Following through on their busy offseason, the Chiefs signed running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire to a new one-year contract on April 3, moving the former No. 32 overall pick back behind starting Isiah Pacheco in 2024. The squad made the official announcement of the contract on social media five days later.
Patrick Mahomes noticed Edwards-Helaire’s response to the tweet and shared the running back’s message on his personal timeline.
April 11 is Edwards-Helaire’s 25th birthday. In the previous season, he ran for a career-low 223 yards, 3.2 yards per carry, and one score.
Following a pattern, Edwards-Helaire has participated in fewer offensive snaps in each of his career’s seasons.
Edwards-Helaire is set to take on a bigger role going forward because Jerick McKinnon is still a free agent, especially after recording 188 receiving yards last season, which is the second-highest of his career. Last season, McKinnon had just 21 carries, which was one less than La’Mical Perine, the third stringer. Perine is returning for the 2024 season as well.
In a backfield the Chiefs need to replace, McKinnon also had 25 receptions for 192 yards.
In his first season, Edwards-Helaire caught a career-high 36 catches for 297 yards, demonstrating his ability to play a bigger role the next year.
It’s also important to consider the message that Edwards-Helaire is trying to convey. This past season, the Chiefs became the first club in twenty years to win consecutive championships. If they prevailed in the upcoming season, they would become the first team in NFL history to win three consecutive Super Bowls.
Teammate Chris Jones expressed a similar attitude a few days prior, and Edwards-Helaire’s sentiment is in line with his words.
A player survey that resulted in low scores for the Chiefs’ facilities has spurred reforms throughout the league. However, one of their tactics might also be used in the NFL, particularly with regard to clubs that have elite quarterbacks. Mahomes shown that he was more than capable of leading a revitalized group of wide receivers to yet another championship.
