Three years ago, Chase Claypool was a second-round NFL draft pick and a rising star. Now, he's fighting for a roster spot at the Green Bay Packers' rookie minicamp. What happened to the former Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver?

Claypool burst onto the scene in 2020 with the Steelers, quickly earning a starting role and posting back-to-back 800-yard seasons. At just 22 years old, he looked like the kind of dynamic playmaker teams build around—tall, fast, and physical. But then the bottom fell out.

In 2022, the Steelers traded Claypool to the Chicago Bears for a second-round pick. The move was supposed to be a win for both sides. Instead, it marked the beginning of a steep decline. In eight games with Pittsburgh that season, Claypool had 311 receiving yards. In seven games with Chicago? Just 140. The following year, he managed only 77 yards across 12 games split between the Bears and Miami Dolphins.

The trade value tells the story best. In 2022, Claypool was worth a second-round pick. By 2023, the Bears could only get a sixth-rounder in return. A one-year deal with the Buffalo Bills in 2024 ended in an August release after injuries sidelined him.

Now 27, Claypool hasn't played an NFL game since 2023. But the Packers invited him to their rookie minicamp on a tryout basis this week, giving him a chance to prove he still belongs. For a Green Bay team whose passing game was average last season, Claypool offers an intriguing low-risk, high-reward option. There's no guarantee he makes the roster, but if he can tap into that rookie-year magic, this comeback story could be one to watch.