Ranking the biggest disappointments for the KC Chiefs in 2020

4. Clyde Edwards-Helaire Has some serious concerns

Let me be entirely clear, Clyde Edwards-Helaire has 304 yards in four games, putting him on pace for 1,216 yards through 16 weeks. Breaking 1,000 yards is always impressive, but this does not even account for the late season success that most running backs see when the weather gets cold and defenses are tired/injured. This should be viewed as a massive success and a huge step forward for the Chiefs’ offense.

However, it is every other stat on the sheet that is worrisome.

• An average of 2.5 yards after contact
• An average of 1.8 yards before contact
• Only 4.3 yards per carry
• 71 carries but only 9 broken/missed tackles, which means he only breaks a tackle every 7.9 attempts
• Only 14 (less than 4 per game) receptions for only 129 yards (32.25 yards per game).
• Only 18 first downs, 13 on the ground and 5 through the air, which may lead the team, but is only 1 more then Travis Kelce.

Most notably of all, however, is CEH having only 1 touchdown through four weeks.

Sure, the Chiefs have struggled as a unit in the red zone, typically relying on the creative play-calling of Andy Reid to find the end zone. However, it’s been frustrating to watch Edwards-Helaire near the goal line. In the redzone, the Chiefs average 1.9 yards per carry, although within ten of the end zone, that average drops to 0.6 yards per carry. The Chiefs only have one rushing touchdown within the red zone, but that score belongs to Patrick Mahomes.

Edwards-Helaire’s only touchdown came in Week 1 when he put the Houston Texan’s Justin Reid on skates and ran it in from 27 yards out (also his longest run).

For someone that had such high expectations placed on him and had the opportunity of a lifetime to join the offensive juggernaut that is the Kansas City Chiefs, CEH’s performance has been disappointing and maybe needs to be a bigger story as the season goes on.