3 Chiefs on the Hot Seat During the Second Half of Season
2. Clyde Edwards-Helaire
At this stage, football is really on the backburner a bit for Clyde Edwards-Helaire. The former first-round pick out of LSU is trying to make sure he gets right off the field before he gets back to work on it.
“My only reaction was, either I’m about to watch my best friend lose his life, or do something about it.” Clyde Edwards-Helaire
— Pivot Podcast (@thepivot) November 8, 2024
2x Super Bowl Champion Clyde Edwards-Helaire opens up on his PTSD from a 2019 shooting that’s kept the running back sidelined this NFL season as he… pic.twitter.com/5bwcN4qpns
The support the Chiefs have given to Edwards-Helaire is extremely admirable. The way they have rallied around him has been tremendous. There's no doubt that he's also been an asset to the team in the past, both as a runner and receiver and he's been a crucial piece of a couple of Super Bowls.
With that being said, the Chiefs are about to get into an interesting numbers game at the running back position that has to be acknowledged at some point. Edwards-Helaire is in a backfield shared with Kareem Hunt, Samaje Perine, Carson Steele, and soon the returning Isiah Pacheco.
The Chiefs could find a way to keep all the backs on their roster but they won't likely be able to find ways to split carries and touches between them.
If Edwards-Helaire is ready to get back to football work, it's entirely possible that we would see the Chiefs let him hit waivers and try to get an opportunity elsewhere. At this stage of the season, there are honestly a lot of teams that could use the help at running back if Edwards-Helaire is physically and mentally ready to contribute.
Of course, that is the primary priority here -- not playing football. With Pacheco returning from IR, the Chiefs will have to make some interesting decisions soon.