Wide receiver Chase Claypool, who has not played an NFL snap since January 2024, is attempting a sensational return to professional football. The 27-year-old has been given an opportunity to impress during a tryout with the Green Bay Packers at the team's rookie minicamp.
Over the course of two days, Claypool will aim to dazzle the coaching staff in a bid to secure a contract for the upcoming season. Packers head coach Matt LaFleur expressed cautious optimism after practice, stating, 'He's had some great film out there. He's been productive and he looks like he's in great shape. And he's big. We'll see how it goes.'
Claypool was most recently with the Buffalo Bills but did not play a single game for the team after suffering a severe toe injury during training camp. He was subsequently released with an injury settlement and missed the entire 2024 season.
In July 2025, Claypool announced his intentions to make an NFL comeback via social media. 'I tore a ligament and a tendon in my second toe and have been rehabbing, working out, and recovering every day for the past year,' he wrote on Instagram. 'I am back to being the strongest and fastest I've ever been and couldn't be more excited to step back out on the field and let my actions speak for themselves. I deeply and truly believe that the pieces will align, and I will work my way into the position to show off what's been suppressed these last two years.'
Despite his optimism, Claypool sat out the entire 2025 season as teams declined to sign him. His last NFL snap came for the Miami Dolphins against the Kansas City Chiefs in the playoffs on January 13, 2024.
Claypool was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers out of Notre Dame in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft. Over four seasons with the Steelers, Chicago Bears, and Dolphins, he recorded 175 catches for 2,261 yards and 13 touchdowns in 58 games.
