Can Clyde-Edwards Helaire turn the corner in 2022?

In the eyes of many Kansas City Chiefs fans, running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire is on a short leash coming into this season. But Chiefs fans were impressed with his start to the 2022 season, contributing to Kansas City’s fast start and dominant 44-21 win over the Arizona Cardinals.

Edwards-Helaire carried the ball three times in the first four offensive plays of the game, manufacturing rushing plays of 9, 7, and 18 yards. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes threw 5 touchdown passes in the game, 2 of them to Edwards-Helaire.

Edwards-Helaire, who was drafted in the first round out of LSU, finished the game with 7 carries for 42 yards and caught three passes for 32 yards and a pair of touchdowns. While Edwards-Helaire was the starter, they also utilized backups Jerick McKinnon and rookie Isiah Pacheco as the three ran the ball 23 times for 126 yards and 1 touchdown combined. Edwards-Helaire touched the ball just once in the second half and it may be due to the fact that the Chiefs are on a short week as they prepare for the Los Angeles Chargers on Thursday night.

Clyde Edwards-Helaire has had an up-and-down career so far with very few highs. But coming off a strong showing in Week 1, he may be turning the corner.

Outside of tight end Travis Kelce, there was not a skill position player for the Chiefs that stood out statistically. Everyone, including Edwards-Helaire, was active and involved in helping the Chiefs achieve 488 yards altogether on offense.

Edwards-Helaire has not been the flashiest running back for the Chiefs. However, that does not mean he has not found success during his time in Kansas City. As a rookie in 2020, hewas second in the NFL in rushing yards entering Week 7 with 505 yards. Only Titans running back Derrick Henry had more. He rushed for 138 yards in the league’s season opener that year against the Houston Texans in his NFL debut and had 161 yards in Week 6 against the Buffalo Bills.

Edwards-Helaire got off to a very slow start in 2021. He averaged 3.3 yards per carry on 27 rushes in the first two games. On a potential game-winning drive, he fumbled late in the game as the Chiefs tried to get into field goal range. Edwards-Helaire did bounce back from that, putting together back-to-back 100-yard rushing games and placed 10th in rushing yards going into Week 5.

Although Edwards-Helaire found himself near the top of the league in rushing yards at one point both seasons, he was not able to finish near the top at the end of the year due to injuries he sustained both years. But one thing that gets forgotten about is the fact that he’s averaged 4.4 yards/carry in his career so far.

The Chiefs have a talented group of running backs with McKinnon and Pacheco behind Edwards-Helaire. Due to the team playing twice in five days to open up their season, it is understandable to see the three running backs actively involved. It remains to be seen if it will be running back by committee once the Chiefs return to a normal playing schedule.

Edwards-Helaire has not been the most popular player on the team but did get a lot of praise from fans on Sunday on social media. If he continues this type of play, many fans will view it as a turning point for him.

The committee approach could be used to help Edwards-Helaire stay fresh and avoid getting injured again. Coming off an impressive Week 1 showing, there is no doubt that the team will continue to use Edwards-Helaire as a big part of the offense moving forward. The big question will be how many touches he gets per game. That remains to be seen in 2022.