The Kansas City Chiefs kept up with their active offseason, agreeing to a new one-year contract with running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire on April 3 and bringing the former No. 32 overall pick back behind starter Isiah Pacheco for the 2024 season. Five days later, the team officially announced the deal with a post on social media.
Edwards-Helaire’s reaction to the post caught Patrick Mahomes’ attention, with the QB sharing the running back’s post to his personal timeline.
Clyde Edwards-Helaire Sends Message After Chiefs Announce Contract
Patrick Mahomes Shares Clyde Edwards-Helaire’s Post on Chiefs Contract
“Lets Glyde To The 3Peat!!!” Edwards-Helaire posted on X on April 8
Lets Glyde To The 3Peat!!! ❤️💛 https://t.co/Isf99j9SOJ
— GLYDE (@Clydro_22) April 8, 2024
Edwards-Helaire, who turns 25 years old on April 11, rushed for career-low marks of 223 yards, 3.2 yards per carry, and one touchdown last season. Keeping with a trend, Edwards-Helaire has played a smaller percentage of the offensive snaps in every season of his career.
After posting 188 receiving yards last season – the second most of his career – Edwards-Helaire is poised to assume a larger role with Jerick McKinnon still a free agent. McKinnon had just 21 carries last season, one fewer than third-stringer La’Mical Perine. Perine is also back for the 2024 season.
However, McKinnon also had 25 receptions for 192 yards in a backfield the Chiefs must replace.
Edwards-Helaire caught a career-best 36 passes for 297 yards in his rookie season, so he is fully capable of taking on a larger role next season.
Chiefs Pushing for NFL History
The content of Edwards-Helaire’s message shouldn’t be overlooked either. The Chiefs became the first team in 20 years to win back-to-back championships this past season. They would be the first team in NFL history to win three straight Super Bowls if they won this coming season.
Edwards-Helaire’s sentiment echoes teammate Chris Jones, who shared the same message just days earlier.
“Kc….3peat,” Jones posted on X on March 28.
Kc….3peat
— Chris Jones (@StoneColdJones) March 28, 2024
Jones is coming off a 10.5-sack season after a lengthy holdout. But he is just one year removed from tying his career-best mark with 15.5 sacks. Armed with his new multi-year contract, Jones should be a part of the offseason program from the outset.
That bodes well for another stellar campaign as Mahomes and the Chiefs pursue a third straight title (and fourth in five years) and NFL history.
Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs May Have Sparked Changes Across NFL
The Chiefs received poor marks for their facilities in a player survey that has sparked changes across the league. But one of their strategies could be permeating the NFL too, specifically when it comes to teams with top quarterbacks. Mahomes proved more than capable of bringing along a revamped wide receiver corps en route to another ring.
By season’s end, rookie second-round pick Rashee Rice emerged as the leader.
Other teams may be following suit. The Los Angeles Chargers broke up their aging wide receiver duo of Keenan Allen and Mike Williams as well as tight end Gerald Everett this offseason. That leaves Justin Herbert with 2023 first-rounder Quentin Johnston as his top weapon.
The Buffalo Bills traded disgruntled wideout Stefon Diggs and let Gabe Davis leave in free agency, essentially replacing them with Curtis Samuel and Mack Hollins.
The Cincinnati Bengals have let Tyler Boyd float in limbo with Tee Higgins on a franchise tag.
All of these situations are different circumstances – the Bengals still have Ja’Marr Chase, for example. But the teams paying hefty sums for quarterbacks are making deliberate efforts to cut costs elsewhere, and wide receivers have been a casualty.
Main Photo: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
