Who is Clyde Edwards-Helaire?

When asked about the 2022 NFL preseason, Kansas City Chiefs running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire told the Athletic,” This offseason, it was pretty much getting back to the basics, being able to have a full offseason. That was one of the things Coach (Andy) Reid and I talked about. He said, ‘This is really your first real offseason in the NFL.’ Really, health was the biggest thing.” He further added,” There’s always a sense of urgency for me. I feel I bring that intensity. I never really was injured in college. It’s just one of those things.” And he is right. With the arrival of hungry newcomer Ronald Jones and last season’s Chiefs’ best all-around back Jerick McKinnon, the 23-year-old must not only perform better than the last season, but also be fit and available for a full season, to be one of the starting RBs.

Who is Clyde Edwards-Helaire?

Clyde Edwards-Helaire is an American football running back for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League (NFL). Born on April 11, 1999, he played college football at Louisiana State University and was drafted by the Chiefs in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft. 

Edwards-Helaire declared he would skip his senior year and instead declare for the 2020 NFL Draft. The Kansas City Chiefs picked Edwards-Helaire with the 32nd overall choice in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft. After Damien Williams decided to forego the 2020 campaign, Edwards-Helaire started his career with the Chiefs in Week 1. He carried 25 times for 138 yards and a running touchdown in his first career start, leading the team to a 34-20 victory over the Houston Texans. He made NFL history by being the youngest player to carry for at least 130 yards and a touchdown in his NFL debut at the age of 21.

Edwards-Helaire was sidelined for the remainder of the 2020 NFL regular season after suffering hip and ankle injuries in Week 15’s game against the New Orleans Saints. He ended his first season with 36 receptions for 297 receiving yards and one receiving touchdown in addition to 181 carries for 803 rushing yards and four rushing touchdowns.

In the 38-24 victory over the Buffalo Bills in the AFC Championship, Edwards-Helaire carried six times for seven yards and a touchdown. Edwards-Helaire contributed two catches for 23 yards and nine rushes for 64 yards in the 9-31 defeat to Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Super Bowl LV.

Edwards-Helaire had two straight 100-yard rushing performances in Weeks 3 and 4. On October 12, 2021, Edwards-Helaire was placed on injured reserve following a knee injury he sustained during the Chiefs’ Week 5 game against the Buffalo Bills. On November 20, 2021, he was put into service. He concluded the 2021 season with a total of 119 touches for 517 yards of total offence, four rushing touchdowns, 19 receptions for 129 yards of total receiving offense, and two receiving touchdowns in ten games.