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Chase Claypool burst onto the NFL scene with the Pittsburgh Steelers, looking like their next breakout star before things went south. The team shipped him to Chicago in 2022, and he’s since played for two more teams. Claypool recently explained to fans why he completely missed the 2024 season.

In an update last week about his plans for 2025, Claypool revealed he’d been sidelined with a serious injury – a torn ligament and tendon in his second toe that kept him off the field entirely.

“I was the strongest, fastest, and most prepared I had ever been,” Claypool explained. He’s now looking for a new NFL home to prove he can still be a difference-maker on offense. So which teams would make the most sense for the former Notre Dame standout?

Which teams could help revive his career?

Cleveland Browns

The Browns’ receiving corps was painfully thin beyond Jerry Jeudy last season. While Jeudy racked up the sixth-most receiving yards in the NFL with 1,229, Cleveland didn’t have another pass-catcher who ranked in the top 80.

Kevin Stefanski’s offense desperately needs more weapons. Cedric Tillman is penciled in as the No. 2 option, but he’s only caught 50 passes in his career. Meanwhile, Diontae Johnson – Claypool’s former Pittsburgh teammate – is trying to find stability after playing for three different teams last year.

If Claypool could recapture even a glimpse of his early-career form, he’d give Cleveland’s passing game a much-needed boost. He’d also join forces with Johnson to potentially make the Steelers regret letting them both go. The quarterback situation remains murky, though – Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett, Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel are all competing for the starting job.

Tennessee Titans

The Titans should be doing everything possible to surround rookie QB and 2025 top pick Cam Ward with reliable targets.

While Calvin Ridley gives them a legitimate No. 1 receiver, the depth chart falls off a cliff after him. The combination of aging Tyler Lockett, draft bust Treylon Burks, and journeyman Van Jefferson doesn’t exactly strike fear into opposing defenses. Brian Callahan’s staff did sign Xavier Restrepo as an undrafted free agent – Ward’s college teammate – but he’s far from guaranteed a roster spot.

Lockett turns 33 this September and has seen his production drop each of the past two seasons. Burks, despite being a former first-round selection, hasn’t come close to meeting expectations.

Claypool has already shown he can produce at a high level in the NFL. His 6’4″ frame would give Ward a big target to find downfield – something particularly valuable in the wide-open AFC South where Tennessee could compete immediately.

Pittsburgh Steelers

The Steelers essentially reshuffled their receiving corps this offseason by adding DK Metcalf while shipping out George Pickens. They’re banking on either Calvin Austin III or rookie Roman Wilson stepping up as complementary options, and they recently signed Jonnu Smith to provide help at tight end. Still, their receiver depth remains questionable at best.

Mike Tomlin has already proven he can work with Claypool, who would likely approach a return with a much different perspective at this stage of his career. Yes, there were issues that led to his trade – particularly his complaints about his role after a promising rookie campaign – but both sides might benefit from a fresh start.

The Steelers’ all-in approach with Aaron Rodgers at quarterback means they need to maximize their receiving talent. Claypool knows the system and could provide valuable depth at minimum.

A reunion might seem unlikely, but sometimes the familiar option makes the most sense. With Claypool trying to revive his career and Pittsburgh needing receiver help, don’t rule out the possibility of him returning to where it all began.