It's been an eventful Wednesday for the Kansas City Chiefs. Fresh off trimming the roster to 53 players, wide receiver Rashee Rice accepted a six-game suspension while the team looks for free agents around the NFL who just became available.
This time of year always comes with surprises, and the Chiefs are no strangers to pulling off something unexpected. The organization is known to reunite with players who were liked in the locker room and already know the system.
Well, Kansas City just continued that trend by reuniting with a player most fans assumed would never be back, effectively putting the position group on notice ahead of Week 1.
Three old friends signing with the Chiefs practice squad, per sources:
— Matt Derrick (@mattderrick) August 27, 2025
QB Chris Oladokun
RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire
RB/FB Carson Steele
Chiefs Reunite with RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire After Roster Cuts
According to Chiefs insider Matt Derrick, Kansas City signed Chris Oladokun, Carson Steele, and Clyde Edwards-Helaire to the practice squad. Edwards-Helaire was just released by the New Orleans Saints on Wednesday morning, so Kansas City wasted no time in jumping at the reunion opportunity.
What that means isn't clear, though rookie Brashard Smith now has to look over his shoulder a bit. Isiah Pacheco and Kareem Hunt's roles are secure, and Smith was meant to be an effective change-of-pace receiving option alongside Elijah Mitchell. Edwards-Helaire has that skill set, and if he pushes for the active roster, it'll be one of Smith or Mitchell to get waived.
Kansas City would like to keep Smith of course, yet some costly mistakes early in the season could force their hand. Steele dealt with fumbling issues and was phased out last year, and the same could happen to Smith if he's not careful.
Edwards-Helaire was general manager Brett Veach's first-ever first-round draft pick and spent four years with the Chiefs. He was considered a disappointment overall, especially once Pacheco burst onto the scene. However, he was still a contributor and had 1,100 yards from scrimmage during his rookie year. That's a player who could have value, and at only 26 years old, there hasn't been a lot of tread on his tires.
Similar to Mecole Hardman and Derrick Nnadi, Edwards-Helaire found his way back to the team. That speaks to what the organization thinks of him and vice versa, so his old teammates will certainly be happy to have him back.
We'll see what happens, but practice and Week 1 will be interesting to find out how the Chiefs intend to deploy their running backs. Edwards-Helaire won't be on the active roster to start, but if he impresses, there could be a shake-up.