KC Chiefs: 10 bold predictions entering the 2022 season
4. Clyde Edwards-Helaire seals his fate
With another lackluster season where he averages less than 4.5 yards per carry, behind this offensive line, Chiefs running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire will find himself out of Kansas City at season’s end. Yes, the former first round pick is under contract through 2023 but with only $1.3 million of dead cap for an outright release, and the potential to trade him, there is little reason to believe that the Chiefs will see the need to bring him back. In addition to a poor yards per carry average, Edwards-Helaire has had issues staying on the field, missing 10 regular season games over the course of just two pro seasons. The best ability is availability, and CEH simply has not been able to stay healthy.
We’ve previously discussed the quality of the Kansas City offensive line – a top five run blocking unit. We also saw what CEH did behind them last year, and in the preseason. There is no reason to believe that he’ll take a step forward this year, or that the Chiefs need him to be. Rookie Isaih Pacheco looks primed to handle significant carries and the quality of play from Jerrick McKinnon in 2021 should make fans perfectly comfortable moving on from the former LSU Tiger superstar.
Presuming he misses another five (ish) games, has a low yards per carry average and continues to be relatively under utilized in the passing game (just 19 receptions a year ago) – he’ll seal his fate as a failed first round selection and find himself out of Chiefs Kingdom.
3. Travis Kelce fails to pass the 1000-yard mark
This one hurts to write. Since 2014, after missing his rookie season due to injury, Travis Kelce has missed a total of two NFL games – both were due to the Chiefs resting their starters in Week 17 (in 2017 and 2020). He’s been the model of consistency and (relative) health. In that time he’s made seven consecutive Pro Bowls and been named a 1st Team All-Pro three times (and could have had more). He’s surpassed 1000 yards receiving six consecutive seasons – a record for a tight end. Travis Kelce is a future Pro Football Hall of Famer.
But, he’s also a 32 (soon to be 33) year old NFL tight end, playing one of the most physically demanding positions in all of professional sports, and seeing an incredibly high volume of targets (meaning, too, hits) with over 130 targets in each of the last four seasons. Maybe he’s due or maybe it’s just his body catching up to him, but Travis Kelce will miss a couple of games this season at some point.
And to be sure, the all-world performer could still reach the 1000 yard receiving mark in 14 or 15 games, but not in this new look Chiefs offense. What we saw from Patrick Mahomes during the preseason is what we’re going to see during the regular season; Kansas City is going to spread the ball around. If the new offense works as intended, it should lower Travis Kelce’s targets, which should help keep him healthy (and that should be part of the intent). But, that strategy will also lower his statistical output. So, finally, he’ll fail to reach 1000 yards—settling for around 950 in 2022.