Colts Bring in Chase Claypool for Workout, Sign Penn State Receiver Liam Clifford: What It Means for Indy’s Receiver Room

Table of Contents

1. Key Highlights
2. Introduction
3. Why the Colts Brought in Chase Claypool
4. Chase Claypool’s Career Arc: Rookie Breakout to Nomadic Spell
5. What a Workout Actually Measures — Beyond 40-Yard Splits
6. Why Liam Clifford Got the Roster Spot Instead
7. Roster Economics: Veteran vs UDFA
8. How Claypool Could Fit If Signed: Roles and Responsibilities
9. Why Some Veterans Rebound — And Why Others Don’t
10. Precedents and Patterns: How Teams Use Workouts in Training Camp
11. What to Watch in Colts Training Camp
12. Potential Offseason Scenarios and Strategic Options
13. How This Affects Daniel Jones and Offensive Game Plans
14. Wider Implications: Market for Mid-Career Receivers
15. Lessons for Young Players and Agents
16. Probable Outcomes for Claypool and the Colts Receiver Room
17. Final Considerations: The Narrow Window of Training Camp
18. FAQ

Key Highlights

• The Indianapolis Colts worked out veteran wideout Chase Claypool as training camp opened; Claypool has not played a regular-season game since the 2023/24 campaign and was last on the Bills’ practice squad.
• Colts signed Penn State product Liam Clifford after a separate workout; the move suggests the team preferred a younger, cost-controlled option for immediate camp depth while Alec Pierce rehabs from ankle surgery.
• The Claypool workout signals Indy’s interest in adding size and contested-catch ability if necessary, but roster economics and performance in camp will determine whether a veteran like Claypool can earn a spot.

Introduction

The Indianapolis Colts opened training camp with clear priorities: protect the investment in their new starting quarterback, shore up receiving depth while Alec Pierce recovers from ankle surgery, and evaluate options that can contribute immediately. Bringing Daniel Jones back on a two-year deal worth up to $100 million raised expectations for a more stable passing attack. With one of the AFC South’s most promising offenses on paper, the Colts also face practical questions: who will step into the vacant reps in the receiver room, who can stretch the field, and which players will gravitate to the 53-man roster by Week 1?

An answer presented itself in two moves that came out of early camp workouts. Indianapolis hosted veteran wide receiver Chase Claypool — a former second-round pick whose career has trended downward since a breakout rookie year — and then signed rookie free-agent Liam Clifford, a Penn State alumnus who impressed enough for a roster spot. Both moves encapsulate the balancing act teams perform every summer: weigh potential high-upside, lower-cost developmental players against veteran bodies who could deliver immediate contributions.

This story examines why the Colts brought in Claypool, what his workout and NFL résumé mean, why the team ultimately signed Clifford, and how those personnel choices could shape Indianapolis’ offense and game plan heading into the 2026 season.

Why the Colts Brought in Chase Claypool

Colts’ need for temporary depth at wide receiver is straightforward. Alec Pierce underwent ankle surgery to correct a lingering issue that affected his 2025 season; the team expects him to return, but not necessarily to be fully ramped up by the first game. That creates a window in training camp and preseason for additional reps with Daniel Jones. Teams hire veteran receivers to take those reps and provide real-game-style practice against first and second-team defenses.

Chase Claypool fits a specific profile that makes him an appealing audition: he is a large-bodied target with history as a red-zone threat and contested-catch specialist. Claypool’s rookie season in 2020 produced 873 receiving yards and nine touchdowns, earning him All-Rookie recognition. A player who can alter catch-point dynamics and win physical battles on the perimeter offers tangible, game-ready traits that a quarterback and offensive staff can exploit immediately — especially when protecting a new-era starting quarterback in Jones.

Workouts allow coaches to test more than speed and hands. They evaluate route crispness, release techniques against press, awareness in zone coverage, and blocking effort in the run game. For Claypool, the Colts wanted to measure whether his four-year NFL body of work — flashes of production, followed by pronounced decline — was a matter of scheme fit, injury, or a deeper erosion of skills. The hope for any team signing a veteran is to find a low-risk, high-reward situation: minimal guaranteed money, potential practice-squad designation, and a chance for immediate contribution if performance warrants.

The timeline matters. Training camp reps are finite. With Pierce rehabbing and a major free-agent signing at quarterback, the Colts must prioritize day-to-day consistency and playbook assimilation. Signing Claypool would have given Indy a short-term option who already understands pro-level route concepts and can be plugged into red-zone packages if necessary. The workout reported by sources served as an audition: if Claypool showed he still wins contested balls, displays situational awareness, and maintains enough quickness to separate, he could have been an affordable addition to the active roster or practice squad. If not, the team would pursue cheaper developmental talent, as happened with Liam Clifford.

Chase Claypool’s Career Arc: Rookie Breakout to Nomadic Spell

Claypool’s rookie season placed him on the NFL’s radar immediately. Drafted in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft out of Notre Dame, he combined size, physicality, and a catch radius that translated quickly into production for the Pittsburgh Steelers. The numbers were notable: 873 receivers yards and nine touchdowns in his first year. The following season he maintained volume with 860 yards though touchdowns dipped to two. That consistency suggested a high-floor playmaker with ability across intermediate and deep routes.

The trajectory changed after split-season moves. Claypool’s career took a detour when he was traded to the Chicago Bears during the 2022 season. The trade failed to jump-start a second act. With the Bears and then the Miami Dolphins, Claypool’s targets, yards, and opportunities declined significantly: 311 receiving yards and one touchdown in the portion of the 2022 year tied to Chicago, followed by a 2023 season that produced just 77 receiving yards and one touchdown across 12 games between the Bears and Dolphins.

Several causes converge in such downturns. A new scheme can leave receivers mismatched against route trees and role expectations. Coaching staffs can prefer separation-first receivers over raw contested-catch strength. Quarterback play, timing, and offensive tempo all influence a receiver’s statistical output. Additionally, injuries and confidence all compound; a player who statues to a smaller workload risks falling down depth charts. By 2024, Claypool’s NFL activity reduced to practice-squad stops — he landed with the Buffalo Bills’ practice squad but did not make a regular-season appearance.

For clubs evaluating a mid-20s veteran, that record sparks a central question: which part of the decline is fixable? Are measurable skills—catching, physicality, blocking—still present? Does the player display enough situational savvy to pick up a playbook quickly? Colts evaluators opted to see for themselves.

What a Workout Actually Measures — Beyond 40-Yard Splits

NFL workouts during training camp test a player across multiple dimensions. Teams use a tight window to make high-stakes judgments: sign the veteran now, wait for preseason performance, or allocate the slot to a rookie. Scouts and position coaches focus on the following.

• Hands and ball-tracking. Can the receiver consistently catch passes in traffic? How does he adjust to away throws and high-point attempts? For Claypool, contested-catch skills are his calling card. Colts coaches wanted to see whether those skills remained intact.
• Route precision and timing. Playbook assimilation starts with route discipline. Coaches watch whether a receiver’s stems, breaks, and depth align with the quarterback’s timing and the offensive philosophy.
• Release against press and separation techniques. Opposing cornerbacks in the AFC South often press receivers. Demonstrating quick and varied releases increases value, reducing the target’s need to create from static positions.
• Blocking and physicality. Colts value receivers who contribute in the run game. A veteran who hesitates on contact or fails to execute blocks hurts the offense more than he helps.
• Football intelligence and communication. A veteran must understand protections, check-for-checks, and route adjustments at the line. During a short audition, a player’s capacity to intake coaching, adjust after reps, and communicate with teammates is critical.

Performances in these areas determine whether a player receives a contract for the active roster, a practice-squad deal, or nothing. Teams rarely extend significant guaranteed money for a veteran who cannot check a broad set of boxes in limited reps.

Why Liam Clifford Got the Roster Spot Instead

Liam Clifford’s signing after his workout with the Colts clarifies the team’s priority in the immediate term: a younger player who can be developed within the system and provide dependable practice reps. Clifford, a Penn State product, totaled 530 receiving yards and one touchdown across four collegiate seasons. Those numbers do not leap off the page, but Penn State uses wide receivers in multiple roles, including the run-game blocking responsibilities Clifford displayed. That versatility matters for teams looking to fill camp rosters with players who can handle special teams and act as situational contributors.

From a roster-management perspective, Cliffords’ signing has upside. He is a cost-controlled option who can be evaluated over multiple weeks without significant financial exposure. He also represents a fit for the Colts’ scheme if coaches value route consistency, team-specific technique, and willingness to contribute on special teams. Teams often prioritize these traits over pure statistical output in college, especially for undrafted free agents. The logic is simple: NFL special teams and blocking deliverers often carry a magnitude of value equaling what they may or may not produce as pass-catchers early on.

This signing does not preclude the Colts from signing Claypool later. It reflects a current preference for youth and developmental upside coupled with immediate camp usability. Colts coaches can push Cliffords into situational roles, simultaneously tracking Claypool on the free-agent market to see whether he provides a higher-level depth option if an injury or a roster need arises.

Roster Economics: Veteran vs UDFA

NFL rosters have finite margin and salary-cap structures that steer decision-making. A veteran such as Chase Claypool typically commands higher camp pay and, depending on injury guarantees, a nontrivial portion of the cap for the short term. UDFAs generally sign for league minimums with minimal guarantees, allowing teams to flip roster spots, stash players on practice squads, and experiment without major financial consequence.

Two common contract approaches teams use during camp:

• Veterans’ minimum or short-term incentive deals. These contracts often have little to no guaranteed money and include roster bonuses or base pay if the player makes the final squad. They impose modest cap risk.
• Practice-squad agreements. Veterans who clear waivers can be signed to the practice squad, offering teams flexibility to elevate players to the active roster as needed.

Colts’ signature of Clifford instead of Claypool suggests a current emphasis on minimal immediate cost and developmental upside. Signing Claypool would have been feasible under a veteran-minimum deal, but the team’s staff must have weighed roster displacement against the measurable return on investment.

The logistics also matter when considering the timing and need. Teams generally prefer to hold a 53-man spot for players who will contribute on both offense and special teams. If Claypool’s special-teams value appeared limited during the workout, and Clifford demonstrated willingness and aptitude for those assignments, the Colts’ choice reflects practical roster construction priorities.

How Claypool Could Fit If Signed: Roles and Responsibilities

If the Colts add Claypool later in camp or during the season, his role would hinge on how quickly he can align with personnel groupings and the strengths of quarterback Daniel Jones. Several workable roles exist.

• Red-zone and contested-catch specialist. Claypool’s size gives him an advantage inside the 20. He could serve as a high-value red-zone target, particularly on fade routes and jump-ball situations.
• Boundary X receiver. As an outside target, Claypool can use his body to create separation at the catch point, stymying smaller or less physical cornerbacks in one-on-one matchups.
• Rotational possession receiver. Claypool’s ability to win contested balls makes him a situational change-of-pace option, particularly on third downs where securing the catch matters more than creating separation.
• Blocking perimeter receiver. Colts coaches favor receivers who block on outside runs. If Claypool demonstrates consistent effort in this area, that increases his chances to make the roster.

Any of these roles require conditioning and route-polish. Coordinators will test whether Claypool can run the full route tree at the tempo the Colts require and whether he can pick up play adjustments at the line. Daniel Jones’ strengths include mobility and an ability to extend plays; a big-bodied receiver who can locate throws on the move and outmuscle defenders on contested targets can integrate into that style if routes and timing are consistent.

Why Some Veterans Rebound — And Why Others Don’t

Career arcs in the NFL vary based on how a player’s skill set aligns with scheme and opportunity. Some veterans revive their careers when a new team presents a role tailored to their strengths, or when a quarterback’s style meshes with their release points and timing. Others never regain prior form because of declining athleticism, chronic injury, or inability to adapt to new coaching expectations.

Resurgence stories commonly share these ingredients:

• Clear role definition. Players who reinvent themselves often do so by accepting well-defined situational responsibilities rather than trying to replicate a previous, more expansive role.
• Stable quarterback play. Consistent quarterback performance stabilizes target distribution and increases a veteran’s ability to showcase specific strengths.
• Coaching that plays to skillsets. A coaching staff that isolates a veteran’s best traits — contested catches, slot-specific route work, blocking — can extract value even if the player is no longer a full-time starter.

Colts’ evaluation must determine whether Claypool’s decline was driven by fit, opportunity, injuries, or regression. If fit and opportunity are primary factors, Indianapolis could unlock value quickly. If athletic decline or chronic issues are the root cause, the upside diminishes.

Precedents and Patterns: How Teams Use Workouts in Training Camp

Workouts like the one Claypool attended operate as rapid evaluation tools for both parties. Teams use them to supplement scouting reports, verify physical health, and gauge mental processing. Several patterns stand out across the league.

• Veteran auditions are common during the first week of camp. Coaches want to see immediate technique and conditioning, and veterans are easier to compare against established tiers of play.
• UDFAs offer roster flexibility. Many teams sign several undrafted receivers to expand practice reps and uncover late-bloomers in the group process. Players with run-blocking ability and special-teams willingness often last longer on rosters.
• Performance in camp and preseason carries more weight than past reputation. Past production helps get an audition; current health and on-field results determine the roster fate.
• Teams reserve rights to bring back veterans later. Injuries or unexpected roster openings prompt teams to revisit players who worked out earlier in the summer.

Indy’s decision to sign Clifford while returning Claypool to free agency aligns with these broader league patterns. The Colts prioritized immediate camp readiness and the ability to deploy a player in multiple roles.

What to Watch in Colts Training Camp

Coaches and fans should monitor several markers to evaluate whether the Colts’ receiving room is improving or remains vulnerable.

• Repetition counts. Which receivers receive first and second-team reps with Daniel Jones? Repetition indicates trust and transferability to regular-season play.
• Red-zone usage. Who draws red-zone targets in camp drills? Claypool, if signed, would likely receive those reps initially. If others absorb red-zone opportunities, Claypool’s path narrows.
• Special-teams contribution. Coaches reward players who help on kick and punt units. Watch whether Clifford or any veteran shows readiness to contribute in this phase.
• Route diversity and timing. Players who show crisp route stems and maintain timing with Jones on play-action and intermediate throws will compete for roster spots.
• Injury progress on Alec Pierce. Pierce’s ramp-up schedule will dictate the urgency of adding a veteran. A longer recovery increases the odds Indy signs more experienced depth.

Training-camp tape and preseason performances will reveal much more than a single workout. The Colts will test multiple angles before committing roster spots. For Claypool, the window to prove sustained value is limited but not closed.

Potential Offseason Scenarios and Strategic Options

The Colts’ offseason and early preseason moves suggest three plausible strategic directions for the receiver room:

1. Develop in-house young talent while using short-term veteran signings if injuries arise. Signing Clifford now fits this model. It gives the team a base of developmental players while keeping veteran options available on the open market.
2. Reclaim a veteran like Claypool if he displays consistent health and role clarity. A veteran-minimum deal or practice-squad arrangement could be arranged if Claypool demonstrates persistent value and if a roster need emerges.
3. Trade or add a mid-level veteran via waiver or free agency if depth becomes insufficient. Teams often acquire affordable veteran receivers with specific skill sets later in preseason or early in the regular season.

Each approach carries trade-offs. Airing on the side of youth reduces immediate experience but increases roster plasticity; adding veterans increases expected immediate contributions but reduces opportunities for rookies and practice-squad players. Colts’ front office must calibrate those choices against salary cap realities and the expected readiness of key players such as Alec Pierce.

How This Affects Daniel Jones and Offensive Game Plans

Daniel Jones enters camp after a two-year deal with high expectations to provide consistent quarterback play. His early rapport with pass-catchers will establish rhythm and timing that translate directly to regular-season outcomes. Adding a veteran with Claypool’s contested-catch profile would allow Jones to target a high-point receiver when plays break down or when he escapes pressure. That option can be especially useful on designed rollouts or throwaways.

Alternatively, signing developmental receivers like Clifford leans into quick-timing throws and scheme-controlled completions, requiring Jones to be precise early in plays to generate chunk yards. The Colts’ play-calling and game-planning will adjust depending on the personnel available and how well Jones meshes with each receiver in camp repetition.

For a quarterback returning to a familiar environment — Jones spent parts of recent seasons in the AFC South and carries a game geared to movement and intermediate completions — a mix of tested veterans and youthful receivers offers flexibility. Coaches will balance pass concepts between shot plays targeting contested catches, intermediate timing routes, and leveraging Jones’ run ability to keep defenses honest.

Wider Implications: Market for Mid-Career Receivers

Claypool’s audition highlights a broader market dynamic for mid-career receivers: a steep supply of available veterans willing to accept short-term deals and a simultaneous demand for youth that can be developed under affordable contracts. Teams with quarterback stability often prefer to invest in younger playmakers to develop chemistry over time. By contrast, teams that contend immediately may seek veterans who can contribute under playoff pressure and provide situational reliability.

For the veteran market, the valuation depends on demonstrable current capabilities rather than past reputation. Claypool’s All-Rookie plaudit from 2020 won’t insulate him from rigorous vetting. Teams will assign value to his contested-catch success rate, injury profile, blocking acumen, and the willingness to accept a role that fits team needs. Veterans who can handle special teams or show reliable route discipline retain more marketability.

Colts’ initial readout — hosting a workout, then electing to sign a UDFA — sends a signal to the market: the team is open to veterans but will prioritize low-cost developmental pieces when immediate production does not outweigh integration risks.

Lessons for Young Players and Agents

For undrafted players and those coming off marginal seasons, the Colts’ moves offer instructive lessons.

• Be versatile. Offensive coaches prefer players who contribute on special teams and can handle multiple receiver roles. Versatility increases chances of making a roster.
• Value pro-ready traits. Technical proficiency — crisp routes, trustworthy hands, and blocking ability — matters as much as college production. Coaches will sign players who can be trusted in situational plays.
• Understand roster economics. Accepting practice-squad roles and short-term deals can lead to active roster opportunities. For agents, securing a situation where the player can earn repetitions and visibility matters as much as the financial terms.
• Use workouts as auditions. A single workout can create momentum or reveal deficits. Players who demonstrate readiness to absorb coaching and perform under pressure increase their odds.

For Claypool, the audition served as an indicator to other teams that he remains available and will accept reasonable terms for a chance to reestablish his value.

Probable Outcomes for Claypool and the Colts Receiver Room

Given current information and the Colts’ signing of Liam Clifford, probable near-term outcomes include:

• Claypool remains a free agent at least through early preseason. He may draw interest if injuries arise elsewhere or if practice reps reveal a clear gap in Indy’s depth.
• Clifford will receive structured reps and special-teams assignments. His development track will determine whether he remains on the roster or lands on the practice squad.
• Alec Pierce’s progress will dictate urgency. If Pierce’s rehab accelerates, the Colts likely keep their current depth and avoid adding a veteran. If rehab stalls, the team could pivot back to veteran options.
• Daniel Jones will establish early chemistry with receivers who secure first-team reps, with Jones’ timing and preferences shaping the final receiver configuration.

These scenarios reflect the league’s broader tendency to allow performance and availability to determine roster movement. Claypool’s path back to sustained NFL employment requires showing he can contribute consistently in the specific roles NFL teams need at this point in his career.

Final Considerations: The Narrow Window of Training Camp

Training camp compresses opportunity into a brief window. A veteran’s margin for error narrows. Teams expect visible readiness and immediate coachability. Claypool’s workout with the Colts gave him exposure; the signing of Liam Clifford illustrates the team opted for a low-cost, developmental route for the moment. That choice does not preclude future veteran signings, but it does demonstrate how teams balance immediate needs, developmental promise, and financial prudence.

For fans and observers, the most telling developments will appear in the preseason and the early practices with Daniel Jones. Receivers who earn trust and show consistent execution in the offensive scheme typically secure the jobs. Watch for who gets the additional reps in the red zone, who contributes on special teams, and how Alec Pierce’s recovery schedule unfolds.

The Colts’ handling of their receiver room this summer will reveal not only their roster-building priorities but also how committed they are to immediate contention versus long-term development around a newly-signed starting quarterback. Chase Claypool’s audition was a meaningful data point. Liam Clifford’s signing is the current outcome. The season ahead will show whether the Colts made the right call.

FAQ

Q: Did the Colts sign Chase Claypool? A: No. The Indianapolis Colts hosted Chase Claypool for a workout during training camp but did not sign him. After workouts, the Colts signed Penn State wide receiver Liam Clifford instead.

Q: Why did the Colts work out Claypool? A: The Colts needed additional receiver reps during training camp while Alec Pierce recovers from ankle surgery. Claypool’s size and past production made him an attractive veteran option to test for potential red-zone and contested-catch roles.

Q: Who is Liam Clifford and why did the Colts sign him? A: Liam Clifford is a Penn State product who totaled 530 receiving yards and one touchdown across four college seasons. The Colts signed him after a workout, likely valuing his potential as a developmental, cost-controlled option who can contribute on special teams and in multiple receiver roles.

Q: Is Claypool still available to sign elsewhere? A: Yes. Following the Colts’ decision to sign Clifford, Claypool remains a free agent and could sign with another team, be brought back to Indianapolis later in camp, or be signed to a practice squad depending on team needs and injuries around the league.

Q: What does this mean for Alec Pierce’s roster spot? A: The Colts expect Pierce to recover from ankle surgery, but his timing and level of readiness will determine whether the team adds more veteran depth. Signing Clifford suggests the Colts preferred an immediate, low-cost developmental option for camp. Pierce’s progress will influence whether the Colts pursue additional receiver signings later.

Q: How often do workouts lead to contracts? A: Workouts frequently lead to contracts when a player shows hygiene in health, demonstrated skills that match team needs, and the team has an immediate roster or practice-squad need. However, not every veteran who gets a workout receives an offer; teams use workouts to compare players efficiently and limit financial exposure.

Q: Could Claypool make a roster in the NFL again? A: Yes. Claypool can still make a roster if he demonstrates health, route precision, special-teams willingness, and the ability to fit a team’s scheme. His early-career production suggests residual skill; whether teams view declines as fixable will determine future opportunities.

Q: What will Colts coaches look for in preseason to determine receivers? A: Coaches will evaluate route discipline, separation, contested-catch ability, blocking, special-teams play, and chemistry with Daniel Jones. Players who perform consistently across these dimensions during camp and preseason games will have the strongest case for roster spots.

Q: How does roster economics affect these decisions? A: Cost-controlled players such as UDFAs like Clifford are cheaper and more flexible roster-wise. Veteran players can be signed to inexpensive deals, but their roster spots must be justified by immediate competitive value. Teams balance financial considerations against performance and developmental needs when assembling the 53-man roster.