The rookie who broke a 52-year franchise record in one game
In short: In the autumn of 2020, Chase Claypool achieved a feat that hadn't happened in Pittsburgh for over half a century. By scoring four touchdowns in a single game, he didn't just break records; he catalyzed a historic turnaround for a struggling franchise.
Claypool’s ascent began at Abbotsford Senior Secondary School in British Columbia, where he set numerous receiving records before committing to the University of Notre Dame. His collegiate progression was steady: after a freshman year focused on special teams, he became the team's primary target in 2019, recording 66 receptions for 1,037 yards and 13 touchdowns.
Entering the NFL as the Pittsburgh Steelers' first selection of the 2020 draft, Claypool signed a four-year, $6.61 million rookie deal. His impact was immediate. During a Week 5 match versus Philadelphia's Eagles, he achieved personal bests by gaining 110 yards via catches and scoring four touchdowns (one on the ground, three through the air). This performance made him the first Steelers rookie to score four touchdowns in a game since Roy Jefferson in 1968.
The momentum of his rookie success was eventually tempered by high-profile controversies. In 2021, he faced significant backlash for a celebration against the Minnesota Vikings that reportedly took at least five seconds off the clock while his team trailed late in the game. This period marked a shift from record-breaking highlights to a narrative of inconsistent performance and friction with coaching staffs.
Since 2022, Claypool's career has been defined by mobility across the league. He was traded to the Chicago Bears, then moved to the Miami Dolphins, and eventually signed with the Buffalo Bills in 2024 before being released on an injury settlement. His journey serves as a case study of the volatile trajectory professional athletes face when transitioning from breakout stardom to journeyman status.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Chase Claypool
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