Former second-round WR ‘understands the situation’ in Buffalo Bills roster competition

Veteran receiver Chase Claypool showed some good self-awareness Tuesday during Buffalo Bills OTAs.

While speaking to reporters during a media scrum, Claypool provided what appears to be an honest assessment of his current career status. Since wearing out his welcome in Pittsburgh, he’s made seemingly unsatisfactory stops in Chicago and Miami. Three weeks ago, Buffalo gave the 2020 second-round pick another chance by signing him to a free agent contract.

“Buffalo gives me the opportunity to work as hard as I can and make the people around me proud,” Claypool said.

Joining a crowded wide receiver room, Claypool will face tough competition for a spot on the 53-man roster, but the Canadian-born wide receiver has promised to add value as a special teamer.

“I understand my situation. I understand any opportunity I have to help the team win, I have to jump at that opportunity. Special teams is one of those things,” Claypool said. “If I make all four units, that’s amazing because it means I’m helping the team in one way or another.”

Claypool logged 124 special teams snaps as a Steelers rookie in 2020, but then played just three more over his next 30 NFL games.

“I was back on special teams last year and realized how much I loved it, even though it was maybe something I didn’t necessarily want to do at that time.” , Claypool said. “Now I want to do it. I love it, I think from my years at Notre Dame, it’s a memory.”

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In nine appearances for the 2023 Dolphins, the 6-foot-4 Claypool has totaled 102 repetitions on special teams.

“I went from being a starter playing every game to going to Miami and really not playing at all,” Claypool said. “When I had the opportunity to be there, I loved it, even though it was a kick return, a kickoff.”