The Buffalo Bills will have a new-look wide receiver room in 2024, with the notable absences of star wideout Stefon Diggs and speedster Gabe Davis. Buffalo added a top-end prospect in the 2024 NFL draft, landing the services of former Florida State Seminoles standout Keon Coleman. Additionally, the Bills hit free agency hard, adding a trio of veteran pass catchers. Most notable among the bunch is former second-round draft pick Chase Claypool.
Claypool started his career with a bang, collecting 11 touchdowns during his rookie campaign with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2020. However, inconsistency on the field and troubles off the field hampered Claypool’s production, especially over the past two seasons. After an abrupt end to his time in Pittsburgh, a controversial tenure in Chicago, and a short stint in Miami, Claypool will try to reinvent himself with the Bills. Claypool talked to the media on Tuesday, opening up about struggles and the current outlook heading into 2024.
Buffalo Bills WR Chase Claypool: Talks Expectations
Chase Claypool, one of the newest additions for the quarterback Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills, aims to return to football relevancy next fall. When speaking to the media on Tuesday, the Notre Dame product spoke about failing to meet his expectations over the past few seasons.
“It is tough believing in the player you are or can be and falling short of those expectations, especially over the last two years. It is a tough position because I know there are times when it can be frustrating when I’m not living up to my potential. If it’s frustrating to the outside world, it’s even more frustrating to me. I understand where I should be, and I understand I have not met those expectations, so that’s why I work harder and harder every year so I can meet and exceed those expectations,” said Claypool. After posting back-to-back 800-yard receiving seasons to start his career, the lengthy wideout failed to surpass 500 receiving yards in the past two seasons.
Claypool continued, saying, “I’ve learned from all those mistakes. I feel like anytime you make a mistake or have mishaps, you have to learn from them, and if you learn from them, you grow from them. I think that’s what I’ve done. There are going to be good days, and there are going to be good days, but I think at this point, you should learn from the bad days and build on the good days, and eventually, you will be in a spot you want to be at.”
Claypool was involved in numerous off-the-field issues with the Chicago Bears last season, leading to his eventual departure. He landed with the Miami Dolphins but settled for a reserve role.
Buffalo Bills: WR Depth Chart
The Buffalo Bills will look to keep their postseason streak alive despite losing most of their receiving production from 2023. Buffalo will likely deploy the trio of rookie Keon Coleman, free agent signee Curtis Samuel, and returner Khalil Shakir when in three-receiver sets. Coleman shined at Florida State last year, while Samuel joins the Bills after a stint with the Washington Commanders. Meanwhile, Shakir is one of the lone returning receivers from last season, snagging 39 receptions for 611 yards in 2024.
Buffalo will also have Chase Claypool, Mack Hollins, and Marquez Valdes-Scantling. Headlining the group is Valdes-Scantling after the speedster won back-to-back Super Bowls with the Kansas City Chiefs.
