had mixed reviews, but it ended up having a higher value than expected as the Bears finished last, which gave the Steelers the 32nd overall pick. Additionally, Claypool didn't live up to expectations in Chicago. Between injuries and learning the playbook midseason, production was once again minimal for the wideout. Heading into the 2023 season, reports have surfaced that the Bears are unhappy with the receiver both on and off the field.
The Former Steelers' Receiver Hits Paris Fashion Week
Claypool has never been shy on social media, and lately is no different. This week, he took to Instagram to show off his attendance at the Feng Chen Wang fashion show at Paris Fashion Week. The receiver appeared to be having the time of his life and was featured on Wang's Instagram. His former teammate Marcus Allen was in attendance as well.
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Chase Claypool at Paris Fashion Week.
This isn't the first time that Claypool has dabbled in the fashion world. In 2021, he posted a modeling shot on Instagram highlighting a bomber jacket by designer Sevin Kasran.
Claypool has every right to explore other passions and business ventures, but we can't help but wonder what the Bears are thinking. With tensions already high, this season is an important factor for determining Claypool's future in the NFL.
What do you think the outlook is like for Claypool this season? Would you rather have kept the receiver, or are you happy with Joey Porter Jr. as a result of the trade? Sound off in the comments below.
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