Chiefs overreactions: Hot takes from Week 1 vs. the Cardinals

Clyde Edwards is in for a breakout season

Where are all the CEH haters after yesterday’s performance? Edwards-Helaire looked nothing short of solid yesterday against a Cardinals run defense that was 6th in the league in rush DVOA in 2021 per Football Outsiders. CEH posted 7 rushes for 42 yards (6 YPC) in the first half to go along with 3 receptions netting 32 yards and 2 touchdowns. For those counting, that’s 10 touches for 74 yards and 2 scores.

Sure, rookie RB Isiah Pacheco looked fantastic in his regular-season debut, but Edwards-Helaire did his part to hush the numerous haters that have been calling him a bust since halfway through his rookie season. The big key for Clyde is health, and if he can stay healthy in 2022 behind a Chiefs offensive line that appears to have a prerogative to physically harm their opponents at the line of scrimmage, he’s bound for a good season on the ground.

Through the air is where Edwards-Helaire can really set himself apart from the rest of the Chiefs running back room. He has been a plus receiving back since entering the league in 2020, and his 2 TD receptions yesterday proved that he is still a force to be reckoned with out of the backfield in the passing game – particularly with Patrick Mahomes at QB. If Mahomes develops a reliance on Clyde as a safety blanket out of the backfield this season much like he has Travis Kelce over the middle of the field at tight end, Clyde could be in line for some postseason accolades as well as a new contract. TBD if that is with the Chiefs or another franchise (spoiler: probably a different franchise).