NFL training camp is right around the corner for all 32 teams in the league. The Chicago Bears have rookies reporting to Halas Hall on July 19 and veterans coming in on July 22. This will be the first camp of the Ben Johnson era, but there are several former players still on the open market.
Former Bears WR Chase Claypool is still available and recently made a plea for an NFL camp invite. On social media, Claypool expressed that he needed extensive medical treatment and rehab for a toe injury that he suffered in training camp for the Buffalo Bills last year. That cost him the entire 2024 season, but he hopes he lands a training camp invite.
He wrote, "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. 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.”
Chase Claypool says he's stronger and faster than ever after missing last season. https://t.co/56nBO17J9a
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) July 7, 2025
Chase Claypool Sends Message to NFL Teams About NFL Comeback
Claypool burst onto the scene with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2020, logging 62 catches for 873 yards and nine touchdowns as a rookie. He was able to follow that up with 860 receiving yards during the 2021 season in Pittsburgh before getting shipped to the Chicago Bears in 2022.
Over 10 games (five starts) with the Bears, the Notre Dame product couldn't put together. He only had 18 catches for 191 yards and one score. During his tenure in the Windy City, he has had problems with his effort, attitude, and failed to fully buy in.
He even called out the former coaching staff, saying they didn't put him in a position to succeed.
After his time with the Bears, he had brief stints with the Miami Dolphins and Bills, yet he wasn't able to latch on there either.
There could be a team that believes in Claypool's ability to be a depth piece. He has great physical tools (6-foot-4, 238 pounds) that can make him intriguing. He sounds like he's in a good place physically and wanted to let teams around the league know that ahead of training camp. For now, these are just words, and he would need to showcase that on the field for them to hold any type of weight. It'll be interesting to see if he's able to get a training camp invite in the next few weeks and see if he can back these words up.