Where does Clyde Edwards-Helaire fit into the Chiefs’ offense?

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — It was like outdated instances for Clyde Edwards-Helaire throughout most of offseason apply for the Kansas City Chiefs. He took his place because the beginning working again simply as he had for a lot of the time for the reason that Chiefs drafted him within the first spherical in 2020.

It was simple to suppose nothing had modified for Edwards-Helaire, however lots is totally different. He misplaced his beginning job final 12 months to rookie Isiah Pacheco even earlier than he suffered a high-ankle sprain that stored him out of the lineup for half of the season.

He was inactive for the Chiefs’ Tremendous Bowl LVII win over the Philadelphia Eagles even after being activated off the injured reserve listing. The Chiefs this spring then declined to train their fifth-year choice on his contract, which means he may nicely be headed into his ultimate season with the staff.

Edwards-Helaire was working with the starters within the offseason solely as a result of Pacheco was rehabbing after having surgical procedure and one other working again, Jerick McKinnonwas not taking part.

As soon as Pacheco and McKinnon are again at coaching camp, Edwards-Helaire is taking a look at being no higher than third on the depth chart. Edwards-Helaire mentioned shortly earlier than the Chiefs wrapped up offseason apply that he’ll fear about his future later.

For now, he’ll consider being a extra constant producer than he was in his first three NFL seasons.

“I can’t suppose two years forward from now or the place I shall be in 12 months from now,” Edwards-Helaire mentioned. “It was actually coming in and determining and seeing the issues I can work on and from that time on rolling with it.

“I do know what I’ve to do with the intention to get on the sphere and do the issues I would like to do that 12 months.”

One factor for Edwards-Helaire is to remain wholesome. Every of his three seasons had been interrupted by an damage that brought about him to overlook no less than three video games.

Even when he was within the lineup, Edwards-Helaire wasn’t as productive because the Chiefs hoped he can be when he was drafted. He led the Chiefs in dashing as a rookie with 803 yards, however was second with 517 yards behind Darrel Williams in 2021 and third with 302 yards behind Pacheco and quarterback Patrick Mahomes final season.

He additionally had little impression as a receiver, catching 72 passes over the three seasons.

Edwards-Helaire appeared annoyed with all of final season’s developments. He skipped the Chiefs’ Tremendous Bowl victory parade, although he mentioned that was as a result of he had a previous dedication.

“I wouldn’t say it was a curler coaster,” Edwards-Helaire mentioned. “I wouldn’t even say it was among the hardest issues [to go through]. You undergo one thing, you work it out.

“You sort of [focus] in on what you have to deal with and also you go at that. You possibly can’t actually shoot for the celebs in case you’re not aiming for the issues to get to the celebs. You’ve bought to get by some planets and another issues with the intention to get to the place you wish to go. [There were] some trials and tribulations all through that point however I used to be by no means down and out.”

Operating backs coach Todd Pinkston acknowledged Edwards-Helaire had been bothered by final season’s developments however mentioned he put that behind when offseason work began.

“His mindframe is completely totally different,” Pinkston mentioned. “I advised him to press the reset button and begin from scratch and we are able to go from there.”

With out Pacheco injured and McKinnon not practising in a nod to his superior age for a working again (31), the Chiefs had little alternative however to get Edwards-Helaire loads of work. Their different working backs are Deneric Princean undrafted rookie, and La’Mical Perinewho joined the Chiefs’ apply squad final season through the playoffs.

“It was nice for him to get all of the reps that he did,” coach Andy Reid mentioned. “He did a pleasant job with it. Clearly he is proficient.”

Edwards-Helaire hung out after the Tremendous Bowl working with two of his assistant coaches in faculty at LSU, former NFL working again Kevin Faulk and Tommie Robinson. The aim was to get him again to the participant he was at LSU.

“We labored on among the issues we did in faculty,” mentioned Edwards-Helaire. “These are the fellows who know me finest. They watched who I used to be in faculty, found out who I used to be all through that point. They watched me in highschool as a result of they had been the fellows recruiting me. They sort of gave me pinpoints right here and there after which we figured it out and labored on it.”

When Pacheco and McKinnon return to apply, there will not be a lot time accessible for Edwards-Helaire. Pacheco and McKinnon had been essential gamers for the Chiefs final season.

However the Chiefs have needed to dig deep into their depth chart at working again due to accidents the previous a number of seasons. If this one is something like these, Edwards-Helaire may wind up enjoying lots.

“We’re going to wish that three-, four-headed monster,” he mentioned. “It’s a 17-game season.”