Chiefs Move Off Former First-Round Pick Edwards-Helaire

The Kansas City Chiefs have officially waived running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire during the season, officially ending the former first-round pick's tenure with the team.

Selected as the 32nd overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, Edwards-Helaire made headlines not just as a first-round choice but also as the first running back taken that year. His selection followed an illustrious college career at Louisiana State University, where he earned All-SEC honors during the 2019 season, contributing to the Tigers’ remarkable journey to a national championship. This accolade underscored his skill set, which he showcased with dazzling runs and an ability to catch passes out of the backfield.

During his rookie season in 2020, Edwards-Helaire lived up to his first-round status, amassing an impressive 1,100 yards from scrimmage and scoring five touchdowns. As the featured back for a Chiefs team that completed the regular season with an outstanding 13-1 record in a campaign heavily impacted by COVID-19, he played a crucial role in the team's success. His contributions were pivotal in propelling the Chiefs to the Super Bowl, where they ultimately faced Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Despite this promising start, Edwards-Helaire’s subsequent seasons have been plagued by injuries and inconsistent performance, which have led the Chiefs to reassess their running back situation. While Clyde began to falter, the likes of Isaiah Pacheco had begun to emerge, taking the Chiefs' offense to another level over the past few seasons. It’s the cycle of the NFL, and it can be a ruthless situation to find oneself in. I’m sure this won’t be the last we see of CEH, as he still has a good amount of juice left in the tank, in my opinion. It will be intriguing to watch what happens in the coming weeks as teams gear up to make a playoff push.