Five Chiefs who shouldn’t be back in 2023
By Jacob Milham
Running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire
The question was asked when running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire departed in Week 11: Was that the last time CEH would play in a Chiefs uniform? There are quite a few signs saying that he has.
Some hope did arise after Edwards-Helaire practiced for Kansas City ahead of the divisional game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, but he remained inactive as Kansas City began the playoffs. The move wasn’t surprising, considering the Chiefs’ rushing offense did not miss a beat without him. Rookie Isiah Pacheco has been a consistent rusher, and veteran Jerick McKinnon was one of the AFC’s best threats out of the backfield. Kansas City reactivated Edwards-Helaire ahead of the Super Bowl, and he insisted upon his role behind the scenes.
“Every offensive meeting, every running back meeting. Giving feedback to Pop [Isiah Pacheco] and Jet [Jerick McKinnon] any time that they needed it,” Edwards-Helaire said. “And I was always in the building. So as far as the things that they always needed from me, I was there, I was there helping. I was practicing, I would say for the past three weeks and I’ve been running for the past two months. Everything I’ve been doing has been progressing towards this point and getting the team to winning a Super Bowl and that’s what we’re doing.”
Ultimately, Edwards-Helaire was inactive for the Super Bowl. Pacheco and McKinnon both had highlight rushing plays further proving the Chiefs do not need Edwards-Helaire to win games. The 32nd overall pick in 2020 could very well find another home ahead of the 2023 NFL Draft, a move that would save the Chiefs around $2 million against the cap. A fresh start would benefit both parties involved.