Chase Claypool

Claypool was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the second round, 49th overall, in the 2020 NFL Draft as the team's first selection.[16] Although eligible as a Canadian and rated as the No. 2 prospect, Claypool went undrafted in the 2020 CFL Draft.[17][18]

On July 22, 2020, the Pittsburgh Steelers signed Claypool to a four-year, $6.61 million rookie contract that includes $3.28 million guaranteed and a signing bonus $2.37 million.[19] On September 20, during Week 2 against the Denver Broncos, Claypool finished with three receptions for 88 receiving yards, including an 84-yard touchdown, as the Steelers won 26–21.[20] In Week 5, against the Philadelphia Eagles, Claypool finished with 110 receiving yards and four total touchdowns (three receiving & one rushing), both career highs, as the Steelers won 38–29. With his Week 5 effort, Claypool became the first Steelers rookie in franchise history to score four touchdowns in a game, and the first Steeler since Roy Jefferson in 1968 to do so.[21] His performance helped the team start out with a 4–0 record for the first time since 1979.[22] On October 14, Claypool was named the AFC Offensive Player of the Week for his performance in Week 5.[23] In Week 10, against the Cincinnati Bengals, he had four receptions for 56 receiving yards and two receiving touchdowns in their 36–10 victory.[24] In the Wild Card round of the playoffs against the Cleveland Browns, Claypool recorded 5 catches for 59 yards and two touchdowns during the 48–37 loss.[25]

Claypool was traded to the Chicago Bears on November 1, 2022, in exchange for their second-round pick (32nd overall; later used to select Joey Porter Jr.) in the 2023 NFL Draft.[26][27] In his week 9 debut vs. the Miami Dolphins, Claypool caught 2 passes for 13 yards.

He was intensely criticized for a low-effort performance in the Bears' season opener against the Green Bay Packers.[28] It was reported on September 17 that Claypool had apologized for this to his teammates and coaches.[29] By week 4, Claypool expressed frustration with the Bears and stated that he did not believe the coaching staff put him in a position to succeed.[30] The Bears deactivated him before their week 4 matchup against the Denver Broncos, and activated Equanimeous St. Brown in his place.[31] Claypool had been told by the team to stay home during the Denver game, and was later told not to return to their facility while they searched for a trade partner the following week.[32][33] The team had instructed him to remain at home the following week as well, while they won in a Thursday Night Football road game (their first win since October 24, 2022) against the Washington Commanders.[34]

As a Bear, he appeared in ten games, recording 191 receiving yards and one touchdown on 18 receptions.[35]

On October 6, 2023, the Bears traded Claypool and a seventh-round selection in the 2025 NFL Draft to the Miami Dolphins in exchange for a sixth-round selection in the 2025 NFL Draft.[36]