Clyde Edwards-Helaire is ‘Mr. Right Now’ for Kansas City Chiefs
By KC Proctor
When Clyde Edwards-Helaire initially injured his shoulder, it appeared to be worse than it is. After the Kansas City Chiefs running back received test results on Monday, his status changed from possibly being out for the season to “week-to-week” after negative MRI results.
The seemingly positive news has come with a high tide of pessimism for the Chiefs featured back on Twitter. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, and neither Edwards-Helaire’s support nor his hate is entirely unfounded. However, a few simple thoughts ought to level hot heads hoping for his term as RB1 to be shortened.
In regards to the position in which he was taken in the 2020 NFL Draft, it is obvious that he was not the crème de la crème for his running back class. Both he and D’Andre Swift of the Lions were picked before 2021 MVP candidate Johnathan Taylor. If you want to be angry about a “wasted” first-round pick, go ahead, but do remember that he was selected with the 32nd pick with Patrick Mahomes‘ approval.
Clyde Edwards-Helaire may not be Mr. Right for the Chiefs long-term, but he elevates this offense as Mr. Right Now.
Edwards-Helaire played a pivotal role in the 2019 LSU offense which ended the year atop the country as national champions. CEH’s lateral running and pass-catching abilities appeared to be an excellent addition to the Chiefs championship offense at the time, and at the moment, it’s hard to imagine many were furious with the selection. Additionally, with the Kareem Hunt scandal unfolding before the playoffs in the previous season, Kansas City was in dire need of an addition to the running back room who would keep opposing defenses on their toes and allow for the continued development of Mahomes as a passer.
As a Chiefs fan, to put it simply, you’ve been spoiled rotten by running back success in the past two decades. Larry Johnson, Jamaal Charles, and Kareem Hunt were all drafted by Kansas City, and some guy by the name of Priest Holmes was All-Pro three times in the early 2000s. By no means has Edwards-Helaire entered the pantheon of Chiefs running back greats in his first 23 games, and maybe he never will, but he’s only played in TWENTY-THREE games.
Not every highly touted college back is going to end up with a bust in Canton, and while most that do come into the league like a bat out of hell, CEH deserves a chance to grow. He’s now suffering from his third injury in his first two seasons as a pro, has shown glimmers of potential greatness in each of his four 100-yard rushing games, and even this past week proved that he is capable of being a physical piece of the offense at 5-foot-7.
Darrel Williams was stellar in Clyde’s first absence this season following his MCL sprain, and Derrick Gore has displayed some flashes of excellence as RB3 in garbage time this year. However, given the current situation, and the run the Chiefs are on right now, anybody would be hard-pressed to convince another that the running back room is better off without CEH. This trio, when balanced properly, exemplifies the very essence of this newly formed, patient K.C. offense. Three different yet complementary skillsets being melded together deserve a great deal of credit for what the Chiefs have been able to do from a productivity standpoint as of late.
Edwards-Helaire may not be Mr. Right for the Chiefs long-term, but he elevates this offense as Mr. Right Now, and for that, he deserves appreciation from the Kingdom.